Jourdain and Rahal evade penalty

Champ Car noted a modification made by Team Rahal to the bodywork immediately behind the air inlet during pre-qualifying technical inspection. The area's function is strictly regulated with this year's Ford-Cosworth XFE spec engine and Champ Car claimed that the car violated Rule 9.5.2H2 of the Champ Car Rule Book which states, "No addition of air ducts or modification of the filter mounting is allowed." Champ Car also levied a $10,000 fine.

Team Rahal's Ray Leto immediately filed an official protest. After testimony from both parties and an examination of the parts in question, the judges upheld the Team Rahal protest. They found no violation, restored Jourdain's grid position and also refunded Team Rahal's $500 protest fee.

"The rule is about adding air ducts or bypassing the filter," said Leto. "We had done neither so obviously we disagreed with what they said. It was just a misunderstanding about what we had done. We interpreted it differently. We believed we were within the rules and that's what my contention was. It needs a clarification and that's what I think is going to happen."

He added: "The biggest thing to me is how professional and simple the protest process was. The judges were fair and and it says a lot about how our rule book is set up and how (CART) sticks to the rules. Lee Dykstra and John Lopes are doing a great job and trying to keep things fair."

Team Rahal replaced the component in question with a new stock part from Lola on Sunday morning. "Look at our superspeedway record," Leto said. "We've never had any trouble getting up to speed on the big tracks and we don't have anything to hide."