Impounded Mid-Ohio Pro Mazda cars pass inspection

The three cars impounded after Sunday's third and final leg of the Cooper Tires Pro Mazda Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio have passed technical inspection, series officials announced Tuesday.

Race winner Anthony Martin, runner-up Victor Franzoni and fourth-place TJ Fischer had their cars impounded after the morning race. In a statement on Tuesday, Andersen Promotions said the "rigorous" process was an extension of the inspection procedure that is already in place.

"Following the post-race impounding of Pro Mazda cars 8, 23 and 82 immediately after Sunday's Cooper Tires Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio Presented by Allied Building Products, series officials have determined that no illegal components, unauthorized parts or other items that would fall outside of the series technical regulations were in use. This process not only included a complete mechanical inspection and review of the vehicles but also inspection and analysis of aero, engine performance, Timing & Scoring data, oils and fuel.

"This process may occur at any time within any Mazda Road to Indy category and it should be viewed as an extension of the rigorous inspection process already in place," said technical director Daryl Fox. "As it is a more intrusive process which requires more time, it needs to be completed away from the race track in a private setting. We would like to thank the teams involved for their professionalism. We recognize that it adds an unexpected burden on them. We also would like to thank the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for permitting us to complete the work in their track garages."

"The results from Race 3 at Mid-Ohio are now classified as final and we look forward to the outcome of this very close championship."

Martin led Sunday's race wire to wire and took a four-point championship lead over Franzoni. The series next races at Gateway Motorsports Park on Aug. 26.