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Filed under: IRL

After making a split-second decision to black flag leader Helio Castroneves for blocking at the end of the IndyCar race at Edmonton Sunday, Indy Racing League officials are taking their time deciding what to do about his post-race outburst -- a temper tantrum that included grabbing an IRL official with both hands and shaking him.

"IZOD IndyCar Series officials will meet with driver Helio Castroneves next week to further review his actions following the July 25 race in Edmonton," said a news release issued by the sanctioning body Thursday. "Any penalties will be announced after that meeting."

Brian Barnhardt, the IRL's president of competition and racing operations, vigorously defended the sanctioning body's snap decision to black flag Castroneves for blocking teammate Will Power as Power tried to pass on the outside going into and through the first turn after a restart with two laps to go.

But the IRL is obviously taking its time on deliberating and ruling about Castroneves' explosive reaction. In other major sports, such as baseball, simply touching an umpire or referee during an argument brings a swift, automatic suspension.

Castroneves ignored the black flag, which is an order to the pits for consultation, so he did not receive the checkered flag as race leader at the end of the final lap. Scott Dixon, in second behind Castroneves at the end, received the checkers and the victory. Castroneves was docked 20 seconds, a penalty that dropped him to 10th place. Power, who was third in line, was awarded second.

Castroneves stormed over to the flag stand and was gesturing and shouting up at the flagman when IRL security chief Charles Burns approached to try to settle him down. Castroneves grabbed the front of Burns' shirt with both hands and shook him for a moment as Penske Racing team director Tim Cindric intervened. The fiery Brazilian almost instantly regretted his actions and has apologized for his outburst while remaining firm that the blocking penalty was out of line and "absurd."

 

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Filed under: IRL

There's no word yet from the Indy Racing League whether it will penalize star Penske Racing driver Helio Castroneves for his outburst following Sunday's race at Edmonton, a display of temper that included grabbing and shaking an IRL official.

Indy Racing League president of competition and racing operations Brian Barnhart was quoted at the official IndyCar.com website as saying that he won't make any decision until after he talks with Castroneves.

"We've reviewed the videos since we've returned from Edmonton but I haven't had an opportunity to contact him," Barnhart told the website's Dave Lewandowski. "Hopefully, we'll be doing so very shortly. We're extremely disappointed in his behavior post-race but certainly understand his frustrations and emotions. He's a very passionate person and very competitive driver.

"That's still inexcusable to put your hands on an official and abuse the officials the way he did. We'll have a conversation, take his side into consideration as well as what he did, and act appropriately."

The incident occurred at the end of the race, with Castroneves leading on a restart with two laps to go. When the green flag fell, teammate Will Power made a bold, arching move to the outside on the wide racing surface to try to pass Castroneves on the left in the right-hand turn, but failed and lost second place to Scott Dixon.

 

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Filed under: IRL

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -- Scott Dixon won a controversial Honda Edmonton Indy on Sunday after Helio Castroneves crossed the finish line first, but was penalized for blocking his teammate.

An enraged Castroneves, who ended up 10th, stormed from his car after the race to yell at IndyCar officials and grabbed Indy Racing League security chief Charles Burns by the lapels of his shirt, shaking him.

After cooling down somewhat, Castroneves told a TV interviewer, "I have nothing smart to say. The only thing I can say is talk to my attorneys."

Castroneves took the lead from Team Penske teammate and pole winner Will Power with 18 laps to go in the 95-lap race, but was called for blocking Power when Power tried to pass him on a restart with two laps to go.

With Power blocked by Castroneves, Dixon stormed past him to take second place as they charged toward the finish line.

But the flagman showed Castroneves the black flag, while Dixon received the checkered flag. Power was second, followed by Dario Franchitti, Ryan Briscoe and Ryan Hunter-Reay.

It was Dixon's second victory of the season, but he won this one without ever being the lead car.

"Pretty strange to not run a lap and actually win the race," Dixon said. "But rules are rules, man. It was obvious Will had a pretty good run. The only way to stop him was blocking."

 

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Filed under: IRL, Danica Patrick

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) -- Tony Kanaan overtook Helio Castroneves with 10 laps left and held on to win the Iowa 250 Sunday.

It was the first win since 2008 for Kanaan, who last took the checkered flag in Richmond two years ago. Kanaan had crashed in each of his first three starts at Iowa, but he zipped past Castroneves on lap 240 and cruised to victory by over four seconds.

"I've had three years to think about why I didn't finish. When I came here people kept reminding me of that," said Kanaan, who led for 62 laps. "I never finished, and then I finished. I finished first, so know we have a different story."

Castroneves finished second and E.J. Viso was a career-best third. Penske teammates Ryan Briscoe and pole winner Will Power rounded out the top five.

Danica Patrick finished 10th. Dario Franchitti, a two-time winner in Iowa, had mechanical issues with 50 laps left and finished 18th.

Kanaan started the race 15th, but he moved up quickly and took the lead about halfway through the race. Franchitti took the lead away from Kanaan with a quick pit stop 70 laps from the finish, but his quest for a third win in three starts at Iowa fell apart soon thereafter.

Castroneves moved past Franchitti for the lead, and Franchitti soon went back to pit row when his gear box got stuck. That left the race up to Kanaan and Franchitti, and Kanaan easily moved past Castroneves to pick up his 14th career IndyCar Series win.

 

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Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL, Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS -- In the end, Dario didn't run out of gas, a bunch of his competitors nearly did, and Ashley couldn't stay in her shoes.

Everything else surrounding the 94th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday prior to the final couple of laps was a blur -- sort of like Dario Franchitti's No. 10 car for most of the steamy afternoon.

This was fun. This also was scary.

With one lap remaining and his car threatening to gasp any moment courtesy of a sprinkling of gas left in his tank, Franchitti's likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy was guaranteed for a second time in four Indy races after a crash in the north chute. It was a brutal one, but it wasn't fatal. It featured Mike Conway suffering just a leg injury despite his sparking, flipping and exploding ride flying high before slamming into the fence.

So this mostly was vintage Indy -- as in drama.

As in, it's about time.

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by FanHouse TV

Filed under: Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS -- The celebrity of Helio Castroneves has grown to heights not usually attainable by an IndyCar driver. From "Dancing with the Stars" to "Entertainment Tonight," it seems like the spotlight is always on the smiling Brazilian driver. His on the track legend could rise to a new level if he wins the Indianapolis 500 Sunday and joins the lofty four time Indy 500 winners club (he would join A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears and Al Unser).

FanHouse TV's Holly Cain caught up with him to find out what that would feel like.

FanHouse TV: Helio Runs for No. 4 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 29 May 2010 21:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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by FanHouse TV

Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL, Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS -- Four ladies and twenty nine gentleman are almost set to start their engines and kick off the 2010 Indy 500 from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

There are story lines galore, including Helio Castroneves' quest for a record-tying fourth Indy 500 win, Danica Patrick trying to best her third-place finish from last year, and a talented crew of rookie drivers looking to win it in their first attempt. FanHouse TV's Holly Cain is joined by three-time Indy 500 Champ Johnny Rutherford as they handicap the field, and project a winner.

FanHouse TV: Handicapping the Indy 500 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 29 May 2010 20:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL, Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS -- In pursuit of a record-tying fourth Indianapolis 500 victory, defending race winner Helio Castroneves speaks with reporters and FanHouse TV at Indy 500 Media Day.

Castroneves won his first 500 as a rookie in 2001 and made it two in a row the following year. In nine previous starts, along with the three victories he's five other top 10 finishes.

Here's a FanHouse TV video preview.

 

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Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL, Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Helio Castroneves has won his fourth Indianapolis 500 pole after posting a four-lap qualifying average of 227.970 mph.

The Brazilian's average speed on Saturday was better than any single lap in practice all week. The defending race winner is trying to become the fourth driver to win four 500s. He has tied A.J. Foyt and Rex Mays for the second-most Indy poles in history. Rick Mears won six.

Australian Will Power will start second after averaging 227.578 mph. Scotland's Dario Franchitti is third at 226.990 mph.

Danica Patrick struggled on a day the top 24 starting spots were filled. She was 23rd, the middle of Row 8. Two other women - Ana Beatriz and Simona de Silvestro - will start 21st and 22nd.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

 

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Filed under: Penske Racing, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL, Indianapolis 500

Mother Nature hasn't taken kindly to the newly-shortened schedule for the 94th Indianapolis 500, but she figures to cooperate for this weekend's two days of qualifications.

A very slight chance of rain exists early Saturday morning, but by the time Pole Day qualifying begins at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, skies are expected to be clearing. Highs in the 80s and sun are expected for Sunday's Bump Day.

The shortened schedule -- instituted as a cost-saving measure both for the track and the competing teams -- effectively dropped a weekend of qualifying and nearly a week of practice from the traditional IMS schedule. When qualifying wraps on Sunday, the 33 starters will only have just one hour of practice remaining next Friday before the race two days later.

 

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