Las Vegas, NV (June 18, 2009) – Open-wheel star Paul Tracy will once again be strapping into a racecar with GEICO as his partner. In his storied career, Tracy has never turned a lap at Watkins Glen International. That will all change when Tracy and his KV Racing Technology team arrive in upstate New York for the July 5th IndyCar race.
This spring found Tracy at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with KV Racing preparing to re-visit racing’s past in the #15 GEICO car. Tracy recorded an Indianapolis 500 win in 2002 before a controversial ruling by the Indy Racing League sent him home with runner-up honors. Race officials ruled that Tracy passed Helio Castroneves under caution on the final lap of the race even though videotape would indicate otherwise. Tracy took the decision in stride, but vowed to never again step foot in Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Tracy did, once again, step foot in Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May, but he focused only on winning. Tracy and his #15 GEICO car were on task to accomplish that feat until they collected debris from the crash of Tony Kanaan. With damage to the underside of his front wing, Tracy managed to drive the #15 GEICO car to a 9th place finish in the world’s biggest race, despite running as high as 4th during the event.
A longtime member of the GEICO Racing family, Tracy is looking forward to once again partnering with GEICO and taking the Gecko for a ride in the Finger Lakes region of New York.
“We had a great run at Indy and I appreciate GEICO’s continued support,” Tracy said. “We finished 9th in the Indianapolis 500 and I want to improve on that at The Glen. I have always enjoyed working with GEICO, so it is nice to have them partnered with my good friends at KV Racing. This will be fun.”
Tracy is one of the most colorful, charismatic racers in the business. He is also becoming one of the most technologically advanced. Along with securing a ride for Watkins Glen this week, Tracy also entered the world of Twitter. Good friend Jimmy Vasser persuaded him to give it a shot and just a few days later it seems to be more of a blessing than a curse. Tracy has shared photos of his family at the river water skiing, along with personal notes about his training regimen.
“Twitter has been great because it’s allowed me to connect directly with my fans and share personal information with them,” Tracy said. “It’s cool because they know what I’m doing all the time and it gives them a sense of what I do to train and also how important my family is to me. When you see @paultracy3 on Twitter, it’s really me. I do my own Twitter because it’s more authentic and I think people like hearing directly from me.”
The Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen is on July 5th at Watkins Glen International in New York. The race will be broadcast live on ABC at 1:00 PM (ET).
PT & TK’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE
Indianapolis, IN (May 27, 2009) – Ever wonder what your favorite racecar driver does after recording a Top 10 in the Indianapolis 500? Maybe hop on a Lear 60 and go home to relax, or shoot down to the Caribbean for a few days to celebrate his success? In most cases, you would likely be correct, unless of course you are talking about Paul Tracy, who is certainly the most colorful, unpredictable racecar driver in the business.
If you were driving down the highway yesterday and looked over and thought you saw Paul Tracy driving a bus; you did.
Twenty-four hours removed from driving his GEICO/KV Racing Technology car to a 9th place finish in the biggest race in the world, he began yet another race, in a much bigger vehicle. PT would grab his close friend, racing legend Tommy Kendall, and somehow talk him into embarking on a trip that would cover 1,871-miles from Indianapolis Motor Speedway to Tracy’s front door in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tracy proposed that the two of them drive his bus back to Las Vegas themselves. The crazy thing is that Kendall agreed! Also, please keep in mind that Tracy actually has a motor home driver, who Kendall has affectionately nicknamed ‘Chuckles’.
Nicknamed the ‘GEICO/Thrilla Express’, the trip would begin with ‘Chuckles’ behind the wheel in what Kendall would refer to as a, “demon stint that got us 11 hours up the road.” Tracy, whose nickname is the ‘Thrill from West Hill’ had slightly modified his nickname over the course of the Indy 500 weekend to the ‘Thrilla from da Hilla’. Combining his newly modified nickname with his Indianapolis 500 sponsor GEICO, the trio hit the highway just after the Indy 500 banquet.
Things would roll smoothly until the 2003 Champ Car champion was behind the wheel of the 45’ motor home in the middle of Texas when the tag axle tire blew out early Tuesday morning. Exhibiting his superior driving ability, Tracy was able to keep control of the vehicle while at the same time negotiating his Milwaukee deal with A.J. Foyt. In what would seem to be a reality show type setting, two of racing’s best, Tracy and Kendall, would find themselves stranded in the middle of Texas. They soon wandered into a local tire dealership where Tracy posed with a life-size cardboard stand-up of Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon.
Faced with a four hour wait for the replacement tire, Tracy and Kendall unlatched Tracy’s Monster truck from the back of the bus and headed off on an adventure that found Tracy purchasing a 1964 Lincoln with suicide doors. The downtime also provided Tracy with the opportunity to complete his deal with A.J. Foyt, resulting in the bus being re-named the ‘ABC Roofing Supply/GEICO Thrilla Express’.
“It’s been fun since we left Indy after the banquet and Tommy (Kendall) has kept everyone updated on Facebook,” Tracy said. “I had my buddies here, so why not? I got the deal put together with A.J. (Foyt) to sub for Vitor Meira this week in Milwaukee and I also bought a ’64 Lincoln with suicide doors, so I would say it’s been a pretty productive trip.”
While the three-man crew would re-take to our nation’s highways four hours after sustaining the flat tire, their trip would take the checkered flag in Phoenix on Wednesday morning. With a new one-race IndyCar deal in place to run Milwaukee this weekend, it was necessary that Tracy abandon the trip and board a flight back to the Midwest.
Leave it to Paul Tracy to drive his own bus from Indianapolis to Las Vegas and along the way buy a 1964 Lincoln and find a job driving in the IndyCar series.
Tracy is nothing if not exciting and the IndyCar Series will surely benefit from his return this weekend at the Milwaukee Mile, where Tracy has recorded four wins.
PT DAZZLES CROWD IN RETURN TO INDY
Indianapolis, IN (May 25, 2009) – In 2002, Paul Tracy passed Helio Castroneves on the final lap to win the Indianapolis 500. Or so he thought. The Indy Racing League would later rule that Tracy passed the Penske driver under caution, despite videotape evidence that indicated otherwise. At the time, Tracy vowed to never return to the venue that stole his joy. He then went on to notch the 2003 Champ Car championship.
Time heals all wounds. Seven years later, Tracy returned. And so did the fans that love him and support him. Referred to as the Grateful Dead of auto racing due to his cult-like fan following, Tracy was on the world’s biggest stage in Indianapolis on Sunday and he did not fail to please.
Undeniably the most colorful, recognized racer in the world, GEICO Driver Paul Tracy has garnered the lion share of the media exposure this month, including features in the USA Today, while also being featured on the cover of the upcoming RACER magazine. However, on race day he would be met by a formidable foe when GEICO’s caveman arrived at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A fan-favorite, the caveman paraded around the speedway at Tracy’s side and even accompanied him to driver introductions before later showing up on the starting grid carrying Tracy’s helmet.
Slated to start in the 13th position, on the inside of row five, Tracy vowed to remain patient and focus on ‘being there at the end’. For the 2003 Champ Car champion, patience is not one of his virtues.
When the green flag was displayed at the most prestigious race in the world, over 200 countries and over 400 million households watched Tracy move the GEICO car from 13th to the 9th position on the opening lap before a yellow flag was displayed at the conclusion of Lap 1. While Tracy’s KV Racing Technology teammate, Mario Moraes, collided with Marco Andretti to cause the opening caution, Tracy would fare much better.
The ‘Thrill from West Hill’ settled in and ran comfortably in the Top 10 while battling understeer. On Lap 98, Tony Kanaan found the wall in a hard crash that sent debris spilling across the racing surface. Tracy’s #15 GEICO car would collect some of the debris, causing damage to the underside of his front wing.
By Lap 141, Tracy and the #15 GEICO car had moved into the 4th position, eyeing Helio Castroneves, who was running 2nd. While Tracy smelled blood in the water, the damage to his front wing would prevail, as Tracy would lose ground and quickly find himself in the 11th position. As the race began to wind down, the #15 GEICO car would return to the Top 10 and remain there until the checkered flag was displayed and Tracy recorded his second best finish at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
Tracy’s 9th place finish on Sunday gives way only to his controversial runner-up finish to Helio Castroneves in 2002.
“I came here to win, so the result wasn’t what we were looking for, but we did finish 9th in Indy, so I’m happy for GEICO and the KV Racing Technology team,” Tracy said. “I had a great month here and I cannot thank Jimmy Vasser (team owner), Kevin Kalkhoven (team owner) and GEICO enough for giving me the opportunity to come back here. I’ve enjoyed my time here at IMS and look forward to hopefully returning next year.”
Tracy is a fierce competitor who is, at times, out-spoken and direct. He is also one of the top racecar drivers in the world, and in his historic return to the track that once broke his heart, Tracy’s tenacity and love of his sport were on display. What the fans witnessed of Tracy over the last month is special and it is something they will not soon forget.
Paul Tracy is his own man and because of it he often finds himself in solitude. While he did not win the race this weekend, he overcame his past to return to the most sacred place in motorsports to give the fans something they have been in search of: a driver who is fiercely passionate without compromise and will, regardless of opinions or commentary, lay it all out there in an effort to be the best.
KV RACING TECHNOLOGY TO FIELD CAR FOR PT AT CANADIAN RACES
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 20, 2009 - KV Racing Technology will field a car for open-wheel superstar Paul Tracy at the two Canadian races on the 2009 IndyCar Series schedule.
Tracy, the 2003 Champ Car World Series champion, is one of the most successful and exciting drivers in the history of open-wheel racing. The a native of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, will compete at the Honda Indy Toronto on July 12 and the Rexall Edmonton Indy on July 26.
"I am pleased to announce that Paul Tracy will be joining KV Racing Technology for the two Canadian races," said KVRT co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven. "Paul is one of the greatest and most exciting drivers in the history of the sport and has shown here at Indianapolis that he still has what it takes to be competitive. We look forward to having him drive for KVRT in front of his countrymen."
Tracy will contest this weekend's Indianapolis 500 with KV Racing Technology. He qualified the #15 GEICO -- KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone machine 13th and will start on the inside of Row #5. Tracy will team with Mario Moraes, #5 KV Racing Technology -- Votorantim Honda/Dallara/Firestone, in a two-car effort for KVRT at the two Canadian events.
"I want to thank Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser for the opportunity to continue my career and race in my home country," Tracy said. "I feel very fortunate to be able to race in front of my hometown fans with a very competitive team. KVRT has shown that it can compete with the top teams in the series and I am confident that we will have strong performances at both the Canadian races."
Tracy, who's talent and determination have made him a fan favorite, will be contesting his 17th race in Toronto and fifth in Edmonton. In 16 previous starts on the streets of Toronto he has finished in the top-10 a total of 11 times with eight top-five showings, five podium performances, two wins (1993 and 2003) and one pole. He has made four starts on the airport runway street circuit in Edmonton, three times in Champ Car and once, last year, in an IndyCar, finishing in the top-five all four times with a best showing of third in 2005 at the inaugural Edmonton race. Tracy will be making his fourth and fifth IndyCar starts. His previous IndyCar events were the 2002 Indy 500, placed second, the 2008 Edmonton race, placed fourth, and this year's Indy 500.
During a span of 18 seasons, Tracy has crafted a career that has established him as one of the top drivers ever to step into the cockpit of an open-wheel car. The resident of Las Vegas, Nevada is among the top-10 in almost every Champ Car career statistical category including wins, 31 (tied for seventh all-time), poles, 25 (ninth all-time), and laps led, 4,238 (sixth all-time). He has 75 career podium performances, 102 top-five finishes and 141 top-10 showings in 264 starts (262 in Champ Car and two in IndyCar -- tied for seventh all-time). In the 15 seasons in which Tracy has competed in over 80% of the races, he has finished in the top-10 in the championship standings 10 times including eight times in the top-five, four in the top-three and captured the championship in 2003.
KV Racing Technology co-owner Jimmy Vasser said, "I am very excited that KVRT is going to be able to give Paul the opportunity to continue his career especially at the Canadian races. Paul is a tremendous talent and he has shown us here at Indy that he still have the competitive fire to be successful on the race track. I just think it is fantastic that his fans, especially those in Canada, will get the opportunity to see "The Thrill from Westhill" again."
PT TAKING A TRIP TO ‘FRIENDLY TOWN’
Danville, IL (May 14, 2009) – Just a few days prior to taking the track for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, Indy 500 driver Paul will take a break and visit with students at ‘Friendly Town’ in Danville, Illinois. The 2003 Champ Car champion will travel seventy-five miles from Indianapolis to make a May 19th visit at 9:00 AM (CT) at the Friendly Town facility.
Established in 1970, Friendly Town is a safety education program for all children in Vermilion County (IL), ages four through nine. The classroom and practical instruction are under the supervision of trained police officers. The objective of the Friendly Town program is to aid the child in coping with safety problems encountered daily in every community.
Known for his colorful, outspoken personality, Tracy is a true gentleman. Anyone who knows him will tell you that he cares deeply about children and will spend vast amounts of time taking photos and signing autographs for them.
Tracy, driver of the #15 GEICO car for KV Racing Technology, is making his first visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 2002 when a controversial ruling sent him home with a runner up finish. The Indy Racing League ruled that he passed Helio Castroneves under caution on the final lap of the race despite video evidence that would indicate otherwise.
Tracy’s long-time friend and business associate, Doug Barnette, is a Danville resident and has spent a lot of time talking with Tracy about the days that he spent growing up in Vermilion County.
“These guys think I have a rock star lifestyle, so I always do my best to help them understand that I’m just a hometown boy who still lives in the city where I grew up,” Barnette said. “I began funding Friendly Town three years ago and it has been fun to watch what’s going on over there. I am excited that Paul wants to come see where I grew up and, at the same time, bring attention to a very worth-while program; a program that I participated in when I was a child.”
Tracy, whose off-track demeanor betrays his on-track aggressive driving style, has a schedule that is riddled with interviews, photo shoots, media productions and physical training. While time is tight, he is happy to make time to visit Danville.
“I’m looking forward to getting over there and seeing what Friendly Town is all about,” Tracy said. “Over the years, Doug has told me a lot about Danville, so it’ll be nice to finally visit and get a better understanding of what I’ve heard.”
Joining Tracy will be Danville Mayor, Scott Eisenhauer, along with children from local elementary schools.
For more information about Paul Tracy and the GEICO Indy 500 program, please visit www.geicogarage.com
PT TO START P13 @ INDY
After being bumped in and out of the field on the first day of qualifying for the 500 PT came back strong on day two. He was second fastest of all drivers on day two recording an average speed faster than some had on day one.PT's first qualifying run had him right near the top of the fast drivers at that time, but as more drivers made their attempts Paul was bumped down a few spots in the order. Feeling confident in his ability to better his time he went back out for a second attempt and sure enough bettered his first time. Paul will start the 500 on the inside of Row 5 in P13.
PT TO COME FACE-TO-FACE WITH THE PAST
Las Vegas, NV (April 30, 2009) – In less than a week, 2003 Champ Car champion Paul Tracy will return to the scene of heartbreak. Seven years removed from a decision that sent him home without the Borg-Warner Trophy, Tracy will arrive in Indianapolis to look his past in the eye and conquer it.
Thanks to GEICO and KV Racing Technology, Tracy will get another shot at claiming what he believes is his; an Indy 500 win.
Long Beach marked the venue for his announcement on April 17th, which seems appropriate given his history there. Tracy cruised the paddock area as if he were at home. But why shouldn’t he? He raced there for eighteen consecutive years and notched his first CART win at Long Beach in 1993. He recorded four total wins (1993, 2000, 2003 and 2004) at the seaside circuit and counts it as one of his favorite venues.
Tracy’s return to Indy is historic, as he vowed to never again step foot in the legendary speedway after the 2002 outcome. He is aggressive, out-spoken and often times colorful, but one cannot comprehend his internal drive. Indy is special to ‘PT’ and he was even going to drive his own motorhome from his residence in Las Vegas to Indianapolis Motor Speedway before being convinced otherwise.
Aside from the necessary training to prepare him physically for the race, Tracy’s days have been riddled with interviews, photo shoots and media productions. Tracy departed on a red-eye flight in Las Vegas on Sunday night that arrived in Washington, DC, at 7:00 AM on Monday morning. He participated in a photo shoot and video production for GEICO before returning to the airport and traveling back to Las Vegas on a 5:30 PM flight.
The remainder of Tracy’s week has been filled with teleconferences, more photo shoots and interviews, including a shoot with RACER magazine, for which he will be keeping a daily blog, at his Las Vegas home. Capping off his week will be an appearance on Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain on May 3rd at 9:00 PM (ET).
Tracy is nothing if not focused and amid the chaos he has found peace on his bike and in his physical training regimen. It also helps that his close friend Jimmy Vasser is co-owner of KV Racing Technology and is there to offer him support above and beyond the race track. At one-point fierce competitors, Tracy and Vasser have always maintained a close friendship, along with GEICO’s NASCAR driver Max Papis. Busy with his own NASCAR schedule during the month of May, Papis has said that he will be on-hand in Indy to offer support to his friend/teammate.
If ever there were a time when the stars were aligned, it would be now. Friends and supporters surround Tracy, and with GEICO and KV Racing Technology backing his effort he is going to have the opportunity to do great things in the month of May.
“Indy is important to me because I feel like I won the race in 2002, but a decision was made otherwise,” Tracy said. “I look around my home and it’s the one trophy that has escaped me, so I am looking forward to returning to the 500 and taking another shot at it. People close to me know my passion for the history of racing and it’s no secret that the Indy 500 is the biggest race in the world, so a win for me, GEICO and KV Racing is our goal.”
Tracy walks and talks with resounding confidence, but deep down inside there is a fire burning. He is a champion. He is tops in nearly every category. But there is still one more thing out there and it awaits him in Speedway, Indiana.
Watch this video and decide for yourself who won the 2002 Indianapolis 500
PAUL TRACY & THE GECKO SEEK REVENGE AT THE INDY 500
Long Beach, CA (April 17, 2009) – A year ago, open wheel star Paul Tracy was suffering through an awkward departure from Forsythe Racing that left the racing world scratching their heads. Oh, how things change in twelve months.
After enjoying his freedom and racing everything from trucks in the desert to trucks in NASCAR’s Truck Series, Tracy has decided that it’s time to return to the place that stole his joy.
In just a few weeks, Paul Tracy will re-visit the atmosphere that saw him depart Indianapolis with a 2nd place finish in 2002. KV Racing Technology will field the #15 entry for the Indianapolis 500 and GEICO will provide primary sponsorship, with the ‘gecko’ adorning several areas of the race car.
Tracy recorded an Indianapolis 500 win in 2002 before a controversial ruling by the Indy Racing League sent him home with runner-up honors. Race officials ruled that Tracy passed Helio Castroneves under caution on the final lap of the race even though videotape would indicate otherwise. Tracy took the decision in stride, but vowed to never again step foot in Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
A year later, in 2003, Tracy joined Forsythe Racing in the Champ Car World Series and became the first driver in thirty-two years to win the first three races of a season. After recording seven wins and six poles, he notched the series championship and rebounded from the pain he felt in Indy a year earlier.
Tracy has been a member of the GEICO Racing family since driving the GEICO NASCAR entry in Mexico City in the spring of 2006 for Biagi Bros. Racing. The 2003 Champ Car Champion was also featured on geicogarage.com alongside close friend and current GEICO NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver and former open wheel standout Max Papis in 2008.
“We’re pleased to be able to accompany Paul Tracy on his return trip to the Indianapolis 500,” expressed Ted Ward, GEICO’s vice president of marketing. “Having a relationship with two world class drivers such as Paul Tracy and Max Papis, as well as KV Racing Technology, allows us to spread our message of safety on a much broader scale and we are excited about the opportunity.”
Regarded as one of the top race car drivers in the world, Tracy is one of the most cerebral wheelmen in the business and he possesses unparalleled passion and enthusiasm. His return to Indianapolis is much anticipated and could quite possibly be auto racing’s story of the year.
KV Racing Technology co-owner Jimmy Vasser said, “I think I can speak for everyone at KVRT when I say that running Paul Tracy at the Indy 500 is very exciting. I also want to thank GEICO for supporting our efforts. Even though Paul hasn’t been in an open-wheel car much the last year, having raced against him and knowing his ability, I am sure he will get up to speed immediately.”
Tracy’s colorful personality and aggressive style is what has earned him the nickname ‘The Thrill from West Hill’, and makes him one of the most globally recognized racers in the business.
“This is a great opportunity and I can’t thank GEICO and KV Racing enough for stepping up and making it happen,” Tracy said. “Jimmy (Vasser, team owner), Kevin (Kalkhoven, team owner) and I are close friends and I have long been associated with GEICO, so it is exciting to have it all come together. It’s also a nice association to be teammates for a month with Max Papis who drives GEICO’s Cup car. Max is one of my closest friends, so I am sure he will join me in Indy at one point during the month.”
He continued, “Indianapolis is a special place and I look forward to returning and taking a run at getting a win and putting my name in the history books. I’ve committed my life to racing and a win at Indy is something that is very important to me. The past is the past and I’ll go to IMS focused on the present putting forth my best effort for GEICO and KV Racing.”
Tracy is nothing if not versatile and he will get up to speed quickly. In July 2008, he hopped in a car for Vision Racing in Edmonton’s IndyCar race and turned in a 4th place finish despite having been out of a car since Long Beach in April.
In May, Tracy will have plenty of practice time and he will also have support from one of the Indy Racing League’s top teams in KV Racing Technology, so stay tuned. One thing is for certain: When Paul Tracy is involved it will be nothing short of exciting.
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the third-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States based on the latest 12 months written premium. It provides auto insurance coverage for 9 million policyholders and insures more than 15 million vehicles. In addition to auto insurance, GEICO offers customers insurance products for their motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV's), boats, homes, apartments and mobile homes. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection and life insurance are also available. As a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, GEICO is rated A++ for financial strength by A.M. Best Company and ranks at the top of several national customer satisfaction surveys. For more information, please visit www.geico.com .
