IndyCar: Castroneves' Indy GP penalty reduced

IndyCar announced a reduction in the penalty assessed to Helio Castroneves following the Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis on May 9 along with a number of post-race infractions following the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit double-header.

Castroneves was originally penalized eight points in the Verizon IndyCar Series drivers point standings for violating Rule 9.3.3 (Avoidable Contact) for an incident at the first turn of the opening lap of the race. Following a formal review over the weekend in Detroit, the penalty to Castroneves was reduced to three points.

"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 Detroit's races:

• Stefano Coletti of KV Racing Technology was fined $10,000 and placed 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.

• Sage Karam of Chip Ganassi Racing was placed on probation for five races for violating Rule 9.3.3 (Avoidable Contact) during Race 2.

• Crew members of Chip Ganassi Racing were fined a total of $1,000 for violating Rule 1.2.7.2 Personal Safety Equipment (fueler visor up) in Race 1.

• A crew member of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports was fined $500 for violating Rule 1.2.7.2 Personal Safety Equipment (fueler visor up) in Race 1.

• A crew member of Team Penske was fined $500 for violating Rule 1.2.7.2 Personal Safety Equipment (deadman no headsock) in Race 2.

Finally, IndyCar 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.