IRL to rule on finish at Indy 500

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Posted 8:38AM on Wednesday, July 3, 2002

INDIANAPOLIS - More than a month after the drivers crossed the finish line, the Indy Racing League will finally announce who won the Indianapolis 500. The question is whether Helio Castroneves keeps his second straight victory or second-place finisher Paul Tracy is declared the winner. The ruling was to be announced by IRL president Tony George at a news conference Wednesday. Indianapolis Motor Speedway spokesman Fred Nation said he and a ``handful'' of people were told of George's decision, but he declined to reveal it. ``Both teams have been notified that there is a news conference,'' Nation said. ``But they have not been told the contents of the report.'' Nation said he received the report Tuesday and it was still being ``tweaked'' before its release. Castroneves was leading the May 26 race on the next-to-last lap when Tracy passed him at about the same time an accident brought out a yellow caution flag. Speedway officials ruled Tracy passed illegally on the yellow, which made Castroneves the winner. Team Green owner Barry Green disputed the finish, arguing that Tracy had passed Castroneves for the lead before the yellow flag flew. Green repeatedly has said that if there was evidence showing Tracy's pass came after the accident, he would not appeal. But after sifting through data for almost three weeks before the hearing in front of George, he said he was convinced Tracy won. ``We look forward to hearing what he (George) has to say,'' Team Green spokeswoman Carol Wilkins said. ``We are keeping our fingers crossed.'' Green protested the track ruling, which was made by IRL vice president Brian Barnhart. Barnhart upheld his decision the day after the race. A week later, Green filed his appeal with George, who heard testimony from both teams on June 17. Penske Racing spokeswoman Susan Bradshaw declined to comment on behalf of team owner Roger Penske. Castroneves drives for Penske, who won a record 12th Indy 500 title as an owner. If George upholds the decision, Castroneves would be the race's first back-to-back winner since Al Unser in 1970-71. Green could appeal again, but attorney Dave Mattingly, who served as the hearing administrator, said last month that both teams agreed George's decision would be the final step in the contested finish. No Indy win has been overturned since 1981, when Bobby Unser crossed the finish line first, then was penalized one lap for passing cars under the yellow. Mario Andretti was then awarded the victory. But in October, 4 1/2 months after the race ended, the penalty was overturned and Unser was declared the winner. Unser also drove for Penske.