In a move that may not surprise most racing fans, SRX announced late Friday afternoon the immediate suspension of Paul Tracy from competition. His suspension comes after an on-track incident during the MotorMile Speedway race at Pulaski County Motorsports Park Thursday night.
Thursday Night Thunder was full of great racing this week. All the things fans enjoy could be found during the 100-lap Main Event and the two 20-lap Heats. Fans were treated to fast cars, a little bumping, a little spinning, and some great competition on the track. Unfortunately, fans also got what has become an unfavorable tradition – Paul Tracy wrecking and taking out parts of the field with him.
Photographer: Andy Coffey, Pit Pass Network
What upset fans – and drivers – so much this time was how the final Tracy wreck of the race played out. Tracy and Newgarden were battling in the back of the pack with just 13 laps to go in the Main Event. They had already bounced off one another earlier in the Main. Tracy got under Newgarden and pushed him up into the wall. As the pair collided, Deegan spun behind them, trying to keep out of the carnage. They collected Schrader as they came back down the track and Schrader hit the inside wall hard. In post-wreck interviews, Tracy tried to claim he was hooked, but there was zero evidence to support his claim. He simply had zero situational awareness or care for his fellow drivers. In Schrader’s interview, after seeing video evidence of Tracy being 100% at fault for the incident, Schrader stated: “I won’t run another race with him. I’m done.”
Photographer: Andy Coffey, Pit Pass Network
Tony Stewart had already had a meeting with drivers prior to this race to remind them of the limited supply of cars for this series. He asked them during the private drivers’ meeting to take more care. Apparently he didn’t verify understanding with Tracy during the meeting, as Tracy took out 4 cars on his own Thursday night. This isn’t the first time this season that Tracy has been reckless with the SRX cars.
Stafford, Part One
Heat 2: Tracy gets into Hamlin and puts Hamlin in the dirt at the edge of the track, but Hamlin keeps his car from wrecking.
Stafford, Part Two
Heat 2: Tracy spins and takes Kenny Wallace out with him.
Main Event: In the final 10 laps: Deegan was inside Tracy and he came down on her and spun himself. Tracy claimed no brakes and wrecked Keselowski but Tracy continued to race. Tracy hits the wall to end his night before the race concludes.
Pulaski County Tracy-involved cautions
Heat 1: Tracy and Bowyer bounce off one another. Tracy and Deegan bounce off one another.
Heat 2: Tracy hit so many people that my race notes for the heat simply say “Why does Tracy keep hitting everybody?”
Main Event: Tracy and Deegan battle for 9th and Deegan gets loose. Tracy and Newgarden bump a little. With 13 to go, Tracy and Newgarden collide, taking Schrader and Deegan out with them.
In the 2022 SRX season, he did not finish or finished laps behind in 33% of the races. It’s safe to assume he wrecked during those races, too.
The evidence is clear: Paul Tracy has no business on the track right now. Fortunately, SRX officials agree with public sentiment (and with Ken Schrader).
SRX Official statement:
— Superstar Racing Experience (@SRXracing) July 28, 2023
Drivers can now relax a little on the track. There will still be plenty of on-track antics, especially with Clint Bowyer and Tony Stewart there to keep us entertained. But now the drivers will be safer and Smoke won’t have to worry about all the damaged race cars.
Now the next question: Who takes his spot in the rest of the season? There’s a few ideas floating around Twitter…
I’m available @HawkSMI 😉
— Jeremy Mayfield (@jeremymayfield_) July 29, 2023
Who would you like to see fill out the season? Leave your suggestions in the comments below or on our social media pages.
