Paul Tracy driving for Make-A-Wish

Adrien Veczan/TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO

Canadian drivers Paul Tracy (left) and Alex Tagliani race during last year's Honda Indy Toronto at the CNE. At one point, they were first and second in the race. Both will be back for this yea'rs race July 18.

Norris McDonald

STAFF REPORTER

The Blue Jays and Honda Canada will sponsor Scarborough driver Paul Tracy in this year’s Honda Indy Toronto.

And Tracy’s No. 15 Dallara-Honda-Firestone car that will be entered in the July 16-18 event by pal Jimmy Vasser’s KV Racing Technology team will race in support of Make-A-Wish Canada.

GO TO OUR SPECIAL HONDA INDY PAGE

Tracy, who missed out on participating in this year's Indianapolis 500, attended a press conference recently at the CNE’s Allstream Centre where the blue-and-white racing car with the Blue Jays logo and “Make-A-Wish” prominent on both sides was unveiled.

“Jimmy (Vasser) and I spent two hours this morning with some of the Make-A-Wish children and their parents,” Tracy said, “and it put the difficulties I’ve experienced in not making the 500 into perspective. Frankly, my problems are pretty insignificant compared to some of theirs.”

Arch Wilcox, vice–president of advertising and sponsorships for Honda Canada, said money donated to the Make-A-Wish foundation during the Honda Indy promotion will be matched by his company.

“Our corporate slogan is ‘the power of dreams,’“ said Wilcox, “which has led us to innovations and new technology over the years. We are very pleased to be associated with Make-A-Wish Canada, which is helping to turn the wishes and dreams of Canadian children living with life-threatening medical conditions into a reality.”

Tracy, who’s won the Toronto Indy twice — in 1993 and 2003 — will be starting his 18th race through the streets of Exhibition Place and along Lake Shore Blvd.

"Talks are ongoing for me to race in the Honda Indy Edmonton," (since confirmed) said the driver known as the "Thrill from West Hill," and we hope to have an announcement about that soon. And I’d like to race at Watkins Glen, which is just before Toronto, as kind of a warmup."

Finding sponsorship for more than one-offs has been trouble for Tracy since 2008 when the Champ Car World Series and the Indy Racing League merged and became what is now known as the IZOD IndyCar Series.

The 41-year-old veteran, who's been a contract driver for Marlboro Team Penske, Team Kool Green and Player's-Forsythe and is one of Indy car racing's all-time winners with 31 trips to Victory Lane, knows the end of the road is looming.

"Look, if I could find a sponsor to back me for a full season, I would treat it as a ‘farewell tour,’ " Tracy said.

"Yes, I would definitely consider that."

More videos from Wheels.ca and our partners