Robin Miller's Mailbag for February 1, 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: I'm reading about the endurance race in Daytona this weekend and wondering why IMS hasn't moved forward with a similar event here in Indianapolis? I'm guessing quite a few big-name racers from outside IndyCar would show up for the 24 Hours of Indy, and it could be a money-making event for IMS. Mark Miles and crew could use that new money to start awarding a decent prize to the winners of the IndyCar races (versus the current $30,000). This may attract new owners to the IndyCar series, and get the momentum really moving in the right direction. It may be a better idea to just ramp up the Indy 500 prize pool instead, but either way the money could be invested in IndyCar and help the series. What do you think the odds are that we eventually see some sort of endurance race in Indy?

Scott Alderton

RM: There was talk once about adding lights for an endurance race but, thankfully, that's all gone quiet. The Brickyard's attendance continues to shrink to unimaginable levels, the IndyCar road race isn't much of a draw and the IMSA race never had anybody, so there's already too many events nobody attends. Why add another? I know I'm old and out of touch, but people always flocked to IMS to see speed and the fastest cars and drivers in the world, once a year, on the oval. I like your idea of adding to the purses, but I don't think a 24-hour race would be any big money maker. I think part of Indy's lure has been diminished greatly by having too many events. But never rule anything out. I could see an enduro in December weaving through all the Xmas lights with a Figure-8 race in the museum parking lot.

Q: Just got back from the Daytona 24, and even though you wouldn't think so by watching TV, they had a decent crowd. Some of the new cars were running a new engine from Britain called a Gibson V8, which debuted in third and seemed like it would make a good engine for IndyCar. Any chance that could happen? Also it was great to see so many IndyCar drivers running the 24!

Doug Ferguson, Port Orange, FL

RM: IMSA seems to have the lock on engine competition, so I would assume Gibson wants to branch out in sports cars and maybe get to Le Mans – not Indianapolis. I guess there's always a chance, but it's a massive investment and very few seem interested at the moment. Yes it was nice to see IndyCar drivers back in action after four months of simulator racing.

Q: Just read today on a very old, respected racing site that Ford is denying rumors they are coming back to IndyCar. I say where there's smoke there's fire. What do you know?

Don in Minneapolis

RM: I know that Edsel Ford II said it wasn't going to happen on his watch and that was reconfirmed last weekend by Ford's Dave Pericak, so I would say there's a better chance of A.J. Foyt eating yogurt and voting Democrat than FoMoCo returning to IndyCar.

Q: Has Wayne Taylor ever thought about putting an IndyCar program together? It would be cool to see Ricky and Jordan in the series.

Tony Smidowicz, Holbrook, NY

RM: He talked about a few years ago (when he managing Ryan Briscoe) and also mentioned he'd like to see his sons get to drive an IndyCar, but I think he was "persuaded" by Jim France to stay in sports cars. It's also Wayne's first love and, obviously, he's got an excellent team in place but I'm not sure it's that much cheaper than IndyCar – except for start-up cost.

Andy, St. Marys, Ohio

RM: IndyCar isn't going to reverse the TV ratings and attendance deficit because of NASCAR's latest move, but it could pick up some disgruntled fans by simply advertising: "IndyCar: our Lucky Dogs are the fans because we race hard, no mid-race gimmicks to create drama and only one winner. Come watch us."

Bary, Harrisonburg, VA

RM: I'd say they've lost their way, and they've lost sight of what racing is all about and why people are drawn to it. But this does seem like a mindless cry for help from the richest, most popular and powerful series in North America.

Q: With yet another ridiculous points change for NASCAR, now is the time for IndyCar to pounce. However with a new car coming in 2018 I think they are three years out. This year the teams won't want to spend any money on parts or development for the DW12, so 2018 will be another start from scratch. Will it be too late by 2019?

Kim in Hilbert, WI

RM: Well, there will be new aero kits and new bodywork for 2018 so that should help appease the fans that detest how the DW12 looks today, but IndyCar's draw should be the close, fierce competition. And that will remain intact again this season, so IndyCar simply needs to hammer that message.

Q: Your piece regarding NASCAR's desperate attempt to force people to watch their product so they can see more TV commercials is spot-on, although all forms of motor racing need to do more to make their product more viable to advertisers, (the same advertisers who provide sponsorship dollars which are in short supply). The cynic in me says that your article will feel awkward when the brainiacs in the IndyCar front office rush to emulate NASCAR, though! What will make auto racing attractive to advertisers again? For that matter, forget TV, how does the sport get the attention of the young consumer who has the attention span of a gnat and gets all of their entertainment and information (for free) from a smart phone with a five-inch screen?

Trevor Bohay, Kamloops, BC, Canada

RM: Other than short-track racing and maybe NHRA, just about every form of motorsports in this country is convinced you have to give the paying customers more than racing nowadays. You've got to have bands, rides for the kids or some kind of sideshow with motorcycles or exploding cars because just the racing isn't enough. But crowds and TV ratings still attract advertisers, and NASCAR is still head and shoulders above IndyCar in both.

 

Q: I don't know about you, but after hearing some of the plans and insights and hires that Liberty Media is making in F1, I'm kind of pissed they didn't buy IndyCar and IMS. Although I know that IndyCar is just small potatoes to them, so that was never in the cards. How do you think their desire to promote F1 in the U.S. more actively will affect IndyCar - positively or negatively?

Tim Elder

RM: I doubt they ever considered contacting IMS, but wanting to have an F1 street race here and making it work are two distinctly different planets. Remember Dallas? Or Detroit [pictured, in 1982]? But if they throw enough money at a major city for a long enough period of time, it could work. Unless they tried to schedule a street race in Burbank on the same weekend as Long Beach, I can't see their presence affecting IndyCar.

Q: Hey Miller, I enjoyed your article titled "NASCAR Changes Are Great - For IndyCar." You took a lot of heat in the comment section from the diehards, but eyeballs don't lie. NASCAR really is B-O-R-I-N-G, and self-admittedly so. Why else would they come up with these laughable gimmicks every few years? 

Here's my theory. Because NASCAR has become the "face" of U.S. auto racing to a lot of casual fans and a whole new generation, it has probably harmed auto racing in general because it is so boring and gimmicky. If NASCAR represents the best of auto racing in this country, as a casual or potentially new fan probably won't be too excited in racing in general.

Numbers don't lie. They certainly don't lack exposure, so it must be the product. You were correct in your story: IndyCar should do the opposite to NASCAR and promote the speed, competitiveness and versatility and personalities of the drivers. Do you think NASCAR's popularity has peaked? I do. And these gimmicks won't bring in new fans. What do you think of my theory?

Jim, Indy

RM: I think NASCAR peaked in 2001-2005, and all these gimmicks are an attempt to retrieve those monstrous TV numbers and sold-out houses. But they've been taking down seats for the past several years, and they've lost a healthy percentage of viewers. Having said that, NASCAR a still commands big money from FOX and NBC and is way ahead of everyone else except the NFL when it comes to exposure, attendance and weekly TV ratings. I don't think NASCAR's latest gimmicks will help much (now we get three, awful segments of the Brickyard 400) and it's making a mockery of real racing, but they've got to find some way to beat Jimmie Johnson.

Scott B., Gainesville, FL

RM: I like the idea of rewarding the iRacing champ with a test in a F2000 car or Star Mazda, because so many of the computer racers today are the young people that IndyCar and everyone else desires. Or having an iRacing day at Watkins Glen, or Indy or wherever. And I've always liked the twin-150 format that USAC employed in the '60s because it gave fans two races for the price of one. IndyCar tried heat races a few years ago but that really didn't work – not enough cars, nor any kind of financial reward.

Q: The new owners of F1 have announced they are targeting street races in the U.S. for future events. This seems like a direct challenge to IndyCar's turf. What reactions are you hearing from IndyCar insiders about this news? What are your thoughts on how it might impact IndyCar going forward?

Ben, Westfield, IN

RM: Haven't heard a word, although I'm having lunch with Jay Frye this week so I'll ask. But the new F1 owners certainly have the financial wherewithal to try anything. Bernie didn't value America but an F1 street race in a major U.S. city could certainly work – in time.

 

Q: I've been following Ed Carpenter's driver decisions for 2017, and I'm optimistic. ECR is a team that punches far above its weight, and that is in no small part to his leadership. What business leaders did he study when he was in school and what management philosophy does he employ?

Scott in VA

RM: Ed got a business degree from Butler University but not sure he followed anybody's philosophy. I know he favors trying to keep good Americans on the track if possible and he's giving J.R. Hildebrand what amounts to a second chance, which is very cool.

Q: A lot has been made recently about how hard it is for young drivers to get into the sport, then stay there (see Sage Karam, Gabby Chavez, Luca Filipi). These are the next generation of IndyCar, but they all seem to be going off to other series. To me, this is a result of the older guys like Helio and TK continuing to race into their 40s. These guys all seem to have a lot of years left to go, and why not? 

These guys will all retire at around the same time in a few years and we'll get a nice increase in rookies and young drivers once that happens, but won't that next generation of drivers will be five or so years older than they are now? And will they therefore be a bit older than most of the new young talent we see in Indy? Do you agree, and if you do, does this mean we will miss an entire generation of new drivers like Karam, simply because the old guns are continuing to drive long enough that it keeps the new kids from getting their shot?

Max Camposano, Los Altos, CA

RM: Sage said it best: "We need some of these old guys to quit." But the deeper problem isn't the fact T.K. and Helio and JPM are still quick, it's the lack of rides. There was a generation of Alex Gurneys and Jon Fogartys that were passed by, and since then Jonathan Bomarito, Jonathan Summerton, Dane Cameron and John Edwards have all turned to sports cars because there is no future in IndyCar. Had Sarah Fisher, Wink Hartman and Ed Carpenter not stepped up, Josef Newgarden would likely be an IMSA regular. There's no way to answer your question because, unless said young gun has money, there is no guarantee he will ever get a shot – regardless of his ability. The only possible saving grace for Karam is that he's only 22 and somebody might be smart enough to hire him in the next couple years. – provided that they remember him.

Q: So is Dixon showing up in bare carbon bodywork to the open test at Phoenix? Super-late sponsor announcement! Must be a whopper!

Dave Hyson

RM: As I said last week, not sure what might be on the side of Dixon's car this season but I'm told his ride is funded for 2017.

Q: Is Michael Andretti shy, or just in the shadow of his father? We hear much, still and with pleasure from Mario. And, to a lesser degree, from Marco. Why is it we hear so little from Michael Andretti?

Anthony J.

RM: Michael has always been quiet, almost bashful whether as a driver or an owner and Marco is a lot more like him than Mario. But Michael is much more vocal as an owner (he let his driving speak for him) and a lot more likely to speak up than the old days.

 

Q: You mentioned last fall that the Portland International Raceway was a potential add-on venue to the IndyCar schedule for 2018. It's been a while since Indy Car (CART) has been to that track. They put in the awful chicane back to slow the cars down before old Turn 1 back in the CART days, which seemed to cause as many or more crashes but at a slower pace than old Turn 1 (the old PIR layout would be a perfect example for standing starts). Do you know if any upgrades are expected to the circuit for the return of IndyCar open-wheelers?

Mike Hickman, beautiful Beech Grove, IN

RM: The track was completely repaved in 2008, Turn 7 has been re-configured and widened to 80 feet, allowing a number of different lines and passing opportunities leading to the back stretch. And new FIA curbing was also installed in 2012. Champ Car did have a standing start there in 2007 [pictured] and it was perfect. (I remember Will Power almost going from fourth to first) with no crashes.

Q: Former KVSH Racing partner James 'Sulli' Sullivan, the SH Racing part of that team, runs a Global RallyCross team together with Dennis Reinbold of Dreyer & Reinbold. With Sulli having left KV, does that mean he is gone completely from IndyCar, or is he going to be part of D&R's Indy 500 effort with Sage Karam? Or might such a cooperation even expand the team to a two-car line-up?

KV won a race last season with Sebastien Bourdais. It's kind of sad to see them in this almost disbanded state that they are in now. Hopefully Kalkoven and Vasser can get together enough sponsorship for a one-car effort. Considering that their prime candidate Pastor Maldonado is managed by former Williams F1 director Adam Parr, might there even be a revival of the PKV name on the cards for this team? I guess it will all depend on whether Parr is interested in F1 again now that Bernie has been retired. What do you think?

Yannick, Cologne, Germany

Q: In last week's Mailbag, you mentioned Bill France Jr. as a ringleader among others in The Split. I'm curious to know what specific role he played? Was he simply promoting his series, or was there something more diabolical going on?

Also, as a big IndyCar and NASCAR fan, don't you think it would be in the best interest of the two series to work together? Indy is growing but needs more exposure, and NASCAR needs to stop the bleeding. The fan bases aren't as different as they were 20 years ago. Maybe it's my because I'm a millennial and never understood the hatred between some of the other fans, but my family and friends are just racing fans and will watch any major motorsport. What I'd like to see is more double race weekends like Indy and the trucks at Texas. Any realistic chance they can have more doubleheaders?

Bob in Virginia

RM: In the early '90s CART was a pain-in-the-ass to F1 and NASCAR in terms of drawing crowds, getting TV numbers and attracting sponsorship. For example, in 1993 when Nigel Mansell came over, CART and NASCAR were neck-in-neck on all fronts while Bernie was chewing his arm off when he saw the TV numbers in England for CART races. I think Bill France told Tony George to be his own man and not let car owners dictate policy, and encouraged TG's idea to break away. And I'm sure France promised he'd be a great partner for all those IRL races.

In the final analysis, NASCAR and ISC were hardly interested in helping promote and grow Indy cars, and I think Tony figured that out a few years later. But what group benefitted most from The Split? That would be Mr. France's stock car series. I congratulated him one day during the Brickyard for helping start the war and he didn't find it funny. But Jay Frye has opened the door to ISC again at Phoenix and Watkins Glen and it seems to have some potential. As far as double-headers, I would think Iowa might consider it, although it's not working at Texas anymore.

 

Q: I read your article about the new points gimmick for NASCAR. I agree with you. The column reminded me of a conversation I had with my wife. She had asked if I could go to any NASCAR race, which one would it be. After a few minutes, I responded with "before their COT and before they reconfigured it – Bristol night race."

Then I started thinking of IndyCar, and couldn't narrow it down. My top choices were the Iowa night race and Road America. But close behind were Barber, St. Pete, Sonoma, and Long Beach. Interesting how the series with the shorter schedule has the races that I struggled to prioritize. If you were on the outside looking in and had to cough up the ticket price, what would be your top choices for races to attend? (Little 500 doesn't count).

Or, we do we start a bucket list for races? Mine would be Knoxville Nationals (check), Indy 500 (check), Chili Bowl, Little 500 at Anderson Speedway, IndyCar night race at Iowa Speedway, IndyCar at Road America, Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, Le Mans. You have any races to add?

John Balestrieri, Milwaukee

RM: I think the Bathhurst 1000 [pictured] and Knoxville Nationals are must-sees, and just about any night of Indiana Sprint Week. The British Grand Prix would also be cool, be it Silverstone or Brands Hatch. But the Isle of Man would be No.1.

Q: Austin Cindric travels all over the world, raced at some historical road race tracks, and decides to race the ovals in a truck? What did we miss? With Casey Mears having no confirmations for NASCAR, any chance we might seem him at the Indy 500?

Paul Hirsch, Erie, Pa.

RM: When asked last summer ,Tim Cindric made it very clear that open wheel racing was not in his son's future and, obviously, trucks are the logical path for where he's likely headed. If Casey has $1 million I can get him an Indy 500 ride, but I doubt if he's interested.

Q: Let's make it happen: an IndyCar/F1 double-header in Austin. Bernie is gone and the idea that the two can't support each other on a weekend is no longer an automatic write-off. Perhaps IndyCar won't generate much revenue from playing the opening act, but they may be able to get away with a nice sanctioning fee to make it happen and enhance the weekend. And if they really want to make it interesting, find a way to get Newgarden/Rossi rides on Sunday. While they're at it, a double-up in Montreal is another good idea. Find Hinch a Sunday ride for that one. Yes this is a dream world, but motorsport should be working collectively to make things better. IndyCar has an amazing on-track product and F1 needs to grow in the U.S. These are ways for both to get attention they might not otherwise get without really being gimmicks.

Ryan in West Michigan

RM: Sounds entertaining but it appears F1 draws just fine by itself in Austin and could the promoter break even on an IndyCar race on Saturday? And, as good as IndyCar's races have been on road courses lately, would F1 want to follow that act? I think not.

Q: I recall you writing that you once woke up Bernie with a phone call. Do you have any other good Bernie stories? Separately, what are your thoughts on him moving on?

Mike C., San Francisco, CA

RM: At the inaugural U.S. Grand Prix at IMS I asked him if he would consider buying IndyCar and running it? He got the most disdainful look on his face and then laughed. "Yeah, that's high on my to-do list." He resurrected and saved F1 before taking it to heights nobody could imagine.

Q: Is it possible to set up an IndyCar to race on both an oval and a road course? If so, what do you think about a double race weekend on both an oval and a road course?

D., Oregon

RM: There was an idea once to make Cleveland an oval and then change back to the road course, but the cars would have to be changed in between – and that requires several hours nowadays.

Q: Last month my dad and I continued our annual tradition of going to the Detroit auto show. IndyCar had a booth at the show for the first time ever. There was a huge wall of race-used wheels and tires that held at least a 20-foot TV screen cycling through highlights of last year's races. They had two cars there, a road course car in Pagenaud's livery and a speedway car in Rossi's Indy colors. There was also a racing simulator that had a line of at least 20 people the whole time. I think having a booth was a great idea for IndyCar, especially given that the Belle Isle race will be a couple miles from where the show was. IndyCar has taken a lot of flak for their marketing efforts in recent years, but I'm glad they're trying new stuff now!

Jake, Dallas, TX

RM: That's good, but did it sell any tickets to Belle Isle? Were there drivers to interact with fans? Did IndyCar give away hats, T-shirts, schedules or free tickets to Indy 500 practice? I guarantee you if they had a booth at the Chili Bowl with a couple of drivers, they would generate a helluva lot more interest and maybe get some new eyeballs. I mean it's good they had a presence, but ...

 

Q: So did you guys know back in the '80s that Randy Lanier [pictured] and the Whittington brothers' money came from drugs? Did they really have illegal engines? If yes, why didn't tech inspection catch them?

Paul

RM: I played golf with Don Whittington one day and asked him how they made their money, and he said: "We sell drugs." Then he broke into a hoarse laugh and said: "That's what everybody thinks isn't it?" I responded, well yes they do, and he assured me it was mobile home parks and other investments. Bill and Don went to jail, as did Lanier, but I never heard much about him until he was already arrested. The rumor always was that they had big engines and it made Gordon Smiley crazy they were running so much faster than him in 1982. But for USAC to catch cheaters? Selective policing or blind luck.

Q: Do you think the practice of sandbagging in the pre-season or qualifying is more or less prevalent than it was "back in the day"? My wife and I really enjoy your videos!

Jonathan M.

RM: I'm not sure there's much sandbagging anywhere anymore. Some guys like A.J., Mario, Uncle Bobby and Sneva might run two hard corners and then backed off during practice at Indianapolis, and we know Team Penske was ordered not to run as hard as possible in 1994, but the competition is too tight and practice time too precious to sandbag today. Thanks for watching.

Q: Do you have any information about what's going on with the Milwaukee Mile? And what are the odds that they could make the race the weekend after the Indy 500 as it always used to be, and either get rid of Detroit or move it to another date?

Paul Cray, Chicago, IL

RM: I heard they might be selling some of the grandstands, then I heard somebody might be trying to save it but, sadly, it's not on IndyCar's radar regardless. I've said for a long time it should be given another chance on it's traditional date after Indy because it never got that chance with everyone together after IRL and CART united. But as long as R.P. and Chevy are involved, Belle Isle ain't moving.

Q: I was just reading interviews from the NASCAR Media Day, and noted how many of those drivers have sprint car and midget plans for 2017. I believe that this is where the IndyCar disconnect with their fans comes from. Once the IndyCar season is over, with the exception of the 24 Hours of Daytona and "Dancing With the Stars," you don't see these fellows much anymore. IndyCar needs to do a better job of driver promotion.

Roxy Dancy

RM: IndyCar does need to do a better job of promoting its drivers, but short of buying one of them a ride at the Chili Bowl, only Ed Carpenter would have any interest in joining those NASCAR boys. I was talking to Parnelli the other day about how today's IndyCar drivers are off for six months and then only have 17 races and a handful of test days, so how can anybody stay sharp? He said racing three or four nights a week was definitely the best thing for his career and ascension.

Q: We all know sports athletes and superstitions go hand in hand. You're not supposed to have a green racecar, you're not supposed to eat peanuts in the pits. Dan Wheldon used to get in his racecar from a certain side and pat it three times. Rick Galles or Carl Haas used to put both hands on their racecars and say a few words of encouragement before the start of each race. What are some of the biggest/strangest superstitions you've come across in your many years in racing?

Dave K., West Allis, WI

RM: I guess Carl Haas "blessing" his cars prior to the start is among the best and some guys use to wear the same fireproof underwear if they had a good race and somebody always had to tie his right shoe first. But I'm not aware of many superstitions with today's racers.

Q: Twenty years at Indy for me next year, so I'm thinking it's time for the Little 500. I'm an old guy like you and have to get up early for Indy. So give me the basics – how far from Indianapolis? When should I leave for track, will there be a lot of traffic? How long does the race take? Tony Stewart is racing? Cool.

Bill Peer

RM: Anderson Speedway is about an hour from Indianapolis and the race lasts three hours and change, unless there's a bunch of red flags. It's always a good crowd and with Stewart running for the first time ever it may be a tough ticket so I'd order a seat ASAP. And leave early.

Travis R, Noblesville, IN

RM: It's been rumored for years that a new IMS museum was going to be built and it's long overdue, because the current one is outdated on many fronts.