Robin Miller's Mailbag for September 27, 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: While I understand that many people feel that raising the appeal, attendance and TV viewership of IndyCar depends on having a lot more American talent, that logic kind of escapes me. Since so many people believe that, I don't doubt that it's accurate, but I personally don't understand it. I'm a lifetime fan at 48, and many of my (and most everyone else's) heroes during my time and before it were either not born in the U.S., or lived outside the U.S. I won't waste time naming them all, but it added and continues to add a flavor you just don't get in many other American sports. People like Franchitti, Wheldon, Dixon, Power, Hinchcliffe and many others have been reasons to tune in. Many have been charismatic and excellent drivers. Never did I root for a non-U.S. driver simply because I wanted an American to win.

I'm happy as a peach that Newgarden won the championship, and I honestly hope that his being American brings more people to the table, but I just don't relate to it. I don't know if this comparison applies, but does anybody base the music they prefer on if they are American or not? I mean, people flocked to the Stones and The Beatles. Rock and roll musicians are heroes regardless of where they're from. Could you tell me how a home-grown American driver would have been better for the series then Castroneves, Kanaan, Franchitti, etc? I just don't see how simply being an American is more important than charisma and talent from anywhere else on the globe.

Fred in Fishers

RM: In the past couple decades nobody has been more popular than Zanardi, Moore, Tracy, Franchitti, Wilson, Castroneves and Kanaan, and the melting pot of talent has only added to IndyCar's depth and international profile. And the foreign drivers have always been embraced by U.S. fans and the media. I've been beating the American drum for a couple of reasons: attendance and media coverage. Say what you want, but NASCAR is light years ahead of IndyCar in popularity because it's 95 percent American drivers that people cheer for and buy their merchandise. And the national media recognizes NASCAR as the premier motorsport in this country, despite the fact IndyCar racing is twice as good, because its drivers are household names thanks to promotion, marketing. TV ratings, attendance and passion.

It was always cool to hear the reception P.T. got in Canada (and now it's Hinch), or when CART went to Brazil (TK and Helio), or Mexico (for Fernandez) and it's probably 30 years since any American (Mario, Al Unser Jr. or Rick Mears) received that kind of adulation. Having a full field of American stars isn't imperative, but having a few are, and having an American champion again is a great start. And JoNew could be that breakout star – although the largest paper in Tennessee only devoted a couple of paragraphs to his championship the morning after Sonoma, so it's going to be a long process.

Q: What a fun IndyCar season it was! I very much enjoyed watching you on the broadcasts, and love your insights on here as well. I'm glad to see an American win the series again, and agree with previous statements I've seen in your Mailbag about wishing the higher-ups would promote it more. That being said, as happy as I was to see a Josef win, I cant help but feel I would have enjoyed it more if he'd have stayed with ECR. I dislike the Yankees and their always paying the big bucks to sign players, and Penske is the IndyCar version of the Yankees. So I enjoyed last year when Josef was with ECR, and the year before Graham Rahal was right there at the end. It's hard for me to really root for Josef since he is with the "Yankees." Am I alone in this? I will add I am incredibly grateful for all that Roger Penske has done to help IndyCar and as an Ohio boy I am proud of my fellow Ohioan, especially since in this comparison he is following the lead of another former NE Ohio boy (Steinbrenner) in "Going for the Gold."

Jim, Fremont, Ohio

RM: I haven't heard too many sentiments like yours because JoNew is pretty popular already, but I totally get it because a little team like ECR or RLL beating Penske would have been wildly popular. I still remember the banners 'Anyone but Penske' at IMS in the '80s and '90s, and I think we all pull for the underdogs. But from Newgarden's perspective it was an immediate chance to be The Man, and he certainly ran with it.

Q: I remember back about five years ago that a young American walked around IMS with a microphone in his hand asking if they had seen Josef Newgarden. Flash forward to today. I think we as race fans know who Josef is. I hope America finds out who he is. IndyCar fumbled RHR when he was champion. Let's hope it's a touchdown and not another turnover with Josef. This kid has it all.

Joe, Ingalls, Ind.

RM: I remember he was walking through the grandstands at Long Beach as a rookie [and Texas -Ed.] and had a cameraman with him asking fans who their favorite driver was in IndyCar. Every other one, he would say, 'How about Josef Newgarden?' and most of their responses were: never heard of him – which really made it funny since he was wearing a JoNew T-shirt. But his ability to laugh at himself and mingle with the fans have always made him well liked. I just hope IndyCar has some big plans to promote him.

Q: Another season in, another season gone. But for Sebastien Bourdais, it was a very short one due to his injury. I'm so glad he came back. Everyone wonders when Dale Coyne will become another high-caliber team that could go against the juggernauts such as Penske and Andretti Autosport? As far as his career, I only wish Bourdais would have been the Sebastien Bourdais of old when he won four straight titles. But I admit, he really progressed very well during his sports car stints and his return to IndyCar, and he really got the results. If only he had been picked up by one of the top teams, he would be something. And it is almost nine years since driving a Formula 1 car. What kind of experience did he have when he drove with Scuderia Toro Rosso for that year and half? How was his relationship with his team principals during his tenure? And how did it affect him career-wise?

JLS, Chicago, IL

RM: First off, think Coyne has moved way up in class, and Seb was headed for quick time at Indy before his accident. And he still has plenty of drive to win on street or road courses. He and engineer Craig Hampson can never be counted ou,t and rookie Ed Jones had a helluva good season with engineer Michael Cannon. Had he not gone to F1 it's possible he could have become a Penske or Ganassi driver after Champ Car, but he predictedthat F1 was going to be difficult after his first tests. He told Toro Rosso he couldn't drive the car they were developing because it didn't fit his driving style. So he finishes fourth in his F1 debut in a year-old car, and then Sebastien Vettel ran away in the car designed for him. But obviously Seb bounced back at Le Mans and then IndyCar.

Q: It's me again, the "Indy Car Poem from Belle Isle" guy. Five years ago we had a camera-friendly American guy in RHR win the championship and, generally speaking, nobody knows who he is. IndyCar/IMS had a super bullet and they didn't even get him in the chamber! Now we have the most camera-friendly athlete in JoNew on the entire planet, and my guess is the same thing is going to happen. IndyCar is one of the most exciting and competitive sports in the world! What is it going to take to end the Miles/Hulman/George/ABC moronship, and invest in the new Tom Brady of world motorsports?

Joel, Palm Harbor, FL

RM: It's all about money, and spending it on commercials and promotions, and putting JoNew in front of as many faces as possible during the next six months. He'll do the rest because he's a natural in front of a crowd or a camera, but IndyCar has got to be allowed to spend some big money, and I don't see it.

Q: I'm a life-long racer who turned to team ownership with the agenda of running young up and comers as they move from karting to cars, and have been fortunate enough to have some great young talents come through our program. Now one of our former drivers is an IndyCar Champion! In preparation for the Formula Ford Festival, Josef joined his friend Conor, who had been running the full season with us for some FF action here in Canada. Great young men, very professional even at that young age – as was Spencer Pigot when he joined us a few years later. It is a pleasure to watch them as they continue to impress, and remind us that it all starts somewhere. Congrats to Josef from all of us at BGR.

Brian Graham, Innisfil, ON, Canada

RM: All the way up the ladder Newgarden and Daly took turns beating each other from all the stats I've seen, so it's all about opportunity and confidence, and Josef was fortunate to get Sarah, Wink and Ed in his corner so he could impress R.P. Just hope Conor gets a similar chance soon. Thanks for sharing your memories.

Q: Not to be a troll, but I am a die-hard so I have to say that although JoNew was the first to win a championship with Penske in his maiden season, Hornish won his first race with The Captain at Homestead in 2004. He probably would have won the championship, but I believe after that race IndyCar reduced the displacement of the engines from 3.5L to 3.0L, Honda then took over with the best mousetrap, and that started two years for Penske and Ganassi being out to lunch until Toyota dropped out and Honda became sole supplier engine supplier in 2006. I hope JoNew ends up being the widely marketable American star for IndyCar that we all hoped Hornish would be.

Clint, Chicago

RM: Al Unser Jr. did it in 1994 – winning eight times – in his first year with Team Penske and Danny Sullivan's second start for The Captain in 1985 wound up in Victory Lane at Indianapolis. But I do believe Sam is the only winner right out of the box. And you're not a troll.

Q: Thank you and Marshall for great reporting during 2017. I feel kind of bad about this, because he is a good driver and an asset to the sport, but I will feel relieved when Helio retires, and can no longer win his fourth Indy 500. He did not win the 2002 race. Paul Tracy won in 2002, with an outstanding pass on the outside of Turn 3. I saw it from the fourth turn. What say you, Mr. Miller? Forgetting the politics of the time, who won in 2002?

Andrew S. Belknap

RM: I was working for ESPN in 2002, and a few minutes after the race I was summoned to the trailer to look at some amazing footage of P.T. taking the lead with the green light still shining. I went on Sports Center and reported what I'd witnessed, and then I started hearing from fans around the track that Tracy had, indeed, been leading when the caution came on. Sam Hornish radioed in that Tracy won, but that recording mysteriously disappeared. I put Barry Green in touch with ESPN and he spent $100,000 building his case with videos, timelines, etc. and reportedly had R.P. squirming until Tony George announced there could be no protest of Brian Barnhart's decision. So we all chipped in and bought Tracy a paper-mache Borg-Warner Trophy.

Q: I attended the Indycar finale at Sonoma. The track, staff, entertainment, vendors, and weather were all phenomenal, and made for an epic day at the track. The course looks like it must be a great challenge and huge fun for the drivers. The only problem for the fans was the usual Sonoma Raceway grid spot parade, because no one can make a pass. What are the reasons that make passing so difficult in IndyCar, and what do you think can be done to the track (or anything else) that might help make a more exciting race?

Robert K, Washoe Valley, NV

RM: The No. 1 problem with any road course (except COTA and Mexico City) is that they were constructed 50-60-70 years ago for cars that were narrow and only went 150-160 mph with no downforce. Road America and Watkins Glen (thankfully) don't fit into this category because they have a couple great passing zones off long straightaways and a couple other places to get underneath people. And Barber is surprisingly racy considering it was built for motorcycles. Sonoma, Laguna Seca, Mid-Ohio are classic, flowing road courses, but they're narrow and have almost no opportunities to overtake without major modifications. And why would Sonoma spend any money on a track that's become NASCAR country, and draws so few for the IndyCar finale?

Q: Do you think that starting so late contributed to the extremely sparse turnout at Sonoma? Despite a half-dozen drivers having a shot at the championship, apparently not enough interest was generated to improve the audience. I have attended this race for years, and this year's crowd seemed the smallest in memory. I had a four-hour drive home and would have appreciated a 1:30 pm start, but I'm crazy enough to attend even if it were a night race. (Maybe my senility has kicked in). However, perhaps the more casual fan felt that the later start made life more difficult. What do you think?

Gerry, Twain Harte, CA

RM: I think all races should start at 1 or 2 pm at the latest, but television is obviously a big factor and NBCSN had NASCAR, which led right into Sonoma and that was good for ratings – but not so good for fans like yourself. I've always advocated taking care of the paying customers and showing the race on tape delay, but I've been told that's no longer an option. However, having said that, Diana Brennan and her Sonoma staff do a great job of publicizing the race, but nobody cares – it's become a NASCAR track. Just look at their crowds.

Q: Attended the season finale at Sonoma, which is a beautiful track, but not for the season finale. Agree with majority of the other submissions that final race of the IndyCar season should be on an oval somewhere, instead of watching a parade for 85 laps. The timing (season) of the race at Sonoma is ideal, as any earlier and it would be too hot, with no shade for the spectators – which would probably even further lower attendance. But the final race of the season needs to be on an oval to bring excitement for the championship. Now for my main question. There seems to be some expansion and shrinkage of teams for 2018, several which have already been announced.

I keep track of the expected line-ups as the off-season goes along, but would be interested in hearing what you think the opening race of the season might look like as far as teams, and drivers, and what you expect the car count to be next year for the opening race? And also for qualifying for the Indy 500? I understand it is still Silly Season, but what is your best guess at this time for the opening grid at St. Pete's? Based on what I have cobbled together so far, looks like maybe 23 cars and could possibly be as many as 25 or 26 for St. Pete?

Rod, San Jose, CA

RM: Here's my best guess: Andretti (four), Penske (three), Ganassi (two), Coyne (two), RLL (two), Foyt (two), ECR (two), SPM (two), Harding (one), Chilton/Carlin (one). That's 21, with ??? for Charlie Kimball, J.R. Hildebrand and Esteban Gutierrez, while Kyle Kaiser will run Indy and a couple others, possibly for Ricardo Juncos.

Q: Since the consensus seems to be that Verizon is basically just fulfilling a contractual obligation by sending checks and doing little else, could IndyCar let Verizon out of its last year and find someone who might actually do them some good? Has that ship sailed, and does IndyCar need the money so they are willing to lose another year of possible promotion? Never have understood how IndyCar could be so consistently unlucky with sponsorships, at least from Pep Boys forward.

Kurt Ullman, Carmel

RM: I think if IndyCar had someone in the wings that's exactly what it would do, but I don't think that's the case, so take whatever Verizon gives and work on replacing them for 2019. Verizon was gung-go about IndyCar with its former CEO, but the new person in charge wanted nothing to do with it and it's shown over the past two years. But some of this past pain is self-inflicted. Northern Lights couldn't have sponsored a jalopy at The Speedrome, yet it boasted $50 million was earmarked for the IRL. Really?

Q: I'm seeing a lot of hate for Sonoma in the Mailbag, and for the most part I get it. But I don't think it's impossible for IndyCars to have a good race there. I think the original DW12 raced good just about everywhere. Hopefully next year's kit will improve things. That said, creating a passing zone is easy – get rid of that stupid kink on the backstretch (use the original Esses) and NARROW THE exit of the final turn with tires or a huge curb.

John in Dayton

RM: Montoya and Servia both like the way they can slide the new aero kits around and run up closer on people, so hopefully that will bode well for even Sonoma. But nobody is going to change the track for a race that draws peanuts and has become popular with NASCAR.

Q: I know you're on the Gateway season finale bandwagon, but would it be possible or feasible for IndyCar to self-promote a race at Michigan for the season finale? I know it probably wouldn't be a money-maker for the series, but we know the cars would put on a great show there, and a dramatic action-packed finale would be promotional gold for the series. With Detroit, Indy, and all of the GM and Honda factories within driving distance, there are enough people to fill the place up if you promote it right, and I hear some guy named Roger Penske might know a thing or two about promoting a race at that track. We all know IndyCars belong at Michigan, and there's no better way to end the season than with a 500-miler on a superspeedway. If it can't happen at Fontana because of the heat and time change issues, Michigan is the best option.

Max

RM: As I said in the answer above yours, Michigan doesn't want anything to do with football season, and I think it would be real hard to get a decent crowd whenever it's run unless it's some kind of NASCAR truck/ARCA/IndyCar doubleheader on the same day because MIS has become a stock car track – just like Phoenix, Pocono, Sonoma, Watkins Glen and Texas. Maybe if Belle Isle drops off the schedule it could be a possibility in the summer, but no chance to end the season at MIS. And The Captain no longer promotes any tracks except Detroit.

Q: One more reason for the use of the chicane at Sonoma, I'm sure, aside from the ugly impacts in Turn 10, would be the dreaded ricochets after gathering up two to four cars running tightly together. As an SCCA club racer I somehow managed to avoid getting into any of those (you know what they say about God protecting fools and small children), but I've come closer than I wanted to the aftermath of a couple of those 'big ones' and they ain't pretty. The deal over 3A with Power and Phillipe years ago was bad enough; I vote for not tempting the gods further. Better still, let's finish the season somewhere better.

Steve Levin, Sunnyvale, CA

RM: As I said in an earlier letter, Sonoma wasn't made for these kinds of cars and speeds, and IndyCar has done about all it can within its confines.

Q: I wanted to talk about the season finale and make an argument that it needs to move to another venue. I know Leigh Diffey kept talking about how much everyone liked going to Sonoma and I understand it is very nice, but on television it looked like a club race to me. IndyCar needs to decide where to put the final race based on two criteria. 1. A track that allows for passing. 2. A track that can draw a crowd.

To me, the series needs to run its final race where the fans are – the Midwest – and on an oval. I think MIS would be a perfect track. I'm sure it will draw at least as many fans as Sonoma, and the event is plenty separated from Detroit from a calendar standpoint to avoid causing a concern with the promoters. They could even do a two-race package to sell the two Michigan events as a combo. Why don't you run this idea past Miles and Penske and see what you can make happen? Appreciate your work and Marshall's with RACER all season. Great job, and great broadcast once again by the NBCSN crew at Sonoma.

Andrew, Brighton, MI

RM: You are spot-on Andrew, that's why Gateway would be perfect. Not sure abut MIS because it wouldn't go up against football, and I'm just not sure there's any interest on either side. It was a great IndyCar track in its day, but maybe its day has passed. Thanks for reading and watching.

Q: I understand that the location of Sonoma Raceway provides a lot of value in entertaining sponsors and partners for IndyCar teams, hence why the season finale continues to be held there. However, the lack of promotion that has been done to attract a finale type of crowd to celebrate the IndyCar championship is an absolute embarrassment. The race is a bore, and qualifying usually all but decides the race result. The guests, sponsors and team partners cannot think it looks good that the event they're attending or investing in appears not worth attending to the general public.

I made the trip out west for the race once in 2015. Drove a 1985 Chevrolet Mallard motor home from San Diego up to Sonoma for camping and had a decent time, but just thought the track was missing out on getting butts on the hills. Looking at pictures from a few years back, it always looked like a healthy crowd. Additionally, I feel a bit bad for Josef and Team Penske that they were celebrating to a crowd that simply was not there or did not care. Wouldn't it have felt better at a venue with the support of the fans and the energy that comes with that? I hope Mark Miles and his team are able to look at this change, but I imagine teams like the venue too much.

Brian, Minneapolis, MN

RM: I don't think it's the lack of promotion, I think it's simply the lack of interest and the fact Northern California race fans now prefer NASCAR at Sonoma. But I never recall much of a turnout. It is embarrassing to have so little atmosphere at your finale to decide the title, and it never seems like a big deal because it isn't. And there are not that many sponsors to entertain anymore, so that shouldn't be a prerequisite.

Craig Stewart, Paoli, IN

RM: It seems like the majority of the letters I receive don't favor double points, and I would hope IndyCar gets rid of qualifying points and double points in the finale as long as it stays at Sonoma. I suppose double points at Indy is palatable, it always paid 1,000 points to win Indy back in USAC so at least it's got some prestige attached to it. But, like A.J. says, it's just a gimmick and IndyCar doesn't need it to have close races for the title. Thanks for reading RACER.com.

Q: An interesting question about an oval to end the season. Why not a second race at IMS? Call it something different, maybe the Astor Cup 500, or find a committed title sponsor. It meets all the conditions – exciting oval action, located where the base of IndyCar fans are, Eastern time zone, etc. Schedule it on a Saturday afternoon, maybe the first weekend in October, which is still temperate. That gives three weeks for travel back from Sonoma and preparation, extends the season, and avoids NFL action. It would be up against college ball and MLB playoffs, though. The Hulman group should be amenable to a second race, you would get a huge crowd, and the racing would be exhilarating as always. If you want to properly end an IndyCar season, why not do it at the most iconic racetrack available?

Rob Joseph, Chandler, AZ

RM: People have been suggesting for the last few years to take the May road course race and make it the season finale, and I'd damn sure rather see it at IMS than Sonoma, because it would be a much better race and hopefully there would be 40,000 or 50,000 if priced right.

Q: Allow me to add my two cents about where IndyCar should hold its season finale: it should do a second race at Texas Motor Speedway, in October. Make it a 500-mile race during the day on a Sunday, with double points. IndyCar needs to close out the season on a high-speed oval. Indy and Pocono are out (too cold at Pocono in October, I know, I was at the World Series of Auto Racing in October 1974), so the only other 220+ mph oval they currently run at is Texas.

Bob Scheurle

RM: Eddie Gossage used to host the IRL season finale, but says now there is "zero" chance he would go up against high school, college or pro football in September.

Q: I have read snippets of why IndyCar is no longer racing at RIR (typically in the comments section) and those snippets are typically about "follow-the-leader" racing towards the end of the tenure there. Were there attendance problems? RIR and Indycar management problems that could not be resolved? Looking at the data from the viewership report and seeing where P'burg/Richmond numbers stood, wouldn't it make sense to revisit the possibility of a return? I am a Virginian and live in Smithfield (Eat more ham please . . . it pays the bills) and would love to see IndyCar back in the Commonwealth. Look forward to your response.

R.I. Brown

RM: No, on the contrary, the crowds were damn good (30,000 or so) every year in the heart of NASCAR country, but as I recall the first couple races were real good and the last couple real boring because I think the tire changed and it was a parade. But I'd love to see IndyCar give Richmond another shot, and I know track president Dennis Bickmeier is an open-wheel fan.

Q: A few weeks ago I sent to you a letter complaining about ESPN doesn't give any importance to IndyCar and I hope they lose the rights next year. But technically, I follow the race through the social media, specifically Twitter, not by watching the race. I follow what people are saying, and there is something that I, you, the people of Latin America, and the good old people from USA have in common: we all believe the series has to finish in an oval.

Next year there will be change in NASCAR's schedule with only one race at Kentucky in 2018. So why not having Kentucky for the season finale? I was also thinking of Atlanta Motor Speedway, – they race in February so there is plenty of time to promote the finale. Or why not finish the season on the first weekend of October at Fontana? It's not so far from September, and there is not a huge gap between one race to other. Well this is a small contribution from my part, I know probably will not affect any kind of the decision will take the series for the schedule next season, but well, who knows.

By the way, you know that there is a Mailbag for NASCAR on another site with Jim Utter? I was thinking, WHAT! This is a joke, really? It's bad to copy your Mailbag Robin. It's an insult – heresy – brother.

Pedro Miranda, Chile

RM: Kentucky could be a possibility because it's in IndyCar's wheelhouse and it drew pretty damn good for early IRL races. I think it's been repaved and could be promoted decently and have a chance to draw 40,000 or so. And it could also run under the lights. Atlanta didn't work in USAC, CART or IRL, and Fontana wants late October at night – which won't happen. Don't be too hard on Jim, he's a good man and it makes sense to have Mailbags for every series, mine just happens to be the oldest (smile) like me. Stay cool in Chile.

Q: Just putting in a request now that RACER does not run another article next spring highlighting what changes Marco, or the team on his behalf, have made during the off-season to be more competitive in the upcoming season. Enough already! With two wins (one legit) in 200 races and a long history of consistently poor qualifying, mid-pack performances, and another disappointing finish in the championship, I think it is safe to assume there is nothing left that can be done to make Marco anything but the fourth-best driver at Andretti Autosport, and an average at best competitor in the IndyCar series. I fully expect Zach Veach to finish higher in the championship as a rookie than Marco. Let's re-unite Rossi with Bryan Herta, and legitimately compete for the championship.

Ross, Birmingham, AL

RM: Now Ross, we've only got 21-22 full-time drivers and six months off, so you know that we will write about all of them in the post-season wrap-up, off-season reports and pre-season previews. But, to your point, it's becoming challenging to find any new angles trying to explain Marco's malaise.

Q: I grew up in Indiana and have attended almost every Indy 500 since the mid-'90s. I have served in the Army for nine years, and they sent me to the best possible location: Monterey, Calif. As a result, I had the opportunity to attend the IndyCar championship race in Sonoma. I have a few observations.

First, a dismal crowd coincided with a lackluster race. IndyCar needs to OWN the Midwest. If Gateway was any indication, the series should end in the region. Second, there were no advertisements on the Central Coast local stations leading up to the race. The Monterey Peninsula has a racing history with Laguna Seca, which begs the question as to why no marketing occurred in this area. Lastly, do you think the new aero kit will actually improve the races on short ovals? The short oval racing this year was uneventful. Looking forward to Indy or, even sooner, Long Beach next year.

Shane A. Kohtz, CPT, AC, United States Army

RM: Absolutely the season finale should be in the Midwest, on an oval, and Gateway is perfect. Can't explain the lack of advertising in Monterey but the sports car race was at Laguna last weekend there, so maybe that's where the promotion went. Montoya and Servia both seem to think the new kits allow you to draft up closer without a lot of turbulence so it sounds like that will definitely improve the racing – maybe everywhere.

Q: Usually agree with almost everything you say, but I had to disagree with your statement that sports car racers like to split weekends with IndyCar because people are in the stands. I am pretty sure Le Mans has the largest crowd in all of motorsports, and I know Sebring and Petit Le Mans both have over 100,000 show up. Sorry, but had to stand up for my sports car racing!

Doug Ferguson, Port Orange FL

RM: I was referring to IMSA races, in general, where the crowds aren't very good for stand-alone events, and that's why running with IndyCar (like it does at Long Beach and Detroit) could be a winner for both at The Glen, COTA, Mid-Ohio and Road America (although the last two do just fine with IndyCar as the headliner). No doubt Sebring and Petite draw big numbers and I wish IndyCar could join them, but those are the places sports cars don't need any help. Thanks for speaking up.

Q: The last race of the season was a great one, not at all boring like some of the previous Sonoma IndyCar races, and a pretty awesome outcome for Penske and Newgarden.

Though the on-track action was exciting, I was particularly taken by the banter between Townsend Bell and Paul Tracy in the booth. It seems like Bell gets the best of Tracy and often handcuffs him for a moment or two before they can continue on with the show. The dig Townsend made in reply to Tracy's comments about engineers and drivers being like husbands and wives was probably the best burn I have heard from him this season. (I would have like to have seen Tracy's reaction or face after that one). I am a huge Paul Tracy fan but an even bigger fan of burns, provided they are not mean-spirited.

I started watching IndyCar after the 1992 Indy 500 and have been a major fan ever since. I was part of the Tracy 200 at Cleveland in 2003, and have attended many races over the years, dragging friend, girlfriends and most recently my wife and kids along to share in my enthusiasm. The current group in the NBCSN booth (especially these two) have made the telecasts super-enjoyable, and remind me of the early 1990's with Bobby Unser and Paul Page. Thank you to the NBCSN team for injecting the broadcast with energy, along with enjoyable and intelligent banter that has served the viewers well and made a great series even better. Looking forward to 2018 and to hearing Bell and Tracy rip on each other for yet another year.

David, Scarborough, ON, Canada

RM: I'm glad you enjoyed the race, but it took Pagenaud's off-strategy and the last pit exchange to keep most people interested because the racing is never the quality of Barber, Road America or The Glen. TBell and P.T. keep things lively when the race needs help, and they've had some memorable exchanges during the past couple years (wish you could hear them during commercial breaks), and it's certainly refreshing to hear fairly current drivers giving opinions, making predictions as the race unfolds and beating on each other at every chance. Thanks for watching NBCSN and supporting IndyCar.

Q: I was just in the car listening to Fox Sports Radio when the 11:00 am national news and score came on. The second story was Sato moving from Andretti to RLL. This was before a lot of big baseball updates from last night. While we have known this for weeks, it was cool to hear some IndyCar off- season news from a major player in sports – especially one that has no ties to IndyCar coverage.

Matt Demey, Middletown, PA

RM: Hey, every little bit helps and that's encouraging, but I imagine Takuma being the current Indy 500 winner helped in the decision. Nonetheless, it's good PR and that's what IndyCar needs.

Q: Since Danica is available, how about an Indy-only venture with Grace Autosport? Should be an easy sell for sponsorship. Could possibly field a second car for Milka Duno. I'm thinking sales from t-shirts of Milka and Danica, standing nose-to-nose in a boxing pose, would cover most of the cost of the second car.

Ken, WI

RM: Better yet, we could sell out-takes from the debriefs every day.

Q: Thanks for all you do for IndyCar. Love the podcast you with and Marshall. So now that we have an eternity until next season, my wheels are turning. Let me know what you think of this idea. Every city where IndyCar races naturally wants to promote their towns as destinations. Why not have IndyCar start a campaign to have each city, a local business group or Chamber of Commerce sponsor a car with a one-off sponsorship? It would be a great way to get added TV time for the local community and maybe, over time, lead to full-time ride for a driver. Thoughts?

Vincent Martinez, Arcadia, CA

RM: Well in the past we've had the City of Daytona (Smokey Yunick), City of Seattle Special (Johnny Rutherford), the City of Lebanon (Mel Kenyon) and Spirit of Indiana (Spike Gehlhausen) but haven't seen anything like that since the mid-70s. It wasn't big money, but neither was IndyCar back then, and I just don't know if it could be pulled off today with all the bureaucracy. Maybe a small town backs a sprint-car driver for the Indy 500... naw, but it sounded good.

Q: Given that Porsche and almost everyone else has announced Formula E programs, I've realized that the next AJ Watson is not a great welder or machinist, but a battery guy. So what's the IndyCar contingency plan if or when the manufacturers tell IMS that the 500 should be electric? I've never been to the Glen when it hasn't rained or freezing (since 75), have you? Thanks for the heads-up about wingless sprints. After a steady diet of winged 410s at the Grove, I saw the USAC show this summer and loved it. Best race weekends ever: Chili Bowl and Goodwood Revival. What's your favorite?

CD, Beer Hill, Pa.

RM: Not sure there is one since Honda and Chevrolet seem pleased with the current formula and, if anything, I think IndyCar would prefer louder engines. I was talking to Mr. Sato at Sonoma and he was adamant that the noise is what first attracted him to racing (like a lot of us), and that he wishes IndyCars were "much louder."

Q: I hope you come to the Speedway for the SCCA Runoffs on September the 29th to October 1st. Now, I am certain you hate seeing more events at the track, and I get it. However for 1,000 of us that have entered, it is a dream come true. A field of 37 Formula Fords will put on a great show (they race Friday right after lunch). All of the classes have good entries, and it will be a fun event and a once in a lifetime event for most in attendance.

Andy Brumbaugh

RM: I'll be there Friday and Saturday shooting videos for RACER.com.

Q: First I want to say thank you Robin Miller, Marshall Pruett, and RACER for another great year of coverage on everything IndyCar. I enjoy all the great articles and videos, and always being able to count on you providing the latest IndyCar news. Second, I just want to say to all of us IndyCar fans: we have a lot to be happy about and to look forward to. This season was once again exciting from start to end. Josef Newgarden a personable, exciting, young, American racer won the championship, Helio put up a great fight and got a win, Gateway showed oval racing is not dead, and that promotion goes a long way and generates success, and Alonso showed that Indy still has the prestige it deserves. The future of IndyCar looks great, too. Next year Indy will have the best-looking race car any series has had in 20 years, the young Americans of the series will have even more experience and be more competitive, at least one new team will join the grid, and we have a champion capable of bringing millions of new men and women to the sport.

With two great manufactures, a great diverse driver and venue line-up, and the perfect blend of innovation (small ethanol-powered engines) and price restrictions. IndyCar should have a bright future. IndyCar is the greatest sport on earth, and I can't wait until next season.

P.S. I started a IndyCar fantasy league this year, and I got ten new sets of eyes watching IndyCar every weekend.

Brenen T., Omaha

RM: Always good to start the off-season with a positive attitude, so thanks for all your enthusiasm and support and recruiting. Would you like a job with IndyCar?