CREDIT: JOHN SING, PHOTOGRAPHER FOR FANSHAWE'S CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
Former racecar driver and Canadian Motorsport Hall of Famer Paul Tracy, speaks to the graduating class (with president Peter Devlin behind him) as he received an honorary diploma from Fanshawe on Nov.3

Canadian auto racing driver and Hall of Famer, turned businessman Paul Tracy received an honorary degree from Fanshawe on Nov. 3.

Tracy, originally from Scarborough, who now resides in the U.S., has 31 IndyCar victories, a 2003 Championship Auto Racing Team  (CART) member and was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 2014, according to a press release.

According to the release, Tracy, known for his speed, tenacity and excitement, started in 281 races, took part in Championship Auto Racing Teams and the Verizon IndyCar Series from 1991 to 2007.

He holds a Super License, which works for Formula One racing and IndyCar.

He is the youngest Canadian Formula Ford champion, which he won at the age of 16.

Tracy currently runs his business, Black Label Baggers, a custom motorcycle parts company, and also provide TV commentary for the Verizon IndyCar series with NBSCN.

Tracy is nicknamed “The Thrill from West Hill” from his connection with West Hill in Toronto.

“Paul is a person whose life matches the very spirit Fanshawe represents,” Fanshawe president Peter Devlin said in the release. “Paul has always been bold, decisive and successful in his life and he continues to transform himself to this day. From race car driver to business owner and TV personality, Paul has looked for new challenges and met them with courage. We are proud to have him join the Fanshawe family.”

According to the release, Tracy holds the record as the youngest winner of the single seater Can-Am series in 1986. Following his success, Tracy rose through the racing ranks and in 1990 won the Indy Lights Championship, setting a record with nine wins.

In 1991, Tracy joined the CART circuit, and, over the years, raced the likes of Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi and Nigel Mansel.

Interrobang spoke with Tracy after the graduation ceremony, where he shared his enthusiasm for his diploma and being back in the Canada

“It was good, I was nervous obviously. I’m not a big public speaker, so I didn’t realize that the crowd was going to be as big as it actually was,” Tracy said. “It was good, exciting to meet every single student, shake every single hand and nice to get up here and do this. I actually enjoyed it.”

Tracy said it’s great that he’s now connected to the Fanshawe community.

He told the crowd how when he was growing up, he had two choices for what he would be; either working for his dad’s construction company or try to have a racing career.

“I started racing when I was five-years-old, so my parents supported me in that. So it was either make that happen or work in construction. So I chose the racing route and luckily enough for me I was able to make it,” Tracy said.

Tracy said it’s great to be back in the country since he doesn’t get up here too often and getting to meet all the students as well as be acknowledged for his achievements as a racecar driver is “pretty cool”.

Asked where he’ll put his new piece of hardware, Tracy didn’t hesitate to respond.

“I’ll hang it in my office for sure, right behind my desk where I do all my work.”

Racecar champion and businessman Paul Tracy (left) stands with his honorary diploma with president Peter Devlin (right) CREDIT: John Sing, photographer for Fanshawe's Corporate Communications