| [ News Index ][ SpeedCenter Homepage ][ Copyright Info ][ SpeedCenter Galleries ] |
©1998 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. By Dan Proudfoot After looking like a bonehead Sunday and being characterized as ahothead by television commentators, a level-headed Paul Tracyyesterday confirmed he still has a job. And it's with Team Kool Green, not the WWF. Sunday's near-mugging of teammate Dario Franchitti, a Scottishinnocent in the dangerous streets of Houston, and Tracy's allegedshoving of the man who signs his paycheques, Barry Green, leftarmchair racing experts saying this had to cost him his job. But what must be remembered is Green is an Australian and Tracy isa Canadian. Together, they understand the therapeutic benefits of agood dustup. No hard feelings, mate, eh? Green was said to be in transit and couldn't be reached for commentyesterday, but the team owner said in a television interview afterSunday's race that his relationship with Tracy was excellent and wouldcontinue. You had to wonder if the team owner would feel the same wayyesterday after further reflecting on the missed opportunity of aone-two finish for Team Kool Green. Franchitti went on to score histhird win of the year, while Tracy and his front wheel were both bentout of shape and classified 20th. But Alex Zanardi volunteered expert testimony suggesting Tracywasn't guilty of a stupid move. Zanardi, running in third place, said hesaw Franchitti leave enough of an opening for a possible pass. AllZanardi couldn't understand was why Tracy backed off after startingto take advantage. Tracy said yesterday from his home in Las Vegas: "From mystandpoint I know I was faster and I was in position to win the race." He said there were no team orders to let Franchitti win and gainpoints in the fight for second in the drivers championship. "I made the move, I thought Dario saw me, but (yesterday) morninghe said he didn't. When I realized he was moving over on me (closingthe hole inside the corner) I backed off. "If it had been anyone else, I would have followed through and mostlikely the other guy would have seen me and I would have made thepass. But because it was my teammate I pulled out rather than take achance on taking him out. "I missed by a foot. Our tires touched and, essentially, I put myself outof the race. If I fault myself, it's for backing off like I did." The blowup with Green came after Tracy climbed out of his bent carback in the pits. The team owner was tapping his own forehead,repeating that his driver had to learn to think, when, in the words of pitreporter Jon Beekhuis, "All of a sudden the driver was infuriated andshoved his team owner -- and Barry shoved back." Beekhuis' cameraman wasn't in position, so viewers were left with avivid picture of a berserk driver without the benefit of seeing theincident. An incorrect picture, Tracy insisted yesterday. "If you see the full highlight tape, you'll see me get out of the car andas I walked to the pit wall Barry didn't say anything that wascomplimentary," Tracy said. "As I climbed over the wall, he continued saying things. Then hegrabbed hold of the scruff of my suit -- and I pushed his hand off meand told him never to do that again. That's all there was to it. "He was venting his frustration, and I wasn't ready to. I came backlater and we talked, and everything is fine. We move on from here." Is the job secure? "The contract is signed. It was a two-year contractand Barry has taken up his option for the second year. It's pretty wella long-term relationship for us." Source: Canada Online, used by permission | ||
| |||