Tracy to land ride at Watkins Glen

Paul Tracy says he’s close to a deal with KV Racing to compete in July’s IndyCar Series race at Watkins Glen.

Tracy, who competed last month for KV at the Indy 500, told RACER.com: “Jimmy [Vasser, KV co-owner] said he wanted me to have some preparation for the two Canadian races I’m running for him later that month, and with the Honda engine lease being a three-race deal, it sort of makes economic sense to run a third race beforehand. I’d say we were 95 percent of the way to making it happen.

“Watkins Glen is one of the races being shown on ABC, so the higher ratings [over Versus] helps to make that kind of deal more attractive to sponsors."

Tracy wouldn’t reveal who his sponsor would be for the Watkins Glen race, but GEICO Insurance directors were understood to be very happy with the coverage they got from Tracy and KV Racing over the Month of May at Indy, and may even have a presence on the No. 15 car in Toronto and Edmonton, despite not selling in Canada. That would suggest that GEICO might be willing to put some money into the car at the for an ABC-televised race in the U.S.

“Of course it would be great if this could happen," said Tracy. “I had dinner with Jimmy last night, and he was saying that Mario [Moraes, KV Racing's regular driver] had a good test up at The Glen this week. He reckons the car’s pretty fast.

“Funny thing is, if this comes off, it will be my first race ever at Watkins Glen. It’s pretty weird to be racing at such a famous old circuit for the first time in my career at the age of 40." Racer.com