Robin Miller's Mailbag for October 5, 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.

Ben Neal, Noblesville

Q: If JoNew is going to Penske, then Roger has one thing to do to maximize his driver, team and series overall by picking up a sponsor for him. And it's not Miller Lite or whatever back-in-the-day sponsor, it's ... Red Bull. That's the only brand that can make Josef a star. And having Red Bull sponsoring him will leads to more energy drinks companies to join. Rahal has a personal deal with Monster Energy and if Red Bull sponsors a car, well, you get the picture. It's only way IndyCar is going to attract younger kids and the prize demographic of 18-34 years.

Red Bull will cross-promote IndyCar with all the other series it sponsors. And it might help bring money to the feeder series and help give Indy Lights champ a full season for the big show. And Red Bull is not in short supply of sponsored junior drivers that it can bring over to our feeder series. Roger is probably only owner that has a chance to lure Red Bull, but, hey this guy brought Chevy back. So odds are I think he can get it.

Kevin, NJ

RM: It all sounds great but Red Bull dipped its toe in the IRL waters with Eddie Cheever and had a personal services deal with Buddy Rice and A.J. Allmendinger (before he went to NASCAR), so I'm not sure there's a lot of interest. You are correct in the fact that Roger Penske commands instant respect and attention, and JoNew has the perfect personality for Red Bull and the younger American demographic. But Jay Frye had the Red Bull team in NASCAR and is still close to some of those people, so I imagine he's tried to get them interested for the last three years.

Q: We talk about U.S. talent, but forgot about the talent from north of the border. So far there is just James Hinchcliffe. But before Hinch we had Tracy, Tagliani, Carpentier, Jacques Villeneuve and the late Greg Moore. Then there is the up and coming talent like Dalton Kellett, Scott Hargrove and Garrett Grist. But I tipped Robert Wickens to become the next Greg Moore. He was a runner-up in Formula 2 in 2009 and GP2 runner-up in 2010 before winning the title in the World Series By Renault in 2011. He only reached F1 as a test driver with Marussia before deciding to race DTM. He was third in the Atlantic Series in 2007, and competed with Rossi, Newgarden and Hinchcliffe in the past. It would be very sweet to have a driver like him in the series.

JLS, Chicago, IL

RM: He was very impressive in Atlantics and I only wish the Player's program would have still been alive because then Robert would have probably been an IndyCar driver. He's got loads of talent, just not sure he's interested in coming back to North America to race. But his awesome start in a recent DTM race is worth watching a couple times. (It's on Facebook).

Q: I watched Petite Le Mans and must say Spencer Pigot put in a very respectable drive (ABOVE). In the current American open-wheel scene, does a successful drive in an endurance race increase a free agent's chances of landing a seat in the IndyCar series?

Kyle Lantz

RM: Spencer did a good job and he's a good racer with lots of upside – he just needs to be allowed to continue to develop and patience isn't a virtue in the IndyCar paddock nowadays. But a big check would be better than a good drive.

Q: This year was definitely an odd one for Ganassi. Dixon seemed to be on his game but didn't get any luck when he really needed it, and TK was fast but it was about the same luck-wise. The rumors continue to swirl about a move to Honda and I am wondering if or when that will be announced? In my opinion if they were going to go down the Honda road it would have made sense to do it ASAP to get going on it. But then again if they are waiting to see what happens with the #10 car it makes sense. Any updates on Dixon's car sponsor for 2017? Could NTT Data move over? Really interested to see what happens!

Todd, Iowa

RM: The Ganassi engine situation is the next big domino that has to fall. If Chip goes to Honda, then somebody has to leave (Foyt or Coyne?) but if he stays at Chevy, the numbers remain balanced. NTT is going to be on the No.10 car, and I'm pretty sure Kanaan will be back as its driver. Not updates on Dixie's sponsor, but it could be Honda.

Q: It has been a difficult end of the season for CGR fans: Losing Target sponsorship, possibly losing TK to A.J. Foyt, talk of changing engine manufacturers and losing Dixon's engineer to Andretti. While I'm happy for his promotion, I can't help but feel that he's been a major part of the championship process at CGR. Would you talk to Chip and Target, and please ask them to create some memorabilia relating to the TCG years of success? They could list all of the championships, include pictures of the drivers, and have them autograph it. Sell it as a high-quality poster or limited run of prints. I don't think we will ever see 27 years of continuous sponsorship again, and not likely see the run of championships that TCG had from 1990-2016. Long-time reader and fan, hoping to meet you at one of the races.

Jeff Leisring

RM: Not sure what promotion you are referring to. TK is likely staying with Ganassi because NTT Data loves him and Eric Bretzman left Dixon a couple years ago to go to Chip's NASCAR team, so Chris Simmons has been Scott's engineer ever since. I'll make your request to the Target people and you are right – you'll never see a sponsor of that length anywhere again in open wheel. Or maybe anywhere else.

Q: Is there any truth to the stories of a falling-out between Dario Franchitti and Chip Ganassi? Is it because the Chipster cut Marino from the Ford endurance team? Or could it be Honda is dangling some money in front of Dario to switch sides? Or, sadly, could it be they took a hint from Angelia Jolie and Brad Pitt and decided to head to the exit door while the paparazzi was busy elsewhere?

Redding

RM: I've not heard that one, but Dario is a very private person so not sure where that story came from. But if Ganassi goes back with Honda, then I'd imagine Franchitti will be around because Honda loves the three-time Indy winner.

Q: Glad to see so much support for moving the Indy GP to the season finale in front of a crowd that really cares - a common-sense move that I've always supported. But let's one-up that idea with a road course race on Saturday and 250 miles on the oval on Sunday, any weekend when the Colts aren't in town. No need for the double points gimmick if you're having two races

Tim Hailey, Indiana

RM: Well there is some support, but I wouldn't say it's a groundswell. I had more people wanting to do to an oval than end the season at IMS. And I agree no more double points for anything but we only need one oval race at the Speedway.

Q: What has the best chance of succeeding on a Sunday at IMS in September? Air Race or 400 miles on the oval for the IndyCar championship? Daytona has two very successful oval events, so there's no reason not to move the road course race in May to a more meaningful oval race to end the season.

Brian G.

RM: The Air Race had a helluva lot more people than I expected, and that crowd rivaled the Brickyard 400. But I disagree about the oval. We don't need to dilute the Indianapolis 500, and one oval in May is perfect. But if IndyCar can't get an oval finale, then the road course race at IMS would be fine to end the season.

 

Q: As you surely know, CART/Champ Car's races at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez were a huge hit with the Mexican crowd. Perhaps it helped that Fernandez, Dominguez and Jourdain were all competing. But, have you heard anything regarding intentions to return to the track? Since F1 returned last year WEC, Formula E has also made an appearance. Would F1 think that having IndyCar in Mexico City might dilute its attendance considering it would be considerably cheaper? I can only picture the fan experience: cheaper tickets than F1, fan friendliness of IndyCar, real racing (and engine sounds). One can only hope to one day see Dixon or Power leading the pack down the huge main straight with everyone dicing and fighting at every turn.

Cesar in Toronto

RM: The CART crowd at Mexico City in 2002 was staggering, almost impossible to walk through the paddock and it was all because of that trio – especially Fernandez, who was a sporting god to those people. After he went to the IRL, the attendance declined every year. Two years ago it sounded like Chip Ganassi's longtime partner and pal, Carlos Slim, might be interested in bringing IndyCar back to Mexico City but that talk all faded away. And, without a Mexican star, it would be a tough sell.

Q: I agree with your opinions more often than not, but I have to disagree with your view that the season should end on an oval. Two reasons. First, every oval that the series goes to other than Indy has acres of empty stands. This is a bad backdrop when you're crowning your champion – and no, I do not think the fact that it is the final race and could decide the championship would fill enough of those seats to make the place look reasonably full.

The second reason is weather. You get some rain at the wrong time on an oval, and you're crowning your champion on Monday afternoon. I do agree that Sonoma is not the right place to end the season, but neither is an oval. Perhaps Watkins Glen, where the awards banquet can then be held in NYC.

Joe in Philadelphia

RM: That's why this is a great country Joe, because we can amiably disagree. You make a good point about weather, but I do think a place like Gateway or Phoenix could draw 30,000 for the championship decider and it would look as good as Sonoma's turnout. But, regardless of the crowd, the oval race is going to be 10 times more exciting and dramatic than that road race. The TV numbers alone would be much better because people wouldn't turn it off after five laps like they did Snoozenoma.

Q: I doubt that Mosport will attract a significant number of Toronto fans. IndyCar fans are few and far between. Unless you follow the series you would not even know there is a race downtown any more. The only media coverage we get is the week of the race, when the traffic reports talk about the traffic nightmares downtown on Lakeshore and the area around the CNE. Sad state of affairs. There is also an oval under development in Niagara close to the US border that might be a cool track for an IndyCar, however I do not believe a shovel has gone into the ground, and who knows if it ever will. Jeff Gordon's name was attached to the project at some point.

Robert Barkin

RM: Road courses are on the upswing in IndyCar, there are plenty of IndyCar fans in Canada and I think Mosport would be a good draw – much better than Toronto the past couple years. Run IMSA and Mazda ladder races and it would be a great three-day weekend. I haven't heard anything about that oval in a long time, but Watkins Glen is the only track IndyCar needs to go to in upstate New York.

Q: First off, thank you to RACER for making the IndyCar off-season bearable. I'm going off the assumption that IndyCar has considered this already, but instead of extending the IndyCar season past September, like some would prefer, begin the season the week after the Super Bowl in February, on tracks in warmer climates. Yes, I know Valentine's Day falls dangerously close, id not on the day itself, but this would shorten the off-season by about two months, appease fans that would like a longer season, and fill in the sporting black hole in February. Thoughts? Insights that I may be missing?

Josh Shimizu, Salt Lake City, UT

RM: Thanks for the kind words Josh. As for starting the season in February, I think Mark Miles has made it clear that's his preference if he and Jay Frye can find a suitable venue – either in or out of North America. Australia or New Zealand seem like the popular pick for several reasons, but right now it's just a wish.

Q: Now that road courses look stronger than ovals and street circuits, is the beautiful Mont Tremblant circuit is going to be back on the IndyCar schedule someday? Thank you, saludos de México.

Enviado Desde

RM: I would think Calgary, Montreal and maybe Mosport would all have a better chance of hosting IndyCar in north of the border. I was at the Champ Car race there in 2007 (ABOVE) and, as you said, it's a gorgeous track with cool elevation changes, but I don't think it's on IndyCar's radar.

Q: I wanted to thank RACER.com for your efforts covering the 2016 IndyCar season. It was a fantastic year, and your commentary made it even more enjoyable. I am so happy to have returned to IndyCar as a fan. The racing was exciting and the stories were compelling. I managed to watch every race early in the morning or the following day. I didn't attend Pocono as intended, but I made it to the Speedway in August and happened to meet Donald Davidson – a highlight of my U.S. road trip. I feel very positive about the upcoming season. We should have a good number of teams with excellent and popular drivers, as well as a great schedule that combines all kinds of racing. Doesn't it seem like positive, incremental changes are happening?

Rob, Barcelona

RM: I think that's the best way to describe it, because even though the purses still suck, the cars are too expensive and IndyCar needs more owners, returning to old bastions like Phoenix, Elkhart Lake and Watkins Glen along with some direction in the rules has given the paddock and fan base something to be positive about. Jay Frye seems to have instilled some confidence because he's got common sense and listens to the competitors and fans.

Q: I was always a fan of, but puzzled by, the Unser brothers. Both great talents, but each different in style. To what to current drivers would you compare each of them?

Mono Mars, Canada

RM: Scott Dixon reminds me of Al Unser in that he gets the most out of what his car has on a particular day. If it's the best car, he dominates and, if not, he runs fifth. But, like Big Al, Dixie is super-smart and smooth behind the wheel, and quietly goes about carving up the field. And Will Power is the closest thing to Uncle Bobby, because he always loves pushing to go as fast as possible and seemed obsessed with leading every lap like the three-time Indy winner. But he has tempered that aggression a tad lately.

Q: I was wondering if IndyCar is going to change the points system to what they used to have before the Split? Top 12 drivers score points (20 for first place, one for 12th). Bonus points for pole position and most laps led. I'm sure this would eliminate the need for double-points races. The current points system is too much like NASCAR.

Gary C.

RM: Unfortunately, not to my knowledge Gary. Most of the criticism about the point system comes from you fans (and me) in the Mailbag, although I don't know too many of the current drivers that embrace it, either. Qualifying points at Indy is a joke – just like double points for a one-groove road course. I could live with double points at Indy, but a true championship doesn't need that kind of gimmick.

Q: With the majority of the teams and mechanics located in the Indianapolis area, why did Carlin choose to locate in Florida?

Richie Mikemond

RM: Because Trevor is way too smart to live in Indianapolis in the winter. And, seriously, because he brought a lot of his team with him so they were already relocating, and Florida wasn't any different than Indiana to them.

Q: Have to tell you how bummed we are that the season is over. There were so many great racing moments this year. Don't you feel like the series has some forward momentum? We have great drivers had another year of great racing, and we have some of our classic tracks back. Despite the challenges that remain, we and our racing fan friends are (cautiously) optimistic.

In our travels, we seem to run into more people who are interested in IndyCar, or are catching on. My wife and I both like to wear IndyCar-related shirts and hats, and it was kind of weird how many conversations they started this year.

So, two questions. I don't have a strong feeling that IndyCar is going to do anything to keep us fans engaged during the too-long off season. And shame on them for that. Fortunately, we fans have you! What kind of things are you planning to keep us from starving? I thought it might be cool if you were able to get some guests to participate in the weekly Mailbag once and a while. Current and former racers, team owners, etc. You could announce them the week before, so we could bombard them with our craziness.

Finally, as you have mentioned, you have the dream job. I ask you this favor please. When you get a chance this off-season to speak with any drivers, past and present, will you please tell them "Thank You" from the fans. We really appreciate them. And please pass this message along to your colleagues as well. It was a great season, really enjoyable, and we want those that made it so to know we care. It is a small gesture I know, but it is heartfelt. Thanks again for calling it like you see it, and for giving us fans a voice.

Aaron & Mossie

Q: Just saw Gateway already has a billboard advertising the IndyCar race as you cross over from St. Louis to Illinois. Gateway is going to make this work. Now they need to hope that the Cardinals are not in town that weekend. Just wait till they get 20 drivers to race on their kart track that sits inside turn one, and sign autographs after. Excellent media opportunity ...

Greg Seep

RM: That's good to hear and I can assure you that Curtis Francois and his staff will do a great job of promoting IndyCar's return. Looks like Tampa Bay is playing the Cardinals that night.

Q: Right on Brother! Do you also get $500 for this quote from Mailbag? "I'm not sure how you get teenagers and 20-somethings interested in racing unless it's on the Verizon app." Just kidding!

Seriously, I can't get my boys (10 and 17) interested in open-wheel, and everyone I know who is into IndyCar and F1 is north of 40. There is no kart racing around and the kids don't see racing as plausible for them to do. Not sure if racetracks are being swallowed up by condos in the U.S. like they are here. Forget Dancing with the Stars, Hinch needs to get chucked out of a plane by Bear Grylls! On a side note, my 10-year-old thought it was awesome that TK, JoNew and Helio were on American Ninja Warrior, his favorite show ...

Trevor Bohay, Kamloops, BC, Canada

RM: Dancing with The Stars, American Ninja Warrior and Celebrity Family Feud weren't necessary in the days of Parnelli, Gurney, A.J., Mario and the Unsers, but it seems to be about the only way to get anybody under 40 to learn an IndyCar driver's name. And when you consider 14 million people still watch DWTS, it can't be anything but good for Hinch's profile.