Watkins Glen Challenge awaits Tracy

Even racing veterans such as Paul Tracy have roads yet untraveled. His lies in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York at Watkins Glen International, a 3.4-mile, 11-turn layout that was on the Toronto native's radar early on. The trouble was, the circuit was absent from open-wheel racing by the time Tracy reached the premier level, which is why he's eager to see what he missed in Sunday's Camping World at The Glen IndyCar Series race.

It marks the first of three consecutive road- and street-course events for the series and for Tracy, driving a second KV Racing Technology Dallara/Honda since finishing ninth in the Indianapolis 500 in May. After Watkins Glen, the series moves to Toronto's streets July 12 and Edmonton's airport July 26.

"I want to do well there, but I've got to focus on running well as opposed to winning," said the 2003 CART champion, still seeking a full-time ride.

"This will help me get back up to speed and get ready for Toronto and Edmonton."

"I prefer road courses and really enjoy them," Tracy said. "This is just more of a challenge.

"I can do well in an oval car, but it has to be on, because you can't make up the difference if the car isn't good. On a road course, the driver is probably 60% of the equation and you can make up differences."