AGR takes rap for crash

Franchitti was hounding Scheckter for third place when the yellows came out for Robbie Buhl's crash. Scheckter lifted off, but Franchitti was not told of the caution and slammed into the back of him, sending both into the wall.

Kyle Moyer, AGR's general manager, admitted: "I was trying to talk with our spotter and the yellow came out and we were late on calling it for Dario. Scheckter was able to check up and we ran into the back of him. It's our fault and that ended our day."

Franchitti said: "I'm very disappointed. I think we were as good as anybody today. When the yellow came out it was pretty bad timing because Kyle and my spotter were talking when the yellow came out, and nobody was able to tell me the track had gone yellow.

"I saw Tomas check up and I hit the brakes, but I couldn't slow down in time. I slid into the back of him. We are making our way slowly but surely, but it is frustrating. The good thing is the performance is there, we have run well at both races and today our car was better than it was at Homestead."

Franchitti has crashed out of both races so far this year, although his exit from the Homestead opener was caused by wayward rookie Kosuke Matsuura.