What about Paul Tracy, Helio Castroneves and the IRL IndyCar Series north of the border for the Edmonton Indy race?

In watching the newly merged IRL IndyCar Series (with the Champ Car World Series) so far in 2008, as a fan, you do notice a difference from last season in not only the car count which is hovering around 27 with the exception of course of the Indianapolis 500, but in the racing itself somewhat, there are more contenders week in and week out depending upon what type of racetrack as the former Champ Car World Series drivers have yet to adapt to the ovals.

However while the merger before the beginning of this season has given this series new life, several events and drivers were not included in 2008 until now, the first came a month or two ago, when the IRL announced the addition of Edmonton Airport race to the 2008 calendar and the second came a couple weeks ago when it was announced that Paul Tracy has signed a one-race deal to drive for Vision Racing/Walker Racing in the Edmonton Indy race earlier today with Subway as the sponsor.

Not having Paul Tracy racing in the IndyCar Series so far this season was a huge mistake, he needed to be in the series and while I am a fan of both Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves, up till this weekend in Edmonton, Paul Tracy in the IndyCar Series wasn’t happening.

With that said, this weekend’s race in Edmonton with a good crowd on hand was a welcome treat to watch, not so much for the racing itself as this airport is mostly a high speed track with little passing or for seeing Scott Dixon win yet again, but for watching the outspoken, hard charging Paul Tracy handle his Subway IndyCar around the racetrack jumping curves and getting on it lap after lap.

But you know, even during this race, there was something caught my ear on two of the Andretti-Green Racing in-car radios for both Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti that I didn’t enjoy (something to this degree)…”Move over and let Tony Kanaan pass you, he is on a different strategy then you.” Of course nether driver did and one of them then said “if you ask me to move over one more time, were going to have words” (Again, something to that degree)… Personally, I know Tony Kanaan is running for a championship, but this is racing, you want the position, earn it, get along side of them and make the pass.

Anyway, in the end, Paul Tracy had a very impressive first IndyCar Series outing by finishing in 4th, while my two favorites Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves finished in 9th and 2nd, but still not a good day in points for Helio Castroneves against the points leader Scott Dixon as he now is -65 points out.

Now, hopefully not only the IRL will add a couple more former Champ Car World Series racetracks to the 2009 schedule including Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, another Canada race, and maybe even Road America could be a good match, but hopefully Vision Racing/Walker Racing will field Paul Tracy in not only the rest of the 2008 season, but also the entire 2009 seaon and beyond, Paul Tracy back in open wheel racing, nice treat, so until the next time, see yeah. (Both images by Covy Moore via Motorsport.com)

- Racedriven