INDIANAPOLIS (June 3, 2015) – INDYCAR announced a reduction in the penalty assessed to Helio Castroneves of Team Penske following the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis on May 9 and a number of post-race infractions following the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit doubleheader, which was held May 30-31 at The Raceway at Belle Isle Park in Detroit.
Castroneves was originally penalized eight points in the Verizon IndyCar Series drivers point standings for violating Rule 9.3.3 (Avoidable Contact). Following a formal review over the weekend in Detroit, the penalty to Castroneves was reduced to three points in the Verizon IndyCar Series drivers point standings.
“INDYCAR established its penalty review process for instances like these and we feel the process was a success,” said Derrick Walker, INDYCAR President of Competition and Operations. “Following our review we have reduced the point penalty to Helio Castroneves from eight to a total of three points, which is in line with a similar penalty issued earlier this season.”
INDYCAR also announced the following post-event infractions from the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit doubleheader:
• INDYCAR officials fined driver Stefano Coletti of KV Racing Technology $10,000 and placed him on probation for three races for violating Rule 7.1.3.3 Full Course Yellow Condition (reduce speed/yield to safety vehicles and personnel) during Race 2.
• INDYCAR officials placed driver Sage Karam of Chip Ganassi Racing on probation for five races for violating Rule 9.3.3 (Avoidable Contact) during Race 2.
• INDYCAR officials fined crew members of Chip Ganassi Racing a total of $1,000 for violating Rule 1.2.7.2 Personal Safety Equipment (fueler visor up) in Race 1.
• INDYCAR officials fined a crew member of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports $500 for violating Rule 1.2.7.2 Personal Safety Equipment(fueler visor up) in Race 1.
• INDYCAR officials fined a crew member of Team Penske $500 for violating Rule 1.2.7.2 Personal Safety Equipment (deadman no headsock) in Race 2.
• INDYCAR officials announced that Honda has received a deduction of 20 manufacturers championship points for an engine that did not attain its life cycle at the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit. According to Rule 10.6.4.3, 20 points will be deducted for an engine that fails to reach its 2,500-mile life cycle. The engine in the No. 26 Andretti Autosport entry did not reach its life cycle minimum before being changed out. Following the deduction, Chevrolet has 777 manufacturer championship points and Honda has 758.
Members may contest the imposition of penalties pursuant to the procedures and timelines detailed in the review and appeal procedures of the Verizon IndyCar Series rulebook.
