INDY 500: Robin Miller’s Sunday Qualifying Notebook

Written by: Robin Miller   
05/10/2009 - 09:28 PM
Speedtv.com

Paul Tracy may have finally found the perfect sponsor.

The popular, outspoken Canadian's return to the Indianapolis 500 is being backed by GEICO and Sunday showed why it's a good match.

After an early qualifying run didn't meet his satisfaction, Tracy lobbied his KV Racing owners and new sponsor for another chance to improve his spot in the 93rd Indianapolis 500.

"When I walked into my garage after my first run, I was disappointed and nobody on my crew was smiling and we all wanted to go back out," said the 40-year-old veteran. "My time had already been pushed down into Row 6 and I was in danger of ending up in Row 7 so Jimmy (Vasser) called Kevin (Kalkhoven) and they both agreed we needed to try again.

"But, because of our situation with limited tires and engine miles, it was a risk so we called GEICO."

Doug Barnette, the agent/sponsor finder who brokered Tracy's deal with GEICO and KV, sent Bill Roberts, the executive vice president of GEICO, a text message to get the company's blessing.

Roberts' response read: "We always like people who are never satisfied with just making it. I love the intensity."

So, with several of the GEICO brass watching on VS, P.T. went out and improved his speed and grid position. He'll start his first race since 2002 on the inside of Row 5.

"We only had one available set of tires left but we made a couple changes and my car was more consistent that it had been," said the 2003 CART champion. "I've never qualified real good here and Johnny Rutherford told me it's not where you start, it's where you finish.

"But I'm glad we went back out and had GEICO's blessing. That's a cool sponsor and the kind of attitude I love."

Tracy's original run of 222.749 mph would have left him 19th.