In just its third season, the Tony Stewart-owned Superstar Racing Experience series has already been hit with its first controversy. At the Pulaski County Motorsports Park, ‘the Big One’ got triggered, all thanks to former IndyCar driver Paul Tracy. It all started when Tracy forced Josef Newgarden into the wall, taking them out of the race. Behind them, Ken Schrader and Hailie Deegan were innocent victims in the wreck, and their day was done as well.

Naturally, the SRX officials did not appreciate the stunt and punished him accordingly.

Even Tony Stewart was less than impressed because his team was left with just one backup car. It wasn’t the first time that Tracy and Schrader were at odds with each other on the race track. The last time they came together was at the Stafford Speedway, so maybe the Pulaski County crash was a long time coming.

Paul Tracy had a supporter amid all the negative press

Of course, there were many who criticized Tracy for his antics. Among them was Schrader, who declared that he would not race if Tracy was on the racetrack.

Paul Tracy maintained his innocence, insisting that he was ahead of Newgarden and got hooked. Now, Tracy has one person in his corner.

And that is none other than WWE legend Ric Flair, also known as the ‘Nature Boy’.

Flair said in one of his Instagram reels, “Hey Paul! That’s right. Big daddy’s on the property. I understand you’re underground as well. I’m told that you think you’re one of the dirtiest players in the game, just like the Nature Boy.”

“We will find out. Before I leave town, Monday. Whether you can really be a Rolex-wearing, diamond ring-wearing, limousine-riding, private jet flying…, is having a hard time holding all that alligators down. My brother, to be the man, you got to beat the man.”

“I’m told you and I are the baddest boys of all. The dirtiest players in the game.” 

READ MORE: Tony Stewart Admits Being Cornered by Paul Tracy Jeopardizing His $40-Million Valued Endeavor

Tony Stewart had a heartbreaking 5-word confession after suspending Paul Tracy from the SRX series

When the series was born in 2021, Tracy was right there from the start. His best finish in the series was a 3rd-place finish at the Stafford Speedway in 2022. For the current season, his best finish was fourth at the first race at Stafford. Unfortunately for the 54-year-old, he will not be able to improve upon that position for the rest of the campaign.

One also has to wonder whether this will be his last season or whether Tony Stewart will let bygones be bygones.

It would be easier to make a guess after reading Stewart’s words. In an interview with Frontstretch after the Berlin race, Stewart said, “I wish more than anybody that Paul Tracy would running with us tonight because Paul is an excellent race car driver.”

He continued, “It didn’t feel the same not having him [Paul] here and I think the race track made the carnage side of it little easier than just everybody’s gonna say well without Paul there and tear anything up I think this race track lended itself to being easier on the cars”

Reflecting on the week’s events, Stewart Haas Racing owner concluded, “It was a rough week for our series.”

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Do you think the former Indycar driver could come back to SRX? Let us know your thoughts.