IndyCar’s Brian Barnhart dismisses claims of inconsistent officiating
"We never really know how far we can take it," said Penske driver Ryan Briscoe recently. "Some guys know they can break the rules and get away with it. It would be nice to see it more strict like it is in Formula 1. If there's a white line and you're not supposed to cross it and you do, then you get a penalty. Here, we're never sure."
"I think we've been consistent," Barnhart said. "People are entitled to their opinions, and we've had numerous opinions. There were several incidents in the last two races – four at Toronto and four at Edmonton – where we charged drivers with [making] avoidable contact.
"And there were numerous situations where the person at fault took themselves out of the race or put themselves at the back of the field. That's far more than the penalty would have been.
"If they're coming in [to a corner] in a careless or reckless fashion and impact another car, then we'll penalize them if they are able to continue. But if you're racing and we deem it to not be overly aggressive, that way we consider it a racing incident."