Retired Indiana judge to hear Chevrolet appeal

INDIANAPOLIS – IndyCar has tapped a retired Indiana Supreme Court judge to hear Chevrolet's final appeal of an engine change the series allowed Honda.

IndyCar allowed Honda to change the compressor cover on its single turbocharger, and Chevrolet protested. A three-panel committee heard the appeal and ruled Honda could proceed with the change, which was in place in last Sunday's race in Brazil.

Chevrolet's final appeal will be heard next Wednesday in Indianapolis by retired Indiana Supreme Court Justice Theodore R. Boehm, who retired in 2010.

"Our position is unchanged, and we are following the next step of the process," said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president of Chevrolet Performance Vehicles & Motorsports.

Penske Racing has won all four races and all four poles so far this season using Chevrolet power. But Chevy is apparently concerned the change will give Honda a significant horsepower advantage in the upcoming Indianapolis 500.

Honda, which has three second-place finishes and no poles this season, will be allowed to participate in the hearing.

IndyCar president of operations Brian Barnhart could have heard the appeal himself, but instead elected to choose an independent official. Boehm's decision will be considered final and binding.

Boehm has a sports background. He was chairman and CEO of the organizing committee for the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis, and was the first president and CEO of the Indiana Sports Corp.