Champ Car bad-boy Paul Tracy, who Sunday in the Grand Prix of Denver was involved in a green-flag physical altercation with Sebastien Bourdais, was fined $25,000, had three points deducted from his standings, and his probation was extended through Oct. 22.
Tracy was on probation in Denver because of his pit-lane wrestling match with fellow driver Alex Tagliani in the previous race in San Jose. Tracy’s latest penalties were for running into Bourdais on the last turn of the last lap in Denver.
Tracy and Bourdais began the last lap running second and third behind eventual winner A.J. Allmendinger. Bourdais passed Tracy on turn eight, and Tracy tried to regain the position on turn nine. Instead, his car lost control and slid into Bourdais, ruining podium finishes for both.
“The penalty imposed to Paul Tracy for the last lap incident is simply wrong and not appropriate, but we have to accept the decision of the series even if we don’t agree with it,” Neil Micklewright, vice president for Tracy’s team, said in a statement. “We eagerly await the penalty that we believe should be handed to Sebastien Bourdais for his part in the incident, including running across a ‘hot’ track and initiating physical contact with our driver.”
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
