By Amy Konrath
INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011) – INDYCAR has fined driver Helio Castroneves $30,000 and placed him on probation for the remainder of the season for actions following the Sept. 18 IZOD IndyCar Series race at Twin Ring Motegi.
Castroneves was penalized for use of improper, profane or disparaging language in reference to officials for comments he made toward the Race Director via Twitter after he was penalized for passing under a local yellow on the final lap on the 2.983-mile road course.
Because of the public display of his actions, Castroneves will be able to work off the fine by making a series of public appearances on behalf of INDYCAR throughout the remainder of the season.
Castroneves may contest the penalty as prescribed in the IZOD IndyCar Series rulebook. A protest/appeal may result in an increase, decrease or no change to the penalty.