Paul Tracy could be the next open-wheel star to cross over to the stock-car side.

The 2003 Champ Car World Series champ will test a car owned by Richard Childress Racing next week at Michigan International Speedway. Tracy is scheduled to drive the No. 33 car of Kerry Earnhardt in the GFS Marketplace 400 on Aug. 21 in Michigan. Earnhardt has qualified for two races this year in the car.

"This will be Paul's first shot in a stock car but he obviously has a great deal of talent and knows how to win races and championships," Childress said.

Tracy has 30 career wins on the Champ Series. The series' future is in doubt because of financial problems, as it struggles to compete with rival open-wheel series, the Indy Racing League.

The 34-year-old Canadian ranks second in the 2005 Champ Car standings.

Tracy knows Michigan International Speedway well. The track plays host to open-wheel races annually.

He told nascar.com his goal in the testing is to help develop a race package to benefit RCR's regular drivers, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Dave Blaney.

Tracy did not comment on his future possibilities in NASCAR.

KAHNE'S TRACK RECORD: Kasey Kahne ranks 21st in the Nextel Cup standings and is a long shot to make the Chase for the Championship in his second season.

His car has traditionally done well at Indianapolis, though, and Sunday's race could spark a turnaround. The No. 9 car has ranked among the top-10 finishers each of the past four years, including a fourth-place finish by Kahne a year ago. Bill Elliott won the 2002 Brickyard 400 in the No. 9.

"We're very close to getting things straightened out," Kahne said. "We would like nothing better than to make it happen at Indy."

FEMALE DRIVER PROGRAM: Ford Racing will announce the creation of a Female Driver Development Program today in Indianapolis. Ford is partnering with Clorox and ST Motorsports in the initiative.

Reach Adam Van Brimmer at (404) 589-8424 or adam.vanbrimmer@morris.com.