Robin Miller's Mailbag for Sept. 11

If you have a question about open-wheel racing, send it to MillersMailbag@Racer.com. We can't guarantee your letter will be published, but Robin will always reply.Q: This Tony Kanaan business is lame. As a fan of open-wheel, I'm tired of a far less interesting series getting the talent. NASCAR has really set itself up to be one of the dullest series on the planet. To see them be rewarded for the mistakes of 1996 again and again is getting old. At some point people are going to stop going to races, at some point people are going to stop tuning in (some already have). The racing is crap, and the people in charge of that series make the worst years of the IRL (prior to semi-reunification in 2002) look like CART back in its heyday. I hope TK doesn't take the offer, and why should he? If you remove the money from the equation (by far the largest factor in all of this) is it a good move? I'd say no. Outside of Tony Stewart there's really yet to be any driver with a Formula 1/IndyCar background with any really long term success in the series, short term being only LEGENDS like Foyt and Mario. Someone give the man a ride. The guy is literally intertwined with Indy, as is Dario, Helio, and the late (great) Dan Wheldon. The word "NASCAR" should be the last thing that crosses this guy's mind. Let's hope Michael, Chip or Jimmy comes through.Not So Mid-OhioRM: By far the prevalent sentiment from IndyCar fans to Kanaan is: "please don't go" but who can blame him for listening to what Joe Gibbs had to offer? At 38, it would be a difficult transition to be sure and TK doesn't want to leave IndyCar. I don't think he will either.

RM: It would be a kick in the teeth if Kanaan left for stock cars but don't jump to conclusions. My story said he went and met with Gibbs about a possible ride that he signed or is going to sign. I'm afraid the sunny day fans outnumber the oval track diehards (except for Indianapolis).

RM: Kanaan's situation is more about the financial reality of IndyCar than anything else and, of course it's sad and unfair but the lack of TV viewers impacts sponsorship and, in turn, a team's ability to hire. The lack of big-time sponsors is also why there's such a void of TV commercials with drivers.

RM: Well let's be honest: Ganassi gave Dario and Montoya their chances, Allmendinger's departure was orchestrated by Red Bull (with a start-up team) and Penske had Hornish change seats so it's not like there's a big bidding war among the elite NASCAR teams for Indy drivers. And TK hasn't done anything but fly to Charlotte and listen.
 

RM: That's a good question but I imagine they like Kanaan's drive and aggression. Or is it the fact they'd be stealing the Indianapolis 500 winner? But you are right in the regard that it's difficult to understand the interest in a 38-year-old who has never driven a stock car (except for The Prelude at Eldora).

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RM: ??My opinion is that it would be a big blow to lose TK to NASCAR but I don't think he's going to leave. I think he's exploring options and was flattered that Gibbs wanted to talk to him about a possible ride. I think Rahal and Briscoe were being good soldiers.

RM: I think any time you put 230mph, spec Indy cars on a tight street circuit there is going to be some contact. Power admitted his mistake and I don't think it was intentional. Chicagoland? Maybe 50/50 at best, Joliet didn't draw many people the last few years of IRL.

RM: I don't think everyone has turned on Dixon and, you are correct, he's most always a class act in victory or defeat so he's entitled to voice his displeasure in these circumstances. As for Power, sure he can moan with the best of 'em but I've also seen him own up to mistakes in tough situations. He's certainly not Dario's favorite but I don't think he's necessarily unpopular with fellow racers.

RM: Most people seemed to think TGBB favored his former employer (Penske) over Ganassi and considering what happened to Dixon at Baltimore, how can you fault him for being angry or bitching? He got spun out and then crashed out. Hell yes, he should be mad. As far as taking the blame, I've heard Dario and Dixie admit mistakes on several occasions and certainly more than one retired Indy winner who NEVER owned up to anything. But I do think the bitching has increased in volume this season by a lot of people.

RM: I'm a big Beaux fan and I think he's done a lot more good than bad in his two short years. I've yet to hear him get on the radio and yell at drivers to back off and not race so hard. And he hasn't started an oval race in the rain or stolen the Indy 500 from anyone, either. The biggest complaint seems to be his consistency on blocking so I wish he'd clarify that and stick with it. And get off Twitter.

RM: As I said in the letter above yours, the inconsistency claim seems to be about the blocking rule. As for avoidable contact, it's the worst phrase in racing and impossible to police (was Servia more guilty than Rahal at Baltimore?). But you are correct, that's why people watch and while you don't want anarchy in the streets, contact is part of the game.

RM: It takes no talent to spin somebody out in a street race but between fading brakes, hot tempers and spec cars, it's impossible to avoid the bump and run. It's the nature of the street race beast and while we all want to go back to Elkhart Lake and Watkins Glen, it's got to make financial sense to go to those tracks. I think IndyCar will always have a large presence on street circuits because right now cities seem to be more interested in these races than traditional road courses and ovals.

RM: Originally Mark Miles talked about ending the season on the IMS road course but he's trying to figure out a way to jumpstart May so that's why it will open the month. Not sure which way the cars will run but there's several plans, or options, being discussed. Three-wide standing start for a road course race? Sure.

RM: The biggest concern in my mind is there are so many seats that have limited views of the track but I guess that's the nature of every street race so maybe it wouldn't matter. I still think 40,000 would exceed expectations but I have no doubt the racing would be good.

RM: I'm told that it only takes a few days to convert so that won't be a concern.??

RM: The Hulman/George family really doesn't have much say in how IndyCar or the Indy 500 runs nowadays. They're outnumbered on the board and they can vote but not dictate policy. I think Mark Miles is trying to learn the business and landscape while also looking for the right person to head up marketing (hopefully before 2014). It's distressing to hear about potential sponsors being turned away so please, please share those details with me in an e-mail to the mailbag (which I won't share with anyone except maybe Miles). Between trying to kick-start May, racing outside North America and hoping to change the culture, Miles is plenty active but there are only so many hours in a day.

RM: I've been told we're going to like the aero kits and, yes, they will be for all races and the cars don't have to have that dreaded IRL intake.

RM: In fairness to Mark, he said "since 1996" in our interview so he understands that the status quo isn't working (same decision made by Randy Bernard when he went to double-headers, double-file restarts, triple crown). There are some plans being discussed for May which might get people enthused again about time trials.

RM: Rubbing fenders or trading chrome horns on a street race is a helluva lot different and safer than doing it on a superspeedway or any oval. The fact that this Dallara is stout and allows aggression has made the street shows entertaining in my mind.

RM: Haven't seen Dixon jump any restarts and I understand his anger at Baltimore but I do like the fact drivers are allowed to speak their mind (his fine will be worked off as it should be) unlike the tin-toppers. I think he's wrong about Barfield but we can disagree on that. Davison showed nicely in his two starts and did kinda of get lost in the shuffle.

RM: Speaking of getting lost in the shuffle, yes, agreed, Simona drove her heart out at Baltimore but it was lost with all the other storylines. And don't quote NASCAR commentators using the word "great." So and so had a great run (and he was 17th).

RM: When you hear Harvick or Johnson say that while growing up they idolized Rick Mears and wanted to be an Indy 500 driver, I imagine it was because of the speed, the history and how cool the cars were compared to an old tin sled. Indy drivers made a lot more money than NASCAR drivers in the 1980s and '90s but now it's reversed. Ya really think Montoya has had more fun the last few years than kicking ass in CART and banging wheels with Schumacher in F1? But if you start out in open-wheel and get good, you want to advance and be an IndyCar regular. I guess now you're just hoping you don't have to bring too much money.

RM: Not sure I follow you. Mark Miles wants to generate more money for his teams and hopefully keep mechanics from being laid off for six months. Whether its points or non-points is moot; the goal is to provide revenue.

RM: Shell sponsors a huge golf tournament in the spring, that's why, but I think the race will be in June in 2014.

RM: We'll never see another Parnelli, A.J., Mario or Dan Gurney the four most decorated and diverse racers ever. But I think Tony Stewart might have been able to hang with them had he been in that era. Mario is always good to listen to and a national treasure. And check out part 2 of the Andretti World Champion story: tire stagger and weight-jackers do get mentioned as tools that only Mario appreciated.

, Calif.

RM: The best story I can tell you about Daniel Sexton Gurney is what Jim Clark's father told him at the funeral. "You were the only one my son feared." No better compliment.

RM: It's really good on a road course but not sure it would have as much drama on an oval. I realize single-car oval qualifying is beyond boring and heat races are fine but need to pay more money. Lime Rock and VIR are too small, I'm told, and we probably shouldn't touch the point system since the last several titles have been decided in the season finale.

RM: I think the plan is to use Matchett and Will Buxton at a couple races to help cross-promote IndyCar and Formula 1 on NBC Sports Network. Probably see both again in 2014.

RM: That would be true but, of course, I didn't let him drive (he spun out on dry pavement at 30mph in 1968) and he screamed like a little girl as we went into Turn 3. A lot of people used to drive their passenger cars around IMS back in the day because there was no security especially at night.