Bad Boy Tracy Fined

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Bad Boy Tracy Fined
©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
Long Beach incidents prompt $25,000 fine
Marlboro Team Penske Mercedes driver Paul Tracy has suffered anothertest of the depth of his wallet. His continuous bad boy antics wererecognized to the tune of a fine of $25,000 in a news release from theCART PPG News Service today.
Tracy's most recent infraction came following the Texaco/Havoline 200 atRoad America on Aug. 18, 1996. That incident involved Tracy and driversAndre Ribeiro and then rookie Alex Zanardi. The incident also broughtscrutiny down upon drivers Gil de Ferran and Greg Moore, and advised thelater two that their driving, on specific occasions, had not beensatisfactory and that both would be observed closely in the year's finaltwo races.
Tracy and Ribeiro were then fined $40,000, of which $20,000 wassuspended pending their performance in the final two races of '96. Theywere further warned that, in the event of any rough driving infractionsin those races, the suspended fines would be imposed, along withadditional penalties as determined by the stewards.
In the release today, interim Chief Steward Walley Dallenbach, fillingin for the ill Dennis Swan, announced that Marlboro Team Penske driverPaul Tracy has been fined $25,000 for three driving violations at lastSunday's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Tracy, in his seventh PPG CART World Series season, was fined forUnsportsmanlike Conduct, Unjustifiable Risk, and Rough Driving,infractions which stem from several incidents during the 105 laptemporary street course event. Tracy (Marlboro Penske Mercedes) finishedseventh at Long Beach.
"It's nothing more than we discussed at the driver's meeting Saturday atLong Beach about rough driving. It didn't matter who it was. Everybodywas starting with a clean sheet of paper on Sunday, and Paul was justheavily involved out there," said Dallenbach. "We did exactly what allthe drivers wanted us to do. They want results, and to clean up therough driving, and that's my job. I hope the message was sent not onlyto Paul, but to everybody, that we will not tolerate this type ofdriving."
According to the CART rule book, section 10.1, "The continuation orrecurrence of any violation or unsafe action may result in an increasedpenalty."
In Dallenbach's closing statement regarding the incident at Road Americalast year, it would seem that these "friendly" reminders still hold truetoday:
"We have seen some first-class competition in 1996," Dallenbach said,"and as the season draws to a close we are determined to maintaincorrect standards of sportsmanship and driver discipline on the racetrack. Our drivers are some of the best in the world, but it isinevitable that when it is so competitive, problems on the track willoccur. As professionals, I am sure that all of our drivers will beconcentrating on producing the best possible performance in the year'sfinal races."
The competitive energy in the quest for the championship has just surfaceda lot earlier this year.


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		Bad Boy Tracy Fined ©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. Long Beach incidents prompt $25,000 fine Marlboro Team Penske Mercedes driver Paul Tracy has suffered anothertest of the depth of his wallet. His continuous bad boy antics wererecognized to the tune of a fine of $25,000 in a news release from theCART PPG News Service today. Tracy's most recent infraction came following the Texaco/Havoline 200 atRoad America on Aug. 18, 1996. That incident involved Tracy and driversAndre Ribeiro and then rookie Alex Zanardi. The incident also broughtscrutiny down upon drivers Gil de Ferran and Greg Moore, and advised thelater two that their driving, on specific occasions, had not beensatisfactory and that both would be observed closely in the year's finaltwo races. Tracy and Ribeiro were then fined $40,000, of which $20,000 wassuspended pending their performance in the final two races of '96. Theywere further warned that, in the event of any rough driving infractionsin those races, the suspended fines would be imposed, along withadditional penalties as determined by the stewards. In the release today, interim Chief Steward Walley Dallenbach, fillingin for the ill Dennis Swan, announced that Marlboro Team Penske driverPaul Tracy has been fined $25,000 for three driving violations at lastSunday's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Tracy, in his seventh PPG CART World Series season, was fined forUnsportsmanlike Conduct, Unjustifiable Risk, and Rough Driving,infractions which stem from several incidents during the 105 laptemporary street course event. Tracy (Marlboro Penske Mercedes) finishedseventh at Long Beach. "It's nothing more than we discussed at the driver's meeting Saturday atLong Beach about rough driving. It didn't matter who it was. Everybodywas starting with a clean sheet of paper on Sunday, and Paul was justheavily involved out there," said Dallenbach. "We did exactly what allthe drivers wanted us to do. They want results, and to clean up therough driving, and that's my job. I hope the message was sent not onlyto Paul, but to everybody, that we will not tolerate this type ofdriving." According to the CART rule book, section 10.1, "The continuation orrecurrence of any violation or unsafe action may result in an increasedpenalty." In Dallenbach's closing statement regarding the incident at Road Americalast year, it would seem that these "friendly" reminders still hold truetoday: "We have seen some first-class competition in 1996," Dallenbach said,"and as the season draws to a close we are determined to maintaincorrect standards of sportsmanship and driver discipline on the racetrack. Our drivers are some of the best in the world, but it isinevitable that when it is so competitive, problems on the track willoccur. As professionals, I am sure that all of our drivers will beconcentrating on producing the best possible performance in the year'sfinal races." The competitive energy in the quest for the championship has just surfaceda lot earlier this year.