Not enough bad boys in Indycar, Tracy says

TORONTO Paul Tracy has never been one to pull his punches.

The “Thrill from West Hill” was involved in dust-ups with fellow drivers Alex Tagliani and Sebastien Bourdais, going so far as to criticize them for leaving on their helmets during confrontations.

The 49-year-old from Toronto — who racked up 31 career Indycar wins — has no regrets about how he handled the incidents. In fact, he believes today ’s drivers are too “vanilla” and “corporate,” unwilling to help stir up the rivalries necessary to market the sport.

“I was OK with being the guy who wore the black hat in this series for a long time,” Tracy said.

Tracy, who will be providing commentary for NBC’S coverage of this weekend’s Toronto Indy, said a couple of clashes involving driver Alexander Rossi, including one with Canadian Robert Wickens, haven’t been properly tapped for their entertainment value.

Wickens was leading after 69 laps in his Indycar debut at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in March until Rossi’s attempt to overtake him sent him spinning. A second run-in with Rossi saw Wickens call him “ruthless” after the American driver crashed wheels, sending the Canadian into the grass.

Tracy said he suggested the Indycar rookie adopt a more Don Cherry-esque, or vigilante, approach to injustices on the track.

“I said, ‘Listen, if you’re tired of getting pushed around, you’ve got to push back,’” Tracy said.

“If a guy is going to shove you around and you let them, they’re always going to shove you around.”

Wickens admitted current drivers are forced to be a “little more vanilla,” and Tracy was given more rope to express his fiery persona.

“If one sponsor doesn’t like what you do and they pull out, you don’t have a ride anymore,” Wickens said.