Penske driver Helio Castroneves has been acquitted of all charges in his tax evasion trial, clearing the way for an imminent return with his racing team.
The double Indianapolis 500 winner was accused of tax evasion but his defence had argued that he had not been due to receive the payments until later this year.
The jury had deliberated for almost a week but was deadlocked on five of the original seven charges.
The Brazilian has not raced since the IndyCar Series' event in Surfers Paradise last autumn, with Will Power taking his place in Penske's IndyCar line-up.
It is not clear if Castroneves will join the team in Long Beach this weekend although practice is already underway.
photo:Jim Haines - IRL
The double Indianapolis 500 winner was accused of tax evasion but his defence had argued that he had not been due to receive the payments until later this year.
The jury had deliberated for almost a week but was deadlocked on five of the original seven charges.
The Brazilian has not raced since the IndyCar Series' event in Surfers Paradise last autumn, with Will Power taking his place in Penske's IndyCar line-up.
It is not clear if Castroneves will join the team in Long Beach this weekend although practice is already underway.
photo:Jim Haines - IRL