Tracy, Castroneves play down crash

The crash ended Tracy's chances of a podium finish - and even a shot at victory - in his home event, and damaged Castroneves' title hopes, leaving the Brazilian 78 points behind race winner and championship leader Dario Franchitti with six rounds to go.

Castroneves was leading after a late restart but had Franchitti and Tracy, both on fresher tyres, close behind him. Shortly after Franchitti had taken the lead, Tracy tried to pass Castroneves at Turn 3. He got alongside as the Penske driver took a wide line, but as the two cars stayed side by side into Turn 4, contact was made and Tracy was squeezed into the wall.

But the former Champ Car champion had no hard feelings.

"We were racing pretty hard and I knew Castroneves wasn't going to make it to the end, he had to save fuel, he was coasting at the end of the backstraight," said Tracy, who shook hands with Castroneves in the pitlane after the crash.

"I got in there, he gave me enough room, we touched wheels and then we kind of just locked together and that was it.

"I don't think he intentionally moved over on me, it was just one of those things."

Castroneves was jeered by the Canadian crowd after the incident, and apologised to the fans for what had happened.

"He's the last guy, here in Canada, that I wanted to take out," said Castroneves.

"I thought I gave him plenty of room. Unfortunately when he touched me, that's where you get on the power, and I think I lost control and ending up forcing him [into the wall].

"We had older tyres and there was no reason for me to do anything like that on purpose."

He added that he understood the local fans' anger.

"I think PT and I had history in the past from 2002 at Indianapolis, so I understand the frustration of the fans," said Castroneves. "I'm sorry, I did not have the intention to do that. But it's racing. I totally respect PT. He's a tough guy to race and it's nice to have him in the series."