Tracy to drive for Dreyer & Reinbold at Watkins Glen
During the 94th running of the Indianapolis 500, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing pilot, Mike Conway, was involved in a big crash. With one lap to go, the Brit collided with Ryan Hunter-Reay, who had slowed to conserve fuel in order to finish the race. Unfortunately, due to the varying speeds between the two cars, Conway's machine launched into the catch-fence and disintegrated as it ran along the track. As a result, Mike was transported via helicopter to Methodist hospital where he was released a week later. He had surgery that night to repair fractures to his lower left leg. Additionally, Conway has a compression fracture of one of his thoracic vertebrae and was fitted for a back brace, which he will wear for three months and will prevent him from racing. He is in excellent spirits and is back home in the UK recovering.
While Conway is out of the seat, Tracy will step in to replace him next weekend. The Canadian was the sensible choice for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing as not only does he have experience at the famed track, over his entire career, he has competed in 270 Indy car-type events.
Tracy, the 2003 Champ Car World Series champion, will be making his ninth IZOD IndyCar start and his second start at Watkins Glen International. He is one of the most successful drivers in the history of open-wheel racing with 31 career victories. Next weekend the Canadian native will be sponsored by Honda Indy Toronto and wheel manufacturer Motegi Racing for the famed event.
This will mark Tracy's first time to drive for the team and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing couldn't be more excited to have him on board. "We are very happy to have Paul drive for us this weekend. He’s a great driver and big personality and we are thrilled to have him driving for us in Watkins Glen. We were extremely strong there last year and with Paul’s racing experience and him being teamed up with Justin Wilson, we feel that we’ll have an extremely strong package for the weekend. We obviously wish that Mike could be with us, but we just want him to have a quick recovery. Paul was a perfect fit and we couldn't be happier to have him behind the wheel," commented Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Co-Owner, Robbie Buhl.
Tracy, now in his 20th season, has had a storied career that has made him one of the top drivers in open-wheel racing. He is among the top-10 in almost every Champ Car career statistical category including wins, 31 (tied for seventh all-time), poles, 25 (ninth all-time), and laps led, 4,238 (sixth all-time).
06/20/10 This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. Paul Tracy has signed a contract to drive for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the Izod IndyCar Series event on July 4 at Watkins Glen International.
Tracy will be the third different driver to replace Mike Conway, who was injured in a crash at the end of the Indianapolis 500. Conway is expected to miss at least three months with fractures to his back and leg.
Tomas Scheckter drove the No. 24 car at Texas Motor Speedway and Graham Rahal was in it Sunday at Iowa Speedway. D&R team co-owner Robbie Buhl said he’s working on a plan that would keep Rahal in the fold for Watkins Glen, likely in the team’s No. 23 car. AutoWeek
06/20/10 Paul Tracy said Saturday he is "strong to quite strong" to drive Dreyer & Reinbold Racing's No. 24 car in the next Izod IndyCar Series race, July 4 at Watkins Glen International.
Team co-owner Robbie Buhl said Tracy has a reason to be optimistic.
"We're talking in the 'strong possibility' mode," he said.
Tracy, who has signed and returned the contract, would be the third driver to sit in for Mike Conway since he was injured in the Indianapolis 500.
Tomas Scheckter drove the car at Texas Motor Speedway; Graham Rahal will be in it for today's Iowa Corn Indy 250 at Iowa Speedway.
Tracy, 41, has competed in one IndyCar event this season, but he did not earn a starting spot in the 500 when KV Racing Technology withdrew his car in a last-minute qualifying decision.
Tracy, a Canadian, intends to return to KV for the two IndyCar races in his home country, July 18 in Toronto and July 25 in Edmonton.
While Buhl wants Tracy for Conway's car at Watkins Glen, he and partner Dennis Reinbold are considering a program for Rahal to drive their No. 23, which Scheckter had for Indy.
"We're not opposed to adding a third car," Buhl said. "We've just got to match up what's best for our partners." Indy Star