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INDYCAR: Vision Racing Confirms Tracy for Edmonton
Champ Car ace to run third entry at Rexall Edmonton Indy in association with Walker Racing, with backing from Subway.
Robin Miller  |  Posted July 15, 2008   Indianapolis, Ind.
Tracy, Walker and George might seem an improbable association, but all are eager to make the most of their new association. (Shawn Payne/IndyCar photo)

It’s an unlikely pairing, the driver who coined the phrase “crapwagon” with the owner of the series whose cars earned that moniker.

But, in a good example of what positive things unification has brought to open wheel racing, Paul Tracy and Tony George will be a team for the IndyCar race at Edmonton on July 26.

As reported last Sunday night on SPEED REPORT, Tracy came to terms to drive a third Vision Racing entry for George – sponsored by Subway and prepared/maintained by Derrick Walker’s crew.

“It’s not a perfect scenario, but it is a good opportunity to make Paul and Walker Racing part of the 2008 season,” said George, the Indy Racing League founder who fields cars full-time for Ed Carpenter and A.J. Foyt IV. “Hopefully, this can grow into something more.”

Tracy, who called the IRL cars crapwagons in the late ’90s at the height of the CART/IRL war, joined George for the press conference Tuesday morning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“The last time I was here, I was told I had no Indy 500 trophy,” said the 2003 CART champion, referring to the protested finish of the 2002 race when Tracy was scored second behind Helio Castroneves despite video evidence that showed him in front when the caution light flashed on. “But that’s water under the bridge and I appreciate Tony putting this deal together. I think it shows he’s serious about wanting the best of both sides to compete.”

While this gives Tracy and Walker a shot for a potential partnership down the road, it also gives the only Canadian venue on this year’s IRL schedule a shot of drawing power with its country’s most successful and popular racer.

This project started several weeks ago, when Walker approached Tracy about driving at Edmonton with a car leased from George. When funding couldn’t be obtained, George got involved and started working on putting a deal together. With the help of Zak Brown’s Just Marketing company, Subway sandwiches came on board and Canada’s favorite racing son finally had a ride.

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