IndyCar fines James Hinchcliffe, team for violation

IndyCar has fined Schmidt Peterson Motorsports $20,000 and penalized the team and driver James Hinchcliffe for an infraction found in postrace inspection in Texas.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — IndyCar has fined Schmidt Peterson Motorsports $20,000 and penalized the team and Canadian driver James Hinchcliffe 25 points for an infraction found in postrace inspection in Texas.

Jay Frye, IndyCar's president of competition and operations, said Wednesday that the skid plate on the No. 5 entry found to be worn and in violation of rules after the race Saturday night at Texas Motor Speedway.

''This was both a performance advantage and a safety concern,'' Frye said. ''The domed portion of the skid had been ground down to the point it would have been ineffective.''

It was not known if the penalties will be appealed.

Hinchcliffe finished second behind Graham Rahal in the closest finish ever for an IndyCar race at the high-banked, 1-1/2-mile oval.