Toronto was one of the most popular stops on the Champ Car World Series calendar, but the event was scrapped last season after Champ Car merged with the Indy Racing League. The IRL had already set its schedule for 2008, and wasn’t prepared to bump its race at Watkins Glen, N.Y., in favour of Toronto.
Andretti Green co-owner Michael Andretti purchased the race after it was put up for sale, and he and Toronto driver Paul Tracy have been working non-stop to promote the event.
“I believe one of the main factors of the growth of open-wheel racing back in the 80’s was Toronto,” said Andretti. “I thought it was very important to keep it on our schedule. When I heard it was available and it wasn’t going to be on the schedule, I said ‘we have to figure out how to get it back.’
“We think it’s going to be a huge event, and huge for IndyCar in general.”
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Tracy is a two-time winner in Toronto, but has been without a full-time ride since the Champ Car-IRL merger. He says he has been bombarded by fans since arriving in Toronto following a disappointing 20th-place finish at Watkins Glen last weekend.
“It’s been a busy week,” said Tracy, who will drive for PKV Racing. “I’ve done a lot of media, a lot of promoting. I’m ready to get in the car and just concentrate on driving.”
Competitors have long praised Toronto’s 1.72-mile, 11-turn temporary street course as one of the most challenging in open-wheel racing. The uneven driving surface rewards a steady hand, and the wide straightaway at Lakeshore Boulevard should see plenty of daring pass attempts. The Canadian Press
Ganassi Racing has won five of the nine races and has the points lead with Scott Dixon, but Castroneves and Team Penske won Indy. At Watkins Glen, Justin Wilson gave Dale Coyne Racing its first win.
A look at how the teams have fared based on expectations:
Grade: A
Ganassi Racing
Its drivers are first and second in points, and Dixon is poised for his second consecutive title with the team. Dario Franchitti has transitioned seamlessly from a try at NASCAR. Aside from a few accidents, only an Indy win would make this a perfect start to the season. Late pit stop blunders scuttled that hope.
Team Penske
Winning Indy always is enough to earn the top grade, especially when it’s done for the record-extending 15th time. But the masterful way Roger Penske handled Castroneves’ situation solidified the grade. Ryan Briscoe has been exceptional with a win and four second-place finishes. Will Power has an average finish of 4.4, with a fifth at Indy.
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