Robin Miller's Mailbag for August 23, 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.

For the next few weeks, the Mailbag is running a special giveaway! Check the end of this week's edition to learn more.

Q: On Sunday I asked my father-in-law (a NASCAR superfan) if he was going to watch the IndyCars at Pocono later that day. He said, "why would I watch a race from that crap track?" It led me to think about how many more NASCAR fans, with their day NASCAR-free, would watch a race from a track that produces traditionally uninspired stock car racing? If NBC/NBCSN is looking at crossover appeal, how much effect does the track and/or historically poor stock car racing have? My father-in-law missed one of the best races of the season. Action all over the track, popular drivers having a turn up front, low attrition. Clean, hard, fast racing, by some of the most talented drivers on earth. His loss, but a blown opportunity to see how racing is done in Pocono.

Mike, Avon, IN

RM: That's a good question Mike, because I think it works both ways. I only watch NASCAR to see Kyle Larson, but if the race is at Michigan or Pocono or those cookie cutter mile-and-half tracks like Chicago and Kansas City, I give it a pass until the final 10 laps based on their boring history. So I imagine that stock car fans with even a modicum of interest in IndyCar steer clear of Pocono for the same reason, which is too bad since IndyCar puts on a much better show at Texas (and did at Fontana), as well as Pocono. Your father-in-law missed one of the more entertaining races ever staged at the Tricky Triangle. You win letter of the week, so enjoy the Parnelli shirt. RACER will be in touch.

Q: Wow! Let me say it again: Wow! What an epic race. IndyCar is the best racing on the planet, and everyone respected each other (see F1). Also impressive were the comments from Hinch and JR coming out of the infield care center. Those guys have class, unlike... (see F1). Who woulda thunk it that Power could change the nose and rear bumpers, come back from a lap down, and still win the race? The crowd looked good, and I hope they liked what they saw. Just as important, I hope Pocono liked what it saw and will continue to have IndyCar race there. When the cars are jockeying for position my heart is in my mouth, but those IndyCar drivers know that what they do is serious business, and they're not protected like they would be in a stock car. Kudos to all.

Ray Schmudde, Durango, CO

RM: I think what gets lost sometimes in furious finishes on ovals is how fast and close IndyCar drivers run at 215-220 mph and, for the most part, how they respect the speed and each other. But Pocono wasn't like watching Texas or Fontana with one hand over your eye, it was more about racing hard, drafting and overtaking. It was more exhilarating than heart-stopping, and Power produced a Rick Mears-like comeback.

Q: Am I wrong in my assessment that the on-track product at Pocono was great? Crowds also looked up. Hope it remains on the schedule for the long-term. Is Pippa Mann missing something other than a budget? She's always gracious with the fans, and in limited opportunities seems to show an ability to avoid trouble and improve the car across the weekend. It's probably the number one question from my wife, who is a fringe fan. Really looking forward to St Louis this weekend (taking the whole family).

Dan Gallagher, Brownsburg

Q: How in the hell did Will Power win that race? I watched it and I still don't believe it. Penske cars were nowhere, with TK, Rossi and Rahal mixing it up pretty good for the lead. Even RHR looked like he had a shot to win, and wouldn't that have been a story! Then it was a completely different race. Somehow Slick Willie P ended up in front – way in front. It was like two different races! The first 175 laps, then the last 25. Newgarden was buried mid-pack all day long.

Power was a lap down, and wasn't really looking dominant after he got his lap back. And where was Pagenaud? Then those three end up 1-2-4. And how did Rahal end up ninth? Did the Penske cars all of a sudden turn up the go-juice from "fuel mileage" to "kick ass"? I have to say, it was an exciting race. Great racing throughout the field, with seven-wide at the start and a couple of restarts, plus two and three wide going into the corners. How can you not love racing like that?

Curt Larson, Clearwater, FL

RM: I was in the pits and back to the infield hospital a couple times and didn't see some of the pivotal moments, so I asked NBCSN's stat guru Russ Thompson how Power pulled it off:

"There was a yellow from Lap 116 to 121 and the leaders pitted on 117 (Newgarden, Castroneves, Marco, and Jones). Will got the wave-around and then pitted on Lap 120. That's where he got back on the lead lap. There was another yellow just four laps after they went green. He pitted three times during that yellow (why not? nothing to lose, he was already at the end of the pack) and none of the guys who pitted under green between Laps 111 and 115 (just before the yellow on 116) pitted again, so they had to pit again in the 149-to-155 range. Will was knocking off fastest laps of the race on a light fuel load and in clean air until he pitted on Lap 161, and we all saw the lead he had after that stop."

As for Rahal, he had two terrible pit stops at the end which ruined his good run and yes, Chevy and Honda have a way to get more power during the race and obviously Will saved his for the end. With 40 or 50 laps left, I think Honda was 1-8 on the scoreboard, so JoNew and Pagenaud came to life and were two of the fastest cars in the run to the checker.

Q: I have to say that was a spectacular race at Pocono. Lots of passing throughout the field, lot of different leaders. I though Power and Newgarden were also-rans but man, they came on strong when it counted. What is different about the aero package that it produced such good racing?

Jim Doyle, Hoboken, NJ

RM: IndyCar's Jay Frye: "Other than the Indy 500 rear main plane not being allowed at Pocono, the rules are basically the same except we allowed more downforce last weekend. And it's the second year of the aero freeze, so teams are getting dialed in and maximizing potential."

Q: I attended the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono and the restarts reminded me of the restarts at Indy. It seemed like the leader was a sitting duck because of the draft. Did IndyCar use the same aero package at Pocono as they did at Indy? It also seemed like the draft played a major role in passing for the lead, especially coming off the second turn going into the third. Plus, thanks for taking the time Saturday morning to chat with the fans and take some pictures.

Richard Kost

RM: It was much like Indy in that restarts weren't kind to the leader and you probably didn't want to be leading going into Turn 3 on the last lap (until Power figured out a new groove), but drafting was a big part of all the overtaking. Read Jay Frye's answer above your question.

Q: The Pocono race had just about everything a fan could want – tons of passes, tons of action and it looked great on TV. I threatened to go this year but unfortunately a small amount of common sense told me not to make the drive from Boston to Pocono – something I won't miss next year. The fans (which looked like the best crowd so far) were treated something to see live, for sure – gotta be right up there with the Indy 500 and Texas this year.

Of course, race fans wouldn't be bitching if they weren't race fans right? There are a lot that are crying about Slick Willy P winning the race from a lap down. I don't know what they are crying about, as it's nowhere as bad as the Lucky Dog rule in NASCAR. It was awesome to watch from the couch and I can only imagine what it was like to see him carve through the field. Hell, if we only had the TK/Graham show, that would've been the only thing folks needed to see – and it's clear that someone needs to get Hinch on some dirt, STAT!

Jake Murray

RM: Out of all the mail I've received so far this week (and it's a bunch), there's not been one negative letter about the race, so that's quite a rarity. The fans I talked to after the race were still euphoric about what they'd witnessed, so if there were any first-timers, I think they'll be coming back in 2018. It's really hard to judge the crowd at Pocono, but it seemed like the best turnout since IndyCar went back in 2013. Hinch's save would have made Steve Kinser proud.

Q: I've been to each one since IndyCar came back to Pocono, and that was the best yet! In fact, that was one of the best races I have ever seen anywhere. I was concerned about attendance after what I read in your previous Mailbag, but my section of the grandstand was pretty filled with energetic and engaged fans from start to finish. In fact, we were all standing more than sitting! What are you hearing from the track – they have to be happy with the crowd that showed up on Sunday? I really hope the race stays on the schedule for a very long time, since we only have two races on the East Coast.

Eric Jordan, Elk Mountain, PA

RM: The contract is through 2018 and I would have told you a few weeks ago that both parties (Pocono and IndyCar) might have pulled the plug on next year, but it now seems Pocono wants to extend the deal, and I imagine IndyCar was pretty happy with the race and the attendance.

Q: We've seen three points of contention this season with waving around lapped cars. First it was T.K. at Texas, when he finished second after going two laps down. Everyone lost it because they were upset that he wrecked cars and finished that high. Then there was Esteban Gutierrez, who fought for his place at Mid-Ohio and people were clamoring that he should've been allowed to pass the pace car. Now people are saying Power shouldn't have been allowed to get his lap back at Pocono and are discrediting his win. He won the race, and played by the rules – the same rules that prevent him from mounting a challenge at Mid-Ohio – and TK played by them as well. So what's the difference across those situations? My only guess is the position of the lapped car in respect to the pace car and leader. Can you give us a breakdown?

Cody from Hillsboro, OR

RM: Let's start with Will last Sunday. I haven't heard anyone being upset he got his lap back, because all he did was stay out when the leaders pitted and that's standard operating procedure. T.K. had a 30s stop-and-go penalty at Texas and managed to fight back because of the cautions – nothing nefarious. A lot of fans (and several drivers) were upset that Gutierrez wasn't given the move-over flag when he was running behind Josef Newgarden, but he was trying to unlap himself (even though he still had one pit stop to make) and was within his rights provided he wasn't blocking Power and Rahal. If Gutierrez had been in that same spot with 15 laps to go, he would have been waved around the pace car and sent through the pits.

Q: The Pocono race was great, absolutely thrilling in person. The crowd was much bigger than years before. I drove with three friends from New York City, none of them race fans. Everyone had a great time and wants to come back next year.

I have a racing line question. Why, on ovals like Indy and Pocono, do the drivers (at least on the qualifying laps) move to the middle of the track on the straights, then move right before finally turning left into the corner? I've watched many races over the years, but not sure I've ever heard that part of the line explained.

Patrick from Brooklyn

RM: First off, thanks for indoctrinating new, young IndyCar fans because I doubt IndyCar gets any press in New York City. Here's your answer, kindly provided by Mike Hull, the managing director of Ganassi Racing:

"There are three reasons:

1) Oval cars do not actually go straight very well due to the asymmetric setup, spool and stagger. If you try to keep the car very close to the wall it is actually quite difficult without making a lot of little corrections (which slow the car).

2) It allows the driver to "preload" the car a bit on turn in to the corner which helps the feel on entry. There can be a vague feeling on entry where the steering torque goes from right to left (again countering the stagger and setup), and sweeping right before turning left minimizes this time and also helps the car get to full roll quicker.

3) The wall can increase drag on the car, a little opposite of "side draft." The air can pile up against the wall and increase drag. We see this effect in wind tunnels if we try to use too big a car in too small a tunnel, also. It is called "blockage factor" in wind tunnels.

3a) In a small number of cases, the wall can be used to block a headwind, like if there is a strong headwind from the RF to LR of the car, a driver can use the wall to block that wind and will actually run closer to the wall than normal in this case."

Q: What do you think of Power's glide to the left before Turn 3? Legal? I guess, but far from competitive class. Newgarden displays the awareness, skill and intelligence of a champion.

I hope that they can extend Pocono for another few years. Although the crowds do not reflect the 1970s/'80s, I think this race was pretty good. They need to get that car count up. I'm sure it's due to the purse, but if you're running a 500, why can't we get those 33 starters? I think this was T.K.'s most solid race of the year, and he showed he still has his oval mojo.

Skip Ranfone, Summerfield, FL

RM: Very heads-up on Power's part. He made his move and stayed there and left the outside open for JoNew to try but, of course, nobody made that pass all day. The expenses and purses of IndyCar don't make owning a car very inviting so yes, the purses are in need of big overhauls – ditto for the Indy 500 – but where is that money going to come from? I'd try and sell Budweiser or Amazon the title sponsorship to Indy for $10 million and throw it all in the purse. But, like I wrote on Monday, you'll never see a better 500-mile race with only 22 starters, and it was a credit to the drivers.

Q: The IndyCar field is full of likable, fun, outgoing drivers – and then there's Will Power. He's the only one who gives Kyle Busch a run for his money as biggest crybaby in racing (not counting the F1 prima donnas). Hate seeing him win, especially over two budding American stars. Hope the boys regroup and blow his sidepods off next week.

Desmond, Oak Lawn, IL

RM: Oh no, Will isn't in Kyle Busch's league when it comes to crying or pouting. He's got a dry sense of humor and he's kinda quiet and boring in front of a camera, but isn't afraid to say what's on his mind one-on-one. Does he complain occasionally? Sure, just about everyone does. I guess I've been around him a long time, but he's a good guy and a helluva racer.

Q: I went to Pocono. What a race! I was thoroughly impressed with the action. That track really is made for IndyCars, and I hope this continues long into the future. I read an article on Sunday night in The Morning Call (Allentown, PA). The article quoted Nick Igdalsky as saying he told IMS to put something on their desk regarding a new contract and depending on the terms, Pocono wants Indy to remain into the future. Apparently, he was all smiles on race day. Coming off the successful race, how confident are you in IMS working with track management to keep Pocono on the schedule going forward?

Jesse Murphy, Hummelstown, Pa

RM: I was pessimistic going into last weekend because I'd heard ticket sales were down, and it was too close to the last NASCAR race and IndyCar wasn't real excited about extending the contract. But between a helluva race and a better turnout than anticipated, it sounds like there may be a future.

Q: What a great race at a fantastic track. I was a little concerned that 500 miles was going to be too long with only 22 cars, but it was non-stop action the whole time. Tons of passing, lead changes, crashes and different strategies that kept me and some of my not-as-passionate friends glued to the TV. Pocono is made for IndyCars and it looked like a pretty good crowd. Did they get enough to hopefully keep this going?

CAM in LA

RM: See the answer above.

Q: Writing you from the amazing grass lot outside Pocono Raceway. (By the way, hosannas to Graham and T.K. for putting on a duel today right up there with Rathmann/Ward in 1960). I live 260 miles away from here, but attended the NASCAR 400-miler three weeks ago. There was zero promotion for the IndyCar race. Is there anything in the sanctioning agreement that would prohibit the track from cross-promoting, especially because the IndyCar race would in no way affect sales of Cup tickets, since both Cup races for the year had already been held? Otherwise, seems a great way to add a few thousand to the stands to see such an electrifying show.

Michael E. Smith, Cranston, RI

RM: I got conflicting reports from friends in and around Pocono. Some said there were a few billboards and some ads on the radio, and others said the silence was deafening. I would think Pocono would want to promote IndyCar during the second NASCAR weekend, but it's certainly possible it's forbidden (or not encouraged). IndyCar needs to help do a better job of promoting also, and I would have had T.K., Marco, Graham, Josef, Hinch and Ed at a sprint race during the break in the schedule. I know Marco and Hinch were at Grandview last Wednesday night (ABOVE) but that's too late – people have already made plans.

The flipside is that we always think if you can get a NASCAR fan to watch an IndyCar race in person at a track they share, the sheer speeds would be enough to whet their appetite – but that's not been the case whenever I've quizzed one of them.

Q: I wasn't planning on going to Pocono this past weekend, as I'm already going to The Glen in a few weeks. However on Friday night when I won a two-seater ride on Twitter, my plans suddenly changed! There are many reasons why IndyCar is the best racing series around, but being so fan friendly is right at the top. Every driver I came across took the time for a quick photo or autograph. I had a good five minutes or so chat with Ricardo Nault about 30 minutes before qualifying, and met several drivers including the legendary Mario. This all helped pass the time before my two-seater ride with Zach Veach. The ride was by far the most exhilarating experience of my life, and made the three-hour trip more than worth it. Gave me a new appreciation for the guts these guys have to drive these things at the speeds they do. Thanks to Verizon and IndyCar for giving this fan a truly memorable day. It's Monday, and the smile still hasn't left my face!

Mark Hay

RM: A couple of die-hard NASCAR fans tracked me down at Pocono and they wanted to say how shocked they were at the access to drivers, cars and teams, and how stinkin' friendly everyone was to them. I told them that was one of IndyCar's big perks, along with the fact that the race they were about to watch in a couple hours would blow away anything NASCAR has ever staged at the track built for IndyCars in 1971. I saw them in the garage area after the race and they said it was the best race they'd ever watched, in person or on television. So I think they now speak your language. And they're coming back in 2018.

Q: If you did not attend the Pocono race in person or watch it on TV, you missed a great show. After viewing this race, if people do not want to watch Pocono in the future I am not sure what IndyCar can do to get them interested. I wish the race was conducted at a different time of day so that a trip from Cincinnati would be possible. Any chance it could start earlier in 2018?

James E. Wheat, Aurora, IN

RM: I think there's always a chance it could start at noon or 1 p.m. since there aren't any Mazda Road to Indy races beforehand, but usually it all depends on television and what four-hour time slot is available. To your point, if people didn't enjoy that race, well then I guess Formula E is beckoning.

Q: I just came back from Pocono. What a beautiful day – crazy lead changes, great passing and overall a great race and a great time! If all ovals could copy this race, they would be an easy sell. The one negative I took from Sunday was the poor merchandising done by IndyCar. There was some apparel, diecasts and some shirts on sale for drivers that haven't been in an IndyCar in a couple years. Whoever is in charge of marketing please wake up and get involved with the fan base. The product is great, but unless people know about it, it doesn't matter.

Pat W from CT

RM: Merchandising only seems to exist at IMS in May, but selling shirts of drivers no longer racing in IndyCar is lame and shows a lack of awareness. I hear the same complaints over and over about a lack of good IndyCar swag. But you can buy a Doug Boles lego in the IMS gift shop.

Q: From watching the race at Pocono, it seems that the biggest question about the Silly Season is where Alexander Rossi will be driving next season. What's your best guess?

Paul, Indianapolis

RM: Like I said on NBCSN last Sunday, Michael Andretti is the big domino and he told me last Saturday he's close to making a decision between Honda and Chevrolet so, depending on that, the IndyCar landscape will either be fairly stable or radically different in 2018. Michael wants to keep Rossi, Honda wants to keep Rossi, Hinch wants him as a teammate and I understand Ganassi is also interested. Keep hearing Zach Veach has a nice deal and is taking it to Andretti. But I have no best guess on Rossi until Michael makes his call.

Q: What began as a season of promise with many winners has turned into a Penske nightmare, unless you're a fan of the team and drivers. I am wondering if next season will be any better with parity? I have quit watching F1 because of the single-team domination. IndyCar's calling card has been that anyone can win on any given day, and I feel like that is really not the case as the season wears on. Penske can go a lap down, be nowhere most of the race, and at the end, boom: 1-2-4. I found myself rooting for Rossi even though I am not a big fan of his, and for the record I like Graham, Hinch and Conor. Also, is Aleshin done in IndyCar, or does he have any chance of landing with another team? I really liked him and his bravado, as well as how he treated fans. I feel like he had a bad year, but SPM seems to be going backward because Hinch has really faded as well.

Alan, Springfield, Ohio

RM: When you have four of the best drivers on the most successful team in IndyCar history, it's kinda tough to keep them away from the front, but I think the fact there have been five other non-Penske winners is indicative of a little more balance of power. There were years when A.J., Big Al, Mario, Michael, Little Al, Mears and Zanardi won half the races or more, so today has more parity (and should, with spec cars and engines). But racing was never meant to be an equal playing field – it's always been about gaining an advantage. As for Aleshin, it sounds like he's headed for sports cars with his Russian backing, but he certainly made some fans over here with his bravery.

Q: Silly Season is already underway, and I love keeping track of all the rumors. Obviously Andretti's decision will withhold or create the domino effect on the series. I think he is holding out on a decision for one reason: Fernando Alonso. I think he would stay with Honda if it meant getting him either in a seat full-time or running him at Indy again. Plus, now would be a great time for Alonso to make a change due to the fabulous new aero kits. What are your thoughts on that, and what do you think will be the biggest driver change of the off-season given what we know now?

Ben, Noblesville

RM: I said the same thing last week, but it likely all depends on whether Honda brokers the deal and whether Fernando wants to come here full-time (which a lot of the F1 media don't see happening). But, aside from the Andretti situation, there will be a big change at Ganassi. Max Chilton is gone and so is Charlie Kimball, and T.K. is doubtful, so if Chip keeps running four cars, he might go after Felix Rosenqvist or Rossi. And Esteban Gutierrez could be in the frame since IndyCar is likely going to Mexico City in 2018, and Chip has a long relationship with Carlos Slim, who supposedly helps back Gutierrez.

Q: A 22-year-old IndyCar fan here; past two years I went to Indy 500, Pocono, and Watkins Glen. Having said that, and trying to not sound like every single question in every single edition of the Mailbag, what is IndyCar doing? They have zero exposure. Marco and Hinch were at Grandview Speedway tonight (8/17) with Tony Stewart. When they announced over the PA system that Marco and Hinch were there, no one knew who they were. Forty-five damn minutes from Nazareth, and no one recognized the Andretti name. That is pathetic. I'm usually very supportive of anything IndyCar and have flipped many friends over from the tin-top side, but does management have any plan, or any clue how to market themselves better? I don't even think a booth at the Chili Bowl would do anything if this is any indication. One of the biggest names in PA racing and it went unnoticed. Not too encouraging for the future.

Robert from Baltimore

RM: That's kind of shocking, although not surprising because nobody knows who Scott Dixon or Ryan Hunter-Reay are, either. Truth be told, Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves are the only two recognizable drivers that IndyCar has, and they could both be out of a full-time ride in 2018. IndyCar needs two things: a title sponsor that will promote the drivers with national television commercials, and an overall rethink of its potential fan base and how to get its drivers in front of them. And a presence at the Chili Bowl would be a good start. It's great to hear from a young fan, and thanks for converting some stock car folks.

Q: Because I lead a dull life, I calculated the points for the 2017 IndyCar season through Pocono using the old AAA/USAC formula (with rounding to nearest 50 miles for odd race distances). If still used today, the leader for the National Championship would be... Simon Pagenaud! Following him would be Power, Castroneves, Newgarden and Dixon. The official IndyCar standings have Newgarden, Dixon, Castroneves, Pagenaud and Power, almost the reverse. Funny how the standings can differ between systems measuring the same things – on-track driver performance.

Brian Boettcher, Columbia, MD

RM: I'm sure Pagenaud gets tired of me mentioning to him that he'd be leading the championship in just about any other season because of his amazing consistency (one win, one second, two thirds, four fourths and three fifths), but regardless of who is winning, I detest qualifying points at Indy and double-points at Sonoma. They've got to go away.

Q: I agree with your recent reply in Mailbag about telling Randy Bernard how people follow their favorite drivers. This is definitely true, I actually started watching and following F1 because of some of the IndyCar drivers racing in the series. It seems as though IndyCar is investing all in the one basket of putting out a better product, with the new car coming out. Do you think they would be able to balance both with putting out a good product and finding the funding for popular drivers? Especially since some of the popular drivers may be forced into IndyCar retirement? Or, you could use your 'Legend Series' shirts to fund the popular drivers.

Paul Hirsch, Erie, Pa.

RM: The concept of keeping a popular or up-and-coming driver in a series makes a lot of sense, but other than NASCAR and maybe F1, I don't think it's ever happened in IndyCar. Remember when Sarah Fisher was the IRL's most popular driver, and accepted her award at Homestead in street clothes because she didn't have a ride? Nobody lifted a finger to try and keep Danica from fleeing to NASCAR. If not for Sarah, Wink and Ed Carpenter, Josef Newgarden might be in sports cars like Jonathan Bomarito or Dane Cameron. There might have been a bidding war on Sage Karam (ABOVE) in the '60s, but his IndyCar career was one-and-done with Ganassi, and he's exactly what IndyCar needs for its future. He was a spectator at Pocono, but is still hoping to get another shot. The difference is that NASCAR made sure Chase Elliott was in a first-class ride, while Karam is all but forgotten, and he was a star in the ladder system just like Elliott.

Q: A question you might pose to the IndyCar paddock: Is it time for team cost controls to limit spending, headcount, etc, to level the playing field, much like salary caps in pro stick and ball sports? Finding/keeping sponsors is a big challenge, be it open-wheel, or even NASCAR. If IndyCar and the teams bought into this concept, yearly budgets could be trimmed, and sponsors assured the series has cost-containment tools in place. Now is a great time for IndyCar to act, as teams are planning for next year.

David, Pittsburgh

RM: Not sure you can get much closer to parity with engine leases, spec cars and reduced prices on parts for 2018. Regardless of the decade, racing has never been about level playing fields, the essence is a better idea. But because of today's struggle for sponsorships and puny purses it's been necessary to do away with innovation and insane spending and there is cost-containment. Sure, Penske and Ganassi can still spend more time in wind tunnels, seven-post shaker rigs and perfecting shocks, but dictating budgets would be impossible.

Q: When Mike Harding says he "has one Leader's Circle for next year and working on another one," does that mean there is no net increase in car count for next year even if he brings two full-time cars to the table? I think there are a max of 22, aren't there? Explanation of how those franchises work would be appreciated.

Forrester L Morgan, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

RM: I know Mike is counting on running one full-time car for Gabby Chaves and is likely banking on Penske cutting back to three cars, so there's an opening for a Leader's Circle – which basically means you contractually agree to run all the races to get your payments.

Q: The IndyCar race at Iowa was not a bigger event than the World of Outlaws in Knoxville in June. Every single weekend on DirtVision, I see packed crowd after packed crowd to watch the Outlaws. Week after week at Knoxville, the front grandstand is damn near full. The IRA in Wisconsin had standing room only for 141 Speedway and Angell Park last year. California, Ohio, Indiana... all booming with car counts and big crowds for either 360 or 410s. The Knoxville Nationals feel like the Indy 500. Tony Stewart said last year that he'd never have left sprint cars to run stock cars if it wasn't for the money. Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell are clearly more passionate about their moonlight 410 stints than their day jobs in stock cars. Even NASCAR drivers with no sprint backgrounds seem to be in awe of the legend of Donny Schatz. Why is NBC Sports worried about covering NASCAR and IndyCar when the passion of American motorsports is sprint car racing?

Justin Einerson, Des Moines, Iowa

RM: I'd love to see NBCSN televise the Chili Bowl and Knoxville and Indiana Sprint Week, but NBC paid a lot of money to get NASCAR so it could help position NBCSN as a viable player in the TV wars and it's worked. The Cup races draw some of cable's largest audiences, and those telecasts have also helped IndyCar. Televising sprint and midget races a half dozen times a year might work, and could be considered since NBC has become the racing network with F1, but let's get IndyCar and NBC hooked up as the lone outlet by 2019 and then we'll talk grass roots. But I do think those races I mentioned above would draw a good audience.

Q: On Memorial Day in 1961, I observed the Indy 500 by racing bikes with my friends, crashing, and winding up with six stitches over my eye. The next day I awoke to the sports page laying on my bed with a picture of the injured Parnelli Jones, who had taken a stone to the face during the race. He instantly became my hero! In the years that followed I cheered for him at Riverside and loved watching him administer the chrome horn in his Mustang going into Turn 6. Parnelli was truly one of the most versatile drivers ever, and epitomized the racers of the '60s. Who were Parnelli's racing heroes growing up, and who influenced him the most in his racing days?

Joe Walsh, Turlock, CA

RM: He idolized Troy Ruttman (ABOVE), as did Dan Gurney, and Vel Miletich and JC Agajanian were his guardian angels in terms of moving up the racing ladder and then making good investments and business decisions when he made it to the top.

Q: Like your other Mailbag writers, I would love to see more multi-class and USAC superstars like Kyle Larson at the Indy 500. Raises two questions I've brewed on for a long time, and really it's an IndyCar 'identity crisis.' First, with the current mid-engine, high-downforce formula, it just makes no sense to keep on dreaming that future Indy stars are going to come from USAC dirt ovals. Sure, superstar one-offs like Larson have the talent to pull off a victory with the right team, but they will never be IndyCar regulars with the current state of affairs, so why keep lamenting about it?

If this IndyCar formula is going to remain, why couldn't IndyCar put more focus on promoting and playing up young American (and international) raw and underfunded talent through the Mazda ladder system? Build grass roots heroes through joint events with SCCA, IMSA, etc. American F4 is a good first step, but the ladder system has got a long way to go. Alternatively, the formula needs a complete overhaul. If you want to draw from USAC, than it needs to change completely to something front engine roadster-ish, with a touch of underbody downforce and 1,300 horsepower. (Think a sleek, modern version of something like a Silver Crown Car, or the failed NISMO LMP1 without a roof). I'm sure it would be a technical challenge seeing that front-engine is mechanically far inferior to mid-engine format, but that would be a pretty cool car (on ovals AND road/street courses) that would be unique and attract attention, and the only way to achieve your dream...

Scott, Gainesville, FL

RM: First off, USAC's interest in the Indy 500 went away with Randy Bernard (who paid for the overall USAC champ Bryan Clauson to run Indianapolis). And USAC and WoO drivers certainly have the skill but not the money, so a young American pretty much only has the Mazda Road to Indy. And it's good competition from all over the world, because it's more affordable for foreign drivers, but still pretty pricey for Yanks. F4 draws a large field because it's cheaper, but there is no advancement to speak of (unless F2 gets up and running) and we already have way too many formulas in this country. And young men may love open-wheel but when they look at the opportunities to make a living, NASCAR is clearly more appetizing.

Q: In your opinion which is more important for a racing series to thrive – a healthy TV contract, or fans in the seats?

Curt Fulp, Columbus, IN

RM: NASCAR's billion-dollar TV contract with FOX and NBC is like no other and keeps tracks and teams in business, so it's obviously the key to their success today. But IndyCar, IMSA and F1 can't command that kind of audience or revenue, so it's a tougher question to answer. I've always felt like IndyCar and its promoters should cater to the paying customer and start the races early and tape-delay them like the old days of CART, but that's no longer an option.

But if you have a good TV partner that promotes your series and helps the ratings go up, then sponsors take more interest and that's the formula for success – fair or not. One of the wildest IndyCar races ever took place at Fontana on a Saturday afternoon in June and it didn't draw 5,000 people, but it had a million viewers for the last 30 minutes (and that's a big cable number on a Saturday afternoon) because NASCAR stars like Earnhardt and Johnson were Tweeting that you had to watch this. Of course, the flipside is to take a sponsor to an oval that's two-thirds empty and try to explain why IndyCar is such a great deal.

Q: If you won the Powerball (currently at $620 million), would you take $10 million or so, put together the best IndyCar team you could, and take a shot at winning the 500 as an owner? If so, what would your team look like (driver, chief engineer, etc)? Could an unlimited budget buy a 500 victory? Would it be worth it to stand in Victory Lane and drink the milk?

Scott Heavin, CAS

RM: I'd run a two-car team with a wise veteran (Kanaan) and a young charger (Sage Karam), and I'd pay Craig Hampson with gold bullion to engineer the cars. I'd have more fun going to the Victory Banquet and messing with people.

Q: Been watching Dane Cameron for a few years now and am excited to see he's got a great ride with Penske! I'm sure you know about him and was wondering if he had any IndyCar aspirations? He's a very good talent.

Doug Ferguson, Port Orange, Florida

RM: I think he did a few years ago and he was quite quick in Formula Atlantic, but probably saw the writing on the wall about opportunity and headed for sports cars. I think he and JPM will be a formidable team.

YOUR CHANCE TO DRESS LIKE ROBIN MILLER!

For those lucky enough to receive them, Robin Miller and Steve Shunck's famed 'Legend Series' T-shirts have become an intregal part of the Month of May. Unfortunately, up to this point, the shirts have not been available to the public. And they're still not - unless you're a lucky Mailbag reader.

For the next few weeks, RACER.com will give away one of this year's T-shirts (or a sweater) commorating the 50th anniversary of Parnelli Jones and the STP turbine to the writer of the Mailbag's letter of the week, as determined by Robin. Now you, too, can stalk pitlane grilling James Hinchcliffe and Tony Kanaan about their plans for the future while simultaneously paying homage to a great moment in Indianapolis 500 history.

Oh, and a quick warning: sizes are very limited, but we'll do our best to accommodate each winner's request. Good luck!