INDYCAR's Iron Hand Of Justice Strikes Again

By Anne Proffit

Anne Proffit

BIO

Anne Proffit has worked in the automotive field since - well, not telling you that. She's been a car salesperson (before it was popular to hire... More

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1,619 views Jun 11, 2012

Dale Coyne. Photo: Anne Proffit.

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When the late Indy Racing League was in charge, you never knew who went to the guillotine for infractions to rules and you never knew how much it cost them.

Later, the names of the guilty were read, but until this year, nobody knew  more about rules breakages than those involved.

With new cars, new engines and an entirely new race control dock, the Indy cars are subject to indiscriminate rules enforcement and it's been coming hot and heavy.

In Indianapolis there were fines in six figures throughout the meeting, and at most tracks there have been more drive-through wrist slaps and fines accorded after an event.

This weekend was no exception to the latter circumstance. Following Saturday night's Firestone 550K race on the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway, winner Justin Wilson's Dale Coyne Racing team was cited for failing to follow the update aero bulletin's 14.6.4.13 which stated, "The following parts may not be used at Texas Motor Speedway: Sidepod Top Deck IR1225195RH/LH - IR1202A031/32.

Oops! The No. 18 Dallara/Honda/Firestone Indy car was docked $7,500 and docked five entrant points for "not complying with the sidepod top deck aerodynamic element of Rule 14.6.4.13.

They weren't the only ones, as Ed Carpenter Racing's No. 20 Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone machine was cited for not complying with Rule 14.6.1.2: A rear wing wicker up to a maximum of 1/8-inch height and full span may be used. This cost Ed and his team $5,000 and a single entrant point.

Both of these infractions were discovered during post-race technical inspection and may be contested by their respective teams.