Castroneves

	Tracy

INDIANAPOLIS -- Roger Penske, owner of Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves' car, is prepared to defend Castroneves' victory over runner-up Paul Tracy.

Team Green owner Barry Green this week appealed the ruling by the Indy Racing League that Tracy had not passed leader Castroneves before a yellow caution light was displayed on the next-to-last lap of the May 26 race.

The outcome of the appeal will determine which driver won the 500, a spokesman for Indy Racing League president Tony George said Wednesday.

That would rule out any counter appeals by Penske.

"Since both parties are involved in the process, the decision is final," spokesman Fred Nation said.

Who will decide the case has not been determined, Nation said. George, who has exclusive authority on the appeal, could form a committee to consider the evidence or hold a hearing.

The hearing is expected within 30 days, unless the competitors get an extension to review materials.

"We take the same approach, whether it's a formal appeal or the next race," Team Penske president Tim Cindric said. "We look forward to the days we're overly prepared. That's our style."

Cindric and his staff have spent many hours since the race improving their case for Castroneves.

Tracy was rapidly closing in on Castroneves in the final laps of the race and passed him at almost the same time the yellow came out for a crash involving Buddy Lazier and Laurent Redon.

IRL director of operations Brian Barnhart, who heard the initial protest by Green the day after the race, ruled the yellow was displayed before the pass, locking Castroneves in first place and Tracy in second as the race ended.

"We've got a copy of the appeal and we're in the process of reviewing it," said Cindric. "We're convinced we won the race."

Tracy, who drives full-time for Green in the rival CART series, won Sunday's Miller Light 250 at the Milwaukee Mile, the first race since Indianapolis.