Photo Credit: Bret Kelly/IndyCar
On August 31 it was announced by IndyCar the No.5 Honda owned by Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, driven by James Hinchcliffe has been penalized for a post-race infraction after the conclusion of the Firestone 600, which was finished on August 27 at Texas Motor Speedway.
SPM was fined $20,000 as well as docked 25 entrant along with driver points after their No. 5 Honda was found to be in violation of Rule 14.6.8.2.2 according to the Verizon IndyCar Series rule book (domed skid wear) after the post-race inspection.
“In our post-race analysis this week it was determined the skid plate on the No. 5 entry was worn and in violation of our rules,” Jay Frye, INDYCAR president of competition and operations stated. “This was both a performance advantage and a safety concern, as the domed portion of the skid had been ground down to the point it would have been ineffective.”
Along with the fine and penalty Hinch, who had finished the race in second place behind Graham Rahal for a track record of 0.0080 of a second is eliminated from contention for the Astro Cup, which is awarded at the end of the Verizon IndyCar Championship in Sonoma on September 18. He now trails current points leader Simon Pagenaud by 162, 158 maximum points will be awarded during the final two races.
SPM may contest the penalties as stated in the Review and Appeal procedures Verizon IndyCar Series rulebook.
