Paul Tracy said team owner Jerry Forsythe would like him to stay with the team. But Tracy has an opportunity that could lead him away from open-wheel racing after this season. Tracy drove a stock car for the first time Tuesday on a half-mile oval in Concord, N.C. — an experience he called “a completely, completely different deal.” It was Tracy’s first spin in a heavy stocker after logging 231 Indy car races and 30 victories. Tracy used a rented former NASCAR Cup car to acclimate himself to driving a stock car. Next, he faces a key test Monday and Tuesday at Michigan International Speedway in a Cup car owned by Richard Childress Racing. “I just wanted to learn how to start the thing and know how to put it in gear,” Tracy said. “I needed to know how to put the seat belts on. It went OK. The test will be real important. I have to qualify for the (Aug. 21) race on time.” If all goes well, Tracy will try to qualify Childress’ No. 33 Chevrolet when the Cup series returns to the Michigan track in two weeks. “If I qualify for the race, I’ll be happy to finish on the lead lap,” Tracy said. “I’ll take the chance. I feel I have the driving ability. Racing is racing is racing.”(Las Vegas Review Journal)
CORRECTION: have been told Tracy tested at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, NC, ran some laps, then on his second session, backed the car into the wall, no word on damage or if he continued to practice.(8-5-2005)
