Robin Miller's Mailbag for September 5, 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: What a great weekend in Portland! Not only was the crowd big, but the whole weekend was run very smoothly. IndyCar once again put on an awesome show. My son can’t stop talking about it. Only negative is, I hope next year they water the grass so we don’t get a massive dust cloud every time a car goes off the track.

Brad Heuer, Coeurdalene, Idaho

RM: Great that IndyCar made a new young fan, and I heard from a few fans about the dust so hopefully it will have rained a little more next year (Portland is suffering a major drought), and Savoree and Green will have made provisions to water things down.

Q: Enjoyed meeting you at Portland on Friday and discussing the pre-race promotion that lead up to a fantastic race and crowd. Since I do not live in the Portland area, I couldn't tell you much about what I saw or heard in the Portland area, but I did forget to mention I had seen billboards advertising the race in Seattle a few weeks before the race. I brought a couple of 30-somethings to the race and got them hooked on IndyCar racing. I have never missed a day at PIR and, like you, was delighted with the turnout. Now let's get an event sponsor and make it even bigger next year.

Stan Gibford, Bend, OR

RM: I heard there were billboards and that’s always a key, because people can plan a month or two out. But Kevin Savoree said they had a good lead on three of four potential title sponsors, and if those folks showed up last Sunday they had to be impressed. I did see a lot of kids 30 and under all weekend, and that was encouraging.

Q: At Portland, with a car stopped outside Turn 2. IndyCar officials delayed a yellow flag so, according to TV announcing crew, cars could dive into pits under green. That is, IndyCar chose not to close the pits immediately, the normal procedure, effectively favoring some drivers over others. Regardless, a full course yellow was earlier thrown with no delay for Veach going off before the final corner, even though he stopped short of the barrier and immediately drove back onto the track with no apparent new damage. He was already back on track when the yellow was indicated on TV. Why delay one and not the other? Why was a full course yellow thrown for Veach at all? Seems wildly inconsistent.

Greg Lee

RM: The answer to your first question is that it’s been kind of an unwritten courtesy that if some cars have already pitted or are pitting when there is a potential caution like a tow-in that the chief steward leaves it green until everyone has had a chance to pit. It is a bit of a manipulation and in the old days if you were lucky enough to dive into the pits before the track went yellow then you got an advantage. In response to your other question, here’s IndyCar race director Kyle Novak:

“Hi Greg – Good observation. IndyCar evaluates driver safety first and foremost when confronted with any situation that may necessitate the need for a full course tellow. The 26 had spun off course with telemetry showing that the 26 had stalled and was in need of a restart by the AMR Safety Team in an area of the course that was unfeasible to do so under a local yellow condition. Additionally, the T10/11/12 complex of Portland International Raceway had already seen six separate incidents of spins and contact throughout the weekend. In the case of the 39 slowing in T4/5/6, telemetry showed no conclusive evidence that the 39 could not continue until the pit stop cycle was nearly complete. So while both situations may seem similar on the surface, they presented entirely different circumstances when making a final determination.”

Q: Why not start the Portland race much further down the front straightaway and bypass the chicane for the first lap? It would have avoided the first lap carnage and not taken cars out at the start of the race. Hope some consideration is given to this next year. And thanks for the excellent broadcasts.

Michael Veretta, Ilderton, Ontario, Canada

RM: Oh no, when you’ve got a straightaway as long and as wide as Portland’s, you want to take advantage of it, and last Sunday everyone got through Turn 1 – it was Turn 2 that created the crash. I’ll pass along your compliments to the NBC team, thanks.

Q: What are your thoughts on moving the starting line at PIR to the backstretch, similar to Mid-O? It might help the initial start but subsequent yellow restarts, not so much...

KWyck, Fort Mill, SC

RM: The most exciting part of many races is the start, and Portland offers one of the widest, fastest flying starts in racing. Everyone managed to get through Turn 1 for a change but tripped in Turn 2. Champ Car tried a standing start in 2007 and it worked perfectly – nobody touched anybody – so I’d favor that before moving to the backstretch. And restarts are key because there was a lot of passing going into Turn 1, and you wouldn’t have that on the backstretch.

Graham Rahal; red mist not pictured. Image by Levitt/LAT

Q: Why was Graham Rahal shooting off his mouth about the wreck with Hinch and Veach? He blames Zach, but you can clearly see Hinch tried squeezing his way through and he just ran out of real estate. Graham should just keep is mouth shut and worry about himself. Personally, I like Graham and want him to do well, but until you are an elite driver, just shut up!!

Brian Lancaster, West Lafayette, IN

RM: I think any time a driver gets knocked out on the first lap of a race and we stick a camera in front of him, you’re going to hear some frustration and anger. He was watching the replay when he made those comments, so obviously from his perspective it was Zach’s fault. But that’s just part of why racing is so much different than the stick and ball sports. Those guys are never asked a question a few minutes after something goes wrong on the floor, field or diamond.

Q: Great race!  But as I watched past race footage, it became apparent that turns 1, 2, 3 are a big problem. To have some of the best racers constantly run into each other means to me something is wrong with those turns. And to have a simple questionable maneuver cause so much damage at the very beginning was almost a huge buzzkiller. Thankfully Dixon had a good luck charm in that cockpit!

Greg Williams, Apache Junction, AZ

RM: The old Portland circuit was badass with a 160 mph right-hander as Turn 1, but the runoff area was a bunch of trees so that was finally scrapped in favor of a chicane. Yes, it sucks to go from 175 mph to 25 mph when they’re six-wide funneling into a thimble, but I watched a lot of passing going into Turn 1 and there was only one altercation all day (and that was Turn 2). The fans don’t relish a “schmoozle (thank you, David Hobbs) going into Turn 1 but I do think the start is pretty damn exciting, and everybody used their heads until they got to Turn 2.

Q: Barber, Mid-Ohio, Road America, hell, even Belle Isle are places that take pride in looking good; being attractive, professional race venues. Then there is Portland, a bush league dust bowl looking stuck in the '70s, and not appearing to care. Does IndyCar admin not have even minimum standards for race venues? Next year, if Alonso runs the series, the eyes of the world will be on America. Portland International instead of Spa? American racing will not show well.

A Jenkins, Canada

RM: Portland International Raceway is owned and operated by the city of Portland and, as you could probably tell from either being there or watching NBCSN, not much money has been spent on the circuit since the last IndyCar race in 2007. But a new paving job is in the works along with some other improvements, and after last Sunday the argument can be made that it’s a major sporting event again, so Portland might have a little civic pride and do some updates for 2019.

Q: What is your opinion on giving a driver a time-based penalty post-race like they do in F1 (like Verstappen had at Monza) vs a drive-through like Dixon received? If I recall, Dixon was already at the back of the field when he had to serve his drive-through for speeding, and then after he served it, a yellow came out fairly soon, therefore completely negating the penalty as he was able to catch right back up to the back of the field. If he’d had a three-ish second penalty after the race, Rossi would have probably finished in front of him, all else being equal, as Dixon was at the back of the field at the time of the yellow. To me, if the time amount is fair, it’s a way better system. Thoughts?

Tyler, Milwaukee

RM: I’d much rather have a penalty called and served ASAP, and Dixie was 40 seconds behind after his drive-through so it definitely served its purpose. He just got lucky with a caution. And fans deserve to see the finishing order on the track and not learn the next day that so-and-so finished fifth instead of third because he had to serve a 10-second penalty after the race finished.

Q: With all due respect to Robert Wickens, his family, friends and team, I have to say that it has become clear that his health issues are far more serious than have been reported. This kid almost, and should have, won his very first IndyCar race. I haven't been this excited for a rookie coming on the scene in years. He is the complete package. His accident is a reminder to all of us that every time we strap into a race car it might be the last thing we ever do. Please let him know that it’s not just this 61-year-old dinosaur pulling for him but, I suspect, every person who has every set foot in a race car and the entire racing community. Best wishes Robbie, you are in my prayers every day.

Tom Patrick, Lake Arrowhead, CA

RM: I’m not sure about that. I was encouraged he’s back in Indy already, and he has been breathing on his own for a couple weeks so maybe things aren’t as dire as we first thought. Then again, only a few people know, so we’ll just be patient and hope for the best. I think everyone would be ecstatic if we just see Robby walk out of the hospital in a few weeks.

Incidents like the recent F1 crash at Spa continue to fuel the Halo vs windscreen debate. (Image by Dunbar/LAT)

Q: I have been badgering you all year for windscreens on Indy cars. But now I have changed my mind. After Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso had their big accident at Spa, where Leclerc was pretty certainly saved, or at least well-protected, by the stupid-looking Halo, and also after Ryan Hunter Reay’s near miss following poor Wickens’ car just missing his head at Pocono, I think we need both. We don’t want these guys (and gals) hurt. Isn’t it obvious we need both? Why isn’t this obvious?

Mark Lamontia

RM: An IndyCar driver at banked ovals like Texas and Iowa (and maybe Richmond some day) has to look way down the track, and a Halo impedes his vision – that’s been a concern since Day 1. And the distortion and reflection at Indy during an earlier test with the windscreen was a concern for the drivers, so again, it’s just not bolting on a screen or Halo. IndyCar is doing as much testing as possible before making any decision.

Q: All this talk about the catch fencing has me thinking about a point I haven’t seen raised. It would seem to me that most of the existing catch fencing would have been designed and (at least the structure) installed pre-SAFER Barrier, which means that all the structural components are directly behind the existing concrete walls. When the car impacts the SAFER Barrier, it now has additional area (whatever the distance is between the concrete wall and the SAFER Barrier) to travel before reaching the catch fence.

I am far from an engineer and maybe this has been accounted for and has no impact, but that would seem to increase the time the car has to get airborne and contact the fence. At the very least, it has to have some impact on the angle of the car as it reaches the fence. Is there any possibility that there needs to be a rethink of where the fence is mounted rather than a change in the fence itself? Perhaps on top of the concrete wall, or even between the wall and SAFER Barrier to lessen that distance?

Tom Current, Oconomowoc, WI

RM: All I can tell you is that IndyCar uses Tony Cotman’s judgment (he’s on the FIA’s Circuit Commission) on tracks, fences, runoffs, walls, etc. and like he said in the story I wrote after Pocono, there are people trying to make something better, but right now this is the best we’ve got. I don’t know what might work and I appreciate that yourself and a lot of fans have submitted ideas, but I can’t answer this topic with any degree of knowledge.

Q: A lot of people have been complaining about attendance at ovals, especially Pocono. I've been going to Pocono since 2015, and this year had the best crowd yet. The stands there are very long so it looks very sparse. I know Pocono doesn't sell tickets for seating down towards Turns 1 and 3 because there’s no need to open those sections at this time. This was very obvious on TV during the red flag, as the camera showed the cars stopping on pit road. Since Pocono has a race sponsor in ABC Supply, it should have a banner made up with the ABC Supply 500 logo on it and secure it over that section of stands. I saw this done during a F1 race this year where two sections of unused stands had a Fly Emirates banner stretched over them so you wouldn't notice the empty seats. I would rather see a banner advertising "Joe's Corner Pizza" than empty seats. I can't believe this would cost too much compared to the TV advertising exposure they would get.

Rick H.

RM: It did seem like the best crowd and, much like last weekend at Portland, the fans who showed were definitely IndyCar-savvy and passionate and fun to chat with in the paddock. IMS will likely cover up seats this weekend at the Brickyard, and I like your ABC suggestion, but I imagine each track has its own stance on that topic.

Q: I read some of the back and forth between Massa and Rahal on the Halo vs windscreen issue. The windscreen might do a better job of fending off debris, but the Halo appeared to keep an entire car off Leclerc's head. The windscreen doesn’t appear to be designed to do that. Is it?

Tom Hinshaw, Santa Barbara, CA

RM: No, I think the windscreen is designed to deflect debris, tires, suspension pieces that are thrown back into the driver’s face and it’s ironic that something like it might have prevented Massa’s injuries. But a windscreen would not have helped RHR at Pocono, and Ed Jones got clipped in his helmet by a flying car at Portland, so a few bullets have been dodged lately.

Q: I read Felipe Massa's comments regarding a need for safety improvements in IndyCar and Formula 1. Today I see Formula 1 raising wing heights and adjusting mirror placement for better rear driver visibility. After the deaths of Jules Bianchi and Dan Wheldon and Justin Wilson, the time is past to improve safety. The Belgian GP and Wickens accidents prove points. Having a Bianchi sticker on your helmet isn't enough. We can argue money isn't there to replace all fencing. Perhaps higher SAFER walls with plexiglass angled tops could divert cars back to track. The halo flat-out works in F1 and F2. To not have at least the shield and no timetable is dangerous and irresponsible. Massa was 100% right. Fuel cells came after drivers burned, and so did gravel traps and tree removal. Shame on IndyCar. Even NASCAR made the Car of Tomorrow after Earnhardt died, Petty died and Ernie Irvin suffered head injuries. Defending IndyCar instead of drivers and fans and journalists forcing change is a cop-out. Use your voice.

Craig Bailey, Palm Bay, FL

RM: Shame on IndyCar? You think NASCAR is more proactive about safety than IndyCar? You are sadly mistaken. NASCAR did nothing until it lost its biggest star, while IndyCar has always been the leader in safety teams, demanding better walls, inventing the SAFER Barrier and runoff areas, and adopting the HANs Device. IndyCar is testing the windscreen but still has more questions than answers at the moment, and it’s not as simple as just slapping one on a car. F1 doesn’t run ovals and that changes everything when you’re talking about visibility for the driver. Plexiglas was looked at but had a major issue that would have impacted the paying customer. And Massa hasn’t a clue about what IndyCar is doing or is looking at, so he’s just another opinion with no substantial information.

Q: I appreciated the time you took on the air to let Mario Andretti talk about driver safety and his history with advocating for it during the red flag at Pocono. He's certainly seen a lot of incidents over the years, and been involved in his fair share. It shouldn't be surprising that he doesn't have some "back in my day it was tough, so too bad, that's the way it ought to be" attitude, but it was still a breath of fresh air compared to internet commenters who have never put their life on the line in an open-wheel cockpit complaining about tradition and history when it comes to the aeroscreen or the F1 Halos. Also glad the camera showed you shaking Pietro Fittipaldi's hand after your brief interview with him after his crash. Good kid. Brave as hell. Too bad his final results at Gateway didn't match some of his practice times.

Ben, Indianapolis

RM: Even though he thrived and survived in the deadliest era of IndyCar and F1, Mario has always supported safety improvements and he’s always worth listening to about most topics. He understands the lure of danger in racing and that it’s part of the job description, but also supports making it as safe as possible. Pietro is a great kid with a lot of spunk.

Road to redemption for Ferrucci? Image by Levitt/LAT

Q: I loved the podcast with Santino Ferrucci, it was great to finally hear his side of the story. I think most people agree that a lot of what happened was taken out of context, but he was also a 20-year-old who did some dumb stuff. I would be interested to see what Marshall Pruett thought of him following the interview. He seemed skeptical of Ferrucci throughout, and I would love to know what he thinks of everything that happened.

Max Camposano, Bethlehem, PA

RM: I think Marshall pressed him to get some honest answers and it worked, and he likes the kid, as do most people who have encountered him in the IndyCar paddock. I also think we were all impressed with how he ran at Portland, too.

Q: So you recently wrote that you are sitting on a story that is going to make every IndyCar fan very happy. So is that in reference to COTA in 2019, or is there something else on the horizon we can look forward to?

Jim, Indy

RM: Oh no, something much better, and it will surface in the next month.

Q: There is a lot of hype right about the possibility of McLaren coming to the IndyCar Series with Fernando Alonso, but I don’t understand what all the hype is about. It is good to have another car and driver in the series, but McLaren is a company that makes street and F1 cars. Its F1 team is a far cry from the powerhouse it formerly was, however the IndyCar is a Dallara powered by either a Chevrolet or a Honda engine, and support will most likely be provided by Andretti Autosport. So what does McLaren actually bring to the table beside some marketing advice and a bucket of orange paint?

Michael Oliver

RM: It brings a two-time world champion who is disillusioned with F1 and wants to be competitive again, and he embraced everything about IndyCar in 2017. Alonso would sell a lot of tickets, help TV ratings and generate more media coverage. And right now we’re still not sure if and when this is all going to shake out and Fred will becoming full-time, but we hope so. He’s testing an Andretti car today at Barber, but his deal may not be done until November. And it’s also possible he could be an Indy-only driver if everything can’t be settled with engines and teams.

Q: Just saw an article today that states Lucas Oil Raceway (IRP) is about to undergo a multi-million dollar renovation of its oval, drag strip, and road course. They mention new pavement, fences, and improved seating and lighting. Since IndyCar doesn't seem to have ovals begging for races, could LOR be a possibility down the line? I would think there should be a built-in fan base, most of the teams wouldn't have to travel far, and IndyCar usually puts on a good show at the short ovals. What say you?

Dennis Czosek, Streamwood, IL

RM: As somebody who raced a midget at IRP I just can’t imagine IndyCars having enough room, but maybe the facelift includes widening the track or increasing the banking. I loved the old Hoosier Grand Prix at IRP in the '60s, so maybe IMS could just give its road race to the folks in Clermont.

Q: It would appear that the junior open-wheel series are in crisis. I'm hoping Dan Andersen and SCCA or relevant stakeholders are talking and looking to merge F3, F4, Lights, Pro Mazda and USF2000 into three max new series on budgets at least 35% lower than the present MRTI levels. Maybe it's not possible, but grids of eight cars are not really the objective. Any news or rumors in Portland about this?

Oliver Wells

RM: I agree there are way too many open-wheel series, and some are still too expensive considering the return on investment. But I can’t imagine F3 or F4 wanting to merge, because it appears they have strong fields right now. There were only eight Lights and eight Pro Mazda cars last weekend at Portland, and to your point, it doesn’t give a pro feel despite some of the talented teams and drivers. I don’t know the answer to getting people on board unless the purses would get a nice increase, and that’s not likely.

Q: I read recently in Ad Age that NBC is working with IndyCar to find a series sponsor for the 2019 season and beyond. Is NBC looking for a cut of the deal, or did NBC purchase a stake in the series when it signed its exclusive TV deal?

I live in St. Louis and went to Gateway when IndyCar was in town. The crowd seemed like a good size and all, but I noticed the media blitz this year was less than last year. I know this is primarily from Bommarito (who does a great job locally of promoting), but the only TV ads for the race contained non-series regulars who were not in the race (Sage Karam and JR Hildebrand). I don't know what kind of control IndyCar has to send drivers for promotional appearances/TV spots, but I would believe it would be advantageous of them to have the stars of the series (Rossi, Dixon, Power, Hinch, etc) hocking the race/series.

I don't mean to disparage either Karam or Hildebrand, but you don't see the NBA using the third man off the bench in ads trying to get people out to a large, once-a-year event that is important to the success of the league. Regardless, I just hope in 2019 IndyCar doesn't become Monster Energy presents IndyCar. I think I have had enough of the Monster Energy Girls.

Rob Fornkahl, St. Louis

RM: NBC doesn’t own any of IndyCar, and I’m not privy to any of the specifics but it could be a matter of percentages or a cut or overall sponsorship, commercials or on-board cameras, etc. Whatever the arrangement, it’s good for IndyCar to have the clout of NBC helping, because IndyCar needs the help in marketing. Obviously. I know Gateway had Graham Rahal in town promoting for a few days, along with JoNew earlier, so between Bommarito, Gateway’s PR blitz and all those radio spots in the Midwest, the crowd was still damn good. Think it’s safe to say it won’t be Monster.

Sage Karam's only full-time IndyCar ride to date was with Ganassi in 2015. Image by Abbott/LAT

Q: What is it with so-called IndyCar racing fans? I refer to their idiotic idea to do away with all ovals, except Indy – and some morons are even calling for the end of the 500. We're already down one oval (Phoenix) with no known replacement for the race date, now fans want to end Iowa, Gateway, Texas, and Pocono? That's five races. What the hell are these so-called fans thinking? IndyCar is struggling to find more races, the loss of five races would just about kill the series. And, more importantly, where would the five replacement races come from? Oh, one more question. When will Saga Karam ever get a full-time ride in IndyCar (we know Ganassi screwed him over royally for personal reasons) – or has his chance at a full-time ride come and gone? Same question about Conor Daly.

Jake, Pasadena, CA

RM: I haven’t heard too many people clamoring for the end of ovals, just a lot of folks demanding better fencing or protection. But ovals are IndyCar’s heritage (I say that every week) and a vital part of the most diverse driving title in the world. Keeping them on the schedule is the challenge, because it’s tough to make money – or even break even. But I think going back to Saturday night will reinvigorate Iowa, and the attendance at Texas and Pocono was better this season. Sage is still pursuing sponsors, but I hope if Dennis Reinbold goes full-time that Karam is on his shortlist. Conor may have something cooking if the Air Force is on board, so stay tuned.

Q: Robin, great meeting you and Marshall at Portland, and thanks for the picture. As I mentioned when we met, I subscribe to RACER because of you and Marshall and your dedication to IndyCar. It was a great crowd and race. Even better was the willingness of everyone we met in IndyCar paddock to talk, take pictures and sign autographs. It sounds like a larger car count and Alonso could happen next year. Now we need a title sponsor and better TV ratings. Can you update anything about the likelihood of a new series sponsor? What about NBC Sports? Clearly the way for them to increase the value of their broadcast investment is to increase the audience. Can you share any plans to increase IndyCar's reach? Can't wait for next year in the great Northwest.

David in Seattle

RM: As the previous question indicates, IndyCar’s best chance for a new, good title sponsor could lay with NBC and all its fingers and clout. I’d love to see NBC sell the Indy 500 to a title or presenting sponsor for $10 million and throw it all in the purse, but I think it obviously gives Mark Miles an ally to find money in this tough climate. And the NBC Gold ticket should provide the diehards with more information, features and racing than ever before. Thanks for reading RACER.

David from Seattle with Miller and Pruett in Portland. Image by David from Seattle.

Q: As a long-time fan of IndyCar and other forms of racing since I was 14 (I’m now 69), I can't believe the small crowds at races. I remember when the Pocono 500 and Lime Rock were packed. I believe it is because of several factors: Ticket costs, (a weekend can cost a family of four several hundred dollars); lack of home-grown racers driving anything, think Gurney, Foyt, Unsers, Gordy and the rest; and almost non-existent local advertising. Mario has often said that timed races and tight fuel restrictions are another reason. What are your thoughts of how to get seats filled? One more thing: announcers incessantly yakking. C'mon fellas, leave some open air for the race sounds to come through.

PS: I know that there has been a slight uptick in attendance at some races, but look at all the empty seats and open spaces at race venues around the U.S.

Jeff Alan, CT

RM: I know Pocono had some great ticket discount packages, and most IndyCar races have offered very reasonable pit and paddock pass prices (Road America is the best) so fans can get access they never would in NASCAR. But Pocono also has three major races in a short span of time, and people only have so much income. And more and more people seem to favor staying home watching their big screen than driving to a track. But IndyCar’s attendance, while not a big percentage, has gone up this season. And I think our booth lets the race breathe when it’s a road course or a superspeedway but at places like Gateway they have to stay on top of things, and they always do.

Q: You mentioned earlier this year that one drawback to today's cars racing at Phoenix was that the straights were too short and there was not enough time/length for a trailing car to pull even with the car ahead to make a move in the corner, even with a run. You've argued for returning to Richmond. Wouldn't the same problem be true at Richmond? Second, could IndyCars run at Darlington? That's the one tin-top race I don't miss. Setting aside that it's an ISC track and there's never seemed to be interest in going there, is it too narrow or too fast for IndyCars?

Mike in Chicago

RM: The first three or four Richmond races were great because it’s banked and there were two grooves and some fabulous racing. IndyCars ran Darlington in 1950 and 1951, but it’s probably way too tight and fast for today’s cars.

Q: Having never been a fan of neither the Hanford Device nor the DW12 at Indy, I don't see anything wrong in a fast car dominating an oval race. The problem starts when the dominating car gets stuck an entire stint behind backmarkers that are one second slower, as occurred in Phoenix, Pocono and to some extent Gateway and Indy. I love the looks of the UAK, and that it made the cars harder to drive and I understand that passing will always be difficult between two equally-matched cars, but IndyCar and Firestone really need to work to make these oval races less processional.

Francesco Satta

RM: I know IndyCar is aware of the problem and the drivers have been very vocal about what needs to change, so I anticipate better oval racing in 2019. But it’s funny, because in the good old days somebody usually ran away and hid and we didn’t care. The last few years at Indy (before last May) have really spoiled us.

Could NASCAR's throwback theme at Darlington work in IndyCar? Image by Kinrade/LAT

Q: Darlington is a pretty big hit with NASCAR fans. We’re currently watching it – why doesn't IndyCar do a throwback weekend? I bet it would be awesome to do at the Indy Grand Prix with all the history at IMS. Wouldn't even have to dump the sponsors' names, we could adapt the livery to have names in them. Especially the tobacco ones, those were the coolest.

Autumn S.

RM: I’d like to see it at Indy and your suggestion makes the most sense at the road course race, so add a vintage race and memorabilia show and we’re talking.

Q: Hey Miller, for improving safety on ovals, why not go back to Justin Wilson’s idea of having the grandstands in the infield? Thus a full wall of SAFER Barrier on outer fence, which also could be use for more sponsor banners to hang on. The inner fence will have 12-foot barrier. Seems to be cheaper solution than plexiglass, and having less seats in the infield will help pack the ovals better. Thoughts? Another future idea is having virtual reality seats so fans can feel like they’re at a venue, but remotely. It was used for some matches at World Cup this summer. Maybe it’s an avenue that IndyCar could use to expand our live experience, entice new fans and further connect with tech companies.

Kevin, N.J.

RM: It’s tough enough to find ovals that want an IndyCar race, and they’re not going to spend zillions of dollars tearing up their track to move the grandstands to the infield. Maybe a new track could try it and reap the benefits, but I don’t see many new ovals under construction. A VR seat sounds intriguing, I’ll pass your idea to IndyCar’s and IMS’ crack marketing teams.

Q: A common thread when anyone talks about the quality (or lack thereof) of a particular race is how you can't pass on an oval with the new aero kit, or how this or that road or street course is terrible because you can't pass, and of course Formula 1 is the worst because you can't pass.

Some of this may be justified, but I think the biggest problem is blocking. Blocking makes it hard to pass and because it's so hard to pass, you need to block. We don't even call it blocking. Cars snake down the straights to "break the draft," cars drift to the inside to "defend." Watching cars get run up against the pit wall Saturday night was clearly blocking and downright dangerous. I know everyone hates subjective penalties, but until racers are made to run a line, accept that they got passed, and try to make the pass back on the next lap, racing is going to get worse and worse.

Mark, San Diego

RM: Blocking is the worst thing to ever happen to racing, but watch an F1 race from the 1960s or an IndyCar race – it never happened. It was already dangerous enough, and those guys had respect and raced each other hard but fair. The first move by Hamilton or any of today’s heroes in F1 is to cut straight across the track to block, and thankfully it’s not nearly as bad in IndyCar. But I do worry about those blocks on the straightaways on ovals and somebody running over a wheel and clearing the pit wall.

Q: Your column was so correct about Derek Daly. Political correctness is so totally out of control and common sense is gone. Too many journalists have no morals and hide behind "Freedom of Speech" for a story but yet forget "Innocent Until Proven Guilty." So glad you're part of the generation that has ethics.

Stephen Janny, Nazareth, PA

RM: Thanks, but that story wrote itself because of the person, the timing, the circumstances and sheer absurdity of those cowards at Channel 8.

Q: Couldn’t agree more with you re: Derek Daly and the injustice he has received. Must have been a slow news day in Indianapolis. In addition, for Lilly to punish Conor Daly by association smacks of most cowardly political correctness. If Derek is interested in bringing suit for slander, I will join in a Gofundme account on his behalf.

What did you think about Gateway? I thought the race was made exciting by the fuel strategy situation, but I am no fan of contrived competition and think the fastest guy should win. Had they been able to run full fuel for the whole race, though, it may well have been pretty boring. Talk about mixed emotions, huh?

Erik Karlsson

RM: I haven’t spoke with DD in a week or so, but I imagine he’ll come up with a plan of attack because he’s got so much support. Gateway sucked for 150 laps and then, thankfully, got interesting and the fuel card came into play.

Q: Miller, thank goodness for a voice of sanity in this pathetic affair involving Derek and Conor Daly. I've never met either man, but I'll take yours and Willy T. Ribbs' word over spineless corporate hacks any day. I imagine the Lilly conversation went something like: "Conor Daly's dad used the N-word!", "When?", "35 years ago", "We've got to get out in front of this boys, terminate our association!" There is no context or consideration in 2018, only reaction. And that reaction is too often the need to ruin wrong-thinkers. How pathetic. Here's to you for saying what is right and standing up for the Dalys. Hope you keep your job.

Jon Jones, Oologah

RM: Thanks Jon but my job isn’t in jeopardy yet (RACER publisher Paul Pfanner liked the column because he knows DD and what b.s. it was), and no need to thank me for telling the truth.

Having fought each other in Indy Lights all year, O'Ward and Herta will now share an IndyCar garage at Sonoma. Image by MRTI

Q: We had an amazing race at Portland, and we have a lot of random (OK, not so random) extra cars showing up for the season finale. Is this 2018? Or is this 1991? I'm confused. I think some stories about the end-of-season one-off cars from days gone by, like Scott Sharp in 1993 (with one of the best liveries ever in a second Bettenhausen car), Cor Euser getting points in his only CART start in 1991, Didier Theys driving for Foyt and then Ganassi (in an amazing Kinko's livery) are in order, because this seriously feels like we're in some kind of time machine, and IndyCar gets a chance down the alternate timeline where the Split never happened.

C.W., Chicago, IL

RM: We’re going to have Pato O’Ward and Colton Herta making their IndyCar debuts , and depending how other things play out we might have 26 or 27 cars at Sonoma.

Q: I would pay serious pay-per-view money if they could put Townsend Bell and Paul Tracy into current IndyCars (or something close to them – Indy Lights?) and have at it for some purse provided by whomever puts such a deal together. Bell has current experience in various disciplines. He could have won the Indy 500 had he not been taken out in a pit accident that was not his fault. And he is fast in sports cars. Tracy, when on, lived on another planet. I was there in Phoenix when he had two laps on the entire field. He was so fast that Penske hired (and fired) him twice. Would those two characteristics even out? Only one way to find out.

Chad R. Larson

RM: I’d help you promote it Chad, but in the interest of safety, good taste and keeping NBC’s booth healthy, I’d opt for sedans because there will be some chrome horns and rooting and gouging. But I guess if we could get a couple old IndyCars and have P.T. drive for The Captain it would be a wonderful storyline – until they brought it in on the hook.

Q: Been an open-wheel fan for more years than I care to mention and have seen the highs and lows. All I can say is that IndyCar is working and I hope it stays the course so another engine (or two) enters the party. Wickens, get well. Finally, NBC needs to rubberstamp the “Chrome Horn Award” for each race, and obviously I think Tracy needs to handle that one. Enjoy your comments and Mailbag, and Marshall’s stuff. RACER, keep up the good work.

Dan Vukobrat, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

RM: Thanks Dan, I would support the PT Chrome Horn Award for the season and find a sponsor to make it more newsworthy. Jay Frye is working on a third engine, but no takers yet.

Q: I have followed your stories and reporting since at least the early '80s, and over that time there have been some very controversial (bordering on inflammatory, perhaps?) articles that you have written – mostly critiques of drivers, but often races, sponsors, safety etc.  Sometimes I've agreed with what you've said, other times it has angered me to the point of swearing you off, and yet, there is usually a lot of truth to what you have to say – and damned if I don't always come back to it. I also know that a lot of people who you have tagged in your crosshairs still to this day won't forgive you about things you said. But it wasn't until I listened to the Dinner With Racers podcast with you last winter that I really understood where you were coming from, and that really made me view your stories in a different light. So it makes me wonder, are there any stories that you have reported over the years that, if you go back now and re-examine, you might take back what you said or change your mind on how you presented it?

Brad Haskin, Seattle, WA

RM: Oh, I think anyone who writes for 50 years (God I’m old) has looked back and thought about how you could have said something different or maybe more tactfully, but obviously, that wasn’t always my strong suit (smile). When I wrote that A.J. was a cheater after he smacked me in 1981, I should have simply sued him instead of writing a column, but instead, he sued me and won (and he always reminds me he kicked my ass, and Sports Illustrated’s in court), and The Indianapolis Star had to apologize for my story.

And even though I was proved to be right about The Split and what it did to the Indianapolis 500 (while all the local media shills said everything was the same), maybe I shouldn’t have been so tough on Tony George in print, on the radio and on TV for so long. I do think he cared about Indy, and his heart may have been in the right place, but he listened to all the wrong people. And I got on Roger Penske pretty hard once without giving him a chance to defend himself, so that was definitely some bad journalism. But, all in all, to quote Super Tex, not too many regrets because I think people who know me know that my passion has always been the Indy 500 and open-wheel racing, and I’ve written thousands of positive stories about both because I care and I want it to succeed. Yet race fans want to be told the truth and I think I’ve done that as well – damn the torpedos, people’s feelings and the consequences of losing jobs.

Q: This summer I reread Brock Yates' fantastic book Against Death and Time. It got me thinking that perhaps a sequel could be written about 1973, and who better to write about auto racing in 1973 than you! What do you think?

Marc, Orange County, CA

RM: Terry Reed wrote a good book “The Race and Ritual of the Indianapolis 500” and has updated it, and 1973 is covered. That was a tough month for me because it’s the first time I ever lost a close friend when Art Pollard was killed. USAC made safety changes after the race so it certainly had its place in history, just not sure I’d want to revisit it with a book. Maybe a long story for RACER.

Would Rossi race a midget? Well, if he had it his way... Image by LePage/LAT

Q: After seeing some drifting and a move like Rossi pulled at Gateway, what strings do we need to pull to get Rossi in a midget for the IMS dirt races?

Luke

RM: I approached Rossi, Hinch, Marco, RHR, Wickens, Gabby, Conor and Zach about hot-lapping a midget at IMS and they were all game, although some more than others. Rossi definitely wanted to give it a go, but I doubt if Michael Andretti would let him now since he’s second in the point standings headed for the Sonoma finale. And IMS and USAC never came up with a plan, so I guess it’s not going to happen. But it would have been a great little video with Sarah Fisher and Justin Grant teaching the IndyCar boys how to handle the dirt, and based on watching Montoya and Kanaan at Eldora a few years ago, I think today’s IndyCar regulars would do just fine. If Rossi can carve his way through traffic at 225 mph at Indy, I think he’d be just fine on a quarter-mile dirt track up on the cushion. And I could tell he really wanted to try it. So maybe next May.

Q: I've been thinking a bit after seeing your video with Sarah Fisher from IMS and the other one where you were running around trying to talk IndyCar drivers into a midget car. What could be done to help get more USAC – or for that matter (gasp) winged midget/sprint drivers – into an IndyCar? For instance, what would it take to get USAC to go back to some pavement ovals for sprints and midgets? USAC is definitely not the same without IRP, Winchester, Anderson, Salem, Toledo, Phoenix, Milwaukee etc. on the schedule. Would you need to enforce dirt car chassis only to level the playing field? Or would it work best as a reintroduction if it was an Indiana Pavement Sprint Week (let's say, Anderson, IRP, Mount Lawn, Salem, Winchester, Baer Field and Speedrome)?

As for the Silver Crown cars, whilst I appreciate the heritage, is it time to modify these cars to make them a little closer to their descendants? Could you maybe make them rear-engined (like a GP Midget) or (gasp) whack a small set of wings front and rear or (double-gasp) throw in a road course or two to the schedule? Just whatever happens, please don't let them get back to the upside-down bathtub racing as I believed you once called the "new Silver Crown" cars.

Thomas Warren, Sydney, Australia

RM: It would take lots of money and a desire by those winning drivers in each series to want to make a commitment to run IndyCars. But why would they? Other than competing at Indianapolis, the good ones would be taking a pay cut by leaving sprinters and coming to IndyCar. USAC doesn’t exist with today’s IndyCar owners, and hasn’t for 35 years, and it’s not going to change. We can hope David Byrd puts something together for Chris Windom or another USAC star, but it’s always going to be Indy-only. And that was cool with Bryan Clauson. He appreciated Randy Bernard getting him to Indy, but he knew his livelihood was midgets and sprints and embraced it.

Q: It may be too late, but I have an idea of how to get some IndyCar drivers into midgets. I’m the same age as you, and back in the '50s and '60s when I was running quarter midgets and half midgets, we used to run “exhibition” races at places like Balboa Stadium and Cajon Speedway during the modified races in the San Diego area. What we would do was go there to promote our sport, and try to get new fans to come watch us. We would not run really hard, but we knew beforehand to keep it close and make it look good. In other words you could get a handful of IndyCar guys to pull a WWE “race” where everybody knows that you have to keep it safe, but make it look good. Nobody is going to push too hard and it’s not a real race. The drivers get to bit of fun, and the car owners/sponsors know nobody is going to get hurt.

Jim Patton, Lindale, Texas

RM: My original plan to NBC (which by the way is covering the BC39 with a one-hour special Friday night after NASCAR America) was for us to film a little match race between the IndyCar drivers and Tim Clauson, and a couple owners were going to let us use their midgets. But, as you can read in the question above yours, it’s not going to happen this time, but maybe next year.

Q: I just listened to Dinner with Racers interview with Joey Saldana. Knew of Joey, but never really heard him in a one-on-one situation. Immediately liked him. I'm going to beat the drum now for Joey to Indy in 2019. Can we get it done?

Clint, Chicago

RM: Great guy from a great family, and a damn good racer. But I doubt he’s got any interest on doing a one-off at Indianapolis. Maybe 10 years ago.

Q: Let 'em race. Enough of: 'that last move is under review by Race Control...'. Let the drivers police themselves for the most part. NBC needs to air a weekly TV show highlighting/promoting IndyCar. Think: SpeedWeek, RPM Tonight, etc. Miller, Despain, Hinch, Kanaan, Newgarden, etc. as guests/hosts. IndyCar needs to produce content for dissemination to NBC and affiliates. Local reporting (local NBC stations nationwide) should be provided a 30 second segment on recent race activities and results (make it part of contract negotiations/renewals) for broadcast on the sports segment. Out of sight - out of mind.

Get and keep IndyCar in the public eye. That means broadcast TV. Increase car count in Indy Lights with changes to MRTI – consolidation, reduced cost, and a better ladder system. I know, easier said than done. Find a pathway for both road course and dirt drivers to compete.

IndyCar to market to the non-IndyCar fan: Chili Bowl, Knoxville, etc. Cross over. Be inclusive to four-wheel fans, not exclusive. I know... I know. These things take money. Easier said than done.

BP, Wisconsin

RM: I like letting them race, we’ve had too much officiating in days gone by. There is talk of a special IndyCar show for NBCSN, so keep your fingers crossed. Nobody can make local affiliates cover IndyCar racing. I tried to get IndyCar to have a real presence at the Chili Bowl a long time ago and was told it “wasn’t their demographic.” Buy lottery tickets and then buy a six-pack of Lights cars when you win. It’s expensive.