A Champ Car Defector to NASCAR?
Paul Tracy, the 2003 series champion and a longtime open-wheel star, is hoping to drive in his first NASCAR Nextel Cup event on Aug. 21 at Michigan International Speedway. That’s between Champ Car races at Denver and Montreal.
Tracy said Sunday he will test in an ARCA stock car at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on Tuesday, then try out one of Richard Childress Racing’s Chevrolets at the Michigan track on Aug. 8.
“If everything goes OK, I’m going to drive the (No.) 33 at Michigan,” Tracy said. The Canadian driver, who races for Forsythe Championship Racing, is not yet signed for the 2006 season.
My thoughts: OK, someone tell me how I’m wrong here. Tracy has had a successful open wheel career, there is little doubt of that. Personally I have always considered him a clone of fellow Canadian Jacques Villeneuve without the World’s Championship to brag about and with a mouth to match. But that’s just me.
That aside, why a switch to NASCAR and why now? And the even bigger question is why RCR is considering Tracy? The name Ward Burton comes to mind who has been rideless so far this [avatar:http://cranialcavity.net/files/cup.jpg]NEXTEL Cup[/avatar] season. In considering Tracy it’s obvious RCR are looking to employ a veteran vice a young driver. Why select someone that has never slid through the window of Cup car over Burton or others with more experience in the series?
I smell a rat of some sort. Could it be Tracy is hauling around a bag of sponsorship [avatar:http://cranialcavity.net/files/money.gif]cash[/avatar] that comes with him? Time will tell. It should be recalled Ward Burton is without a Cup ride because of sponsorship. He had a deal lined up with liquer producer Diageo but was shot down by the suits in Daytona. That decision was reversed a few months later but not soon enough for Burton to secure a place in a competitve car this year.
Source: Sports Illustrated
I think the search is on for name Canadian racers for the next expansion move into Canada by NASCAR. Tracy is probably the most recognizable name around, I just don’t see him competitively pushing NASCAR iron on an oval. It may take a season or two to adapt. Then again, with his willingness to apply the chrome horn, he may just adapt well to all the rubbin’ an’ rammin’!
Hey if RCR needs a driver that is good at using the chrome horn they could bring back Buckshot Jones!
I think, at least for the moment, I’ll stick with my assesment that he has a few million in sponsorship bucks stuck to his butt. Besides despite all the disclaimers saying he has a job in ‘06, if NASCAR and RCR what a Canadian whiner they can probably pick up loud mouth Jacques after the F1 season.
No contest on that choice Marc, I’d have to go with Tracy every time. ( I do acknowledge the extreme sarcasm of your comment).
Sarcasm?
Who me?
NEVER -
I don’t see PT buying a ride. I’d also bet that the time was just right for Childress to finally give him the try-out he has been offering him since forever and probably helps PT play the contract negotiation game. But I do think Childress is stupid to get that kind of attitude in the same camp as Harvick. We saw how well the Robby/Harvick experiment went i.e. very badly and PT’s like Robby times five.
If Tracy is playing a game related to his Champ Car contract it would seen, at least to me, he may be in a slightly weakened position and needs the threat of leaving as a negotiating ploy.
You’re correct Childress and Tracy go back 4-5 years but friendship doesn’t make a winning race team many times. With Ward Burton and Sterling Marlin and a few other NASCAR “veterans” available it’s a stupid move.
Unfortunetly..all racing hyped by the media has been elevated to where sponsorship alone (for the primary purpose of marketing a product/service) cannot cover the costs necessary to run a Top Level NASCAR Team.
Like F1 and many Road Race programs did years ago, drivers have to build the budget also. It is how many SO-So drivers have secured rides.
It is my opinion..this is ruining racing at all levels. I have been involved, and known some outstanding racers who could drive so very well…but do to lack of $$ and sponsorship, they had their careers stahl. Paul Tracy is getting too old for Open Wheel racing…and is feeling it in his bones. With the support he has from loyal friends and sponsors he could jump to NASCAR and make a good financial move. Maybe he could even drive up front.
But…I would not stretch to far to say he could win. With Menard looking like they will purchase DEI, we could see more Open Wheel racers coming to NASCAR to build or extend their careers.