Robin Miller's Mailbag for August 22, 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, and many other people, have said that racing seems to be sanitized, and that it doesn’t feel like these guys are the heroes and gladiators they once were. It always used to be people saying, “wow they are crazy and I’d never do that”, to now people saying “it just looks too easy and that the feeling of danger is gone”.

This seems to be true in some series, but IndyCar must have been the last true race series, other then sprint cars, where the guys are still seemed superhuman. I know we aren’t anywhere near the danger of back in the day when every year you would lose one or two guys, but as we can see after Pocono, these guys really do earn their money and the respect they should have. I really hope that Robert is going to be OK. It’s sad, knowing he was one of the brightest new drivers out there, and I hope he will be able to come back from this and show the talent that he has.

My second point is one that I need to get off my chest from seeing people on this website saying that Seb [Bourdais] is some sort of a coward for questioning whether he should get back in the car or not at Pocono! This is crazy! How can anyone point to a guy that has such a career, and the crashes he’s had, and the stuff he has seen, ever question that man’s fortitude? I am ashamed there is anyone who calls themselves a real race fan who would say that. He was questioning the repair of the track. Guess what: he got right back in the car and ran the rest of the race like nothing happened. This is the same guy who crashed at Indy and was hurt really bad, and was back in the car that same year!

Rick from PA

RM: Mario and I were talking about why the old guard (himself, A.J., Parnelli, J.R., Gordy and the Unsers) are still so revered, and one of the main reasons is what you hit on – the modern day gladiators. And because of aerodynamics, tires, etc. drivers have been able to run wide-open around ovals for many years, so people assume it’s not that big a deal. But when you see the telemetry at Indy of 233mph going into Turn 1, don’t tell me it doesn’t require bravery and talent. Today’s cars are going so fast (Townsend said it best: like flying an airplane on a superspeedway) and yes, everything is safer, but one tire rub and the reality of the consequences come at you in a hurry. And for anyone to question Bourdais’ courage is ludicrous. Do they not remember 2017? Sometimes people are really ignorant.

Q: I can't begin to imagine the feelings coming through the Mailbag this week. Pocono was a good race, and Rossi's team had that car hooked up. I can't tell you the relief we had in our house when we got the word that Wickens was awake and alert. I'm sure there was a cumulative sigh of relief across the IndyCar teams and fan base when that statement was broadcast on TV. I know he has serious injuries and will out the rest of the season. It's a shame for a driver that was showing so much talent. I have been wondering how the SPM crew and Sam Schmidt are holding up? That had to have been tough for Sam to watch, knowing his history.

I have also seen increased discussions among the fan base about windscreens or fully-enclosed cockpits. It was pretty scary to see the replay from RHR's car showing Wickens’ car going over and taking out the camera on RHR's roll hoop. A bit lower, and we'd be talking about RHR's career in the past tense. Can you give us an update on this windscreen/full cockpit issue? Knowing Hinch's hands were injured by debris entering the cockpit will also heat up this discussion.

Finally, thank the NBC crew and directors for the class they showed during the red flag. They did not show the close-ups of Wickens , nor zoom in on the safety crew working on him.  Once it was announced that Wickens was awake and alert, they proceeded to show the close-ups and certain camera angles. It was also good they held off going to commercial and stayed on coverage talking to drivers, owners, etc.

Last, three cheers for the Safety Crew. They have again shown they are the best in the business and a true asset to IndyCar and the drivers. We all raise our glasses to you guys!

John Balestrieri, Milwaukee, WI

RM: I flew home with the SPM crew Sunday night and they’re all pros, just like the drivers. They understand what can happen at 200mph with open-wheel cars, and naturally, they were all concerned about Wickens, but they also know they have a job to do. And that’s how a race driver has to approach it as well. It’s part of what you sign on for, but thankfully doesn’t happen that often anymore. The windscreens will be tested more after the season, that’s all I know.

Q: No doubt we all breathed a sigh of relief when we heard Robert Wickens was alert and awake, and we now know his injuries are not life-threatening. I was sick to my stomach when I saw that crash in real time, and had the angle he hit the fence been different, the outcome could have been much worse. PT mentioned that we’ve yet to address the catch fencing, and I’m wondering if there is more that can be done? Or, is a place like Pocono just too dangerous for the cars and the speeds they travel? Is this just the risk they drivers must take to put on a show? I’m conflicted, but I will also confess it is quite a thrill to see the cars racing each other at fast speeds. How do we move forward?

Jim Doyle, Hoboken, N.J.

RM: Indy, Texas, Pocono …. high-speed tracks with open-wheel cars and, yes, risk is part of the job description and attraction. I suppose IndyCar could drop oval-track racing except for Indy, but that would be the end of the most diverse series in the world and IndyCar’s heritage. You move forward like always. IndyCar has made racing safer by the decade, but there are no guarantees – it’s a dangerous profession.

Image by Levitt/LAT

Q: From long before I was born, the best option was hitting a concrete wall. Well, they figured out a better way, and now after every hard hit in every oval series we hear "Thank God for the SAFER barriers”. The number of close calls, and worse, involving a fence are piling up. Wickens is the latest, and, how wrong is this: what a relief to hear it's only his arm, ankles, and back. There isn't a halo or a windscreen that's going to matter against chain-link and a steel pole. I wish I was smart enough to figure out a solution for the fence, but someone out there is. I really hope this problem can be figured out sometime, sooner rather than later. What is it going to take? No matter what, I'm going to watch racing because it's guys cooler than I'll ever be doing things that shouldn’t be possible. But I wish we could figure this out. My thoughts are with RW6. I hope he's OK, and I hope we get to see him out there again soon!

Andrew, Noblesville, IN

RM: If you look at the accident, Wickens rides the wall in the tub then appears to hit a post that sends the car into its violent spin, but the fence never grabbed the car like it did Kenny Brack at Texas, or Mike Conway at Indianapolis, and getting spit back out on the track right-side up was also a godsend. And thankfully his head didn’t appear to hit anything. But his injuries sound very serious. People have suggested hockey arena walls, but the expense would be staggering.

Q: Why is it not obvious to add the windscreens to the IndyCar? I know you have seen the replays of Wickens’ crash. While I didn’t see anything a windscreen could have prevented in that accident, there was debris flying all over the place. This is all going to happen again someday, sad to say. If someone gets hurt from debris from the front, what a tragedy.

Mark Lamontia, Landenberg, PA

RM: IndyCar has tested the windscreen, and will continue to do so after the season.

Q: After watching Wickens' wreck at Pocono, and seeing recent wrecks where IndyCars barely clear the SAFER barrier and concrete wall (Kimball - Pocono, Wheldon -– Vegas, Aleshin – California, etc.), is the solution making the SAFER barrier and concrete walls taller in areas where they do not obstruct the grandstand? In a lot of these crashes, the cars barely cleared the wall and got to the fence. Had they been even just a foot taller (or more), this may have prevented the cars from ever getting to the fence and causing the carnage we see when they get into it.

Mark in Cincinnati

RM: Do you recall how high Scott Dixon was in his 2017 Indy crash? He would have cleared a 15-foot wall, and Mike Conway, Ryan Briscoe and Kenny Brack also got serious air-time in their accidents. The physics of an open-wheel racecar traveling 200mph and running over a wheel is unpredictable. There is no doubt today’s open-wheel cars have out-grown the fences at a lot of tracks, but which ovals can afford to rebuild or redesign their walls? IndyCar needs to share the expense, because it’s the only way I see it getting done, but you have to have a universal plan first.

Q: So thankful to hear that Robert Wickens was awake and alert after such a scary incident at Pocono. There is no doubt that safety in the IndyCar Series is incredible given the speeds involved, but in my opinion the next great advancement will be developing an alternative to the catch fence that is affordable for tracks without disrupting the visibility of the spectators. Has there ever been any real research made in this regard? Could something like ballistic glass be put up to keep the cars out of the fence, or is that naive on my part? I understand that cost is always a factor, but how much do incidents like these cost in terms of repairs, injury and negative publicity?

Tom Anderson, Mesa, AZ

RM: I called Randy Bernard on Monday because I recalled him meeting with someone about Plexiglas walls. It was Raytheon in 2011, and Randy said the expense would have been astronomical. But anything that deflects the car instead of grabbing it would be fantastic, it’s just not so easy to snap your fingers and make it happen.

Q: Has IndyCar considered making the wire catch fences flush with the SAFER walls and placing energy-absorbing material, similar to that used in the SAFER walls, between the wire fence and the existing fence poles, essentially resulting in SAFER fence posts?

Craig, Cumberland, IN

RM: I don’t know, I’m sure lots of options have been discussed over time and again, fencing is different everywhere so for a uniform system to be adopted would require a new plan and millions and millions of dollars.

Image by Abbott/LAT

Q: Wow, what a disastrous start to the ABC Pocono 500! Thankfully Robert survived a horrific accident, and the race went on to completion without further incidents. In hindsight, with Wickens awake and alert, I think IndyCar could have gotten that word out much quicker. Curt Cavin said it was because of the back up of drivers, but you don't need an X-ray to tell if someone is awake and alert. I started hearing about scanner calls on Twitter that he was awake at least a half an hour before the official announcement. All the boo-birds were calling for NBCSN to be burned at the stake for showing reruns of the accident before knowing Robert was okay, not to mention calling for abolishing ovals.

As for the race, I just was interested in Rossi bringing home the win, so waited three hours to see if traffic, pit stops or a penalty was going to steal it from him. It is very evident to me the new aero tweaks did not work. Leaders could not get by lapped cars, and the Rossi pass of Power was the only saving grace due to Power's error. Where do we go from here? To me this was the worst race of the season, and I love ovals. They have the road and street circuits in a pretty good place, but they need some kind of drastic change for the big ovals. Lastly, who do you think the candidates to take over Robert's ride for the rest of the season? It sounds like he will be out the rest of the year. It is a very big loss for the series, as he is very likable and a hell of a racer.

Tim B.

RM: I think IndyCar needs an immediate lesson in crisis management. First off, you keep your TV partner in the loop and let them know ASAP whether Wickens is alive so they can convey that. NBCSN got ZERO information. An hour of silence only makes people think the worst. And when you say “awake and alert” like he’s ready to play backgammon, that’s disingenuous as hell. You say he’s got orthopedic issues but no life-threatening injuries. Period. People have been writing all week they’re glad he’s alright. Well he’s a long way from alright, but thankfully is alive. He underwent spinal surgery Monday night to stabilize a thoracic spinal fracture with titanium rods and screws were placed successfully in Wickens' spine during the surgery, which was performed without complication. The severity of the spinal cord injury is indeterminate at this time. Wickens is expected to undergo further surgeries to treat fractures in his lower extremities and right forearm. He remains in stable condition.

Q: I am greatly relieved that we didn’t lose Robert Wickens. That said, it sounds like his injuries are far worse than suggested earlier by the “he’s awake and alert” statement. Everyone jumped on that as if they thought everything was going to be okay, but clearly his injuries are substantial. I noticed on one of the replays that his head was flailing around violently. I suppose the HANS device helped to some degree. This accident was remarkable similar to the one that took Dan Wheldon from us. We got lucky this time, although something needs to change. Since the accident I’ve been trying to think of something that would be better than those catch fences. They do the job of keeping the racecar with the confines of the race track, but that isn’t good enough. Something better needs to be used to control the deceleration of a car or cars without destroying them and sending them back onto the racing surface. This wreck could have been far worse. Like Mario said in your interview, we’ve come a long way since the 1960s, but more needs to be done. All I can think of is the barriers they use on aircraft carriers to stop jets if the tail hook fails to work. I’m sure there are better ideas, but the powers that be need to come up with something. The outcome of that wreck today could have been far worse than it was. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Robert.

Doug Mayer, Revelstoke, BC, Canada

RM: Read the reply above yours about IndyCar’s statement. As for the accident, no, thankfully it wasn’t anything like Wheldon’s because Robert never hit the fence or post with his head because the cockpit stayed right side up on top of the SAFER barrier before striking the fence.

Q: With all the innovation with the SAFER barrier and other protections for the drivers, why are all the walls still only four feet tall? If the wall at Pocono was three feet higher, Wickens would not have been spun off the catch fencing in such a violent way. The answer can't be visuals, because there are no spectator areas in any of those turns at Pocono. If walls were about eight feet tall at all ovals, we wouldn't have these catch fence incidents. And another potential solution could be clear plastic sheeting like they have at hockey games. Put a layer of smooth, bulletproof type plastic on the catch fencing. Thoughts?

Andy Altemus

RM: Plexiglas has been looked at but is way too expensive, and raising the walls doesn’t prevent a car from clearing it. (Look at Scott Dixon’s footage from 2017). You don’t know what a flipping IndyCar is going to do, and raising the walls is no guarantee. But my concern has always been the spectators because of the shrapnel from a crash or a car going through the fence or clearing it. So, yes, something new needs to be invented, but it’s more of an open-wheel problem than NASCAR’s, so who is going to foot the bill?

Q: I want to offer some common sense about procedure. Not that I think it would have any effect on the safety team getting to a crash, but I think it's high time IndyCar calls red immediately following a crash like this at Pocono. No need for the other drivers to have to drive back around through that like they currently do. Keeps more people out of harm's way, and mentally the drivers don't need to see these things.

Ethan D.

RM: Well, when IndyCar saw how badly the fence was damaged it threw the red flag, but it would have likely stayed yellow until all the debris was cleaned up had the fence not needed attention.

Image by Abbott/LAT

Q: How close are we to cockpit protection in IndyCar? I’m asking because it sounds like a piece of debris hit Hinchcliff in the hands. What’s the feedback from Pocono on the aero kits? It wasn’t 95 degrees, and with cloud cover the track wasn’t extremely hot. I know the teams had almost zero practice time, but it seemed like cars often stalled when they got close to the car ahead of them. IndyCar threw a small change at the teams from Indy to Pocono. Is it time to take a bigger swing so drivers that aren’t named Alexander Rossi can pass other cars? Finally, you give IndyCar mid-season report cards. How about a grade on the last three races for Conor Daly? I’d have to give him a B+ myself. Not because of their speed at Pocono, but because the race ended early. Teams that unloaded in the window had a solid weekend. Teams that didn’t, well just look at Carlin, Rahal, and Harding.

Ryan in West Michigan

RM: It’s a work in progress, and will be tested again after the season. The drivers I interviewed were all in agreement that something needs to be done on the superspeedways for 2019, and I’m sure IndyCar will do what’s necessary. Conor did a fine job with Harding (especially at Pocono when he got four practice laps because the steering rack came loose), and they gave him high marks all the way around. Don’t forget, he’s using 2010 shocks, just like Gabby Chaves did all year, and they have no resources.

Q: Interested to hear your take on Michael’s comments following the Wickens-RHR accident. Fair statement, or too soon?

Adam Diamond

RM: Considering all the criticism he’s getting, I think he might be wishing he’d have said something like: “I wish Robert would have backed off but that’s inconsequential now because we’re just hoping he’s alright.”

Q: After attending both this year’s Indy 500 and yesterday’s Pocono 500, I have two questions. Where are last year’s aero kits? Can we put them back on the cars? I feel that last year’s Pocono race was the reason for a good crowd at yesterday’s race, and this year’s race is the reason that there won’t be next year. Awful Indy 500. Awful Pocono 500

Wayne DiBernard, Stanhope, NJ

RM: Indy wasn’t up to its usual standards, but I’ll grant you last Sunday was painful to watch (four cars on the lead lap) and the drivers simply want more downforce put back in for superspeedways. But the new aero kits race great on road courses, street circuits and, so far, short ovals like Iowa. Hopefully that will be the case Saturday night at Gateway. And, no, they can’t put last year’s kits on the cars.

Q: I am writing this as the Pocono race is ending. It is great that there was passing but not for the lead, which non-racers will not notice. Should we add stages like NASCAR to tighten up the field?

James, Columbus, OH

RM: Rossi passed Power for the lead and that decided the race, but there was not much elsewhere. No stages, it’s cars that are needed. If you’re going to run 500 miles you’ve got to have 33 cars. If not, make it a 300-miler.

Q: Looked on TV like the biggest Pocono crowd since IndyCar’s return. Hopefully they all come back next year with a friend, and IndyCar comes with a better package. Didn’t Will and Scott test different front wing end plates at their Indy test? If so, they are certainly needed!

Matt Converset, Decatur, IN

RM: The Pocono officials said it was likely the best in six years, but didn’t have the official numbers as of Monday morning when I called. There are a lot of IndyCar fans in Pennsylvania and they stayed throughout the delay, and that was impressive. Will and Scott tested a lot of things for 2019 and between aero tweaks, tires and feedback, I think IndyCar will figure things out.

Q: I’m sure we are going to read all the comments from the armchair drivers as to who may or may not be at fault.  In your opinion, was Graham at fault at the start? Seems he could/should have checked up as the others. The more severe second crash: racing incident in your opinion? I am also in agreement with PT in that either IndyCar or some of these tracks needs to take some serious looks at the fencing around the circuits. What do you think should be done in those cases? Yes, it would be a large outlay of cash, but is it time to look at this, or is the current fencing adequate?

Jerry Laake

RM: Graham plowed into Pigot so can’t blame anyone else, and I think Robert just pushed up a little bit into RHR to trigger the accident but, yes, it was a racing incident. Who is going to pay for new fencing? IndyCar? No. The tracks? Not likely. Yes, a lot of the fencing is outdated for today’s cars, but it’s not an easy solution.

Q: With talks of Alonso coming to Indy and where he might be driving heating up, I was wondering about the Harding and Andretti scenario. If Harding Racing becomes Harding-Andretti-McLaren-Chevy, or whatever it will be called, for 2019, do you think Andretti will have put themselves in an unethical position? Having access to both engines in the series would surely give them some sort of advantage in knowing who their opponent is and what they have. I don't think there's anything saying they cannot have access to more than one engine make in the rules, otherwise I am sure it would have been mentioned by now. I do not currently have an opinion as to whether this is okay or not, but does this seem like something other teams could find issue with?

Stephen, FL

RM: I can promise you teams on both sides will be up in arms if Andretti is allowed to run both engines. It’s complicated, because if the team is branded McLaren, it won’t be allowed to run a Honda. If it was simply Andretti, yes, Honda has no problem with Fred. And Chevy is more than happy to run him, so maybe Ed Carpenter’s team gets the nod if the Harding deal doesn’t happen. BTW, Zak Brown has talked to Ed. Obviously, the best thing for the series is to have Fernando full-time, so whatever it takes to make that happen must be done, but I understand the pushback from the paddock about letting one team run two engines. The bottom line is that IndyCar has to step in and make this happen somehow, and I think Mark Miles gets it.

Image by LePage/LAT

Q: Say Alonso does confirm with IndyCar for 2019 and possibly beyond. Do you think that with his international fan base that it could make it easier for IndyCar to find a title sponsor, knowing that there would most likely be significantly more eyeballs on IndyCar for 2019? That being said, if Alonso does come, hopefully that will bring more fans over to IndyCar and give it even more of a boost to find a title sponsor already.

Jon From Cleveland

RM: It can’t hurt, but Fred’s presence in 2017 didn’t do much for American TV ratings at Indianapolis. I think his impact will be at the box office and international TV ratings.

Q: The idea that Alonso is coming to IndyCar has got me wondering whether we are going to suffer another humiliation along the lines of the one we suffered when their champion came over here and won the championship, and our champion went over there, whined, and quit. At least no worry about the latter, yet :) But here's my question. I was at the 500 that year, and I've always thought Mansell got screwed by a phantom caution in the last few laps. I thought officials did it because they knew, as everyone does, that the F1 boys cannot do a rolling restart and they didn't want Mansell to win. I thought the restart was fair, under our rules, but the caution was not. What was it for, anyway? “Debris”. I guess, but I can't recall seeing any, at the track or on ABC. Wonder if you agree?

Clyde Holler

RM: The F1 champion comes to one of the two best teams in CART in 1993 and wins five races – how is that humiliating? Four of them were on ovals, so if anything, it made CART’s stars look good by beating him on road courses and street circuits. Michael went to a so-so McLaren with limited testing and certainly had his struggles, but Senna supported him and they were very close in the only testing they were able to do. USAC wasn’t smart enough to stage any yellows, and they didn’t like Penske any more than they did Paul Newman and Carl Haas. But that bogus Lyn St. James tow-in cost Mansell the victory.

Q: Robin how much fun/work has it been running down the Alonso story? And have you been contacted by the European press looking for information on IndyCar?

Wayne Peters, Sault Ste Marie, Canada

RM: It’s always fun to chase something with the impact Alonso will have, and even more fun is listening to everybody lie about it (except Michael Andretti). Chris Medland is RACER’s F1 writer and he stays on top of everything over there, and I chat with Nigel Roebuck about Fred, but other than texts to Zak Brown, not much contact with anyone across The Pond.

Q: Well, here we go. Silly season has gone to ludicrous season, possibly even gone full-on Spaceballs-plaid season by the time your next Mailbag hits. Alonso out of F1 and to "test" at Barber. Please. It's only a test for him to see what areas of his fitness he needs to work on, for comparisons in simulators, and maybe to snap chat pics of the motorcycles in the Barber museum to Vettel to make him jealous ("Britten, yeah? Good bike to ride?"). We all know he's coming to IndyCar. I love that you ended last week with Steve from Denver's comments about F1 drama. Perfect foreshadowing. Clearly it's the biggest news in IndyCar in .... well when? Nigel Mansell? I truly love your knowledge of the sport, and besides the 'Stache, the split, and unfortunately of course, death of drivers, has there ever been an announcement as big as this? And if so, where would you put it in your history of the series? And... OK, do you think Leigh Diffey can pull this off in one breath: "Here's Alonso debuting in his Kimoa-Harding Racing Presented by McLaren in Partnership with Andretti Autosports Powered By Chevrolet IndyCar!"

Jason from Worcester, MA

RM: I think it will be the biggest story since Mansell. Maybe not quite as celebrated since ‘ol Nige was the reigning F1 king, but I think Alonso’s presence will raise TV numbers, attendance and media coverage. And his enthusiasm and personality alone will be a huge asset for commercials and promotions – providing, of course, IndyCar and IMS are smart enough to spend money and use him.

Q: I don't understand Tony Stewart’s comments about attempting the Indy 500 "cold turkey". My gosh, he is driving 50 sprint events so far this year. Doesn't that give you the skills to figure out the new IndyCar a bit? Hell, two years ago Alonso did it cold turkey, even having never run on an oval, and he was impressive during the race and a true threat until mechanical failure. What gives with Stew? He has done more turning right to go left, and can certainly handle a slippery car as well as anybody. The thought of a Stewart vs Alonso battle between two guys with such raw talent back in cars they don’t regularly drive is intriguing. That alone would sell some tickets and move the needle a bit at Indy.

David Miltenberger

RM: Driving a winged sprint car on a dirt track doesn’t prepare anyone for an IndyCar at 225 mph around IMS, and Alonso is in a twitchy, high-powered F1 car all the time, so no comparison. Now Stew is one of the best-ever on four wheels and I think he could get comfortable with a week of practice, but all he’s ever told me was nobody can show up “cold turkey” once a year and be competitive, so what’s changed? He doesn’t want to run 15th, but as great as he was, I think it’s too tough a task and I don’t think he’ll do it. Eighteen years out of a car that was planted to today’s IndyCar? That’s asking too much.

Image by Staley/LAT

Q: With Ganassi’s second seat open and the potential for one or two McLaren seats being available – in addition to a potential Scuderia Corsa seat, third Rahal seat, etc – do you see Juan Pablo Montoya or Helio Castroneves being in the mix? Assuming they can get out of their Penske contracts, if I was McLaren, I would grabbing JPM or Helio to partner with Alonso.

Justin, Louisville, KY

RM: No, they’re contract players for the best team in North American history, and paid well. JPM hated McLaren (or was it Ron Dennis?) anyway, and Helio is happy to get to run Indy again. And Chip’s No.10 car is going to go to Sweden’s Felix Rosenvquist.

Q: In the last Mailbag, you referenced Chip Ganassi's disinterest in American talent. What gives? We're in a new era of drivers where guys like Newgarden, Rossi, RHR, and Rahal are in the mix on a regular basis and kicking ass. We have the deepest talent of American drivers in the series in over a decade. I've been a fan since I was unloaded in the Midwest out of a Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport (with a single left-sided mirror mind you, because Euro-chic), into a stroller and out onto Turn 5 at Road America at the age of eight months. Instead of wheeling and dealing, maybe it's time for Chip to take some risks similar to Wickens, Chaves, or Newgarden – maybe Colin Braun or Ricky Taylor would pay some dividends? I'm just tired of hearing the Ganassi argument that home-grown talent doesn't exist. It's a statement that no longer true rings true, and hinges on ignorant.

Wade Michael

RM: Good question. Chip had Bryan Herta and Jimmy Vasser when his Target team took off in the mid-90s, and JV won his first championship. But Zanardi and Montoya spoiled him, and other than Memo Gidley, who did a fine job but didn’t get hired because they said he was a poor qualifier, Chip hasn’t given any Yankee a real shot. (He took Charlie Kimball’s money, so it’s not like the No.9/10 cars, gave Graham Rahal a C-team ride, and Sage Karam only got one year). Obviously, Dario, Wheldon and Dixie helped cement his theory that foreign drivers rule, and it would be cool to see him hire a young American someday. But it won’t be soon because Felix Rosenvquist is slated for the No.10 car in 2019.

Q: What can be done to make the championship battle each year more interesting? How can we guarantee that no-one can build up a big lead in the early or middle part of the season and just cruise to the end? I know IndyCar fans don’t care for NASCAR’s playoff system, and to be honest, it’s a little too much. Also, I recognize that the idea of having a “winner-take-all” race to decide the title in the season finale (which I have suggested before) is also pretty gimmicky, and IndyCar fans already aren’t too keen on the current system of paying out double-points at Indianapolis and Sonoma. However, I’ve recently come across another points system that caught my attention.

I’m a huge fan of the racing video game series Forza Motorsport. After having played the most recent title in the series a good bit (Forza Motorsport 7, which includes Indy cars, by the way), I’ve noticed that the game uses what I’ve come to call the “Progressive Points System” (I’m not sure if it has an actual name). Basically, each successive race in a championship is worth more points than the previous race. For example, as the season goes along, the points payout for each race may increase by a certain amount, let’s say 10 percent (just pulling out a number here). The net effect of this system is that it’s difficult to build an insurmountable lead in the championship in the early or middle part of the season. The points payout for the final few races is so much larger than the earlier races that you’re almost always guaranteed that the title won’t be decided until the very end. However, the earlier races aren’t entirely negligible, as the points earned then could give a contender a decisive edge when it matters most.

Is increasing the point payout for each race still gimmicky? Maybe a little, but I think it’s decidedly less gimmicky than a playoff system, winner-take-all race, or awarding double points at select event. Plus, it ensures an exciting championship battle each year. For that, I think it’s a small price to pay. What do you think?

Garrick, Mobile, AL

RM: IndyCar doesn’t need double points or any gimmicks to make its championship close. It’s come down to the wire almost every year in the past decade (before those stupid double-points) so just go back to the old system.

Image by Miller/LAT

Q: Have you ever asked Michael Andretti whether he's more proud of his driving career, or the team he's built? I don't believe many think of AA on the same level as Penske and Ganassi, and it may be true that it may have some catching up to do in terms of results. But in every other respect, I think AA is their equal, or more. (I don't recall Chip ever getting into race promotion, as AA has done) I was not a big fan of Michael as a driver (I rooted for PT, and his clever T-shirts), but I've gotta give him a lot of credit for his accomplishments as a team owner.

John Q.

RM: I don’t think I have, but it’s a good question. Michael has given American drivers a home, and also helped keep Indy Lights afloat, and if he pulls off Alonso, he’ll give IndyCar a tremendous boost. He’s done so much more than anyone expected and is totally committed. And he was a helluva racer as well.

Q: I often read that such-and-such track isn't interested in hosting an IndyCar race, but I don't understand why. Wouldn't tracks like to? 1) Have the track in use at every opportunity so they get ticket revenue and 2) Have any national series race there so it's a well-known track and can therefore sell more tickets? The other part is, why aren't IndyCar and (Insert Name of Racetrack Here) partners at each event? Isn't it in both their interests to make the event successful? Many times it seems that IndyCar says, "Well, we're not the promoter", or the track just rents out the facility and it's up to IndyCar to make it work. I read an article recently where Tavo Hellmund said there's a big difference between (racetrack) operators and promoters, and it's obvious even from watching on TV that some tracks do a better job of promotion than others. Wouldn't IndyCar be well served by hiring a top level promoter to promote all the races instead of having each individual track do it? Sorry, that's a lot of questions, maybe you should just write an article on how all this works!

Greg Tracy, West Milton, OH

RM: Let’s say Michigan decides it wants to host an IndyCar race again, but asks for a deal on the sanction fee. So IndyCar charges $750,000, and MIS is minus that amount before it ever sells a ticket or signs a title sponsor. If it gets a decent title sponsor for $250,000 (and that’s a stretch), it’s going to have to sell 20,000 seats at $40 just to break even (hypothetically), but that’s before one radio or TV ad is bought or one newspaper ad. Or before you pay your guards or track workers. There’s a current oval on the schedule that has a title sponsor and supposedly loses $3 million a year on its IndyCar race. Now, how long can a track do that? Gateway works because it’s got saavy people who know how to promote, and a big-time title sponsor in Jonathan Bommarito, but that’s a rarity. USAC always claimed it wasn’t the promoter when it had IndyCar racing, and we saw how well that turned out. IndyCar rents a track like Phoenix or Watkins Glen and it does become the promoter, but obviously judging by the attendance, not a very good one. My niece lives in Phoenix and had no idea there was an IndyCar race last April. And she pays attention. In the old days when Marlboro, Honda and Toyota gave away 10,000 tickets a race, being a promoter was a lot easier, but it takes work and Tavo is correct, real promoters are a dying breed. IndyCar could certainly use a good promoter (that’s we thought Verizon was going to be), but it’s not about to spend any money on one.

Q: Are the LED position indicators officially dead? (Or, if IMSA can do it why can't INDYCAR?) Did Ferrucci bring a really, really big boat-load of money in order to get a ride, considering his toxic record? Is it just me, or does Veach look extremely impressive and competent for a 13-year old? Why does Rossi look like Superman when he's on his game? I think it's a given that Alonso will be in IndyCar next year (at least the Indy 500), but what are the odds of Smoke being there too? I really miss "It's a Robin Miller night! It's a Robin Miller night!" on WIND TUNNEL. I'll be at Gateway in the same seat as last year, right in front of where Newgarden pulled off The Pass.

Rick in Lisle, IL

RM: DOA for this year. Yes, a boatload (I don’t know). Zach has been one of the best stories in all of American motorsports this season. And he looks at least 16 when he doesn’t shave. Rossi is the real deal. I don’t think Stewart will run Indy next May. I miss SPEED, Dave Despain’s take and WIND TUNNEL as well. Fun times. See ya Saturday night.

Q: Why would Alonso even consider IndyCar over F1? He could not afford the pay cut? It is getting late for a title sponsor for Indy Car in '19! Where is the money going to come from to convince anyone to drive?

SG, Las Cruces, NM

RM: Oh, I don’t know, because he’s got a chance to be competitive, wins races and have fun again? Of course he can afford it. And he’ll still get $10 million over here. Yes, getting real late. Too late, probably. There are new teams coming next year, so obviously a title sponsor and good purses aren’t a prerequisite.

Q: Maybe we should move TMS on the calendar to throw Eddie a bone. Let’s move the IMS road course race to anywhere else and let Texas kick off the month of May by racing the first Saturday night. One-offs would get a chance to do a shakedown race (that most of them wouldn’t make due to budget, so overcrowding on track shouldn’t be an issue) and I’m sure TMS would love, and more importantly respect, the honor. Just my two cents.

Stitch, Gainesville, FL

RM: Eddie isn’t about to move to May, he likes June right after Indy (and I wish it was the week after Indy instead of two weeks), and Mark Miles isn’t moving the road course race.

Q: Toyota leaving Long Beach. Major concern, or bump in the road?

Kurt Ullman, Carmel

RM: There will be a replacement within the month.

Image by IndyCar

Q: Really? Seriously? As if his piss-poor on-track actions weren’t enough to prevent him from competing in our top series (it should be more than enough). His joke of an apology, his defense of his actions on Twitter and the grand daddy of them all, the outright blatant racism from him and his garbage father, corroborated by many, many people in that paddock. Shame on you, Dale Coyne. I loved seeing your team do well. I love rooting for Seabass. This is downright shameful. How dare you give these people a vehicle for their actions? Of all of the lousy ways to make a buck. Shame on you. You want a PR nightmare on your hands? You’ll get it. The series included. Revoke his and his father’s hardcards, and put out a press release doubling down on zero tolerance for any and all racism, unless you’re interested in killing all of the momentum we have going right now. If I were Alonso I would certainly think twice about joining a series that would allow someone like that to compete in it. Any decent person wouldn’t want to be anywhere close to that. Do the right thing Mr. Coyne and Mr. Miles. Be the leaders we can be proud of.

Bret J.

RM: So I assume you are talking about Santino Ferrucci and you are not a big fan of giving someone a second chance? Obviously he wasn’t too popular in Formula 2 and got run out, so it remains to be seen if he learned a lesson. But one driver isn’t going to kill IndyCar’s momentum or ruin its reputation unless he does something heinous, and I doubt IndyCar would ever let that happen.

Q: As their links to Freedom Alliance show, Ferrucci and his dad are American ultra-nationalists, and their abuse of his teammate at Trident Racing was racially motivated due to him being Indian. Allowing a person like this into the series shows a real lack of moral courage.

C. Dunbar

RM: I know Jay Frye has said they will be monitoring his every move, so again, it’s kinda like a zero tolerance policy, and any kind of racial action won’t be tolerated. I’m not saying he’s deserving of any special treatment, but this kid hasn’t done anything over here to be banned, and I think Dale Coyne will be a good influence on this young man so let’s give it a chance. Most of our younger readers probably don’t know Rodger Ward was a bad apple of sorts early on but straightened his life out, became a two-time Indy winner, one of the best ever and a popular hero.

Q: Why aren't Graham Rahal and Courtney Force the first couple in racing in America's consciousness? I feel like NHRA and IndyCar are overlooking a potentially great asset in terms of series exposure. With the right advertiser and some clever copywriting, they could break through the personality boundary that always makes throwing money behind drivers, or athletes in general, difficult. We all like Hinch, and I was happy to see him on national commercials with Honda. (And the spots were slightly above the "As a race car driver I know fast. So when my internet speed was slow, I was pissed off and wanted it fast..." approach you commonly see. But if you don't already know Hinch, I'm not sure they created a greater desire to seek out the IndyCar Series.

Courtney and Graham are attractive, young and successful drivers from prominent racing families. The advertising slant of a young racing couple facing any number of common domestic problems around any number of products could be fun. I don't think that one driver is the answer to series exposure, but maybe a racing relationship could be. (And sure I'd more like to see an ad with Will and Liz Power relaxing at the end of the day with some Sleepy Time Tea, or Tony and Lauren Kanaan playing practical jokes on children at a Chuck E. Cheese, but that's just for us right now.) Anyway, just a thought.

I live in Oregon and I am unfortunately traveling out of state for work over the Portland Grand Prix weekend. I have the Sonoma weekend open and I am looking for a reason to attend. I've gone to Sonoma in the past, but I've found the racing a bit uninspiring. The new aero kits have gotten me to the fence, if you have another tidbit to push me over, please share. (Like, Alonso running it? or I'd love to have my son meet Scott Dixon, but can't afford two hotel nights, so if the autograph session was in the afternoon on Saturday?)

Matt Callahan, Ashland, OR

RM: Well I think they are, but trying to coordinate some kind of PR campaign from different sanctioning bodies wouldn’t be easy unless you had a common sponsor that was willing to spend some money for some national TV spots, or NHRA and IndyCar wanted to invest (highly unlikely), so it’s a good idea because you’re playing to two audiences that probably don’t care about each other but might start paying attention.

Q: Thanks for the feedback on Peter Revson and the great photo at Ontario. Is Revson the only driver to win in IndyCar, F1 and CanAm? I think he is. He did win one in USAC in ‘69, a couple F1 and a bunch in CanAm. Jackie Stewart won in two out of three and so did Mark Donahue. I know you’ll know the answer. Thanks and stay well (from another 68-year-old).

Jeff B, B’ville, NJ

RM: Oh, there was this legendary badass named Daniel Sexton Gurney who scored seven IndyCar wins, five NASCAR wins, four F1 triumphs, three Can-Am victories and a win at place called Le Mans, plus Daytona’s 24 hours.

Q: I'm sick of hearing people bitch about spec cars. NASCAR Cup teams spend a fortune, and employ hundreds of people, to all make custom cars that are laser scanned to be exactly the same. Can anybody honestly tell the difference between those cars if you strip all the decals off? I don't think so. I sincerely doubt the racing would be much different if everybody just hung a generic fiberglass body like the short track guys do. It's not like these "stock" cars look remotely like the productions cars they supposedly emulate. Try finding a picture of a NASCAR Camaro next to a production Camaro. You'll never find one, because they aren't allowed anywhere near each other.

And F1 is even worse. They spend kajillions of dollars making new bespoke cars every year, and only the most hardcore fans could tell one from the next with the liveries stripped off. Heck, how many times has each IndyCar fan been asked, "So what's the difference between an IndyCar and an F1 car?" What does all that extra money get you?  It sure doesn't buy better competition. By the way, I say this as a guy who got into racing because I liked cars. Nobody in my family was into it, I found it on my own. I should be the kind of guy who hates spec cars, but the results speak for themselves. IndyCar blows them all away (except sprint cars on dirt, nothing can top that).

Dylan Burgett, Villa Park, IL

RM: It’s pretty much how it’s going to be. I understand the old-schoolers like myself who miss the innovation and surprises and risk takers, because that helped make Indianapolis so famous and edgy and fun. But IndyCar racing is as competitive and wide open as it has ever been, so that hopefully negates the lack of free thinking and different chassis.

Q: Kudos to you and Jon for a great job in the booth! However, even bigger kudos to P.T. and Townsend. I truly enjoyed their interviews with the drivers after each qualifying attempt. Did you catch the PT hand on the shoulder (a la Robin Miller) move he put on the guys he was interviewing? You all kicked ass, and I really enjoyed the switch-up. Please do it again. My biggest wish is that the entire broadcast crew remains intact for the 2019 Indy 500. Thanks to the entire NBC/NBCSN crew for a great job this season.

Tom Patrick, Lake Arrowhead, CA

RM: Our boss, Rich O’Connor, deserves the kudos for coming up with the idea, and I loved watching the drivers interact with P.T. and T. Bell. It was loose and fun and watching Ed Carpenter haul in a 15-yard pass from Bell (not a bad spiral) and nearly steamroll Seb’s father was a YouTube moment. And the drivers gave some really good, honest answers (like Graham talking about what he wouldn’t do compared to Sato in qualifying), and I hope we a lot of things like that next year. But even if I don’t make the cut, I’m lobbying to drive Tracy to make sure we get him to the production meetings and rehearsals on time.

Q: I’ve been a big fan of IndyCar and F1 since I was a kid. My uncle used to be a sponsor of Davey Hamilton before Indy cars, and my Dad and other uncle used to race sprint cars against the old Pink Lady out of Meridian Idaho. So racing has been in my family and blood for years, but Portland will be my first IndyCar race. I’ve been to a few F1 races, one in England and one in Montreal, but I have no idea about the must-see and must-do items at an IndyCar race. What are some of things I should do or look out for while there? I’m there for all three days and have a pass for the Champions club and Paddock Pass. Are there any meet-ups of fans that I should look out for, or any teams that do any cool fan engagement events? I know there’s the autograph session going on, but I’d love to be able to hang out with people in the know. Can you help me out or point me in the right direction?

Jeff Barker, Boise, Idaho

RM: The Pink Lady! What a car, did you know it was owned by Art Sugai originally built by Grant King and made famous by Ken Hamilton and Jerry and Tom Sneva, and it’s what Davey Hamilton made his sprint-car debut in it. Ken still runs it today at age 77. But you’ve got a paddock pass and you will have total access to cars and drivers before the autograph sessions.

Q: George Bignotti and Jim McGee were the two greatest crew chiefs we have seen. In your opinion, who was the better of the two? I never heard why Bignotti retired – was it because Tom Sneva drove him so nuts that enough was enough, because like Gordon Johncock said, 10 people can get into an elevator, nine would push up and Tom Sneva would push down. Speaking of Gordon Johncock, was there ever a driver who was more uncomfortable being in the spotlight then he was?

Ryan McKeever

RM: My definition of a true crew chief is Clint Brawner, A.J. Watson, Bill Finley, Grant King, Jud Phillips and Bignotti – guys that could do it all from welding to building engines to fabricating to fixing a crashed car. McGee was a decent mechanic but more of an organizer, and really the first team manager who was successful by putting the right people together. George won Indy seven times and was a great thinker but tangled with AJ Foyt, who could also be classified as a pretty fair mechanic, but they respected each other. Sneva drove everybody crazy but that’s his nature, and he was The Gas Man so you knew you were going to the front. Gordy just drove as hard as any man before him or since, and didn’t care about anything else… well, except the ladies, but that cost him all his Indy winnings. Now he’s a got a great lady (Sue) and is working 70 hours a week and making real money, so that’s so cool. But he doesn’t have one photo of his IndyCar days on the wall of his shop.

Image by MRTI

Q: After noticing Chris Windom giving Lights a try at the Freedom 100, I have followed him closer this year. He has won everything on dirt, he is well-spoken, American, good looking, has a hot girlfriend. Everything IndyCar needs. Please explain to me why the skill set it takes to win with high horsepower open-wheel dirt cars does not translate to IndyCar? USAC, World Of Outlaws have been getting great crowds at some of the bigger shows. IndyCar needs some of these fans to tune in.

Jeff Loveland

RM: Chris is a helluva racer and a great guy, and David Byrd put that Lights deal together and very much wants to take him to the Indy 500 in the spirit of Bryan Clauson. But there is a major difference between running dirt at 125mph and an IndyCar at 225mph, and learning those nuances takes time and testing. And money. As great as BC was, he told me the last time he ran Indy in 2016 it was just starting to feel a little more comfortable, and that was his third May.

Q: I am an IndyCar fan from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Last week, rumors started to spread in my country that IndyCar would be interested in racing on the streets of Rio de Janeiro in 2020. Is there any truth to this? The gossips started after the largest newspaper in the country, O Globo, reported that IndyCar is seeking a return to Brazil. Grande Prêmio, the largest racing website in Brazil, wrote about the topic this weekend: "Rio de Janeiro is working to end the hiatus of IndyCar races in Brazil. The journalist Ancelmo Gois, from 'O Globo,' reported that Riotur, the department of Tourism of Rio, is negotiating with the American series for a race in 2020. According to the journalist, the initial proposal is to hold a street race - convenient for a city that has had no race tracks since the Jacarepaguá (Emerson Fittipaldi Speedway) ended its activities in 2012. The front stretch would be in the Sambadrome, postal card of Rio, copying the solution adopted when São Paulo hosted IndyCar." Is there any truth to these rumors or are they just nonsense?

Caio Sampaio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

RM: From IndyCar’s Stephen Starks: “Currently, we are not engaged in active discussions about an INDYCAR return (to Brazil); however we are excited to know there may be interest and we are always looking to make first-class INDYCAR races happen in great cities like Rio.”

Q: I wanted to know your thoughts on IndyCar potentially going to Mexico in 2019, especially if Pato O’Ward makes the move to IndyCar, and this rumored Rio de Janeiro race as reported first by Grand Premio for 2020. What are he chances both happen?

Hickey, Minnesota

RM: I asked Pato recently if he was a big enough name to carry an IndyCar race in Mexico City, and he smiled and said: “I’m no Adrian Fernandez” so probably not yet. But maybe in a couple years, and if Carlos Slim gets behind him, yes, it could happen.

Q: How do people inside and outside of the IndyCar community view the series? From my experience, many people think Indy is Formula 1, when I talk about IndyCar I always have to explain how it is different to Formula 1. But, just about everyone I talk IndyCar with views the sport as a much more affluent and classy series to NASCAR. What would you say is the current image of the sport, and what has it been through out the many decades of top level American open-wheel racing? What do people in IndyCar see, what do non fans see, what do drivers outside of Indy see, and what do most fans of the sport see? What did people think when Mario or AJ raced in NASCAR? Or when Mario was in F1? Has there always been confusion between Indy and F1?

Personally, I love the diversity. The affluent and prestigious vibes of Long Beach and St. Pete, and then the down to earth feel of an Iowa race. I think IndyCar, NASCAR, and Formula 1 are all great and can thrive, even in today’s motorsport economy, because they all have such a different personality and image from one another. I have my own views on the big three racing series, but what do you and others see specifically of Indy now and from past decades?

Brenen Turkel

RM: Hard to answer for so many groups, but I think the NASCAR drivers have a great respect for IndyCar, and maybe some of their fans are starting to pay attention since NBC and NBCSN carries both series and our ratings are always better when we follow a NASCAR race or practice or qualifying session. Not sure anyone in F1 (besides Fernando) regards IndyCar as competition, but I would assume guys like Max Verstappen might be intrigued with the speeds. Is there crossover between F1 and I IndyCar fans? People considered Mario the most versatile driver of all time after his F1 titles. In USAC’s heydays in the ‘60s and ‘70s, IndyCar was clearly on top of everything before NASCAR swept in and claimed the market in the mid-90s. The real problem with IndyCar today is that it’s the best racing and most diverse series in the world that nobody knows about.