Indianapolis ? Helio Castroneves never doubted he was the winner of the Indianapolis 500. He just had to wait five weeks for confirmation.

Indy Racing League president Tony George rejected an appeal of the disputed finish between Castroneves and Paul Tracy, declaring the Brazilian known as Spiderman the race winner.

George said Wednesday that the split-second decision by IRL vice president Brian Barnhart that Tracy’s pass occurred after the yellow caution flag flew could not be appealed. Even if he could have changed the result, George said, Barnhart still made the right call.

“That decision under the yellow flag is not subject to protest,” George said, citing rule 11.2 in the IRL rulebook. “It may not be protested or appealed and the decision of the official is final and binding.”

Castroneves, who earned his nickname because he scales fences after victories, wasn’t surprised by the verdict and said he had no celebration plans beyond what took place in Indianapolis.

Barry Green, the owner of Tracy’s car, contended Tracy was in the lead when the yellow flew and that he was the rightful winner.

But George said several of the caution signals including trackside and dashboard lights, a radio announcement and a flag closing the pits indicated otherwise.