Tracy wants NASCAR switch in 2007

Tracy has been back behind the wheel of a stock car for the first time since his Richard Childress Racing Michigan test in August, participating in a three-day ARCA RE/MAX Series test session at Daytona International Speedway.

Tracy has been preparing to race in the GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan in his RCR test last summer, but team owner Richard Childress decided that Tracy was not yet ready for his race debut.

The Canadian, who confirmed his presence in Champ car with Forsythe Racing for 2006 in October, now says he want to run a limited NASCAR Busch series campaign next season, before a full blown Busch or Nextel Cup assault in 2007.

Tracy says he is close to a deal to drive up to 11 races with Busch team Biagi Bros when his Champ Car commitments, to prepare him for a fulltime switch in 2007.

"My game plan was to make the transition in '06 but it really didn't come together," Tracy said. "I've made another year commitment to Forsythe Racing. Jerry Forsythe has been gracious enough to say go do whatever you want to do and try whatever you want to try. My timetable is to be in NASCAR in '07.

"We're getting the wheels turned now. Hopefully (in 2006) I can run 10-11 races in Busch and maybe a Cup race or two. Really just drive as much as I can."

Tracy was fifth fastest in the opening day of his test session, in a Chevrolet belonging to friend Andy Hillenburg.

"Obviously I've never driven here other than a Grand-Am car. I think we had a good run," he added. "I'm just trying to figure out where I'm going. I was flat foot the whole time trying different lines and ran around on different parts of the track."

"Andy's been really helpful. He came from sprint cars and ran in the IRL and ran at Indianapolis. He knows the trials and difficulties of trying to make the transition into NASCAR."