If Paul Tracy wants to hang up his Champ Car boots and put on NASCAR boots, there’s one thing we should all do: thank him for everything he’s done and wish him the very best racing stock cars. There are only a handful of people who have demonstrated their passion for Champ Car like Paul Tracy and we should be grateful for that. When the chips were down, he came through for our series. He could have bailed with AGR, he could have gone to the IRL and fade away there. But he stuck to his beliefs. He was there when the series needed him most. He believed in Gerry Forsythe’s plan of actions. He believed in Chris Pook and now believes in the three amigos. He’s always worn his emotions on his sleeves and he’s exactly what the series has needed the last couple of seasons when it was redefining itself. Critical when he thought something was wrong, but quick to praise when he saw something being done right.

What Paul Tracy has accomplished in his career is truly remarkable and he’ll go down as one of the great open-wheel drivers that North America has ever seen. From his first win as a chubby kid in Long Beach back in 94 to his dominant season in 03, he’s had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. But through it all, he remained the one thing he was best at: a racecar driver.

When talking about a Champ Car Team and its operation, we value each individual’s position within that team, be it a mechanic, an engineer or a PR. Each has their role and is expected to fulfill them with their utmost capabilities. Paul Tracy is an exceptional racecar driver and knows it. He knows his role on the team. His role is to drive the car, given to him by his team, to the checkered flag. He lets the engineer do their jobs and lets the mechanics do their jobs. Naturally he offers suggestions when asked, but he’s very good at letting his team do their work. To me, that’s a very important skill to have. It makes the team feel appreciated and confident. Some drivers always seem to be looking over the mechanics shoulder to ensure he or she is doing the right thing. That can be annoying and doesn’t evoke too much assurance within the team.

If, and this is a big if, but if Paul Tracy can be competitive in the Nextel Cup, then Champ Car will profit. Paul will always speak fondly of Champ Car and always sourly of the IRL. If he starts putting strong results, people will take note of where he comes from. NASCAR is very good at detailing the origins of their drivers and how they got to the Nextel Cup. Tracy would speak nothing but praise of Champ Car and that can only benefit the series.

Tracy is very competitive and has always been. Driving open-wheel racecars is not easy and if he feels that because of his age he can’t be as competitive as he wants to be, then he will walk away. But I don’t know that he feels that yet or will feel that anytime too soon. He’s clearly in the best shape of his life. He also sees these young drivers coming in and would like nothing to prove to himself and the world that he’s better than them. But whatever decision Tracy makes about his future, he’ll always be part of Champ Cars some way or another. And we should always be grateful to him.
Champ Car baby! Champ Car for Life!