INDYCAR To Hear Newman/Haas, Target Ganassi Racing Protest Of New Hampshire Finish

While INDYCAR posted official results of the MoveThatBlock.com Indy 225 on the New Hampshire Motor Speedway mile oval last Sunday, August 14, there were two protests tendered by Newman/Haas Racing and Target Chip Ganassi Racing within 30 minutes regarding the finishing order.

These teams contested the results that placed Oriol Servia (NHR) and Scott Dixon (TCGR) second and third, respectively.  Ryan Hunter-Reay was named the winner of the race following a red flag period coming after a final, later-aborted rain-affected restart resulted in several cars crashing, including championship contender Will Power and Danica Patrick, who instigated the incident in question with her spin.

The protest hearing is scheduled to take place the week of August 22 - prior to the next race at Infineon Raceway Sears Point - in Indianapolis.  Andretti Autosport has been invited to participate in the haring because of its interest in the outcome; Hunter-Reay drives the No. 28 Dallara/Honda/Firestone racecar for Andretti Autosport.  

Because he serves as race director of the IZOD IndyCar Series, president of competition and operations Brian Barnhart has recused himself for this hearing and will select individuals to resolve the protest.  INDYCAR will name these individuals prior to the hearing, a press release said.

"Given my role in Race Control, I feel that it is in everyone's best interest to have an independent panel hear the protests," Barnhart said.  "I believe a panel will help maintain a fair hearing."

According to the IZOD IndyCar Series rulebook, Barnhart has the discretion to select an individual or group of individuals to resolve a protest, with those persons having all of the powers and responsibilities that Barnhart holds.  The matter must be determined within 14 days of receipt of the protest notice unless a longer time period is agreed upon by all parties.  The decision of the person or persons assigned by Barnhart will be final, the rulebook states.

It's gratifying that INDYCAR is allowing the protests to be heard next week yet it remains to be seen who will hear the objections posed by Newman/Haas for Servia and Target Ganassi for Dixon; this duo passed Hunter-Reay at the green before caution came to end the race.  

As chief steward, Barnhart set the finishing order based on how cars were lined up prior to his decision to restart the race.  After the race had ended, Barnhart said he regretted having the green flag waved to restart the contest with 10 laps to go; he rationalized the finishing order as the "fair" thing to do.

© 2011 Anne Proffit