Year of the Rookies with Allmendinger and Wilson

Once again Torontonian Paul Tracy proved hes the master of Vancouvers challenging Molson Indy road course, the 7th race weekend of a 16 event series that goes by the unusually long name of Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford.

If Tracy had merely won it a single time no such boasting would be necessary, but this is the third time in five years that the 2003 championship winner managed to walk away from the rest of the field, in dominating fashion.

But it wasnt as easy as he made it look, according to Tracy. During the post-race press scrum he commented,

For the third time in five years, Torontonian Paul Tracy proved hes the master of Vancouvers challenging Molson Indy road course. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

While Tracy dominated the first part of the race, an unscheduled late pit stop meant he couldnt let up for a single lap. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

Tracy pulled a Michael Schumacher by charging around the track at qualifying speeds despite severe tire degradation, and then popping into the pits for a quick "splash and dash," an abbreviated pit stop where his team

Due to a fueling error on his second pit stop, Tracy had to build at least a 25 second lead so he could stop a third time to top up his tank and make it the finish line. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

Of course the difference between Tracy and Schumacher is that Champ cars are for the most part spec, with the engines, tires, wheels, and other components being identical from team to team. The only major parts that are different are the chassis, with Tracy and the rest of the front-runners driving Lolas and only two other teams, Walker Racing and Mi-Jack Conquest

Rodolfo Lavin, who managed to claim second spot on the grid, fell to the back of the pack after spinning out just before the Carpentier/Sperafico incident. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

Surprisingly though, this incident was the only major accident of a race which is normally replete with crashes, bangs and smash em ups, due to the tight, circuitous track and tall concrete barriers with zero runoff area.

Despite the challenges at hand, rookies rose to the challenge as well. The first newcomer to take the limelight was

Champ Car rookie A.J. Allmendinger, who won the Toyota Atlantic series last year, was showered with champagne after his first podium finish. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

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