You fool, whats the point of having a tracking number if i potentially won't get it until after retail release based upon the fact it (the tracking #) leads to nothing. Hell, I waited outside two years ago to get my 3G and would do it again had i of known I might be late getting it.
It's entirely possible the box with your phone missed the initial scan; I've had a few small mishaps like that before but I still got the item on time.
You don't get a tracking number until AT&T picks up a phone, pulls up your account, and scans the iPhone serial number in to your account... Which means there is an iPhone in a box with your name on it that is tied to your account.