Tracy, Foyt no odd couple for IndyCar visit to Milwaukee

By Gary Graves, USA TODAY
May 29, 2009

At first glance it's easy to believe A.J. Foyt hired Paul Tracy just for Sunday's IndyCar Series race at the Milwaukee Mile.

Logic suggests this relationship could last beyond the ABC Supply/A.J. Foyt 225 because of circumstances that include sharing many common traits.

Officially, Canadian Tracy is a one-race replacement in the No. 14 Dallara-Honda for Vitor Meira, who fractured two vertebrae in his lower back in a wreck with rookie Raphael Matos late in Sunday's Indianapolis 500. But with Meira, who was released Wednesday from the hospital, not expected back at least until September, an opportunity looms for two fiery kindred spirits to work together.

FOYT FILES: Indy an up-and-down day; Tracy a good fit

"I'm glad to have him (as) part of my team," said Texan Foyt, the four-time Indy 500 winner turned team owner. "I think I've got the same reputation. That makes us get along real good that way."

Besides competitiveness, owner and driver are also four-time winners at the Milwaukee Mile. Tracy, a 31-time winner in CART and Champ Car, posted his last one there in 2005.

In a conference call after Wednesday's announcement, Tracy said he idolized Foyt growing up and as a competitor as they crossed paths at different stages of their careers. And like Foyt, Tracy is outspoken and has at times confronted fellow drivers.

That edge seemed somewhat softened at Indy while driving for KV Racing Technology in his first race back at IMS since finishing second in a disputed 2002 finish. He has made peace in some respects but his ninth-place finish suggested that the fire is still there, making him a perfect fit for Foyt.

"I think that we'll work well together," said Tracy, under contract to drive for KVRT in both Canada events. "I've changed a lot. I think I've calmed down as a driver since '03, when I won the (CART) championship. I think I'm a little bit easier to work with now.

"My goal this weekend is to give the team their first good finish of the year, to get the momentum up in the team and get the spirits up."