INDYCAR (INDIANAPOLIS) - SERIES NOTES

1. Carpenter penalized for improper comment at Texas

2. Firestone to serve as presenting sponsor of Detroit Indy Grand Prix

3. Helio Castroneves, photographer

1. Carpenter penalized for improper comment at Texas: IndyCar Series officials have fined driver Ed Carpenter for violating Rule 8-3-A of the IndyCar Series rulebook, improper conduct. Carpenter, driver of the No. 20 Vision Racing car, was fined an undisclosed amount for using inappropriate language during an interview at the June 9 event at Texas Motor Speedway.

2. Firestone to serve as presenting sponsor of Detroit Indy Grand Prix: The 150th IndyCar Series race -- on the Belle Isle course Sept. 2 -- will have Firestone as the presenting sponsor. The Detroit Indy Grand Prix presented by Firestone will be the first IndyCar Series race on the revamped circuit in Detroit. Firestone is the official tire of the IndyCar Series. "This race gives us an excellent opportunity to increase exposure for our brand in a key automotive industry market," said Al Speyer, Executive Director of Motorsports for Bridgestone. "Our Original Equipment group is based in Detroit, and they have taken an active role in promoting the event and are utilizing it as a platform for community-oriented activities." Spectators can watch the action for free on Aug. 31, compliments of Comerica Bank. Free Prix Day presented by Comerica Bank brings back a long-standing Detroit Grand Prix tradition of allowing fans to come and watch all of the racing and entertainment options available on the opening day of activity free of charge. Meijer will sponsor the Meijer Family Fun Zone, a family-friendly area that will feature exhibits and interactive displays for both children and adults that will operate all weekend.

3. Helio Castroneves, photographer: Photographs shot by two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves are featured in the current issue of ESPN - The Magazine. The 32-year old Brazilian participated in an article entitled “Gimme that Camera!” which highlights photos snapped by athletes, including San Diego Padres outfielder Mike Cameron, Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas, Olympic triathlete Sarah Haskins and boxer Laila Ali. In the article, each athlete was given a camera and they were able to submit photos of their choosing as a way to “get on the other side of the camera.” Castroneves took his camera overseas to Japan when the IndyCar Series competed there in April and provided shots of his experiences during the race weekend. *** The 2007 IndyCar Series season continues with the Iowa Corn Indy 250 on June 24 at Iowa Speedway. The race will be telecast at 1 p.m. (ET) by ABC and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network. The IMS Radio Network broadcast also is carried on XM Satellite Radio and www.indycar.com. The sixth season of Indy Pro Series competition continues with the Liberty Challenge doubleheader on June 16-17 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. The races will be telecast by ESPN2 at 5 p.m. on June 21.