KANSAS CITY, KAN. ? Marlboro Team Penske and Indy Racing League President Tony George appear to be in agreement on more than one matter regarding the 2002 Indianapolis 500 the appeals process.

George rejected an appeal by Team Green and Paul Tracy, letting stand the victory of Marlboro Team Penske driver Helio Castroneves at the Indianapolis 500.

Tracy and team owner Barry Green had maintained that Tracy passed Castroneves before the caution light came on and should have won the race under yellow. IRL officials did not see it that way, sticking to the series rule that infractions under caution cannot be disputed.

George said the process worked and that he did not anticipate any changes.

Team owner Roger Penske agrees, noting that data provided to the IRL confirmed that the caution light was on in Castroneves’ car and he slowed in Turn 3. Tracy continued on, passing him for what he thought was the lead and the win.

“There’s no question,” Penske said, noting that a spotter for Sam Hornish Jr. signed an affidavit affirming that Castroneves was leading when the caution came on.

Penske said he respected Green and his operations, but the rules were clearly on his side in this matter.

“For now, that should be the end of it,” Penske said.

Heat of the day: Temperatures on the track Sunday reached more than 130 degrees, making conditions tough for the drivers and mirroring last year’s first race at Kansas Speedway, where the crowd of more than 78,000 baked.

Since last year, Kansas Speedway officials installed water misters beneath the grandstand to help fans cope with the heat, which topped 90 degrees under humid, hazy skies.

Sam Hornish Jr. said conditions were a bit cooler than last year, but still warm.

“It’s hot. You start sweating from the time you put your helmet on,” he said.

Two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr. was treated for overheating at the infield care center after his went out of the race after 189 laps.

Pleasing the sponsor: A.J. Foyt Racing scored two victories for sponsor Harrah’s Casinos, which has two locations not far from Kansas Speedway. The Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe operates a Harrah’s Casino on its reservation north of Topeka, while Harrah’s has a second location in Kansas City, Mo., along the Missouri River.