Castroneves penalized for post-race outburst at Edmonton

Autoracing Betting Lines

08/02/2010 - Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The IZOD IndyCar Series on Tuesday handed driver Helio Castroneves a $60,000 fine and placed him on probation for the remainder of the season following his post-race altercation with officials last month in Edmonton, Canada.

Castroneves was penalized for refusing to follow the direction of race officials and unsportsmanlike conduct when he engaged in a heated altercation with two officials on pit lane after the conclusion of the race.

IndyCar officials met with Castroneves on Sunday in Indianapolis to discuss his actions.

Castroneves was leading the race at Edmonton when he was issued a black flag for blocking his Team Penske teammate Will Power just after a restart with three laps remaining. He failed to take the drive-through pit-lane penalty.

At the conclusion of the race, Castroneves was penalized 20 seconds and placed at the tail end of the lead lap, which resulted in a 10th-place finish. Castroneves had crossed the line first, but Scott Dixon from Chip Ganassi Racing was awarded the victory.

Castroneves was furious with the decision. He confronted the two officials and made physical contact with one of them after he exited his car.

"I fully support the decisions of chief steward Brian Barnhart and Race Control," Randy Bernard, the chief executive officer for the series, said in a statement. "The drivers have been aware of the blocking rule for quite some time. Brian reminded the drivers of the blocking rule in the Edmonton pre-race drivers' meeting, which serves as the first warning, and the rule was executed during the race, just as it dictates."

IndyCar officials contemplated the possibility of suspending Castroneves.

"This is a very serious matter, and we weighed all options, including suspension, but we felt suspension would hurt the fans more than anyone else," Bernard added.

Wwwastrobet Autoracing Betting News

<< Ducks sign veteran D Sutton
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Anaheim Ducks signed defenseman Andy Sutton to a two-year contract on Monday. Sutton, 35, split last season with the Islanders and Senators and totaled five goals and eight assists to go with 107 penalty

<< Roush upgraded to fair condition at Mayo Clinic
Concord, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - NASCAR multi-team owner Jack Roush was upgraded to fair condition Sunday evening at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Roush Fenway Racing released an update on Roush's condition on Monday. The 68- year-old is r

<< Cubs place Silva on DL, recall two
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Cubs placed right-handed pitcher Carlos Silva on the 15-day disabled list on Monday, among three roster moves. Silva is sidelined as he undergoes a cardiac evaluation after he was forced to leave

<< BoSox place Cameron on DL
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox placed outfielder Mike Cameron on the 15-day disabled list Monday and recalled outfielder Daniel Nava from Triple-A Pawtucket. Cameron, whose move is retroactive to July 31, has been battling

<< Li, Goerges roll in Copenhagen openers
Copenhagen, Denmark (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Second-seeded Li Na of China and recent Bad Gastein champion Julia Goerges were a pair of first-round winners Monday at the $220,000 e-Boks Sony Ericsson Open. The world No. 11 Aussie Open semifin

Cardinals agree to terms with first-round pick Williams >>
Tempe, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Arizona Cardinals and defensive tackle Dan Williams, the team's first-round pick in the 2010 draft, have agreed to terms on a five-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Williams, the 26th o

Sabres sign defenseman Morrisonn >>
Buffalo, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Buffalo Sabres have agreed to terms with defenseman Shaone Morrisonn on a two-year contract. No terms of the deal were announced. The 27-year-old Morrisonn scored one goal and added 12 assists in

Vanderbilt's Caldwell has interim tag removed >>
Nashville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Vanderbilt has reportedly removed the interim tag from head football coach Robbie Caldwell's title. The Tennessean said that Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor David Williams II announced the move Monday a

Youkilis leaves with thumb injury >>
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis left Monday's game against the Cleveland Indians with an injured right thumb. In the second inning, Youkilis lined out to shortstop and grabbed his right hand.

Bengals ink top pick Gresham >>
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cincinnati Bengals have reportedly agreed to terms with tight end Jermaine Gresham, their first round draft choice. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, it is a five-year deal worth $15

Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

Bet on NFL

Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

Bet on NFL

Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard