Tracy in talks to extend contract

Many believed that 2006 would be the Canadian's last season in Champ Car before a potential switch to NASCAR Racing next year. Tracy has been competing in selected Busch series races this year with a view to graduating full-time to the Nextel Cup next season.

However Tracy has revealed in his exclusive autosport.com column, Paul Position, that he started discussions with Champ Car team owner Jerry Forsythe in Long Beach about a new deal, buoyed by the possibility of the series merging with the Indy Racing League in the near future.

"One of the few positive aspects of the Long Beach weekend is that negotiations are underway between me and Forsythe Racing for an extension to my contract, possibly by three years," Tracy wrote.

"We sat down with Jerry, and my manager and him are discussing it - what's gonna work for me, what's gonna work for Jerry. We've had a great relationship, and hopefully by next race we'll know what we'll be doing.

"There have been real positive signs from open-wheel racing. It seems like there's a lot changing, and I'm now optimistic that a reunification between Champ Car and IRL could happen.

"Okay, so nothing's done yet, but at least the two sides aren't at odds with each other over what it will take to get a reunion to happen.

"If it does, well, I'd love the opportunity to run against all the best guys again instead of just half of them, and if it's a three-year deal I sign with Jerry, I'm confident I'll still be quick enough in three years."

Click here to read this week's instalment of Paul Position