Tracy out of ride as Forsythe shuts down

UPDATE #3 There is speculation that Tony George will expand his Vision Racing team back to three cars to accommodate Tracy. It was rumored that Vision Racing had eyed Tracy in the past but he stuck with Champ Car. We have updated our 2008 IRL Silly Season page accordingly.

The Indy Star reports – "He wants to drive for Penske or Ganassi, and he wants me to talk to them for him," George said Thursday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where the Indy Racing League was testing.

After speaking with George on Thursday, Tracy called friend Jimmy Vasser, who will field a two-car IRL team with Kevin Kalkhoven. Oriol Servia has been designated for one car, and there is talk of the team swiping Will Power and his sponsor from Walker Racing.

Said Tracy: "Jimmy didn't say what he is doing with the other car, but it doesn't sound like he'll have one available."

Then there's the issue of money: Tracy is believed to want at least $1 million annually in salary.

"(Oval racing) is pretty dangerous, and I'm not going to drive for hamburgers and hot dogs," Tracy said.
George said he wouldn't pay Tracy's salary only to have him drive for another team, but he said he'd try to find a sponsor for the team.

"Since Chip doesn't want to pay me to run Alex, maybe I'll just ask him to run Paul," George said with a smile.

02/28/08 This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' with this announcement that Forsythe is only going to run an Atlantic program. “I’m in shock and I’m very, very disappointed," Tracy told SPEEDTV.

“Right now, I need to quickly regroup, regain my composure and then start looking for another ride – and I mean in IndyCar. The team may be done, but I’m ready to go racing."

“I got a call from Neil (Micklewright, president of Forsythe Racing) this morning and he said, ‘I’ve got some bad news for you,’" related Tracy from his home in Las Vegas.

“Neil said he’d been trying to get a hold of my manager but he was having a colonoscopy today. That’s ironic ‘cause that’s what I feel like I got."

02/28/08 Rumor has it that Gerald Forsythe is not sold on the idea of entering cars in the Indy Racing League and his partner, Dan Pettit may not be either. If true, one wonders where Paul Tracy will end up.

02/28/08 Tony George and Champ Car co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven, along with a number of racing officials, appeared at the news conference at the venue for the IndyCar series season opener March 29. A number of team owners and drivers from both series were also on hand.

Toronto's Paul Tracy was not among the group because he was filming a Speed Channel television show back in Las Vegas.

Tracy said he's still not sure if he'll be racing for Forsythe Racing in the new series as neither he or the team has been told one way or the other by owner Gerald Forsythe, co-owner of Champ Car, if they'll compete.

"I'm still in limbo," he said. "I'd be lying if I said I'm not concerned. I'm anxious. I'd like to compete and with Forsythe Racing."

Forsythe, who was not at yesterday's press conference, was said to be nursing a broken foot and not travelling. Toronto Star

[Editor's Note: Tracy has been downgraded from 'fact' to 'strong' on our 2008 IRL Silly Season page]