Tracy’s leaner, just not faster

Paul Tracy took one look at himself on TV and figured something had to change.

The portly driver filled out the big screen pretty well and even going with the adage that TV adds 10 pounds, he decided to lose weight.

Over the winter, he changed his diet and started working out — cycling, mostly, about 30 to 50 miles a day — and has lost about 35 pounds from a year ago.

“I used to mountain bike a lot in Toronto. I lived over by the Rouge (River),” said the Scarborough native, who now weighs in at 187 pounds.

“I always liked bicycles. It’s an easy way to keep fit. You can go places fast. You can ride at your own pace.

“I’ve never been a runner or a jogger. I do it but I don’t enjoy it. I enjoy cycling a lot. Seems like less wear on your body than jogging — unless you fall.”

Drivers, like jockeys, are typically slender and below average in height. Tracy has battled his weight for a long time and has been told by many in the auto racing business that slimming down will make him a better driver.

“It hasn’t translated this year,” said Tracy. “I went to (the Indianapolis 500) 35 pounds lighter than I did the year before. I qualified 12th last year and finished in the top 10. This year I didn’t qualify.

“I call b.s. on this theory of weight distribution and this hocus-pocus the engineers tell you about, but I feel better. I have a lot more energy and I’m excited to get up every day and go work out.”

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