Robin Miller's Mailbag for August 3, presented by Honda Racing / HPD

Your questions for Robin should continue to be sent to millersmailbag@racer.com We cannot guarantee we’ll publish all your questions and answers, but Robin will reply to you. And if you have a question about the technology side of racing, Robin will pass these on to Marshall Pruett and he will also answer here.

Q: Once again Mid-Ohio puts on a superb race, with so many storylines its hard to know where to begin. Maybe the best thing about the whole day? We never knew who was going to win the race. On the last restart, Simon Pagenuad and Will Power were racing hard for the win, and they demonstrated to the Mercedes F1 boys that it is possible to bang wheels and not end up in a tire wall. Then there was Mikhail Aleshin, who could easily have been standing on the top of the podium at the end. Also, how about IndyCar not doing a NASCAR and only showing a local yellow at the end? That's the smartest and most encouraging thing Race Control has done in five years!

Finally, we see how a natural terrain road course brings out the best in the series. The crowd was huge, maybe bigger than last year. Maybe that's the problem right now with the ovals. When we went to Mid- Ohio, we saw action all day long. Plus, we could walk the track and watch the race from dozens of great vantage points. If I go to a NASCAR race here in Charlotte, I have to arrive hours early, try to find parking, pay for parking, then sit in my seat with nothing to see or do until the race. I am hopeful that Watkins Glen has a big turnout in September and becomes a regular stop on the calendar. And maybe us Mailbag readers can come up with an innovative way to bring back interest in the ovals.

Rick Schneider, Charlotte

RM: The most refreshing thing about IndyCar in general, and Team Penske specifically, there are no team orders or letting your teammate by, and that's exactly what fans deserve. That lap with Pagenaud and Power banging wheels for the victory at the end of the race is also why IndyCar puts F1 on the trailer. The Madder Russian drove his heart out and then showed tons of class afterwards to his crew. But you are spot-on about why Road America and Mid-Ohio are popular – something always going on, room to roam, and a great vantage points. The problem with ovals is exactly that – a lack of action and way too much downtime.

Q: I want express my disappointment that there is a different rulebook for the Penske drivers. I counted three times in the race at Mid-Ohio that action could have been taken by Race Control for their actions and wasn't. First, Pagenaud clearly jumped the start of the race. I was in the grandstands and saw him go before the green waved, and listened to two different radio announcers' amazement that they allowed that start. Then Helio Castroneves once again blocked a driver, and in this case, folded up his suspension and ruined his race. Yet, again, no action from Race Control. Then, for the second consecutive race, Josef Newgarden gets his bumper ripped off, and this time it was Power that did it. But he gets no penalty for something that seems the very definition of avoidable contact.

I'm not saying all of these should have warranted action by the stewards, but looking over the season, from Pagenaud winning in Long Beach by cutting the pit exit line to Juan Pablo Montoya hitting Newgarden in Toronto, the trend seems clear. And its the biggest shame because just look at the points, they clearly don't need the help.

I will throw in a question too. Cleveland has been mentioned in all the talk of new tracks, and seems to be held in high regard for putting on a good race and attracting a good crowd. But with Mid Ohio solidified into the schedule, do you think Ohio can host two races?

Andy, Lexington OH

RM: I was screaming (and forgot I had my NBC headset on so it startled some folks) at that pathetic start, and it definitely should have been waved off. It cheats the paying customers, because that's the most exciting moment most times. I think Dixie got squeezed, for sure, but maybe was a little optimistic and even he admitted he should have known better considering whom he was trying to pass, so I do call that more of a racing accident. But you are spot on – what happened to Josef and ruined his race was the textbook definition of "avoidable contact" and Power deserved a drive-through. Having said that, I don't think there's any bias for Penske in Race Control.

 

Q: How does IndyCar not wave off these starts from Pagenaud? I feel like he has jumped the start every time he is on pole this year. A lot of these starts could be cleaned up if a yellow is thrown once or twice rather than the green every single time. And another great drive by Conor Daly. I know he was off this past weekend, but he drove like a champ when he was out in front. Too bad that yellow didn't come out a few laps sooner. He just continues to impress when he is behind the wheel. I just hope some of the owners in the top teams recognize this young, American driver. On the flipside, is Jack Hawksworth under contract for next year at Foyt? I was such a big fan of the kid and all the potential he showed with his first drives in IndyCar. But he just hasn't performed, especially this year, and I really can't see him being employed in IndyCar after this season. Maybe he'll have better luck in sportscars or another form of racing.

Ryan in Dallas

RM: I don't recall Pagenaud jumping the starts nearly as much as his Brazilian teammate, but my theory is that you get one warning and then get sent to the back if it happens the second time around. Daly struggled in practice and qualifying, but the kid is a racer and every time he gets to the front he stays there. Jack is a head-scratcher because he was so impressive with Bryan Herta's team, but no way he's back with Foyt.

Q: Where's the line between hard racing and stupidity? I tried for about five minutes to come up with a word other than stupidity, but that's what I was left with. Helio closed the inside line, moved back, left the door open, and then did a fade under braking. The entire F1 grid is all over Verstappen for doing exactly that right now. If you fade or move under braking, there's not much a driver behind you can do if he commits to a move much like we saw with Dixon on Saturday. Two races in a row, Newgarden has had his rear pod ripped off by someone ducking out too late. And then at the end of the race, Power and Pagenaud manage to go side-by-side through a section of the track where it is impossible to go side-by-side.

In IndyCar you've got three different levels of contact to set examples by. You've got stupidity, an accident, and "holy crap that's awesome racing". The problem is that Helio got a blocking penalty at Road America, which I still argue he hasn't actually served, and no penalty at Mid-Ohio, which was probably the right call, but wow was that dirty. At what point do the stewards start to increase the penalty for repeat offenders? Repeat offenders like Nico Rosberg who thought he "made an awesome move" from four car lengths back and waited to turn until he was three zip codes past the apex. It's almost like James May was driving and he forgot there was a turn there. Drivers, it seems, are simply daring the stewards to penalize them. I don't want a bunch of penalties called, but I would like to see escalation to reign in the stupidity.

Ryan in West Michigan

P.S. Can't wait to see the Mad Russian in year three.

RM: The other drivers refer to Helio as the king of blocking, but the one last Sunday was pretty subtle for him. I think P.T. was the last "habitual offender" by definition, and had to sit out the season-opener in 1999. But nobody sticks out in 2016. With the cars and engines being so close, I think it's amazing there hasn't been more contact this year, and I praised the drivers for their overall performance at mid-season.

Q: Poor Aleshin was penalized twice, whereas Will Power was not penalized for taking off Newgarden's rear pod. Do you think that he should have been penalized, because when you take off someone's rear pod you effectively take them out of the race? In my opinion when the driver who has the broken pod pits, the driver who took off the pod has to pit as well and cannot leave the pits until the victim's car is fixed. What do you think of that?

Emerson (not Fittipaldi)

RM: Mikhail was penalized for striking a crew member (thankfully Vance Welker wasn't injured) after making contact with Newgarden, and his team was penalized for an unsafe exit. Yes I think Power should have received a drive-through, but I kinda like your penalty – that might be more effective.

Q: What's your take on Bourdais' "Chrome Horning" of Sato? I remember PT's use of it in the Champ Car days caused uproar, but at least Tracy mostly used it to get the lead. Bourdais has done this technique four or five times that I can remember in the last three years. Didn't he punt two of the seven drivers going for the IndyCar Championship at Sonoma last year? It seems like when SB gets in the Top 10 and can't move forward, he gets brain farts and tries to outbrake them when he can't get inside, then claims he has brake problems or couldn't see and misjudged the distance. Last Sunday it was obvious from the slo-mo video that he was going to try something on Sato, moved right then left, then directly behind him and rammed him. At least Race Control left him in the kitty litter and let the race finish green with only a local yellow in T4. Luckily Sato was able to continue and get a Top 10 finish, despite losing five spots. I think its time Race Control to clamp down now.

Dave Sutton

RM: Watching the replay today it seemed more like Seb over-cooked it while braking and it didn't look malicious to me. His penalty was sitting in the gravel trap. But I'm not sure he's guilty of feeding people the "Chrome Horn" any more than most of his competition.

Q: I'd be interested to hear how a Roger Penske or Chip Ganassi would handle the situation at Mercedes, with teammates racing each other hard and, at times, crashing each other out. Any chance you could get their perspective?

Kevin Winslow, Boise, Idaho

RM: I know The Captain's mantra: race each other as hard as you want, no team orders, but never take out your teammate.

 

Q: Longtime reader, (since your Indy Star days) first time caller! I follow the Mailbag every week and it's been very heartening lately to see so many IndyCar fans requesting the return of the Grand Prix of Portland. It has been my home track since I moved here in 1996, and I've witnessed some incredible racing there. Sadly, my last home track was Trenton International Speedway on the N.J. State Fairgrounds property, which last saw action in 1980. It's now a UPS shipping facility and a housing development. With the rumor of a return to Portland in 2018, my question is: what can I do as a Portland resident and IndyCar fan to facilitate this happening? The drivers used to parade their cars downtown on the Friday before the race during lunch hour when everyone was out of the offices to see what that hell that racket was! It was awesome! As a "boots on the ground" Portland IndyCar fan, what can I do to help?

Brian in PDX

RM: Not sure you can do anything more than support the race if it comes back. IndyCar has inspected the track and had a couple serious conversations with the promoters about 2018, and it sounds like everyone wants to go back. But it's still a work in progress.

Q: NBC just released NASCAR's TV schedule from July 1st to the season finale for 2017. I know you had proposed live races on a Wednesday night to avoid any TV conflicts. I have a different proposal, as much as I dislike it: have tape-delayed telecast and put it on a regularly scheduled time slot on a weeknight. Pointless laps under yellow could be edited out to keep a viewer's attention on racing action. This would also place more importance on attending a race for those who want to see it live. Plus, during those off-weeks without a race, a ready-made replay is ready to go. If it was on every spring/summer weeknight at the same time, it has built in date-equity for those who cannot attend the race.

Rob Peterson, Rochester, NY

RM: I always thought it would be good to start races at 1 p.m. for the paying customers and then run a tape-delayed show later in the day so as not to conflict with NASCAR. But promoters and sponsors aren't interested in tape delays – nor are networks, I'm told. But I like IndyCar on Wednesday night at Iowa.

Q: I went to both days at TMS. While the rain was disappointing, big kudos to Eddie Gossage for keeping the fans entertained and the drivers coming over to sign autographs! A couple of observations: there were more tweens and teens than I expected,and quite a few more female fans were there than I have seen at NASCAR races. Seems like IndyCar is missing a big opportunity. When Danica was racing IndyCar, the fans went crazy. Where are the female drivers? Why isn't IndyCar getting the cost for entry down so more teams can compete and bring in the great young drivers, both male and female? Why aren't the purses much larger (I know, lack of revenue) to entice more teams to race Indy? 

John Harms

RM: First off, Eddie didn't have anything to do with the IndyCar drivers going into the stands to sign autographs and pose for photos. That idea came from IndyCar's Kate Guerra and, along with Pat Caporali of IndyCar, they rounded up the drivers and it was a big hit with the patient Texas fans that hung around all night. Simona de Silvestro is the best female road racer I've ever seen and was becoming popular in IndyCar before losing her ride. But nobody tried to keep Danica in IndyCar, and if nobody thought she was worth saving, then Simona never drew a second thought. Yes, the problem is that IndyCar doesn't have enough owners, the purses suck and it's a closed shop with the Leader's Circle for anybody new wanting to come in. But I do think Mark Miles and Jay Frye understand these things and will try to improve them, in time.

Q: I'm still mad after the Mid-Ohio race! NBCSN dropped the ball over and over and screwed the fans and the series. I understand that NASCAR was rained out but when did it become my job to follow the musical chairs act that was NBCSN on Sunday? Mid-Ohio was shown live ... I missed over half of the race and I couldn't find any repeats. An F1 race run earlier in the day replaced the IndyCar race scheduled for 5:30, as per their network listing. I dnever miss IndyCar races, and NBCSN made me miss one of my favorite tracks. Shame on them. Fans deserve better.

Mark M, Floyds Knobs, IN

RM: When the NASCAR race at Pocono was rained out, the IndyCar race at Mid-Ohio was switched to NBCSN so that cancelled out the re-air at 5:30 p.m. I know that's not a good answer for all the people who set their DVRs for 5:30, but it was good for ratings and IndyCar to get all those NASCAR eyeballs.

Q: I was looking forward to watching the race at Mid-Ohio, and CNBC was showing the F1 race. What in the heck was up with that? Any talk on IndyCar going back to Michigan or Kentucky yet?

Brian Lancaster

RM: Please see answer above about television. Haven't heard either track mentioned but the trend seems to be going back to Midwest tracks, so maybe some day.

 

Q: We are getting to the beginning of the silly season, and IMO the only driver movement that matters is whether Josef moving to Penske or Ganassi. Josef is the only one with the skills and personality to move the needle, but he needs a big boy team and a big boy sponsor behind him. I know you will beat the drum for Rahal, and performance-wise he has delivered the last couple of years, but like RHR his incessant bitching and blaming every other driver or his car or his engine or his tires wears thin. I have never heard Josef call out his car, his engine, his team or any other competitor for his failure to deliver. He takes ownership for issues and he shares the love on victories and podiums. This guy is too good to be true: fast, fearless, smart, winner, humble and a great teammate. Your billionaire buddy John Menard has dipped his toe back in IndyCar - a full season of Josef with killer advertising to back him up should be on the cards, and would maybe help him launch Menards out west.

Chris C.

RM: I've been beating Josef's drum pretty loud the past three years and he is truly the Penske Perfect pick. My gut says The Captain has already signed him. But a JoNew/Penske/Menard's car full-time would be great with Newgarden in national TV spots.

Q: As we approach silly season, a lot of talk is about Newgarden. While he would indeed be a nice fit at Penske, I have him in the No.10 car at Ganassi. As for the No.2 car, JPM will not get retained and I am thinking Rossi makes the perfect Penske fit. Thoughts? Any other rumored changes?

AJV, Batavia

RM: I think JoNew is a much better fit for Penske than Rossi, and he's earned it. Montoya and T.K. are the big dominoes, but I think R.P. understands JPM is still an Indy 500 stud and that means a lot. Chip may need Kanaan's sponsor help, although it sounds like NTT Data is staying on the No.10 car.

Q: Man, I don't know what's with NBCSN. Or IndyCar. I remember hearing last week that the race would be on CNBC, but forgot. And I'm sure I wasn't the only dope, especially when the guide says "5.30-8:00pm, IndyCar, Mid Ohio, NBCSN"! And what do they have in it's place? The replay of the F1 race that's scheduled for 8:00-11:00pm. Wish they would get it together. They never repeat the IndyCar races. F1 gets two replays, and NASCAR gets a ton, on multiple channels. You can't avoid it. The Tour de France shows each leg three times a day! Is that really where the pecking order lies? Sorry, but I'm frustrated! And ho-hum - Lewis Hamilton wins again. I would have rather seen Mid-Ohio. I don't think there's a web site that streams the races?

Jon Doeringer

RM: As I explained in the previous question, the rainout at Pocono put IndyCar back on NBCSN and it was also showing on CNBC. But that totally rearranged the evening schedule and that's why there was no re-air at 5:30 p.m. But, trust me, NBCSN usually replays the IndyCar races at least once, and sometimes twice if it's originally shown on CNBC or MSNBC. So it wasn't the TV guide's fault, or NBCSN or anyone – just Mother Nature throwing a curve ball. See the question below about streaming options.

I will say that IndyCar is by far the best racing series in terms of streaming. Nobody else hosts their own streaming options, and nobody else posts their races online after the fact, which I absolutely love. Already miss this year's Indy 500? Go watch it again and with no commercials! Best of all, IndyCar does all of this absolutely free of charge. NASCAR has premium content like this, but you pay a monthly fee. Not so in IndyCar! I know streaming is far less profitable than TV broadcasts right now, but it's an investment: luring in new fans that will attend races and buy merchandise should be worth the monetary loss of streaming races. Hope this helps the fans that decide to ditch cable but want to continue watching the best racing in the world.

Dave Zipf, Lexington, KY

RM: Thanks for all this info David, I will cut and paste this so I can use it many times during the course of a season.

 

Q: Is DHL leaving Andretti Racing at the end of this season? Ryan Hunter-Reay has not mentioned DHL in post qualifying or post race interviews for the last four races. It's not like he is a rookie - he knows what to say when on TV. I know he is having a tough time of it at the moment and, perhaps, he doesn't want to associate the sponsor with losing.

David W.

RM: Bingo. Until last weekend at Mid-Ohio (where he qualified fourth), RHR probably didn't want to mention DHL but he's always been a good spokesman. I hadn't heard DHL, but I have heard that Snapple might be down the road.

Q: As far as next year goes, what teams do you think will look different driver-wise? Foyt's team has to be looking to replace Hawksworth. Do you see the Penske crew changing at all, or the Ganassi crew changing after the loss of Target? Will RLL add another car? How about the Andretti team, which seems to have been at a total loss for most of this year?

Connor (Denver, CO)

RM: Let's say Chip already has a replacement for Target and goes after Newgarden for the No.10 car. Ed Carpenter's team is right there on the second tier with RLL behind Penske and Ganassi, so that would be a good seat. Does J.R. Hildebrand get the nod? Would T.K. go there? Would JPM go to ECR if he's not given a full-time deal with R.P.? Sounds like Munoz might be out at Andretti, but that ride needs a driver with money. R.C. Enerson? Conor Daly to Foyt? It should get interesting in the next few weeks.

Q: At what point does Andretti racing throw in the towel on Marco? He has had a very unproductive career and doesn't show any sign of that changing. I once thought the same about Rahal, but he has recently been more productive but still a disappointing career as a whole. Every race I think Michael should offer him a job on the other side of the wall to make room for a championship level driver.

Robby H.

RM: Don't see that happening. Michael did step down from Marco's pit box last weekend and turned it over to Ziggy Harcus, but he still qualified next-to-last. Many seem to agree that young Andretti needs a change of scenery, but who would hire him unless he brought big bucks? It's hard to pinpoint why he struggles so (except for ovals) but I do think he's pressing and has to feel more and more pressure. People think he's not hungry because he's got money, but I think being an Andretti he's still starved for results.

Q: Three straight Top 10s in the Indy 500 have been a great achievement for JR Hildebrand, and I can't imagine an American talent that has been ignored more since the end of the 2013 season. And, even with Ed Carpenter, J.R. is still waiting for funding to secure a full-time ride. No team has ever taken a chance on JR. Not even Coyne. I recall his test outing for Force India, and I wonder how he would have fared in GP2 after winning the Indy Lights title and what kind of talent he would have been up against the likes of Pastor Maldonado, Sergio Perez, and the late Jules Bianchi back in those days.

JLS, Chicago, Il

RM: Panther actually took a chance and hired him to drive for three years but they lacked the necessary chemistry or ingredients to develop the kid. Dan Wheldon didn't fare too much better so I think it was more team than driver. I also think J.R. has really matured as a racer in the past couple years and I applaud Ed for keeping him employed.

Q: How did Spencer Pigot go from only having enough dough for a couple races with RLL to getting the seat at ECR for the remaining road races? Did he (or Ed) find more money? Is Ed evaluating Spencer for next year, and does this mean that Newgarden is already gone? I'm with you in thinking it would be nice if Josef stays with Ed to keep giving the field some balance, but Josef also deserves to get a nice paycheck for the job he does. What's the story?

NH Mike

RM: I don't think Spencer brought anything but his helmet, and I think Ed wants to build a team and he likes Pigot's potential. I think JoNew is gone, but maybe Carpenter can find a way to keep him at least another year.

Q: What is Roger Penske like? We fans see him interviewed, and he is always correct and professional. He is known to be loyal to his employees. He is, with great justification, universally respected within the sport. But is he liked? Do you like him? Is he witty, interesting, personable, a good fellow to have a few beers with? (Assuming he didn't have companies and around the world to run and could find the time.)

Jenks

RM: I've often said R.P. is the smartest man I've ever met, and certainly the most polished and professional in motorsports. He's very clever and never tells you much unless he wants it out there. He is one of the most powerful people in American business because he always delivers. Is he liked? We've had a couple of memorable feuds (including standing on pit road at Pocono before the race screaming at each other) in the past five decades, but Roger doesn't hold grudges – at least professionally – and always treated me with class, even though maybe I didn't deserve it a couple times. I think more people respect him than really like him because, honestly, he's not easy to get to know and he's always flying around the world, so it's not like he hangs out a lot. But his good friends and employees from days gone by are his true pals, and the loyalty factor at Team Penske speaks volumes. I've only seen The Captain really let his hair down a couple times and once was in Mexico City after the CART race in 1981, when he got drunk on the school bus with everyone else. Sure wish I had a camera phone back then. I could trade that video for some Penske stock.

 

Q: We are hearing here in Nashville that the Superspeedway will be torn down after its last event in October - a club day. If true, that would be a sad thing to see. It's a great place and it hosted several IndyCar races. You think for all the racing greats here in Nashville, like Waltrip and Marlin, they could come up with something. Maybe you could buy it and do something with it? Do you know anything about this?

Mike Y, Murfreesboro, TN

RM: From what I've read it's been in the process of being sold or closed down since 2011, but about the only hope it's got would be if Firestone bought it - and that's not going to happen.

Q: One of the selling points for IndyCar is that the races are held on three different types of courses. That speaks to the all-round skill of the drivers. Do you think, though, that this could also be a hindrance due to the varying interest of the fans? My friends and I are not fans of oval racing. It is not a denigration of those who do like it; merely a statement of preference. I'm sure there are also many fans that do not like the road and street courses and prefer the ovals. For those of us who do not enjoy oval racing, it is an 11 race series including the Detroit double-header. For those who only prefer to watch ovals, it's a five-race series. Of course there are fans who enjoy both or who prefer to support the series by watching both regardless. But is that enough? Or is that one of the reasons for the drastically-reduced audiences, both live and on television?

Gerry Harrison, Twain Harte, CA

RM: Damn good question. Speaking as a fan, when I started chasing races as a teenager I loved the fact that USAC ran dirt, paved ovals and road courses because they were all different but fascinating, since different drivers did better at different disciplines, and some were good in all three. I don't think being the most diverse series in the world is anything but positive for IndyCar, and gives it some identity. To your point, if you only attend road races but still watch ovals, that doesn't have that much of a negative effect. But I guess if you have a preference and never watch the other discipline (even on television), that's where it hurts. And TV ratings definitely affect sponsorships. I think ovals suffered first and foremost from The Split (just check the attendance at Michigan, Phoenix, Milwaukee, Loudon in 1995), but nowadays oval races don't give the paying customers enough bang for their buck. Way too much downtime, especially if it's a late start. Ovals are Indy's heritage and still produce some exciting racing, but someday we may be down to one, the way it's going.

Q: Not totally surprised to hear Target is out with Ganassi/IndyCar.  I thought last years' cut back from two to one cars was very telling. Companies invest marketing/advertising dollars where they can improve the brand, attract buyers within a certain demographic and select vehicles of specific media. Notwithstanding the long-term Target relationship with Ganassi, it speaks volumes that it is abandoning IndyCar but remaining in NASCAR. I feel that this reflects on the exposure, or lack of, that IndyCar is providing. The product may be great, but if the organization that is hoping to attract advertising does little to market the product, then why would companies invest? I think we can agree that the IndyCar product on track is the best it has been for years but done in a vacuum will continue to not attract sponsors and hammer home another nail in the IndyCar coffin.

Mike, Toronto

RM: When the new Target CEO took office a couple of years ago it was rumored he wasn't a big fan of racing – period – and I think all this says is that Chip's probably got one more year on his NASCAR contract. To have a sponsor for 27 years is unheard of, and it was going to end sooner than later. It was an amazing run, especially considering all the IRL/CART turmoil. Does IndyCar's TV ratings compared to NASCAR's hurt at the bargaining table with sponsors? Undoubtedly. But this was more of an incredible story that finally ended than an indictment of IndyCar.

 

Q: All the examples of drivers sitting out for various injuries this year, and comments from various stars praising Dale Jr and others, points out the sharp contrast between the past few years and previous eras. I'm sure Junior gets huge money whether he races or not, and with the paltry purses in IndyCar, I assume most drivers get a salary even if they're out for an injury? Back in the day, both IndyCar and NASCAR drivers lived off of their share of the team's winnings so if they sat out a race, they didn't get paid, hence most guys raced with injuries if at all possible. But that makes me wonder if any of the drivers back then got salaries/retainers even if they sat out. My guess is a few of the big names may have, but wondered if you knew any did, and when did things evolve to salary/retainers vs winnings share as driver's main income source?

Bob in Peoria

RM: Junior hasn't needed to work another day in his life for years, so his situation is a little different from, say, just about everyone else. Everyone in NASCAR makes good money from retainers and purses, and a star like Kyle Busch never missed a paycheck when he was healing. There are less than 10 IndyCar drivers making what I call decent salaries (and some of those come from the sponsorship they bring), and Josef Newgarden would be getting paid if he still was recovering from Texas instead of not missing a race. But in the '60s you had A.J., Parnelli and Mario getting salaries plus Firestone and Goodyear money, and 40 percent of the purse (unless they won, and then it was 50).

But when Bobby Unser got burned in the inferno at Indy in 1964, he rubbed some salve on his burns and went looking for a car to drive, because he only made a percentage back then like most drivers. When Don Branson got hit in the eye with a rock at Langhorne and started bleeding, he slowed down, cleared his goggles of blood, and drove back to the front – just like Jan Opperman at Eldora in 1974 (ABOVE) – because their living was predicated on what they earned on the track. When did it all change? Probably the 1980s for IndyCar, but it really esculated in the '90s (I wrote that Michael Andretti and Al Unser Jr. were being paid $6-7 million in 1997) and there was so much money in CART back then, everyone was getting rich. The Honda/Toyota war also helped a lot of drivers with big retainers, but by 2002 it was mostly gone.

Q: Love the excitement you show on NBCSN for IndyCar, and the way you run around the pits on race day like a kid on Christmas Day. It's awesome to see that kind of excitement in the sport, and we need more people like you to carry that on. With Target pulling its sponsorship from Ganassi, I gotta say, I'm a little worried about the future of IndyCar. Since the split with Champ Car and the IRL, it seems like the popularity just isn't there. Is this a sign of things to come and the end of IndyCar?

Mike, Bloomington, IN

RM: I think we're all concerned because losing any sponsor these days is painful, but I believe Chip knew this was coming many months ago and has already got a replacement. Will it be as big and visible and loyal as Target? Probably not, but very few sponsors in any form of racing today are spending what they did in the 1990s. Thanks for watching and the kind words.

Think of it in terms of how Steve Jobs spoke to the initially-booing crowd when he introduced Bill Gates and announced the Microsoft investment in Apple - which saved Apple. Jobs told the crowd that it's not about Apple winning or Microsoft winning. Both would win. The 500 is simply too important to be just another IndyCar event; the 500 must transcend the series itself. It is a world race that must welcome all racers. Like I said, I'm just a priest that watches racing. What do I know?

Fr. Mike McDonald, OSSP, Sussex, NJ

RM: First of all Father let me say I believe you are the first man of the cloth to write the Mailbag, so welcome. And with all due respect, what you said isn't so much a rant as it is a reality. And you know your racing history. The Indy 500 isn't the worldwide darling it used to be when we had F1 teams and drivers mixing it up with USAC's finest and a few of NASCAR's best thrown in. And it's going to take some kind of common formula like you suggested to ever have any chance of attracting global competition. But the way schedules and contracts are today, it's a real long shot unless IMS offers such a monstrous purse it entices Mercedes to enter Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari to bring Vettel. And Bernie would schedule two races that weekend to make sure nobody came over. But we can all dream, can't we? Thanks for writing.

 

Forrest, Jackson, TN

RM: I'm sure there will be a press conference when the plan is finalized, but all I know is that the majority of IndyCar teams seemed to favor Pratt & Miller for the 2018 model.

Q: I'm amazed that the general public still can't get there the heads around the fact that racing is dangerous, and IndyCar and F1 are the tops of open-wheel racing. In other sports, the lower levels have more safety equipment to protect the athletes because they are not as skilled as those at the top level, but in IndyCar there are bumpers and now talk about canopies. Shouldn't Indy Lights have canopies and rear bumpers? Their cars are slower, but the drivers are less experienced! Look at boxing - in the lower classes they all use headgear, but not in the top tier. In the lower tiers of hockey they all use full cage helmets, but not at the top level. I would think that when you have reached the very top of open-wheel racing, the training wheels can come off. I don't like to see anyone get hurt, but open wheels and open cockpits are part of open-wheel racing. It's the only form of racing where you can see the driver and that needs to be remain, and the bumpers and crazy winglets need to come off before someone is hit by debris again. The more pieces they keep bolting on, the more the odds increase of them hitting someone. Not all the little pieces can be tethered.

Tony, Mamaroneck, NY

RM: You make several good points, especially about the lower formulas of racing and the NHL, but the bottom line is that open-wheel racing implies it's risky business and, therefore, that's part of the attraction and part of the job description. Nobody is made to drive and cars are safer than ever, so I hope IndyCar stays pure.

Q: It was great running into you at Mid-Ohio on Saturday. As you said, we need to get young fans out there and interested in the sport. We have some amazing people in IndyCar. It was great to see Helio, Will, TK, Daly, and Hinch on Family Feud last Sunday night. Somehow, we need to get them out in the public more. I realize this is an issue with sponsorship/promotion/marketing, but when I was a kid (mind you I am 24 now) I remember seeing commercials with the drivers, and felt invested in guys like Alex Zanardi, Greg Moore, Gil de Ferren, Cristiano da Matta, Patrick Carpentier and Paul Tracy.

We should bring back some driver spotlights, or follow the drivers in the off- season. There has to be something for the young kids out there to watch and become invested in them. If IndyCar doesn't adapt to how people consume sports, I fear for the future. I'd like to see the Verizon IndyCar app supported for all networks. Right now you must have Verizon to watch in-car footage or listen in. Verizon is a great sponsor, but nobody is going to switch carriers to watch in-car camera or audio. They might pay to have access if they have another carrier (I know I would.)

And we need to fix ABC. The crew over on NBCSN with Tracy and Bell are about the best thing going. They sometimes disagree, but they both seem enthused and it makes me engage with the racing even more. On ABC, I would almost rather turn off the commentary and listen to IMS radio. Last thing, does IndyCar have any plans to make its back catalog of races available? Many sports do, and I would be willing to pay for the ability to stream live races and have access to the back catalog of races.

Scott Kostohryz, Raymond, OH

RM: I'm told by IndyCar that any carrier can get the Verizon IndyCar app, but you are correct in that only Verizon has all the features and there is a good letter above yours that breaks down how to find streaming on other sources. IndyCar needs to invest in a strong, national commercial that features T.K., JoNew, Hinch, Rahal and some of its stronger personalities to put a face with a name. And some kind of a weekly show with Newgarden and Hinchcliffe co-hosting is also needed just to keep IndyCar on the radar. ABC can't be fixed because, frankly, I don't think it really cares. Not sure about any kind of catalog, but it's a good idea so I'll send your email to IndyCar.

 

Q: Gotta hand it to the Hulman-George board. They knew that Tony's appointment could have dominated the narrative in May, which was nearly free of negativity leading up to race day. And for those freaking out about Tony getting a promotion, please relax. This is fairly standard protocol for family-owned businesses with aging matriarchs. The Chairman of the Board doesn't cut checks and is no closer to operations than any other Board member. And in this case, he's already been fired by the members of this very same Board previously, so it cannot be without acute observation and awareness that his appointment was made under the shade of the early Spring sycamores, and announced in the cover of irrelevancy four months later when no one was there to hear it.

Dan W.

RM: It was a very smart strategy and well-kept secret, agreed, and you are correct about what kind of reaction it would have received. Thankfully, there weren't enough people at the Brickyard to make any kind of noise. But, to be fair, TG quit the board after his sisters took away his power.

Q: Can you shed any light on the recent Tony George promotion to Chairman of the Board? IndyCar is once again showing great promise and having TG in charge again scares me. I'm afraid my beloved sport will once again become a poor choice. Do you know if he has free rein in rules and other major decisions? Do you have any insider info you can share with us on this subject? My initial reaction is to stand back and see where this goes, but when something does happen by then it will be too late to have any worthwhile changes made.

Ron Hofslund

RM: The best thing I can tell you is read the letter above yours and this quote from Mark Miles from the official announcement: "The board decided it was time to transition the chairmanship from Mari to Tony and Mari is now chairman emeritus. This has no effect on management, policies or strategies. The board has worked hard the past two years to have a clear strategy and that isn't changing."

Q: This is why most people cannot afford to go to the races anymore: I just made our hotel reservations at a hotel in Grinnell, Iowa and the rate per night is $170. This is just plain price-gouging of the fans. For that rate I could have stayed at a nice resort at the beach somewhere and not in the middle of a corn field in Iowa. When will taking advantage of the fans end?

Karla, Bethalto, Illinois

RM: I know this sounds crazy but $170 is cheap for most races nowadays, and I'm afraid the "gouging" of fans all began here in Indianapolis many years ago when Indy was always a sellout. You would think with attendance down in many places the rates might come down a little, but greed usually wins out.

Q: I have noticed an extraordinary number of tire failures this year for Penske cars, particularly HC and JPM. What gives? Is this merely bad racing luck, or is something else at play, possibly with extra downforce?

IndyFan Matt, California

RM: The only time I recall that kind of a problem was at Phoenix, and it was attributed by Firestone to the camber settings of those two cars.

Q: I enjoyed reading one of your recent letters from the Mailbag regarding engine competition and why no other manufacturers have come on board recently, citing Marshall Pruett's explanation of developing a separate IndyCar engine and the costs associated with that. It was very informative and made me understand it a little bit more (although I still don't like it, of course). Has there been any talk of any tire manufacturers getting back into IndyCar competition? Would Michelin or Cooper would ever be interested in competing in IndyCar? I started getting into IndyCar in 1998 and that was about the time that Goodyear was getting out. I know they were becoming uncompetitive (I vividly remember Andretti struggling with them) and it was the beginning of the end. I am not sure what the whole deal was and why they stayed out for good. I watch a few NASCAR races a year and see them as their sole supplier, and have just wondered why they wouldn't consider getting back into IndyCar.

Andy Strasser, St. Louis, MO

RM: A few years ago when Firestone announced it was going to leave IndyCar racing, Randy Bernard contacted Continental to see if it was interested. It was (with some help from Hoosier) and made a substantial bid (over $50 million for five years) but then Firestone reversed fields and decided to stay in IndyCar. Instead of letting Bernard use that competition for leverage, a few of IndyCar's "smarter" heads started a witch hunt to get rid of him because, supposedly, he was going to get rid of Firestone. That was never his plan, but they didn't care to know the facts.

Q: I caught the NBC piece on your letter to Tony Stewart before the Brickyard 400 and he said you are the A.J. Foyt of journalists. If that's the case, have you ever slapped anyone? I noticed the hundreds of fans in the stands for the race and wondered how it makes sense to continue this parade when there are so many empty seats.

Dave in NC

RM: Never, but A.J. smacked me in the back of the head once at Indy in 1981 and threatened to dismember me on pit road, but thankfully came to his senses. The Brickyard remains a moneymaker for IMS because of the huge check from television, but you do have to wonder how long NASCAR will look at all that empty aluminum.

Q: How fitting that Tony George gave the command to start engines for the Brickyard 400. I do not know about you, but I think it is time that NASCAR puts its tail between their legs and puts this race to death. Luckily this past weekend Kokomo Speedway hosted the All-Star Sprints. Two nights of fabulous action! Christopher Bell and Rico Abreu took honors respectively amongst a field of racers that actually had to race. A no-brainer on where the action was this past weekend.

Mike Desmet, Stevensville, MI

RM: I agree but maybe its pride won't let it pull the plug. It's always been a terrible race. Kokomo was certainly the best option. What I liked best about that truck race at Eldora – Kyle Larson, Bell and Rico [Abreu] finishing 1-2-3.

Q: I used to work and live in Newton, but had to leave when Maytag was closed down. So I haven't been able to attend a race there even though it is only five hours away now. The races at Iowa have been phenomenal and look amazing under the lights. In my email to the track, I explained the logic I apply when deciding to attend a race or not. Simply put, can I get home at a decent time on a Sunday? For a 3pm or 4pm start time on a Sunday night, an hour drive home means you will arrive at your front door no earlier than 8pm on a Sunday night, and be ready to start the work week bright and early the next morning. If you live further away than Des Moines, it is a simple decision to not attend. If it's a Saturday night race, I can easily attend from five or more hours away as I still have Sunday to get home. I hope they listen, as it is a great venue for IndyCar. Not to mention that in Iowa, a July race is always cooler at night. Do I want to sit in the hot and humid sun of a July Sunday in Iowa, or watch from my air-conditioned home? Easy decision.

John Balestrieri, Milwaukee

RM: Jimmy Small of Iowa Speedway is a smart guy and I would think he's going to listen to you fans about what day and time to start the IndyCar races in the future. But television is a big consideration, so he's got to juggle that with his audience. I'd vote for Friday night before Sunday afternoon.

Q: Any chance the Brickyard 400 disaster serves as the impetus to finally get the apron re-installed and give options to the drivers at what's otherwise a single groove racetrack?

Leo Ames

RM: It should, but that talk all went away a year ago. It would be good for the Indy 500 as well.

Q: The Brickyard was an incredible snooze-fest, with little to no passing. With talk of the 2018 cars and how they should be developed heating up, I think it is important that IndyCar continues with a formula that produces the exciting racing that the 500 has hosted since the roll out of the DW12. Sure, maybe more horsepower and lower downforce would produce a great show at every track other than Indy, but if this is at the expense of exciting racing at IMS, I would not make that move.

Indy clearly has been gaining momentum even before the build up to the 100th, and I think that if they continue to put on a helluva show at IMS, the trend will be the same. Maybe next year they will lose half of the newcomers that 2016 brought, but if half of them come back it is still an improvement on 2015's crowds. In this technology age where instant satisfaction is a must, one boring 500 could be a death blow to the 500 and IndyCar as a whole. Besides all of that I think the current formula really has put on some great shows at other tracks, such as Road America this year, as well as Barber and Mid-Ohio.

Kaleb

RM: Point taken, and I think IndyCar understands it's got a great package right now and maybe wants to tweak it a little without messing it up.