Robin Miller's Mailbag for February 13, presented by Honda Racing / HPD

Your questions for Robin should 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: First of all, let me applaud the efforts NBC has made in the commitment they're taking with their motorsports coverage. The entire IndyCar season, along with the display at the Rolex 24, shows they are truly committed to their motorsport properties. However, I am discouraged by the decisions made with the NBC IndyCar Gold Pass. My big disappointment with this move is that it does nothing to expand accessibility to the sport from the live race coverage side, it simply took the most accessible portions of following the sport and hid them behind a paywall.

I understand that producing coverage of practice and qualifying obviously takes money, but if the overall marketing goal is to bring more eyes to the series, this doesn't seem to achieve that. Why couldn't the series also include live race streaming for a higher price, since many viewers have called for a WEC-style stand-alone app? A cable-only option in 2019 seems utterly regressive for a property in desperate need of younger eyes. When Alonso took to IMS for IndyCar testing, more than two million people watched (free) across both YouTube and Facebook's live stream, and the comments were flooded with F1 fans that were stunned that IndyCar routinely offered free practice streams on common platforms.

It seems like offering the hook of free coverage to these casually-interested viewers could help drive more app purchases for live races, rather than locking the entire race weekend behind a paywall. As for the Alonso-free races, trying to monetize the couple-thousand average YouTube viewers of an FP1 session seems like a cash-grab. I will still purchase the Gold Pass as a big IndyCar fan. My concern is that the series is losing a lot of valuable potential impressions, and with the rapidly changing media landscape, it's discouraging to see the series sticking to an antiquated cable-subscription-only model for live racing.

Emerson, Cincinnati

RM: I think people may be overlooking the fact this Gold Pass will cover practice like never before, with NBC announcers calling the action and interviewing the participants with a broadcast-quality production. And all of qualifying (and some of practice) will be on NBCSN as well, so it’s not like it’s a closed shop or anything. The final details haven’t been released but the Gold Pass will likely sport features, old races and some cool interviews with legends in addition to racing coverage. And there are also eight races on NBC so, if anything, I think NBC has made a very affordable package for IndyCar die-hards.

Q: So I plunked down my money for the streaming service. I'll be interested to see how good it is. One concern, though. I've read that the post-race uploads to YouTube will be ended. I think this is bad for our overseas fans that cannot get NBC Gold. Also, I think it's bad long-term strategy, given how big YouTube is. I can understand the licensing rights that NBC bought gives them the right to stream, but I think the races should still be posted to YouTube, but maybe after the season has ended? That will at least archive them for all posterity and allow people to go back and watch them.

Doug B, Stafford, VA

RM: As I’ve written, the final details of the Gold package haven’t been announced and obviously the re-airs will be featured during the week on Gold, so I don’t know what the future holds for YouTube. IndyCar is working on programming for England and Canada as we speak, as well as some kind of international package that will be announced in early March.

Q: I'm very disappointed with the cost of the IndyCar pass on NBC. Most of what they're covering was free last year; $50 is a lot of money to watch television on top of everything else that we already pay for television. Is this just me, or do others agree?

M. Garie

RM: Seriously? Less than $5 a month seems very reasonable to me, and I paid $150 to stream five nights of the Chili Bowl so I’d say NBC Gold is a bargain. Very few complaints about the price.

Q: I just subscribed to NBC’s IndyCar Gold Pass, and am extremely excited about it. One question I had was if there will still be streaming broadcasts with radio/other announcers on IndyCar’s website for qualifying, or if IndyCar Gold Pass has exclusive rights over that now? Either way I was going to buy the pass for its other features, and because I feel it’s just right to support the platform and show NBC the enthusiasm we fans have for the sport.

Fred

RM: My understanding is that IMS Radio Network will still call practice, qualifying and the races on Indycar.com but I don’t recall any formal press release, so let me get an official confirmation.

Q: With the NBC Gold announcement, it's not clear how qualifications for Indy 500 will be covered. Will Bump Day be shown on TV or only on the Gold app? It was great last year to finally get some significant bumping for the first time since 2011, and now it looks like there'll be more cars involved this year so it seems like a bad time to hide it behind a pay app where there's no chance of casual viewers getting pulled in.

Also, I recently read that bumping is going to be changed this year to only one shot and that's it. Is this true? That's a terrible idea, since drivers taking multiple shots and getting setup adjustments in between has always been one of the best aspects of bumping, but it sounds like that drama is being removed. It really seems like the current regime doesn't understand how much many fans enjoyed traditional bumping in the past and want it back again.

Jim K.

RM: Saturday will primarily be on Gold, but the end of the day will be on NBCSN and Sunday will be NBCSN and NBC. No change in the qualifying format to my knowledge.

Image by Kinrade/LAT

Q: Alright Miller I need you to do what the boys at NBC are not doing. Why should I spend $50 on the IndyCar Pass with NBC Gold? I have to be honest with you: over the last few years I have not seen much in the IndyCar streaming world worth paying for. Looking at their website, I'm not exactly sure what I would even be getting? You know as soon as I order this, the wife is getting a new pair of shoes. Give me some hope that I'm not throwing away my money.

Short Track Rat

RM: I’m at the races so I don’t see the streaming feed, but NBC Gold is going to treat practice like it was on network with announcers, interviews and good quality and through the week you likely will have various features, profiles, interviews, history, etc. And you can afford $5 a month. If not, I’ll loan you $50.

Q: This isn’t a question as much as it is a plea for leniency for Harding Steinbrenner Racing. It’s admirable that they went the ‘we will get the sponsor and you just drive’ path. But, with the current general economic climate in racing, you can see that for a start up team it is probably asking too much. As per my letter a couple weeks back when I asked about Carlin in particular and if small teams in general look for sponsors or just take calls from funded drivers, I can accept that funded drivers are a good option for smaller teams. Heck, big teams, too. Look at the great story at Andretti with Zach Veach. I never had or ever will have an issue with a talented funded driver. I have long held the belief that if a driver has a sponsor, he can help control his destiny. Kimball is a great example. If Novo was Chipster’s it’s likely Charlie wouldn’t have made it past season No.2. Instead he’s had a decent career – deservedly so, I might add. He’s solid. The South Americans and Europeans have long been on top of this. It seems the Americans are now much hipper to this practice as well. Rahal is another American who seems to get it. Is there one moment you can pinpoint where the attitude shifted from derision to acceptance of the ‘if I want to drive, I better learn to get sponsored on my own’?

Eric Z, Lancaster, NY

RM: Like I said in my commentary, we were all cheering for Harding Steinbrenner because it was such a good story, but the reality is that it takes a lot of money to field an Indy car and Mike Harding has never had a sponsor, so how long can he exist? I mean his pavement business may be good, but nobody can run an IndyCar very long without a substantial sponsor (except for Gerald Forsythe after Player’s left). The attitude shifted in the ‘80s when hired drivers were being replaced by ride buyers with less talent.

Q: Just read, with disappointment, about Pato O’Ward splitting from Harding Steinbrenner. Sounds like a pretty raw deal this late in the game. Thoughts as to where he could end up? Would one of the bigger teams take on the added financial burden to run him a full season?

Bob from Wisconsin

RM: Talked to him Monday and he says he’s got nothing, but $1 million and maybe a little help from IndyCar should get him a half dozen rides. If I were Michael Andretti I’d snap him up and let him share the car with Conor Daly.

Q: I live in the DFW area and travel throughout Texas quite frequently. In driving around the DFW, San Antonio, and Houston metro areas over the last couple of weeks I have seen numerous billboards promoting the “Indycar Classic at COTA featuring Muse in Concert.” I’m very enthused and impressed seeing these marketing efforts and they seem to be pouring way more into promotion than “Mr. Promoter” Eddie Gossage does on the June race at TMS. Just a heads up from an open-wheel diehard in the Lone Star State.

Todd W.

RM: That’s excellent news Todd, and obviously IndyCar’s debut needs to be properly promoted and it sounds like that’s exactly what’s happening at COTA. Now if we can get them to sell paddock passes to everyone, things will be golden.

Q: Felix Rosenqvist laid down some burners at the Laguna Seca test. I am interested in watching his progress throughout 2019. I had thought Rosenqvist would never end up in IndyCar. He had competed in Indy Lights and had tested for Ganassi, but was always racing elsewhere such as Japan, DTM and Formula E. Ganassi was finally able to sign him after all these years of Lawrence Stroll (Lance's father) saying to the Ganassi team: "You have to test [Rosenqvist!] He is the real deal!" It's good to have Rosenqvist aboard and competing in IndyCar. How do you rate him compared to the other rookie of the year contenders?

Ken C., Thunder Bay, ON

RM: He was instantly impressive in Lights, but after his first test at Mid-Ohio in an Indy car the Ganassi boys raved about him. Stefan Johansson is his agent and been trying to get him into IndyCar, and finally did. I think he’ll win a race and be rookie of the year, especially in light of Pato’s situation.

Q: I reviewed the Indy commercial after getting an email by the IndyCar site. I struggled through watching the whole Super Bowl but, unless I missed it, I didn’t see it played here in Florida. If they only played it in the Midwest, they need to better understand their fan base. We are nationwide, hence races at Long Beach to St Pete. Also, don’t promote the road course! How about the traditions? Balloon release, three-abreast start, back home in Indiana and the military salute! Market to the people that count!

Skip Ranfone, Summerfield, FL

RM: The commercial was only shown in the Midwest, which makes no sense because Ohio, Illinois and Indiana don’t need to be reminded. It’s like taking out full-page ads in the Indianapolis Star that proclaim: ‘This is May.’ Yeah, we know, Indy doesn’t need to be promoted in Indianapolis. What a waste of money that could be spent on national advertising. I think the only people in Florida that saw the Indy 500 ad on Super Bowl Sunday were on DirecTV.

Image by LePage/LAT

Q: With the Firestone extension, I was wondering what their financial deal is with IndyCar. Do they charge teams for tires? Do they pay IndyCar for the privilege? Just how is their deal structured? 2025 is a long time. Also, surely IMS will name Mario as Grand Marshal this year on the 50th anniversary of his only win? Finally, will you still be involved with NBC broadcasts this year?

Gary Thompson, Indianapolis

RM: Tires are $600 a set and everyone buys them. Firestone gives IndyCar a nice stipend that also includes marketing commitments, but I don’t know the exact number. Mario’s likeness is on the bronze badge and I would hope he drives the pace car. That’s cooler than being the grand marshal. Yes, NBC is keeping me and I’m fired up for 2019.

Q: We are attending St. Pete, Indy 500, Belle Isle, Mid-Ohio, and Road America this year. However I’m craving some short track racing under the lights! Should we go to Iowa because will it continue to be on the schedule? Or should we go to Gateway to show our support for what the Bommarito group and Curtis Francois have done for IndyCar and us fans? Bommarito has just renewed sponsorship for three years so I’m leaning towards Iowa, but since I’m taking three IndyCar newbies, I’m leaning towards the excitement that the Gateway atmosphere can provide. I’d hate to miss Iowa’s last race, so I’m in a pickle here!

Shawn from Miami/Detroit

RM: First off, thanks for being such a great fan and indoctrinating your friends. But I never said this was going to be Iowa’s last race. I commented that losing its longtime title sponsor (Iowa Corn) would make things tough and I hope they get a replacement, but that going back to Saturday night should help restore the crowd. I can’t make a pick – I like both places and the effort they put forth. Iowa is probably a better race, but Gateway offers so much action during the day and into the evening. Tough call.

Q: The Indy Grand Prix has now been run five times, and I'm curious to know if you think the event has been a success? It doesn't look well attended and hasn't really gathered more interest in the 500. You listed some tracks/races that could be on the bubble, but didn't list the Indy Grand Prix. Is it safe for the time being?

Ron, Buffalo, NY

RM: Let’s put it this way, in terms of attendance it’s been a success compared to Pole Day after The Split. But the fact it’s carried on national television is one more weekend to promote the Indianapolis 500, so that alone is worth it for your sponsors. I think it’s safe as long as Mark Miles is in charge.

Q: At the doubleheader in Detroit, have they ever considered running the Sunday race the opposite direction? It would give the fans that go to both races a different perspective from the same seat. What logistical issues would there be – pit entry, fueling the car from the other side, etc.?

Rob S Bennett, Thornton, CO

RM: Good lord, no. Logistically? Every corner has curbs, walls, runoffs, etc that are purpose built for running one direction. And then there are those pesky pit stops.

Q: Was just reading about the F1 promoters grousing about Liberty Media and, among other things, trying to give away a sanction fee to Miami. Is it pie in the sky to think that the NTT IndyCar Series might step up in the next five years and take over a couple of F1 dates? I would think that for half the F1 sanction fee, an F1 promoter would still be paying enough to cover travel and a nice cash surplus to each team. Also, what about this idea – IndyCar makes four-five "house" cars available for current local racers who aren't in F1, or F1 heroes who aren't active anymore.

Clint, Chicago

RM: I could see IndyCar going back to Montreal but not necessarily replacing F1, and maybe go to Mexico City some day with Pato O’Ward’s rising star. But F1 promoters like the prestige of F1 and I’m not too sure how many of them would even entertain the idea of an IndyCar race. Other than maybe Alonso in Spain.

Q: I've never thought much of A.J. Foyt's team, and it continues its long, little-broken string of underperformance. What will happen to the team when the great man is no longer with us? I gather he has stepped back some from hands-on team management, but his name still draws and keeps sponsors and media attention. Without Foyt, would his team be able to continue?

Anthony Jenkins, Canada

RM: I guess A.J. and Richard Petty share the same fate in that their teams were much more successful when they were driving, but racing is their life and I’m glad they’re still involved. ABC Supply is very loyal to Super Tex but I think he wants Larry Foyt to keep things going, if and when he passes on. But he’s going to live to be 100. He’s too tough to die yet.

Q: Planning first trip to Road America. Any recommendations for best race fan bars in the area?

John Welch, Chandler, AZ

RM: Siebkens in downtown Elkhart Lake is everyone’s favorite. And you can probably even buy David Hobbs a beer.

Q: How many races will Derek Daly's $25 million eventual court ruling buy Conor in a good IndyCar ride? Also, it would be a real shame if some Mexican company or billionaire doesn't step up and sponsor Pato O'Ward. I was looking forward to seeing him full-time in an IndyCar this season. It's a shame the Harding team jumped the gun before all the financing was in place and announced he and Colton Herta would be full-time on an expanded two-car team this season.

Kevin, Pennsylvania

RM: We’re all hoping enough for a full season. Pato’s situation is that he’s a free agent, but not many good options out there for 2019.

Image by LePage/LAT

Q: I agree with your oft-made statement that the 500 purse should be increased dramatically – $1 million to start, $10 million to win and the balance distributed based on finishing position, pole position, fastest lap, etc. So we are probably talking about a $50 million purse. Can IMS afford that? I know it’s a privately-held corporation, so its books are not open to public scrutiny, but do you have any insight on the cost to maintain and improve the facility for a whole year? I imagine taking care of such a huge place costs quite a bit of money. But if it were possible to generate such a sizable purse, I think we’d be back to 50-60 entries.

Peter, Gainesville, Va

RM: I have no idea what IMS grosses for May but it’s substantial, and obviously some of that money goes back into maintaining the track. But as long as Hulman & Company fund the Leader’s Circle, I can’t see any of the purses increasing. Plain and simple, IMS needs to find a title sponsor for the Indy 500 and put all that money into the purse. It will never be $50 million – that’s a pipe dream – but I’d be happy to see it get to $25 million and pay at least $500,000 to start.

Q: Has there been any discussion about getting more helmet cameras on the drivers this year? Gives such an excellent sense of speed! Feel like it could really add some excitement to the broadcasts if there were more drivers with them.

Craig Stermer, Chesterfield, MI

RM: I believe NBC has lots of good things in the works for 2019, and maybe we’ll have helmet cams during practice. But you are correct – they add the dimension of speed.

Q: Just wanted to drop a note to your readers. On Saturday, June 22, the IndyCar weekend at Road America, the World of Outlaws will be at Beaver Dam Raceway, which is only a 60-minute drive from Road America. Thought that this would be a great opportunity for folks to make it a racing weekend. Nothing better than IndyCars on Road America and sprinters on the dirt all in one weekend!

Dirt Track David

RM: Thanks for that info, David, I remember Beaver Dam being a tacky little joint in the 1970s, so I imagine WoO puts on a good show.

Q: Where do you place the odds on IndyCar returning to Australia and Japan? It sounds promising, but should fans get their hopes up? Even during the CART heydays, I recall neither Penske nor Ganassi liked those flyaway races, because they felt that the events had no relevance to their sponsors. I imagine Chip is more amenable now that his sponsor checks are signed by Japanese companies (NTT and Honda), but what about RP? Do their opinions or influence carry the same weight in the paddock as back then, and might work against those races coming back?

John, LA

RM: If NTT says it wants a race in Japan, it will get one regardless of what The Captain or anyone else thinks. I’d say Australia is 60/40, but the key to any foreign event is can it put money in the team’s pockets? And enough to make the trip worthwhile? That remains to be seen, but I don’t think the owners would bitch if they each made $200,000.

Q: What is the problem with IndyCar? Look, I think Mark Miles and crew have made a lot of good decisions lately. I’m still kind of perplexed as to why they think a February date anywhere – let alone on the other side of the world – does them any good. October is wide freaking open and needs to have two or three races. February? Super Bowl. The Daytona 500. Can you say, no-one cares if IndyCar starts their season in Australia? February belongs to Daytona and Speedweeks. Pair it up with the Supercars that already have an extremely successful date in October. Then come back to the West Coast and finish at, preferably, Fontana. Short of that flight of fantasy, move Laguna to October. Win.

Eric Z, Lancaster, NY

RM: Like I said in the previous answer, any foreign event must have the ability to make decent money for the teams or there is no sense in going. And I think running with Supercars makes the most sense, which is October. Do you run it as an exhibition after the season finale? Because the season needs to end in the USA, and it won’t be in October.

Q: My name is Lucas and I'm from Mar del Plata, Argentina. Some media down here in Argentina have been reporting that IndyCar and Ricardo Juncos are both in talks with local authorities to bring an IndyCar race down here for 2020. First it was said the race was being planned for the Buenos Aires racetrack, and some weeks ago, another wave of rumors came saying they the talks shifted towards the brand new Vilicum racetrack located in the San Juan province. Do you happen to know anything about the possibility of having a race down here, or is it just "fake news" by the Argentinean media?

Lucas

RM: I know Ricardo was investigating the possibility but haven’t heard much lately, so I’ll ask him when he returns from the COTA test.

Image by IndyCar

Q: Let me start off by saying I'm very happy about all the recent sponsorship announcements in IndyCar the last few weeks. It shows the series is as strong as it's been in years. If I can find one negative, it is that every single sponsor announced is already involved in the sport. NTT, Arrow, Rev Group, Firestone, Acura (Honda). Even Gainbridge is part of Group 1001. Again it's great that these companies see enough value in IndyCar to increase their involvement. But is it too much to want to see new blood come into the sport? Or do TV ratings have to keep rising before we see outside interest?

Dennis Czosek, Streamwood, IL

RM: I look at it like NTT of Japan branching out globally and using IndyCar, while Arrow and Honda upped their investment and all that’s impressive in this day and age when sponsors are bailing in NASCAR. Better TV ratings might attract some new blood, but let’s give NBC a couple years to improve them.

Q: You mentioned in an interview a few years ago that IndyCar needed some younger fans. When you personally have attended races and observed the spectators, what are the demographics? Is IndyCar getting younger fans and attracting a new generation of fans?

Steve, Washington, DC

RM: With no stats or photos to back me up, I’d say the younger crowd goes to street and road courses and the older fans go to ovals. But I do see a few more 20-30-somethings than in the past at all races.

Q: After watching two recent Indy car movies – Born Racer and one of my all-time favorites, Driven – do you remember who was the driving force behind Driven and how they worked with the teams? It seems only two teams, Chip Ganassi and Pac West were featured in the film, and the Penske cars are pretty much hidden.

Scott Thompson

P.S. I really think Driven sucks as a movie with the exception of the first couple of minutes.

RM: I believe it was driven by Sly Stallone, but can’t really recall. I know the week it was released it was No.1 at the box office and everyone got excited until they realized no other movies had been released that week. After we all saw it we couldn’t stop laughing because it was the worst racing movie of all time – even worse than Red Line 5000. A lot of teams got some cameo appearances, but the movie needed an anchor team to shoot lots of the cutaways and close-ups and action, so Bruce McCaw and PacWest stepped up. BTW, we renamed the move DRIVEL.

Q: Love reading your Mailbag each week. I recently saw that former F1 world champion Jensen Button is an ambassador for Honda and races for its factory effort in the Japanese Super GT series. Is there any chance Button drives an IndyCar in the near future? It seems like it's a no-brainer given Honda's involvement in the IndyCar series and he's a current open-wheel racer.

Jordan Matters

RM: Hmmm, let’s see. Jenson is a multi-millionaire with a gorgeous wife and no broken bones, so I’d say the odds on him driving an IndyCar are zero. Unless it was at Brands Hatch or Silverstone, which isn’t going to happen.

Q: Recently I had the opportunity to go back and watch several of the 500s from the late 80s through the early 90s, and it has become apparent to me after the reconfiguration in 1993 just how limited drivers are in the racing lanes they have available to them. With the emphasis having been placed for years on the driver's inability to follow other cars when placed in turbulent air, has the Speedway considered extending the bottom of the track surface back to the width of the old apron and then shortening the radius of the pit entrance and exit roads inside the four turns? With the older style of racing, drivers had more than a full car-width of extra room to find an ideal line to suit both their cars' handling characteristics, and to overtake other cars. They could move almost their entire aerodynamic profile out of the front car's wake, instead of about three feet above or below like we have today. I know this may not be the most cost-effective solution, but I would love to see how the racing of the modern cars would be influenced by this change.

Brandon Ryan, Louisville, KY

RM: Not to my knowledge but they should, because the apron was a great place to pass (ask Vuky, Mario or Rube) or escape a violent push. There was talk a few years ago about bringing back the apron for NASCAR, but nothing ever happened. Think about this: IMS was built more than 100 years ago for narrow cars going 90mph and the dimensions haven’t changed, yet cars are traveling 225mph through the corners on this narrow surface. The Apron is a no-brainer.