Toronto- The first of three Canadian events opened up the second half of the season in Toronto. Hometown hero Paul Tracy was under pressure the entire weekend from Bruno Junqueira but did not fold under once. Tracy went on the absolutely dominate the race and give the 120,000+ fans a great victory.

Grade B-… The Toronto Molson Indy always draws a crowd, and the exceeded last years attendance in 2003. However, the on track action was zero to minimal with very few passes being made throughout the race.


Vancouver- Mr. Canada came, he saw and conquered. Tracy took the Vancouver Molson Indy by the horns and dominated the weekend again, giving him two wins in a row and a significant point lead as the Champ Car series went to Road America.

Grade C+…Vancouver, just as Toronto, always seems to draw in the people through the gates, but the show can use some work. The places to pass at Vancouver need to be widened, but that would then require the city to give the “OK.”

Road America- What turned out to be a great fan appreciation event with Mario Andretti single handedly bringing the Champ Car’s back to Road America, turned out to be a rain-drenched fiasco. Paul Tracy once again was in the front of the pack, but made a critical error on a restart after a downpour at the soggy Road America track. Tracy wrecked, and championship contender Bruno Junqueira took the victory.

Grade B… What a roller coaster ride. The race was cancelled but then after complaints from the fans and help from Mario Andretti, the race was back on. However, the race would only be viewed on HDTV, and would end up being shortened due to a rainstorm that hit on Sunday. For the time the Champ Car’s were on the track, the fans got a good show…

Mid-Ohio- One of the best Mid-Ohio races in a long time with Paul Tracy battling early on with Bruno Junqueira. However, Junqueira would crash out with Oriol Servia. American Spirit Team Johansson was poised for a 2-3 finish if not for a late race spin by Jimmy Vasser.

Grade A- The race was run under extremely hot conditions, but a great three day weekend. It is sad that CART will not be racing at Mid-Ohio next year, but the times have changed and CART has outgrown the track.

Montreal- Nominated for a Golden Wing Award for the 2003 Race of the Year, Montreal saw its native son Alex Tagliani take a dramatic pole for the race on Sunday. Meanwhile, championship contenders Paul Tracy and Bruno Junqueira found themselves starting mid-pack. Junqueira pushed too hard mid-way through then race, and spun and was playing catch-up the entire race. Meanwhile, Tagliani was in a fuel conservation mode, having to stop an average of 1-2 laps earlier than Michel Jourdain Jr. By the last stop, Tagliani ended up in 4th place, after dominating the entire race and Michel Jourdain Jr. went on to win the race. Tracy, on the other hand, ran out of fuel in front of the finish line and finished 6th.

Grade- A… The Montreal Molson Indy was a perfect example of what every Champ Car race should be. The race had flare, drama, action, and storylines. Great coverage by Speed Channel conveyed to the world what Champ Car is all about.

Denver- The Centrix Financial Grand Prix of Denver was held under varying conditions throughout the weekend. Bruno Junqueira knew that in order to stay alive in the championship, he had to score the maximum amount of points this weekend. Junqueira did so by grabbing the pole, while nemesis Tracy started back in seventh. Tracy had to play it conservative knowing that if he would DNF, Tracy would single handedly bring the championship back in Junqueira’s grip. Junqueira did all he possibly could and won the race with teammate Sebastien Bourdais running home in 2nd. Tracy on the other hand would make it up to 4th place, allowing for Junqueira to gain a minimal amount of points.

Grade… B- The track is actually a very interesting layout, and the idea of having a turn as wide as the one in Denver is brilliant. However, the on-track passing is still lacking and may have played a factor in the lower turnout through the gates this year. Watching Tracy pick his way through the field was exciting and did give the fans a bit of a show.

Miami- Also a nominee for a Golden Wing Award as the 2003 Race of the Year, sunny Miami played host to a great Champ Car event. The race started off with a battle between Paul Tracy and Sebastien Bourdais. Bourdais would eventually make a brilliant pass underneath Tracy at the exit of the final turn, however Tracy would attempt to pass Bourdais back and ended up hitting Bourdais. The accident would see both drivers out of the race and leave Bourdais fuming! Then, around thirty laps later, Bruno Junqueira was battling Adrian Fernandez for the lead and would lock his brakes up on cold tires. Junqueira would spin, and go several laps down leaving the championship lead in Tracy’s hands. Finally, it was the Herdez Competition duo of Mario Dominguez and Roberto Moreno that would battle their way to the front of the pack and Dominguez would take the victory, his first.

Grade…A+ Despite everyone’s negative comments about the track and its layout, Miami provided action that was present in any of the previous street races. The track, being designed the way it is, made the drivers not only make mistakes but also provided passing opportunities.

Mexico City- Another attendance breaker here in Mexico City with over 400,000 people in attendance during the three day festival. The fans would not be disappointed as their countrymen and rising star, Mario Dominguez, would make several late race passes that would eventually see Dominguez finish the race in third. The crowd was more excited about Dominguez’ third place finish, than that of Paul Tracy’s which all but clinched the championship for the Canadian.

Grade…B+ The only reason why I give Mexico City a B+ is because I can’t wait to see more people there! The atmosphere was absolutely incredible and yet another prime example of what Champ Car racing is all about.

Australia- The last stop of the 2003 Champ Car season, due to the wildfires in Fontana, would see an incredible turn of events throughout the race. First it was Paul Tracy who would almost see his championship slip through his fingers as he made a bonsai move going into Turn 1 and would come out with damage to his machine. Then the rain and hail would come to Australia which would put out Sebastien Bourdais. Once the rain died down, Tracy again got into trouble but this time with Alex Tagliani. Tracy would end up bending his suspension and further ending his day. However, lady luck was on Tracy’s side as Bruno Junqueira would have mechanical gremlins end his day, giving the championship to an emotional Paul Tracy and a victory to young Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Grade… A The race had everything that makes for an entertaining show. The drama with Paul Tracy, the action during the rain, and finally the emotion of watching one rookie win his first Champ Car race and one veteran win his first championship.