Tracy Closes the Deal and Wins

Paul Tracy and teammate Dario Franchitti had a deal. Or did they?

After agreeing that whichever of the Team Kool Green drivers was leading after the last pit stop in Sunday’s CART Molson Indy at Vancouver, Canada would stay out front, Tracy couldn’t help but wonder if Franchitti would live up to the bargain.

The last stop for both drivers came on lap 53 of the 90-lap race, under the fourth of five caution flags. In that few moments, the race was decided. Franchitti’s car momentarily stalled and Tracy drove into the lead.

When the green flag waved for the start of lap 60, it appeared Franchitti might have forgotten team owner Barry Green’s orders, moving right up to the rear of Tracy’s nearly identical Honda-powered Reynard.

“He was pressuring me and I asked Barry on the radio, ‘Is this what the deal is?’ � Tracy said.

Franchitti, still looking for his first win of the season, grinned and said, “I was just keeping him honest. He knew I wasn’t allowed to pass him. I don’t think he trusted me, but an agreement is an agreement. I’m at peace with that.�

They crossed the finish line about five car-lengths apart, with Tracy averaging 85.034 mph. The margin of victory on the 1.781-mile, 12-turn street circuit at the edge of downtown Vancouver was 0.384 seconds.

Tracy moved within reach of the series lead. Going into next Sunday’s race in Monterey, he trails Michael Andretti, 126-120.

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Bobby Labonte didn’t outrun anybody on the track, but the second of two very fast pit stops gave him the advantage he needed to win the rain-shortened Southern 500 at Darlington, S.C.

On the last of those stops, the NASCAR Winston Cup points leader, driving a Pontiac, moved from fifth to first. That stop, in less than 16 seconds, came on lap 322. Rain and darkness ended the race under caution six laps later.

He earned $198,180 and his average speed in a race slowed for 69 laps by 10 caution flags was 108.275 mph. Defending champion Jeff Burton finished second in a Ford.

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John Force raced to his fifth career Budweiser Shootout victory in the U.S. Nationals at Clermont, Ind.

The nine-time NHRA Winston champion outran Jim Epler to claim the $100,000 top prize in an event that showcases the eight fastest funny car competitors from the last year.