By Andrew Cutler
August 5 2010

As the IndyCar Series heads into the Mid-Ohio weekend, Helio Castroneves has been told to be on his best behavior & Milka Duno has been told to step up her pace. The IRL has fined Castroneves $60,000 for his uncharacteristic emotional outburst following being black-flagged for blocking in the closing laps of the recent event in Edmonton.

Upset with the ruling, Helio confronted two league officals and one security person immediately following the race, grabbing one of them by their shirt collar in the heated exchange.

"Once again, I regret what occurred following the IZOD IndyCar Series race in Edmonton and I apologize for my behavior as I let my emotions get the better of me," Helio said after the ruling came out. "Although my disappointment with being black-flagged while leading the race with just a few laps to go will probably always remain with me, I understand and accept the league's decision to penalize me for my reaction.I am ready to move forward and I'm hoping to add to Team Penske's success at Mid-Ohio this weekend." 

In addition to the fine, Castroneves has been placed on probation for the remainder of the 2010 season, pending any further incidents.

Meanwhile, back at the tail end of the grid, the IRL is trying to address the long-running 'issue' of what to do about Milka Duno. While one of the most fan-freindly and popular drivers - and having major corporate (CITGO) money to keep her in a seat (which Dale Coyne Racing desperately needs to keep the shop doors open) - , Duno has failed to be anywhere near the pace of the next slowest cars in every event so far this year: She have even failed to match the pace of the fastest Indy Lights cars, which give up about 200hp to an IndyCar.

After recieving multiple complaints from the other IndyCar drivers, the IRL has decreed that Duno; "requires immediate and substantial improvement to her driving during the remaining events on the 2010 schedule," adding "if the improvements are not met, the league may impose other penalties at its discretion."

While drivers like Duno (or former owner/driver Marty Roth) were once 'accepted' in an effort to fill the field, new league CEO Randy Bernard wants to send a different message; "It's very, very important for the credibility of the series that fans know our drivers are the best in the world. If someone can't maintain and compete, I really think that's what we have the ladder system for."

Stay tuned to see how this plays out...