Robin Miller's Mailbag for August 8, 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 have a question that comes from my sheer annoyance with IndyCar’s scheduling. Why on earth are they taking the same weeks in August off as Formula 1? Unlike many sports fans who simply worry about the 'game', IndyCar fans are often concerned with their sport's popularity and business health (as it's often directly tied to where races occur and how they can be seen). So with such importance being put on IndyCar's visibility and exposure to new fans, aren't they missing a huge opportunity of giving Formula 1 fans racing to watch while F1 takes its three-week break?

My 18-year-old son is obsessed with racing, and his friends are all 'elitist-F1-or-nothing' race fans. I often point out how much more competitive and entertaining IndyCar is compared to F1, but like most parents, I'm rarely heard. So here we are, with these kids complaining that there aren't any races on until the end of the month.... and Scott Dixon is off managing a BBQ somewhere for three weeks. What's your take on this seemingly gross oversight on viewer growth opportunities?

Gary Vail, Sherman Oaks, CA

RM: I think the gap at the start of the season is worse than August, but IndyCar is working on shoring things up and I’m hearing the schedule will be a lot more compact in 2019. True, IndyCar is wasting an opportunity to get the hardcore F1 types to check things out, but I’m not really sure how much crossover exists. And the gap wasn’t by design, just circumstances of races coming and going.

Q: I love IndyCar racing. However, for its credibility and future, I believe a total cleanout of everyone is needed. It needs to have people in place with common sense. Following Indy with a road race, finishing the season in California on a road course away from its base of fans, ending their season so early it becomes irrelevant, finishes under yellow, double points for last race, etc. It seems every time IndyCar has golden opportunity to do something good they fail miserably. Who has the power to replace everyone? You could show someone who has no interest in auto racing these issues, and they could tell you they don’t make sense. Can it, or will it ever change?

E. Mitchell

RM: We finally have some people in place with racing roots and common sense that listen to teams, drivers and fans, so let’s not do anything rash. Yes, IndyCar needs to end the season in the Midwest, but Laguna only has a contract for the finale in 2019 so I still think there’s hope for a good closer. Detroit isn’t going to change as long as GM and RP are in play, and finishing under the yellow is simply one of the few traditions that remain intact and I’ve got no problem with it. Double points suck, but they can always be vetoed. Jay Frye has given IndyCar a five-year plan and some needed direction, Mark Miles signed up NBC and is working on all kinds of sponsorships, car count is up and the racing has been excellent, so no reason to clean house.

Q: I read an article saying that Jay Frye and Michael Printup from Watkins Glen are talking about getting a possible slot on the 2021 schedule. What's more encouraging is that Printup was quoted saying “I’m open to anything to talk to Jay about this. They belong here.” It's great to know that management at WGI wants IndyCar back. I hope it will happen,but June is IMSA's Six Hours at The Glen, July and September failed in the past and August is for NASCAR. Would the NBC TV deal be what helps promote the race? It's a ways off, but I was wondering if you heard about this and if other tracks of IndyCar past are actuality reaching back out to IndyCar?

Rob Peterson, Rochester, NY

RM: Michael and Jay said several months ago they were both open to IndyCar running The Glen again if the right date could be acquired. The weekend that makes sense would be that sports car enduro, since NBC and NBCSN are covering IMSA in 2019 and IndyCar could easily run on Saturday with IMSA’s six hour event on Sunday. But I’m not sure IMSA wants to share, which is crazy, because it gets a nice boost at Long Beach and Detroit and struggles to draw a crowd on its own.

Q: I'm looking forward to Pocono, and speaking of ovals, I was lucky enough to attend the IndyCar MavTV500 at Fontana in 2015, which had 80 lead changes and was easily the best IndyCar race I have ever seen in person. But I believe you when you say that Fontana, Milwaukee, Phoenix and Homestead are not coming back to the schedule. If you were the IndyCar CEO for a day, what oval track would you put on the schedule, and when would you schedule it?

William, Los Angeles, CA

RM: I said three years ago I’d go back after Richmond, and I think IndyCar is making a big push to either get it for 2019 or 2020. I’d also restore Milwaukee (with George Bruggenthies promoting) and move it to the Sunday afternoon (1 p.m. green flag) after Indianapolis, like it was for 85 years. And I’d figure out a way to run Fontana at night when it’s not 100 degrees.

Q: I'd like to get your thoughts on an idea I've had for the championship series. The Indy 500 becomes the kickoff race for the season. Series points are accumulated through summer racing, just as they are now. It may become necessary to tighten the schedule so you don't have as many empty weekends. The season finale is the road course at IMS held over Labor Day weekend. The race is early enough in the day that the remainder can be a huge celebration at the Speedway to honor the new champion (think Carb Day atmosphere with bands). Some may argue the season would be too short, however you would still have 'exhibition' races outside those dates that just don't contribute to points. Maybe those are new tracks that would like to compete to be a part of the championship schedule some day. During the so-called offseason, teams could shuffle drivers, fine-tune setups, etc. an anticipation of the upcoming season; most importantly, it would build the excitement leading up to the next season's start at Indy.

Sean Hildebrand

RM: The IRL tried Indy as the season finale and that didn’t work, and you can’t ask other tracks to be exhibitions that don’t figure into the championship. I just can’t see how having Indy as the first race or last race does anything positive for the series, and this year you’d be lopping off four races from the real schedule – including Long Beach. And ending the season on the IMS road course might be a better option than Laguna Seca, but not by much – unless you really made the tickets cheap in hopes of drawing a decent crowd. Hopefully with NBC on board for all the races, IndyCar will have a presence for seven months. I saw several ads yesterday during NBC’s NASCAR Cup race at The Glen for the ABC 500 at Pocono.

Image by Tee/LAT

Q: I have some thoughts regarding the potential of some guys coming over here from Formula 1 and its feeder series. First, yes, I think Alonso would move the needle significantly for IndyCar and could prove to be beneficial to finding sponsors, new fans, etc. However, as pointed out in your salary breakdown and reporting on RACER and other media outlets, these guys make way too much money and, I feel, have always looked down on IndyCar. Formula 1 thinks it is superior, but the racing is inferior to IndyCar. Do you think Alonso is going to be the good soldier when he blows up, has a bad pit stop, or bad strategy as a full-timer? Being a one-off guy, it’s a lot easier to stay chill as you know you are going back to your regular series. I don’t know man, a guy that leaves the track to go play tennis while a race is still going on or sits in a lawn chair while the race is going seems like a diva to me. These F1 guys are pampered, jet-setting, arrogant dudes with huge egos. They are nothing like the boys in IndyCar and I’m not on board with the potential. Sure, I might be wrong with Alonso, but I look at his previous actions both verbally and non-verbally.

Secondly, Ferrucci… So, we all know what happened to get him fired from his seat with Trident, not to mention his delinquent payments to the team and his frequent bashing of F2 throughout the season. RACER’s Chris Medland had reported that he personally never had anything negative to say based on his interactions with the kid but reported that he had second-hand knowledge of drivers pointing to his “arrogance to the point of being abusive.” Again, is this someone we want? Obviously, Daddy is footing the bill and Ferrucci’s level of respect and appreciation of what he has is blurred. Do we want a spoiled seat-buyer over here to disrupt this great group we currently have? Yes, there have always been seat-buyers and we still have many right now, but the group we have are a pretty damn good group without the arrogance and ego. I sure hope the Coynes of the world do a proper job of vetting before they just jump at the money (that might not exist, based on delinquent payments to Trident).  I am just so happy with the field we have, the product they put out, and I don’t want to disrupt that with a Formula 1 mentality and the potential issues that arise.

Josh R., Salem, OR

RM: Based on my interactions with Fred in 2017 and from what I observed during the month, Alonso is as far away from a diva as possible. Sure he was excited over here because he was instantly competitive again, but he embraced the month of May, its traditions, the competitors and was a delight with the fans and media. I’ve never been more impressed, on and off the track, with an F1 champion since Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart invaded Indianapolis in the ‘60s. And he would move the needle over here just like Nigel Mansell did in 1993. As for Ferrucci, he’s a kid, so kids do dumb things sometimes, and he deserves a second chance.

Q: Sounded strange to me when you said Penske was interested in Dixon, but after a little thought, all you have to do is follow the money. Nobody can smell a buck quicker than The Captain. Honda loves Dixie and appears to still be tied to McLaren. Penske grabs Dixie and Fernando if he wants to come. With Verizon leaving, he will send Simon packing. If Fernando doesn't come, I feel McLaren and Honda will both love Wickens. Now Penske is down to two cars, and he grabs big bucks from McLaren to run that operation. The fly in the ointment is Chevy, but if the money is big enough, The Captain will make it happen. Can't think of another reason for Roger to bring in Dixon at this stage of his career.

Dave Harder

RM: I was told that by a couple of drivers who I trust, so it makes total sense The Captain would at least explore Dixie’s free agency. And don’t kid yourself, if R.P. could snatch Chip’s ace he’d do it in a heartbeat. But why do you think Verizon is gone from Team Penske? Honda does love Dixon and is pretty damn fond of Rossi and Wickens, but don’t be so sure it’s tied to McLaren or Alonso.

Q: If Harding becomes an Andretti Autosport B-Team, does that not mean a switch to Honda? If Andretti adds McLaren, that could be another one or two Honda engine leases. I can't imagine Honda is willing to support that many teams. Someone would have to go to Chevrolet. Any rumors on teams switching engines for 2019? SPM? Coyne?

Victor in Toronto

RM: That’s a great question that nobody can answer at the moment, but you are correct in that Honda is about at max capacity. Honda’s contracts fluctuate from single to multi-year, so you can imagine Andretti and Ganassi are likely longer term, but not sure about SPM, Coyne or Rahal.

Q: With all the talk of a McLaren/Andretti hookup, don't you think that would throw things off balance as far as engine manufacturers go? With the way things are this year, adding one or two more strong cars to the Honda team could be a death blow to Chevy. Realistically, there are only three Chevy-powered cars – the Penskes – in the field that have a chance to win every week. Add Ed Carpenter on ovals, and you only have four. There are at least six or seven Honda-powered cars that are capable of winning each week. I know Chevy is committed to IndyCar, but with almost every team capable of winning races running a Honda, how long before that commitment starts to wane? Since Fernando Alonso's main goal is to win the Indy 500, maybe he and McLaren should be talking to Ed Carpenter Racing. With some help from Chevy, that would seem like a perfect combination. Ed has always showed up at Indy with fast cars. McLaren, with additional help from Chevy, could push ECR into the upper echelon of IndyCar, able to compete with Penske, Andretti and Ganassi week-in and week out. Or maybe Alonso and Pigot could run full time cars, and Ed could run a third car on ovals only, if McLaren decided not to run an IndyCar team at this time. It would also help in creating more balance among engine manufacturers. I know this is only wishful thinking, but I do think it would be best for IndyCar. It sure sounds better than giving Andretti/Honda one or two more strong cars and possible alienating one of your two engine manufacturers. After all, Chevy has left IndyCar twice before in the past 25 years.

Gerry, Washington, Pa

RM: I guess if it wasn’t for the fact it’s Roger Penske I would definitely agree with your logic, but I think as long as The Captain is running, the Bow Tie Brigade would be fine if it only had his three cars (and fourth at Indy). T.K. and Ed were both strong at Indy, so it seems to be more of a fair fight in May. And Zak Brown did meet with the Chevrolet people at Detroit, so I’m sure he’s trying to cover all his bases in the event Honda doesn’t pony up.

Image by Abbott/LAT

Q: I am very happy with the IndyCar season. The new aerodynamic kit significantly improved racing. I am also very pleased with RACER's coverage. But I'm not very excited for 2019. The adoption of the windscreen seems to be certain. I understand the safety concerns, but the identity of the sport is also important. And we're talking about an extremely rare accident type that happened once, in 2015, when there were several problems with flying parts. (At the opening race in St. Pete spectators were hit - and they will not use halo or windscreen!). This risk seems to have been reduced with the new kit and larger parts being secured in place.

In 2011 after the death of Dan Wheldon, IndyCar adopted the hideous rear bumpers. It became clear that the problem was pack racing, which is not ideal for an open-wheeler. Last year they got rid of the bumpers, and so far the races continue to be safe as ever, since there is not a big chunk of the car to fly off in a collision. I know I'm a lonely voice, but there are important drivers like Tony Kanaan who think like me. I really would not want to see IndyCar follow the footsteps of Formula 1 and kill its identity. And if the goal is to have 100 percent safety, maybe in a few years we will no longer see pilots inside the car but in a booth, controlling them remotely.

Wanderson Marcal, Sao Paulo, Brazil

RM: Not sure where the windscreen stands in relation to 2019, but if it looks anything like what they tested at Indy last spring, it’s not nearly as offensive as F1’s Halo. I understand keeping IndyCar’s open-wheel identity is important and I also understand that what happened to Justin Wilson was a fluke but it won’t bring him back, so there’s a happy medium out there.

Q: I believe that IndyCar should continue to try and find a way to keep its oval heritage. They have found street courses and road courses that work, but yet it is still hard to find the ovals that work. Let’s go back to the basics that everyone states. Indy cars belong on ovals in the Midwest. Going back to Gateway last year proved to me that things can work if thought through and promoted properly. You can’t tell me there aren’t promoters out there like Bommarito, because there are…just need to dig deep to find them. Yes, Michigan won’t work for now because of Detroit (snooze) and Milwaukee is long gone, but how about drive-able races from Indy like Chicago and Kentucky?

I really believe these would work if it is a Saturday night race under the lights with practice, qualifying, and any possible support races in the morning and afternoon. My son’s first race at Kentucky was 2009 under the lights, and I have a pic that shows most of the lower level filled from T4-T1. If all that worked, we’d have Iowa, Gateway, Chicago and/or Kentucky all in the Midwest. Throw in Texas and Pocono, and you have a full schedule of ovals outside of the Greatest Spectacle. These cars are different from the pack racing of the past, and IndyCar shouldn’t be spooked about going back to a few 1.5 milers, as they would provide excellent racing if the setup is right.

Kentucky has one NASCAR race in July, so I think about mid–late August would work before football. Probably not feasible, but put all the Midwest ovals together every other weekend in July or August and call it “IndyCar Speed Weeks.” That’s what I call going back to your roots.

Rod, West Chester, Oh

RM: Oh I think IndyCar is trying to hard to salvage its heritage on ovals but it’s running out of tracks. You can’t make Kentucky, Milwaukee, Chicago or Michigan host a race, and as we saw with IndyCar more or less leasing Phoenix, that doesn’t necessarily work either. Night races would seem to be the best chance to make it, and thankfully Iowa has that night show back in 2019. But there are not a lot of Jonathan Bommaritos out there, nor are there as many promoters like Curtis Francois and Chris Blair that know how the game is played and work at it all year. And you can’t lump all the ovals together, not when you’ve got TV and NASCAR races to work with and around.

Q: Your insight and opinions are the perfect fix between races. I’ve been a fan since the 70’s and have seen some highs and felt the lows of the sport. Lately we’ve been hearing more positives than negatives; new car, great racing, and the return of storied tracks. Refreshing! NBC is on board to focus the viewer on one network. Attendance concerns continue to get their fair share of play. Rightfully so, look no further than Phoenix, Watkins Glen or Sonoma. I’m a digital marketing guy who sees this as a very fixable problem. We have one series and yet races are marketed by a handful of different promoters using expensive, un-trackable, old school techniques like billboards, radio, newspapers and TV. I’m certain that none of them share information about the ticket-buying public.

Consumers in 2018 use the internet to shop, find restaurants, local events and entertainment. Some read RACER.com (smile). Advertise to them online!  Ask Terry Lingner if ballet companies advertise their shows online. He knows that the successful ones do. They sell more tickets through online advertising than any other way – by a lot! They work with very thin budgets, too. The same with concerts and other sporting events. I attend three races each year, and not once have I been targeted online to buy race tickets to a race with any series!  I’m not even contacted via email about buying tickets, except the events I already attend.

My fingerprints are all over the web consuming race info. I should be on Pocono’s radar, but I’m not, nor Texas, Phoenix, Sonoma... IndyCar generates a ton of content for viewing online. Races and interviews are available on Facebook and YouTube, yet they expect those consumers to make the leap to buy tickets for an event on their own, rather than offering it to them while they are engaged. That’s a big mistake. IndyCar is generating leads without following through with the sale. It’s an easy fix if done properly, and they will be selling to new fans, too. Make it easy to fall in love with IndyCar. Use new technology.

Also, make sure that new tracks that have been added to the schedule, like WeatherTech Laguna Seca for one, have websites that are built to be viewed on a smart phone. If done right, this won’t break the bank. Little tactical errors can be fixed with a little cash and follow-through. When done right, promoters will put butts in the seats and smiles on faces of new fans and corporate sponsors.

Greg in Indy

RM: From Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles: “Greg is correct. At IMS increasingly the ad program is directed to digital. While we don’t control it, that is the trend at most IC races as well.” And IndyCar’s chief marketing officer C.J. O’Donnell adds: “Over half of the IMS or INDYCAR spend is paid digital and social media.  The same often pertains to the tracks.” IndyCar breaks it up as 38 percent digital, 35 percent social media and 27 percent print media so hopefully you will start being contacted by one of the tracks you support.

Cleveland: heavy on the action, popular with fans - but AWOL since 2007. Image by Kent/LAT

Q: I can see what IndyCar is trying to do by getting rid of tracks and adding tracks to the schedule. Why has IndyCar not helped to try to find a sponsor for the most popular track not on the schedule? Cleveland! Did the track lose money? Any surprises for next years schedule, and when is it coming out?

Ron, Toronto

RM: Well it’s not IndyCar’s job to find money for tracks, and it lost quite a bit just trying to put on races at Watkins Glen and Phoenix before the plug was pulled. I’ve said ad nauseam that Mike Lanigan would promote Cleveland again if he could score a good title sponsor, but yes, without a good title sponsor it’s a financial loser. Next year’s schedule is a work in progress that could be done by Pocono.

Q: You seem to have made up your mind about Laguna Seca before the race has even been run. People thought Barber would be a poor track, and Mid-Ohio has traditionally be a hard place to pass, but the UAK18 proven otherwise. Laguna could very well be a dud (I suspect Sonoma's last race may provide some good clues), but why aren't you at least giving it a chance before a race is even run with the new car? So: how about a chance to put some skin in the game?  Have the artist who does your T-shirts (Roger Warrick) draw one up with you, a pile of crab legs, Laguna, and some local scenery, or something like that. If the Laguna race turns out to not suck, then you have to wear during an NBC broadcast (not just on a RACER video) sometime during the 2020 season and explain why. (I'm with you on no double points, for any track)

John Q.

RM: I’m against Laguna being the season finale a lot more than I am the fact it’s replacing Sonoma. I sat through enough parades at Laguna in the ‘90s and early 2000s to last me a lifetime, and without major changes to the track I don’t even think the new aero kits can save the day. But I hope they do, and I hope it’s as good as Mid-Ohio or Road America. I think eating a crab cake while standing outside Turn 1 in the sand pit with a Milka Duno hat would be proper punishment if this race somehow turns out to be a good one.

Q: I go back a few years to Marshall Pruett's "The Bewildering Battle for Laguna Seca" article. By the time I had circulated that article to Park Commissioners and other key players in Monterey County, it became an absolute game-changer in how this controversy was addressed. One of the big proponents in trying to bring in ISC was the Monterey County Hospitality Association. With the exception of the Monterey Motorsports Renunion and Concours Week, Laguna Seca had lost its position as a reliable attraction that would fill hotel rooms. That led to a new search for a new track manager that lasted another two years. Of the groups under consideration, my choice was Friends of Laguna Seca.

In the end and after much study, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors decided to stay with Sports Car Association of the Monterey Peninsula [SCRAMP], but with a new agreement that bears no resemblance to how Laguna has been historically run. A few weeks ago, we saw the fruit of what this agreement has brought. A unanimous Board of Supervisors approved a visionary action that used every possible leverage to ultimately wrest the IndyCar finale from Sonoma. They took first-hand involvement that in the past was just left to SCRAMP. The fact that MCHA and every other stakeholder was on board was extraordinary. I was at the hearing and no-one spoke against the deal.

At the end of the day, Monterey County joins the cities of Long Beach, St. Petersburg, Detroit, Toronto and Portland who "get it": Local government can play a huge part in attaining and keeping races. Contrast that with Baltimore, San Jose and others whose politicians can't look at the bigger picture of what IndyCar brings to a community.

Paul, Carmel, CA

RM: Thanks for the play-by-play Paul, and I’m glad to hear Marshall’s story played a role in a positive outcome. I remember when Laguna drew massive crowds for IndyCar so hopefully this new energy can restore some of those glory days.

Q: I've been a fan as long as you have, and now retired and living 20 minutes from Sonoma Raceway. My habit has been attending all IndyCar tests, and Friday/Saturday race weekends at the track. Due to the well-documented lack of passing at the track, I stay home in front of the TV for Sundays. With the better racing on all road courses with the new bodywork, and the last race at Sonoma, I plan on being there for all three days this year. Hoping to see the best race since Dan Gurney’s win (without an operating clutch). Your thoughts?

Steve, Petaluma, Ca.

RM: There are actually two places to pass at Sonoma (Turns 7 and 11), and it’s possible the new aero kit will create even more opportunities since the drivers can run up behind each other and make moves. The first lap at Toronto and the races at Elkhart Lake and Mid-Ohio were as good as road racing gets, so I hope your last race mirrors one of those.

Q: I honestly think IndyCar should insist that test days — especially at ‘new’ tracks — be open to the public. Portland is going to need all the help it can get! Admittedly I am biased because we just moved here to be close to the OHSU transplant center in case I get lucky, but honestly, I don’t think most people even know about the race even though the track has got to be the most ‘city center’ in the world that’s not a street course!

Steve Levin, Vancouver, WA

RM: Many times they are. For example, this Thursday’s test at Pocono is open to fans from 9 .m. to 5 p.m. and they’re asked to come in Gate 1, park in the media lot and sit in the Club Pocono section. About the only time fans aren’t allowed is tire tests.

Q: There has been a lot of recent chatter as to the possibility of a future IndyCar race being held in Calgary. Being a resident of Calgary, and an IndyCar fan, I can tell you this will never happen. First and foremost, Calgary is a stick and ball town. Mention IndyCar, and you get a lot of blank looks. When our city council can’t come to an agreement on a new arena/stadium deal, even when a good proposal was put before it last year, how could a race stand a chance of garnering any interest?

Secondly, and probably more importantly, our city council is punch drunk on hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics. All attention is being focused on that front, as it believes hosting another Games will bring great economic prosperity to this city, and maybe a new arena. In general, Calgary city council has little regard for sports, so an IndyCar event would be non-starter. Heck, I don’t think anyone of them could even spell IndyCar. They want to host another Olympic games, but their interest is really in the dollars they would receive to build new infrastructure, rather than the sporting aspect. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but a Calgary race is just a pipe dream. Going to Portland!

Jim, Calgary

RM: Thanks for the update Jim. Those pesky Olympic Games have a way of superseding auto races, and that’s what happened to Vancouver. I know Ric Peterson passed the Calgary baton to Kim Green and Kevin Savoree and they’re busy with Portland at the moment, so not sure if it’s still on their radar.

Did IndyCar give up on Phoenix too quickly? Image by LePage/LAT

Q: Did IndyCar jump the gun when it dumped Phoenix this early? I was reading that Homestead was going to replace it and now that isn’t happening. It looks like Richmond and Kentucky are the frontrunners now, but those races drew flies as well before they left the schedule. Why doesn’t IndyCar just do a one-year deal with Phoenix and come back once the track has been restructured and do something with the aero and work on getting the second groove in, and also have their spring practice out here? Also, why the heck can’t it find a sponsor out here? Phoenix is a huge sports market.

Michael Kelso

RM: Is it better to have a race with no crowd and lose money or no race because nobody cares anymore? That’s what IndyCar was looking at with Phoenix, and it cost the series quite a bit of money over three years to “partner” with PIR. If IndyCar was simply leasing the track then Phoenix wouldn’t be looking for any title sponsors unless they fell into its lap. As for Richmond, it had nice crowds every year, maybe 30,000 with 10,000 free tickets from Marlboro, but nonetheless it was a damn good race for a couple years and the NASCAR crowd seemed to enjoy it. I’d go back to Richmond in a heartbeat, and Kentucky could have some possibilities because it also drew well for a few years.

Q: I see that IndyCar is finally on the upswing, even in the face of NASCAR's troubles. I think the number one thing that can really throw some methanol on the fire is to raise speeds at Indy. Is there any way with the current regulations on cars and engines that we can bump speeds at Indy another 8-10mph a lap? I would even be amenable to allowing teams limited bodywork modifications to the wings and tire air deflectors. This would add talking points, and help generate more excitement. I think the series is headed in the right direction but we need a boost, and more speed is the answer.

P. Worth Thompson

RM: Not sure about that, but IndyCar is hoping for 900 horsepower by 2020. I’m just not convinced that a “new track record” means anything to people anymore, and I doubt it would have much affect on the attendance, either.

Q: A recent issue of Autosport magazine has an Adam Cooper story about the ongoing financial issues with F1 - Force India team. He states that there are as many as five potential bidders, three of these as serious contenders. One of these contenders is Michael Andretti. Do you have any other info concerning Michael's interest in F1 and possibly owning a F1 team?

Ted Dachtler

Q: If you look over the past 10 years to now, F1 has copied pretty much everything IndyCar has done, starting with the red optional tire, looking to get rid of tire warmers, now driver autograph sessions, open pits for VIPs (IndyCar allows everyone with tickets), and lately interview of the winning driver right at the car when he gets out after a victory lap, and on and on. My only gripe is that IndyCar adopts few things that F1 does effectively to enhance the show. I am always disappointed that some normal thing that F1 does, IndyCar seems to view as complicated. For example standing starts. I know it’s not possible now, but something to consider adding to the new engines. Can you ask IndyCar to ensure that the next engines have launch control capability so standing starts can be introduced?

The other thing is to implement some sort of VSC. For example, in the Hungary race the VSC was on twice, and as far as getting the race resumed goes, it was great. The VSC phase literally lasted for maybe a lap, and the drivers resumed racing right away.  Last but not the least is to keep the pits open. The VSC and open pits are somewhat tied together, but that’s possible if VSC is introduced. What are your thoughts?  And please don't give me excuses like safety, because that’s what VSC essentially does. Worst case is the VSC can be introduced in street and road course races.

Shyam Cherupalla

RM: I would always leave the pits open, and I’d have standing starts at Long Beach, Toronto, Portland, Detroit and maybe even Mid-Ohio. I don’t buy that F1 is as fan-friendly as IndyCar, it’s not even close. But I do give F1 props for trying to copy IndyCar since there is no comparison to the racing.

Q: I asked you a few years back about Mazda being a third engine manufacturer in the series. At the time you said probably not. I expect now that it has cancelled its Road to Indy program that it is not interested at all in the series? I think that it did a good job of promoting and helping new drivers advance to the Indy level.

Stan Frame, BC

RM: Mazda was a godsend for the ladder system, but obviously they’re not pulling out of a few million a year to go spend $20 million on an IndyCar engine.

Kyle Kirkwood. Image by MRTI

Q: Is it too soon to start talking about Kyle Kirkwood yet?

Travis R, Noblesville, IN

RM: Probably not. He’s already clinched the USF2000 title, was the 2017 Formula 4 US champion and won last weekend’s inaugural F3 Americas race at Pittsburgh.

Q: In a sport where manufacturers are incredibly territorial, the best outcome for the Road to Indy would be to identify a new sponsor whose business is far removed from the automotive world. I spent decades on the fringes of motorsports marketing, and unless a sponsor is intimately involved with the product on the track (chassis, engine, tires), a sponsor with a product or service removed from the automotive world can realize effective benefit.  A list of NASCAR and IndyCar sponsors supports Marshall’s premise.

There are, however, exceptions:  WeatherTech's support of IMSA might make a little sense; TireRack's sponsorship of SCCA racing is effective, and there are a few other examples. RTI might be a fit for a combination of non-competing sponsors (tool supplier, UTI, etc). The old Volkswagen Super Vee Championship was once the support series for IndyCars, and Robert Bosch was an integral partner in that. It appears that Mazda underestimated the cost of LMP racing, which might be more effective for its market. I wish the Indy marketing folk lots of creativity and luck.

Bob Stockton

RM: It seemed to make sense with PPG Industries, FedEx, Pep Boys, Izod and Verizon, but I think Mazda got plenty of marketing from its Road to Indy campaign and it worked for a long time. And today is more about business-to-business relationships, not ties to racing, so Silicon Valley remains virgin ground for IndyCar and maybe a great place to find a partner.

Q: After reading the story on IndyCar licensing, I applaud the move, as it is painful to see some of the drivers that have been afforded an IndyCar start based on funding. At least Dale Coyne has committed to better drivers after two decades of hopeless Sperificos. Do you think his team would have a greater legacy had he adopted his current philosophy on driver talent many years ago? I note that the article discusses what drivers may not have been automatic shoe-ins for an IndyCar license, but see that Wickens was lumped in as a ‘maybe.’ Just want to point out that he was, in fact, (before Rossi), the only North American with an FIA Superlicense, and I find it interesting that while his DTM wins are discussed, no one in the NBC booth brings up that he beat Jean Eric Vergne to the FR3.5 title in 2011. In fact if Brendon Hartley’s career can be jump-started at Toro Rosso, (although he hasn’t shown much promise), I wonder if Christian Horner wouldn’t look at Wickens favorably for a Toro Rosso seat next year?  The same might be said if Lance Stroll’s dad buys Force India, and maybe runs an all-Canadian Team? I know Sam Schmidt claims to have sewn up Robert, but do you think Wickens has an F1 out-clause in his contract?

Trevor Bohay

RM: I think Dale did whatever was needed to keep the doors open back then, and now he’s hired good people and Seb and still has a buy-a-ride to help with bills. But when you look at today’s IndyCar lineup compared with some of the Champ Car and IRL fields, there is no comparison because the wankers have been weeded out. But if you’re a stud in DTM or a smaller formula in Europe or a sports car badass, I’m sure IndyCar understands the pecking process. As for Wickens, would he leave a good ride in IndyCar (and soon to be a bidding war for his services) to go to F1 and run for 12th? I don’t think.

Q: How will the new license effect potential dirt track guys coming to Indianapolis? Jonathan Byrd's Racing has been working Chris Windom and Kevin Thomas Jr. in USAC and was hoping to see one or both of these guys eventually get a shot at the Indy 500.

Gordon West

RM: David Byrd brought Windom to IMS last May for the Freedom 100 but unfortunately the 2017 USAC sprint champ crashed hard in practice and wasn’t able to continue. I think as long as good racers from other disciplines either run a couple Lights races or breeze through their ROP, it will be business as usual.

Q: IndyCar's unofficial message to the sprint car community for years has been "Don't even bother to apply for a job here." Does the new IndyCar licensing standards mean it is now the official message?

Chris Lukens

RM: Not at all. It’s still going to take money and a couple Lights races or IndyCar tests and I’m sure a Kody Swanson, Bobby Santos, Justin Grant, Tyler Courtney, Brady Bacon, Chase Stockton, C.J. Leary or Kevin Thomas Jr. would be accepted. Don’t forget that Randy Bernard brought Bryan Clauson to Indy so it’s not a closed shop – just an expensive one.

Q: Winning the USAC IMS Driven2SaveLives BC39 pays $15,000. Rossi got $30,000 for winning Mid-Ohio. Mmm, something does not seem right.

Joe Mullins

RM: Isn’t that pathetic? And Rossi’s team got $30,000, not the driver.

Q: Excellent coverage of the Mid-Ohio race by NBC, and some of the best wheel-to-wheel racing I have seen in a long time on a road course. That being said, the finish was a little flat in that the winner won on two stops competing against everyone else on three stops. I would like to see the powers that be add some laps (five or so) to the overall length of the race so it forces everyone to complete at least three stops. With the new body aero package of the 2018 IndyCars, I think they are making a little better mileage than in the past, so adding some laps to the race may be merited. Do you know if there is consideration by IndyCar to add some distance to the race?

PS: I have been a faithful reader of your Mailbag for some time now. For a long while, it was discouraging to read all the negative comments from so may of your fans. The good news is that I have seen a vast improvement in the quality of the questions and much fewer negative comments from (to steal a phrase from V.P. Spiro T. Agnew)

IndyCar Nation's "nattering nabobs of negativism".

Paul Richins, Northern California

RM: They’ve added laps in the past at Long Beach and a couple other places, but so much of the strategy is dictated by cautions so adding laps isn’t always a solution. I think we all detest fuel mileage races, but as we both said, Mid-Ohio was a fantastic race from start to finish, and good for Rossi for sticking to his plan and making it work. But I don’t think it detracted from the caliber of competition. Yes, I think our readers are much more positive this summer and for good reason – the racing has been damn good.

Miller: Not banned from talking to Hinchcliffe. Image by IndyCar

Q: For an NBC IndyCar race, how is it decided which teams the pit reporters are assigned to? Is it on a race-by-race assignment, or are the reporters assigned teams at the beginning of the season and stay with them throughout the year? Also, has any team ever requested a different reporter or banned one from their pit stall?

Dave Krueger, West Allis, Wi.

RM: It changes week to week, and it’s always good to let people cover everyone and mix it up. Don’t know of any team or driver requesting a pit reporter not cover them, and only one older guy with a face for radio that coined a the term “Always Bad Coverage” has ever been banned from a telecast when NBC’s crew went to ABC a few years ago at Mid-Ohio.

Q: I have been an avid fan of CART, IndyCar etc since 1990 and haven’t missed a race in all of that time. The Mid-Ohio race this year was the most exciting from front to back of the field in my memory. It seems that IndyCar really got the cars right for this track, and it was amazing to see all of the various strategies come together and watch the drivers pull off passes on a track that isn’t easy to pass on. As I was watching the race, I couldn’t help but notice at how the folks at NBC did a great job of filling the viewers in on all of the variables and highlighting the performances of drivers throughout the field. Had ABC been covering this race it would have been a real shame, because this one was a gem for sure. Love how Rossi is doing his thing this year, that kid looks rock solid, if he can avoid the couple of unforced errors from earlier in the year he will be looking great to give Dixon real competition.

Tom Schryer, Oro Valley

RM: I think one of the main strengths of our NBC booth is the fact P.T. and T. Bell pay attention to detail and everyone in the race at one time or another, and Leigh moves them from one scenario to another. Listening to them, I’m always aware of what’s going on even though I can’t always see a television or any live action – they seldom miss anything relevant to the outcome. They know strategy, handling, tire wear and aren’t afraid to weigh in on what might be coming.

Q: Many fans complain about P2P and DRS as artificial racing. I always thought it was mostly to allow passing, in the artificial wash left by the aero package. I know both sides have their data and valid opinions - but which side do you think is 'more right'? (I'm a fan of minimal wings, and clean passes)

J.D.

RM: As racy as the aero kits have become, not sure we need P2P anymore so the least amount of gimmicks, the better. Will Power would like to see a system where the over-taker can use P2P but not the leader.

Q: You said, “Thankfully, other than those stupid double-points, IndyCar’s only gimmick has been push-to-pass, so I pray it remains in its current pure form and rides the wave of having a real TV partner like NBC.” Would you not call the addition of different tire compounds a gimmick? Not saying it is a bad gimmick, but a gimmick nonetheless. Am I correct that F1 copied IndyCar with multiple tire compounds? And didn’t DRS come after push-to-pass?

Craig Mashburn

RM: I like the optional tires because it creates its own strategy and some guys are really good at getting the most out of them and making them last, so that’s an art as well. Those red tires are less of a gimmick than double points or P2P. And yes, I think F1 did copy IndyCar on it.

Q: Just wanted you to know that I loved Pat Sullivan’s article on you in Sprint Car & Midget magazine. I didn’t realize that you had done that much racing, and are very thankful you survived the midgets so that we could enjoy your coverage of IndyCar racing. Was it as much fun and fly-by-night as it sounded like?

Andy Clark, Oskaloosa, Iowa

RM: Thanks Andy, I told the SCM & Speed Sport News owners Joe Tripp, Ralph Shaheen and Mike Kirchner they must have run out of material, but I was very flattered by Pat’s story. And I did try and kill myself a few times, but got lucky and survived thanks to all my pals taking care of my racecar (except for the time I put the tie-rod on backwards at Winchester). Obviously logic never entered my mind but those USAC midget days were the best of my life and I was lucky to have Feeno, Bobby Grim, Jerry Weeks, Chalkie, Mark Alderson, Ronnie Shuman, Bubby Jones, Eddie Leavitt, Davey Crockett and Bill Finley looking out for me. The two best quotes from my career: Finley said I was the “most clueless” person he’d ever seen around a toolbox and Crockett (aka Walker Oliver Howell) said: “Ten years ago I was building IndyCar engines for Roger Penske and Mark Donohue and now I’m with you, I think I’ve hit the bottom of the barrel.”

Q: When Hinchcliffe crashed during qualifying and messed up several drivers qualifying attempts, IndyCar merely erasing his fastest lap didn't seem like enough punishment. I'd suggest that when this happens again, IndyCar should take away the fastest qualifying lap and disable the offending driver's push-to-pass during the race.

Mike Gray, W. Michigan

RM: No, he lost his two fastest laps and that was plenty of punishment because he went from the front of the grid to starting 14th. Making a mistake is part of racing, and a driver shouldn’t be punished in the race for what happened in qualifying.

Q: If I were king I would do three things to improve racing: Formula 1. I would give them three tires; slicks, intermediates, wets. Period. Same tires, same compound for every race. Enough of these gimmicky tire rules that do nothing to improve the racing for the fans. IndyCars: ditch push to pass and give them 1,000 hp. A 1,000 horsepower engine would give them plenty of throttle to pass on all courses and, like the good old days, reward the drivers with balls. NASCAR: Get rid of the ridiculous 3,500lb weight rule that's supposed to make them "stock" cars. For that matter, get rid of all of the ridiculous rules that are supposed to make them "stock" cars.

For F1; if all teams had the same tires for each race, those teams who manage the setups best would be rewarded, and it's simple for the fans to understand. Best car, best driver, best pit stops, you win. For Indy cars: 1,000bhp would reward those teams who best manage the power/aero balance for the entire race track and allow drivers to push the limit anywhere on the track which would create a lot more passing opportunities. No more sudden surge on straights, which is used mostly for blocking anyway. Push-to-pass is a gimmick that suppresses anyone coming from the back of the pack. For NASCAR: a lighter, more agile car would improve the racing across the board. Enough of these slugs that careen around the track and crash at the slightest provocation. There, all fixed.

Carlton Higginbotham, Jacksonville, Florida

RM: Since you are first-time writer and obviously a passionate racing fan, you were allowed to make a closing statement rather than ask a question. But I will say IndyCar is looking at 900 HP by 2020, so maybe P2P eventually will be scrapped and NASCAR is currently looking for an interim CEO, so you may want to apply.