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©1998 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. By Dan Proudfoot, Toronto Sun Paul Tracy is on CART's driver probation list after knocking ChristianFittipaldi off the track while attempting a pass in last weekend's race atDetroit. Tracy was notified of the probation for an "indefinite" number of racesin a letter from chief steward Wally Dallenbach that arrived yesterdaymorning at Team Kool Green headquarters in Indianapolis, prompting anangry reaction from team owner Barry Green. "Obviously we're very, very disappointed in the chief steward's finding,"Green said. "I clearly don't think he has any basis. "Detroit is a very, very tight track. Christian was holding Paul up andPaul tried to make a move. Unfortunately there was a little bit ofcontact. I think if you watch the replay, one of the commentators evensaid that Christian had left the door open." Fittipaldi, enduring a miserable season, had been uncharacteristicallyslow through practice and qualifying as he returned from missing theMilwaukee race with a mild concussion. Strong Reaction: But the Brazilian's strong reaction to being bumped by Tracy may havebeen made stronger by contact between the two in Long Beach. Thatwas deemed a racing incident, with Tracy questioning Fittipaldi's tacticsbut not making a major issue of it. Tracy couldn't be reached for comment last night at his home in LasVegas. But Green spoke for him. "Paul's pretty upset by this and I understand why," the team owner said. "We get, Paul gets, a probation period and that's pretty pathetic whenGil de Ferran takes Paul Tracy out and we trash two cars in Rio,Michael Andretti takes how many cars off the track in Long Beach andgets nothing? I absolutely cannot believe the chief steward's decision." Tracy was put on probation last year as well, and fined, for roughdriving in Long Beach. He won the next three races, providing TeamMarlboro Penske with its highlights of an otherwise dismal year. "My view of Paul is that he's fantastic to work with, a great racedriver," Green said. "Yes, we're missing a win right now, but that's goingto happen real soon." Source: Canada Online, used by permission | ||
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