After a tough qualifying session earlier today, Helio Castroneves will now have to come from the rear of the field to contend in tomorrow’s Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Penske Racing president Tim Cindric has tweeted that Castroneves, the second-place driver in the IZOD IndyCar Series championship, will have the engine swapped on his No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet — which means that he’ll have to absorb a 10-spot grid penalty.
Based on his 13th place result in qualifying, Castroneves would have to start 23rd in tomorrow’s race with the penalty.
“@h3lio s turn 4 a 10 grid penalty.Changing engines 4 a better spec.With the way the weather looks,there may b many strategies that play out,” Cindric posted on his Twitter account. Thunderstorms and an 80 percent chance of rain are in the forecast for tomorrow at Mid-Ohio.
Castroneves enters tomorrow’s race just 21 points behind Ryan Hunter-Reay in the standings.
UPDATE: Helio’s PR team has confirmed the penalty.
