Paul Tracy says Conquest Racing is his best hope for a 2011 IndyCar drive, but the Canadian admits that he is still some way from finalizing a deal.
The 2003 Champ Car champion has not had a full-time seat since the Champ Car World Series/IndyCar merger three years ago, and only managed six appearances with KV and Dreyer & Reinbold last season. Tracy said Conquest boss Eric Bachelart was doing his utmost to put a package together for him.
"I've talked to Eric a lot over the last month and he keeps saying he wants to get more serious," Tracy told the Indianapolis Star. "He wants to move up, and you can't do that with ride buyers. He's been proactive and aggressive. He's working hard."
Other drivers in contention for Conquest's two-car team include its 2010 driver Bertrand Baguette, Indy Lights champion JK Vernay – who tested for the squad this week – and Sebastian Saavedra, who contested the 2010 finale for Conquest. Tracy said he had some sponsorship he could bring to teams for 2011, but not enough to secure a full-season deal.
"I've got a million dollars lined up [but] I'm talking to teams, and it's like I'm a beggar on the street," he said. "One million dollars is like 10 cents to team owners."