Tracy, who finished ninth in this year's Indy 500 while driving for KV Racing Technology, is only signed to race for Foyt at the IRL's Milwaukee event on May 31, but keeping Tracy, 40, in the ABC Supply car until Meira returns, tentatively scheduled for October, should be a no brainer. Keeping him in the series would require Foyt to field two cars, making an infusion of sponsor cash imperative. Open wheel racing desperately needs Tracy, a Canadian native who lives in Las Vegas, in the series, and racing for Foyt, who played the role of the petulant, irascible but fast racer before Tracy was even born, makes it all the better.
Meira Injured During Indianapolis 500
Tracy, the 2003 CART champion has had his fair share of on-track and off-track altercations during his career, but he has been on the sidelines since losing his ChampCar ride after Forsythe Racing decided not to join the unified IRL last year. While Meira, 32, who suffered an injured back in a spectacular crash during this year's Indy 500, is an imminently talented driver from Brazil, only hardcore racing fans have any idea who he is.
ESPN Highlight Reel
One thing the unified IRL needs in the worst way is drivers with some cache; drivers who perform on the track and can potentially attract news fans through force of personality and skill. Call out another driver. Blast race officials. Say something crazy in Victory Lane that makes the endless loop on ESPN. While the IRL is home to some of the most talented drivers in the world, most of them are nice, sponsor-friendly chaps who always say just the right thing. And let's be honest. Danica Patrick, arguably the series' most popular driver, makes more headlines because of her runway model looks than she does for her driving. Granted, she has had a run in or two with drivers outside the car (the famous Milka Duno pit confrontation comes to mind).
NASCAR, NHRA and Formula One Need Flakes Too
Today's new breed of race car driver, whether they toil in the IRL, NASCAR, NHRA, Formula One, or any other major series, is polite and buttoned down and--Tony Stewart notwithstanding--a far cry from the rough and tumble, piss and vinegar grease monkeys of years past. Open wheel racing has tradtionally been populated by strong figures, guys like Johnny "Lonestar JR" Rutherford, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, Danny Sullivan, Tom Sneva and legendary car owner Andy Granatelli. Even as recently as the '90s the sport featured popular free spirits like Alex Zanardi.
Now, as open wheel racing continues to claw its way back into the sporting consciousness in the wake of the devastating CART/IRL split, the need for daring, outspoken, aggressive drivers with winning pedigrees is even more important. For the good of the sport, open wheel fans across North America need Tracy in the series.
