With Mario Moraes in Brazil due to the passing of his father, Canada's Paul Tracy will step in and drive Moraes' #5 Azul - Votorantim this weekend at the Honda Indy 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.
"This is a very sad occasion and on behalf of the entire KV Racing Technology organization we extend our sympathy and condolences to Mario and his family," said KVRT co-owners Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser. "After lengthy internal discussions, and in consultation with Mario, we decided the best course of action was to have Paul (Tracy), who has driven for the team and is familiar with our systems and personnel, step in and drive this weekend."
"I want to thank KV Racing Technology and Mario for thinking of me during this unfortunate situation," said Tracy. "It will be a privilege to drive the #5 Azul - Votorantim entry and I want to dedicate this weekend to achieving the best result possible in honor of Mario and the entire Moraes family.”
Tracy will be making his 270th career start and eighth in the IndyCar Series. He has started six races this season with all but one coming with KVRT.
In 11 previous starts at Mid-Ohio, Tracy has finished in the top-five seven times including five podiums, one win (2003) and one pole (2003).
This season, he has two top-10 finishes including a season-high sixth two weeks ago in Edmonton and a ninth at this year's Indy 500, both with KVRT.