SAO PAULO (AP) - IndyCar has fined Panther Racing owner John Barnes and placed him on probation until the end of the year for posting a critical comment on Twitter.
IndyCar said Saturday that Barnes was fined $25,000 and put on probation until Dec. 31 for using “improper or disparaging language in reference to IndyCar.”
Barnes can appeal the penalties. He admitted in a statement he “should have chosen a more private forum to voice my opinions.”
The Panther owner tweeted on Thursday: “Today is the day to resolve TURBOGATE! I hope (at)indcar gets their act together. It has been embarrassing.”
He was referring to a hearing to decide whether Honda would be allowed to make changes to its turbochargers, which eventually happened.
Panther Racing uses engines from Chevrolet, which had appealed a decision by IndyCar allowing the changes that eventually added power to the Hondas. A three-person panel upheld the series’ decision at a hearing in Indianapolis on Thursday.
“Nobody cares about open-wheel racing and the Indianapolis 500 more than I do, and therefore I’m very passionate about all the decisions that are made _ right or wrong _ that affect our sport,” Barnes said.
“While my passion for this sport will never waver, I should have chosen a more private forum to voice my opinions.”
The team, preparing for Sunday’s Sao Paulo 300, said it has not yet decided whether it will appeal.
There hadn’t been a fine meted in IndyCar because of Twitter comments since three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves last year posted comments criticizing then chief steward Brian Barnhart. Castroneves was fined $30,000 for calling Barnhart a “circus clown.”
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