Tracy to sub for Moraes
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| Devil's Rock |
KV Racing had to track down Paul Tracy before they could announce he was replacing Mario Moraes. Tracy was at a Bike Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota with his son and headed over to Devil's Rock in Wyoming when he got the call from KV Racing co-owner Jimmy Vasser. Tracy had to ride his bike back to Vegas, get his motorhome packed up and then drive all the way to Mid-Ohio. Tired from the drive, he had to drink a lot of Monster Energy drink to get him ready to drive his IndyCar Friday afternoon.
08/07/09 Round #13, 2009 IndyCar Series season – Paul Tracy will substitute for Mario Moraes, who remains in Brazil following the passing of his father, and drive the #5 Azul – Votorantim – KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone entry this weekend at the Honda Indy 200, August 7-9, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.
KVRT co-owners Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser said, “This is a very sad occasion and on behalf of the entire KV Racing Technology organization we extend our sympathy and condolences to Mario and his family. After lengthy internal discussions, and in consultation with Mario, we decided the best course of action was to have Paul (Tracy), who has driven for the team and is familiar with our systems and personnel, step in and drive this weekend."
Tracy said, “I want to thank KV Racing Technology and Mario for thinking of me during this unfortunate situation. It will be a privilege to drive the #5 Azul – Votorantim entry and I want to dedicate this weekend to achieving the best result possible in honor of Mario and the entire Moraes family."
Tracy will be making his 270th career start, eighth in the IndyCar Series, sixth this season, fifth with KVRT and 12th at Mid-Ohio. In 11 previous starts at Mid-Ohio, Tracy has finished in the top-five seven times including five podiums, one win (2003) and one pole (2003). In five IndyCar starts this year, four with KVRT, he has two top-10 finishes including a season high sixth two weeks ago in Edmonton and a ninth at this year’s Indy 500, both with KVRT.