By Josh Farmer, IndyCar Reporter
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and driver James Hinchcliffe have been issued a hefty penalty following their second-place finish in last weekend’s Firestone 600 at Texas Motor Speedway.
INDYCAR officials found during post-race inspection of the runner-up No. 5 Arrow Electronics Honda that the domed skid was worn excessively. As a result, SPM has been fined $20,000 as well as 25 driver and entrant points. The penalty drops Hinchcliffe and SPM from eighth to ninth in the standings.
“In our post-race analysis this week it was determined the skid plate on the No. 5 entry was worn and in violation of our rules,” said Jay Frye, INDYCAR president of competition and operations. “This was both a performance advantage and a safety concern, as the domed portion of the skid had been ground down to the point it would have been ineffective.”
The team will have the opportunity to appeal the penalty.
