Robin Miller's Mailbag for May 22, 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: As a journalist and media personality, what is the bigger story: McLaren/Alonso’s failure to qualify, or the uplifting story of the little teams that could? I was conflicted all weekend. Sure, we want Alonso in the field for massively increased interest levels and eyeballs on the event. But the David v Goliath showdown was true eye-moistening drama. In the end will the event suffer, maybe decreased interest due to the smaller teams, lesser-known names, now in the field of 33? Conflicted? I was pulling for Pippa, Ben, and Kyle to secure a spot, while still wanting to see the two-time world champ pursue his Triple Crown. Conflicted? What a weekend full of drama. How does Zak Brown and McLaren react to another failure? Now a mid-field team at best in F1, they can’t even crack the staring grid for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Can’t wait for Sunday!

Michael Gruber

RM: As good as those little team stories were, and they were all damn good, nothing can top McLaren’s failure to provide Alonso with a competitive car. It’s an international story, and his presence will be missed in the race in terms of worldwide viewers and coverage because he is so popular. Zak reacted by firing team manager Bob Fearnley, but it’s obviously a black eye for the organization when a little USAC team with no money or experience makes the race and McLaren goes home.

Q: After today (Sunday, Bump Day) I am all in for the full-time teams to be guaranteed spots in the 500. Not the top spots, just spots. It just makes too much business sense, and even locking in the part-timers up to the 30th spot is fine. However, IndyCar stumbled on something with the last row going at it with bumping on the line. That was by far the most dramatic qualifying session I have watched in years, and I enjoyed every second of it. It’s just enough “tradition” mixed in with a bunch of business sense.

My question is the spare car rule. I was surprised McLaren fumbled about as much as they did (I think the TV crew really gave them a pass by not calling out their incompetence. I mean, when has Paul Tracy ever kept his opinions to himself?) But I did read an article earlier this week and it made it sound like a team can have a spare car, but it cannot be fully ready. Is that correct? Even the lease motor has to be swapped as well as other parts? It made it sound like it can be partially-built but not turn-key. I remember the days of drivers jumping in and out of primary and T cars at Indy all the time. What’s the rule now?

Ruben

RM: Obviously you wouldn’t want to guarantee the front row, but there would still be bumping even with 22 spots reserved, and the Last Row shootout was Jay Frye’s idea and it was a roaring success. You can have your backup car pretty well finished like Arrow SPM did, but no team is allowed to have a T car waiting with an engine in it. It usually takes 90 minutes to two hours to install one, and Hinch’s team did a yeoman's job.

Q: I just watched Kyle Kaiser and Juncos Racing knock the great Fernando Alonso and McLaren out of the 500. With Zak Brown saying that a full-time program for next year was somewhat dependent on this year, did we just see the last of McLaren? I would imagine that if Alonso wants to try Indy next year, he will do it with an established team, not McLaren, even if they do run.

Bruce, Philadelphia, PA

RM: It’s tough to say right this minute, but it certainly couldn’t have helped Brown sell the program to McLaren’s principals. As for Alonso, he’s been loyal to Zak but I can’t imagine him returning unless it’s with a top-notch team.

Q: Was curious about your thoughts on Colton Herta and who he reminds you of? What he did on Saturday, in my eyes, was one of the best qualifying performances we’ve seen in a long time. To go that fast in those conditions and then get out of the car and calmly say “we could have trimmed out more” was insane to me. With everyone nearly crashing on every turn in those conditions, him just keeping his foot in it, driving beautifully, and acting like it was no big deal reminds me of Rick Mears. What do you think?

Brad Heuer, Coeurdalene, Idaho

RM: I’m not sure he reminds me of anyone Brad, because he’s a teenager and 19-year-olds aren’t supposed that cool under fire. Colton is amazing, and no less than Sebastien Bourdais was singing his praises over the weekend. “Don’t count that kid out when you’re talking about who could win this race,” he said. Bryan’s son is an amazing blend of talent, chassis savvy, aggression, smarts and a refreshing humility and honesty.

Q: I think the new format for qualifying worked really well. It added some great drama to the weekend. It almost feels like Alonso thought he was going to waltz right into IMS and get a starting spot. I think they got a good dose of reality. He didn't act like he really cared to be there. Also, I'd like to thank you and Hamburger for having your videos with French Fry. I was not a fan of his during his CART and early IndyCar days, but now I have become a fan of his and root for him each weekend. He has a great personality and doesn't pull any punches. Keep up the great work.

Eric, London, OH

RM: Jay Frye hated the old format where Saturday basically was a test day, so he concocted a format that restored some common sense and retained the drama, and would have been a great show on NBC had it not rained. Alonso was understandably frustrated, but was a total class act and he cared until he was a couple tenths short of making the show. Seb is the best thing on the internet.

Does this guy look stand off-ish to you? Image by IndyCar

Q: How did Sebastien Bourdais change from an aloof and standoffish driver to the friendly and funny go-to guy?

David, Waxhaw, NC

RM: He was always focused and demanding of himself and his team so that made him a little uptight, but he’s getting older and enjoying life more with his lovely wife and two kids. He survived a harrowing crash and seems to have a great appreciation for life itself. He’s got a splendid sense of humor and isn’t afraid to make fun of himself or tell the truth about any subject. He’s one of the best interviews in all of motorsports, and he and Marshall have really hit it off in front of the camera. I think he enjoys the RACER.com videos, and it shows.

Q: A shout-out to Fernando and his team for their outstanding/serious effort to compete in the 2019 Indy 500; now maybe the European snobs will give the IndyCar Series the respect it deserves! That having been said, what is the chance that Alonso/McLaren will join IndyCar for the remainder of the year to get themselves ready for next year's Indy 500?

Bill in CA

RM: I would say very slim, because I don’t think Fernando has any desire to run all the races (but I’d love to see him at Road America and a short oval) and I think it would be a tough sell for McLaren right now. I just hope McLaren returns, because despite their struggles it’s still a boon for IndyCar if they run full-time, or at least next May.

Q: Does Lewis Hamilton still think the Indy 500 is easy?

Kyle in Raleigh

RM: That’s a good question, but there’s one way for him to find out.

Q: NBC Gold is worth its weight in gold. Watching Indy practice this week added tons to the whole experience as I look forward to my 35th straight year at the 500. I would like to see a tweak in the new qualifying format. Limit cars to three qualifying attempts on the first day. Line 2 cars ran exclusively as the time ran down. I would’ve liked to see some more attempts from guys like Dixon to get in the Fast 9. Dixon was unlucky and got a late draw. I know he tried again, but it was still with a hot track surface. If the Line 1 cars were limited in attempts, we might have seen more action for the Fast 9. Any chance?

Bob Strawser

RM: I would say no, because last weekend was such a success and so many people loved it, but Jay never hesitates to tweak things if it makes them better.

Q: I just finished listening to Indy 500 qualifying on IMS Radio. Please tell Mr. Penske and Mr. Ganassi that this is why there should be no guaranteed grid spots for full time entrants. Yes, it is sad that Max Chilton and Carlin missed out. But Max took it on the chin and vowed to come back stronger. If Max and Hinch got guaranteed spots, who should go home this year? Juncos? Dreyer & Reinbold? DragonSpeed? Clauson-Marshall? All of these were fantastic stories of fighting against the odds and producing under extreme pressure. A Hollywood movie writer could not come up with a better script. Yes, it is sad that McLaren and Alonso got bumped. But it does tell the world of non-Indy race fans that this racing series is full-on about preparation and performance. A great two days of racing/drama.

Peter McGinty, Australia

RM: Regardless of guaranteed spots there would still have been bumping, just different drivers vying for those 11 positions. And if you want to get all technical and rah-rah about tradition, the 33 fastest qualifiers are not in the 103rd Indy 500.

Q: When they are determining the last row, why doesn’t the fastest car from Saturday go last?

Paul Fitzgerald, Indianapolis

RM: From Race Director Kyle Novak: “The order for Last Chance Qualifying is set by the original qualifying draw. Since cars have the ability to withdraw their times to requalify, have runs waved off, etc., the possibility exists that several cars could end the day without an official qualifying time from Saturday.”

Q: I do feel sorry for Alonso, but I have two quick points. Regardless of what F1 thinks, you can't just show up at the Indy 500 and be a top team. McLaren did not put in the time nor the effort. They had a damn Chevy and couldn't get in. Even if they got in, you think they could beat series regular teams like Penske, Andretti, Gnassi, Schmidt-Peterson and ECR? No way in hell. As bad as I feel for Alonso, how many times does he let McLaren burn him before he wises up? In your opinion, what does this do to Alonso's motivation for future IndyCar races? Is this a nail in the Zak Brown’s coffin?

Worth Thompson

RM: Not entirely true. If Mercedes or Ferrari showed up with current engineers and mechanics I’m sure they could be competitive, or at least make the show. But no, I doubt if they would beat any of the top teams in the race. I imagine Fernando’s faith in Zak Brown has all but vanished, and it could be the nail.

Pretty sure this shot was taken before everything turned to poop. Image by IndyCar

Q: Robin, why do you think Alonso keeps his relationship with McLaren who doesn’t currently seem competitive, either in F1 or now in their attempt to run at Indy? Why didn’t he return to Andretti for the 500? Is it a contract thing?

John Renesch

RM: I think he trusts Zak Brown – at least, he did until this past week – but he couldn’t run for Andretti again because Honda would not lease McLaren an engine after the criticism during their Formula 1 days.

Q: What a qualifying we all just watched, huh! So happy for Juncos and Kyle Kaiser. Pagenaud did awesome! He seems to have overcome some mental barrier with his GP win and may be turning his career around at Penske. With the win at the GP and now his pole, do you think he is safe at Penske for another year? Or is The Captain still going to try to go for Rossi? Also, this McLaren team started rubbing me the wrong way. Fred seemed arrogant. I know he was trying to play it off like it wasn’t a big deal and that he was composed, but I was really unimpressed with him in losing. I know not everybody is as humble and gracious as James Hinchcliffe, but I feel like we saw the opposite of Hinch this year in Alonso. He was so fun in 2017 when all was good, but seems to be a sore loser.

Mike R., Bloomington, IN

RM: Good question, but hard to answer. Montoya won Indy for R.P. in 2015 and was no longer a full-timers by 2017 so I’m sure Rossi is still desirable, but Simon is making it tough isn’t he? Alonso was pure class after qualifying ended and met the press. No excuses, no pity party, just an honest appraisal of what went wrong. No arrogance whatsoever.

Q: So I sit through three hours of rain delay coverage, the track finally dries, and we get a bit of qualifying, and there are so many commercials, that we miss laps of qualifying? Really, I thought NBC was supposed to fix all of these issues. Frustrated IndyCar fan, from Not Better Sports....

Jerry Daniels, Aurora, CO

RM: NBC spends a fortune on its race coverage and promotion so it’s got to try and pay for some of it and had qualifying not been rained out, the commercials would have been nicely spaced out. But they pay for live action, not rain delays, and it’s not an issue – it's simply business.

Q: During all of this, NBC, NBCSN, and the Gold package coverage has been outstanding. Seeing and hearing you so prominently featured in the practice broadcasts brings a lot of flavor. I was both surprised and thrilled to hear Marshall Pruett on one of the practice broadcasts as well. Long live the Hamburger, French Fry, and Bacon show. I'm more excited about this year's Indy 500 than I've been in a long time, and I've come to the conclusion that NBC's coverage has a lot to do with it. Anybody still holding out on the Gold package is cheating themselves out of a great experience. My thanks to you and all the rest of the NBC crew for doing such a fantastic job. Do you think McLaren will be back next year? If so, will they partner with an established team?

John in Arkansas

RM: Thanks for the kind words. Tough call on McLaren, I’m hoping this month pissed them off and they want to return and prove they can handle Indianapolis. But I’m guessing 50-50 at best.

Q: What an amazing two days of qualifying! Truly riveting TV and NBC Gold; better than many races. I hope the ratings for the qualifying improve over the year,s as it was truly difficult to pull myself away. The new qualifying format is a triumph, and will no doubt make yourself and few IndyCar owners the only denizens of this planet in favor of guaranteed qualifying spots.

Justin, Park City, UT

RM: I think if it hadn’t rained all that drama would have played out well for NBC, so that was a lost opportunity to get a rating but nothing anyone can do. And, again, guaranteed spots doesn’t mean there wouldn’t have been bumping.

Q: F1 and now Indy. Maybe time to bring back your buddy Ron Dennis?

DT

RM: I think I’d rather miss the show.

Q: Why didn't Alonso and McLaren, if they were at the Brickyard for pre-race testing and for the 500 itself, not enter the IMS road course race? Easy pickings, I'd think. Is there a better road course driver than Alonso on the planet?

Bosco McNabb, Orangeville, Ontario

RM: Great question, because it would have given them a chance to try and work out the bugs and learn about the car and do pit stops. Doubt if Fred would have won the IMS race in that car, but we’d all love to see him at Road America.

Q: How would Indy discern which three cars would make the 500 if the track was too wet to qualify on all week? Have the powers that be addressed that? From where did the letter "T" come from to denote a backup car? I'm from Texas, as you already know, and my guess would be to denote the word "t'other." You have a car No.10. You have t'other car No. 10. Might that be it?

Fort Worth Dan

RM: It doesn’t get dark until 9 p.m., so there would be a window sometime. The T car stands for Training car and originated in Formula 1.

Now that is a proper speedway aero package, argues reader Jeff. (And quite a few drivers, apparently). Image by Williams/LAT

Q: The current aero package makes it look like the racing will be about the same as last year for the 500. I think as far as wow factor goes, IndyCar should go back to the 2012-to-2014 era speedway configuration. It's the biggest TV race of the year. Might as well make it about the show. Thoughts?

Jeff Loveland

RM: That’s what Rossi, Seb and quite a few drivers seem to think, so hopefully the new tires might help. If not, IndyCar will tinker with things to make things better.

Q: One year ago your pre-500 Mailbag was flooded with outrage and commentary about the qualifying coverage that interrupted the commercials ABC was airing as the drama unfolded. They had nearly two hours of live coverage and the rest of it was available on the streaming service that wasn't behind a paywall. This year we got just 50 minutes that were also heavily interrupted by commercials. NBC can't forecast the weather, but it was planned to broadcast three hours of practice on NBCSN on Sunday. Please move those three hours to Saturday next year if possible. NBC Sports Gold is a good concept, but I'm not interested in paying for it for one single competition session. Add to it a 30-minute original program every week about IndyCar or something, and maybe there's some value to it.

Ryan in West Michigan

RM: The three hours of practice are for the qualified drivers to run in race setups so Saturday wouldn’t work, and the weather ruined NBC’s game plan.

Q: I don't understand how NBC can get it so right with the fantastic NBC sports pass – which I was glued to from 11 to 5 on pole day – than switch to TV and give us nothing but a commercial fest the last hour of qualifying. At one point they ran five or six spots to come back to the last two laps of Rosenqvist. Then they go back to commercial when he gets the checker. If this how they will cover the Indy 500 – I go to the race so it doesn't matter to me – it will be piss poor.

Chris in Indiana

RM: The original plan was to have 1m40s holds for each qualifier so as not to miss any laps, but IndyCar had to abort that plan because of the threat of incoming weather.

Q: I have to say, I'm disappointed in today's TV coverage. I am not spending the extra money for Gold, so listened to the radio coverage until the last hour. Then, I was lucky enough to see almost three laps of qualifying before a commercial. I should have just listened to it on radio. While ABC's commentators where ignorant, at least they showed qualifying. I hope the race will be better.

Jerry Daniels, Aurora, CO

RM: There were 1m40s holds scheduled between runs before the weather intervened, and IndyCar had to scrap that plan to make sure it could get in all the running.

Q: Why in the world would they not show the list of how the bumping order was playing out instead of constantly showing the Top 9 then the Top 20 but never 21 through the rest of the order? This is about as frustrating I have ever been watching IndyCars. Must have been some non-interested, non-racing person deciding what to show. Certainly not dotting the i's and crossing the t's. More poor coverage of course, seems like they can never get it right, Yeah expect Gold to do it all. Never written before, read you for years, keep up the good work Robin.

Bill Shaffer, North Port, FL

RM: I’ll pass along your complaint and check out the replay, because I was in the pits and didn’t see much of the telecast.

Q: I don’t know who else to ask. Is NBC intentionally trying to sabotage the Indy 500 and IndyCar in general? I thought featuring old horse racing and fishing video clips in the app and Xfinity service over live IndyCar qualifying was bad. Then a week of great Gold Pass coverage was traded for a flaming bag of dog poo when moved to live TV. Only 60 minutes of Indy 500 qualifying “coverage” dominated by 52 minutes of commercials. It was a day filled with monumental excitement and drama, but the TV audience would never know it with all the commercials, no setup context, and no on-screen action. If I hadn’t been on Gold Pass all day I’d have no clue what was going on or why I should care.

How long would a TV exec have a job if they only aired the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship game and stuffed it with 12 game clock minutes of commercials, essentially showing nothing to viewers but the timeouts and huddles? WTF. Please have ask one of those NBC idiots in charge to call me. A monkey with a GoPro would’ve produced a better hour of TV today. Thanks, and I hope you do tape PT’s face to the Borg-Warner Trophy.

Aron Meyer

RM: Previous commitments forced most of Saturday on NBC Gold, and the last hour was open for NBCSN. But because Sunday was the bigger day, IndyCar and NBC worked together to get bumping and the run for the pole on network, and then we got rained out. Sorry you didn’t like the coverage, but commercials are a necessary evil of TV.

Q: Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you to NBC and anyone that has anything to do with this coverage. All year has been great, this weekend; spectacular. We are a "smaller than the glory days" but rabidly passionate fan base, and how wonderful to finally have a broadcast that treats us the way we deserve – like grown-ups, race fans, and folks who have a deeply-felt history with IndyCar racing, and this track in particular. Cannot wait to see what Sunday brings, and then, the rest of the year.

Mark from Chicago

RM: OK, finally a positive letter about NBC’s coverage. Appreciate it.

Anders Krohn. AKA, "Tech Dude". Image by IndyCar.

Q: Work got in my way Tuesday so couldn’t get out to IMS, but did catch Happy Hour on my NBC Gold. In a word: Outstanding! I did not catch the name of the tech dude you had in the booth, but please have NBC chain him to the booth until the month is over as he was giving us the much needed insight we (or I) desperately crave. The networks that have covered NASCAR over the years have done an excellent job describing, depicting and educating the audience on the chassis’ components and how they are adjusted, tweaked, etc. to gain the desired results. Whoever that tech dude was yesterday is the guy we need in front of a CGI (or actual) IndyCar explaining how the chassis reacts to the Speedway as the car is motoring at 230 mph, then turns left, etc..

Jesse, Franklin, IN

RM: That “tech dude” was former Indy Lights’ driver Anders Krohn, and he was magnificent every day in the booth and also in the pits when he was helping Dillon Welch. He’s the color analyst for Lights’ races and also works for IMS radio. Very talented and does a great job of explaining things to the mechanical morons like myself.

Q: You, Kevin, Anders and group are knocking it out of the park every day on the Gold Pass. I have learned so much, and the Wickens segment was amazing! Best money I ever spent...

David Spear

RM: Thanks David, it was a fun week and Robbie Wickens was riveting talking about his injuries and rehab and how he’s going to race again. Best 20 minutes of the month.

Q: All the crew and executives at NBC have knocked it out of the park this year for coverage of practice. I grew up in Indianapolis and have followed the 500 since I was 5. That being said, I feel I have learned more about the nuances of the cars and set up than I have in 30 years. Big shout out to Anders "The Viking" for his insights and interviews. NBC Sports Gold is worth every penny. Keep up the awesome work.

Jon Pytynia, Florida

RM: I’m not going to run any more letters praising Anders because it might go to his enlarged head. OK, you’re right, he’s damn informative and I actually kinda like working with him.

Q: I took your advice and splurged for the NBC Sports Gold package yesterday because the ability to spend the day watching the activities from the Speedway was just too tempting. It was then I discovered the real value in the package: the time to give Robin Miller a chance to tell his stories and interact with the other broadcasters with no constraints.

Tracey St Aubin

RM: Well, thanks, I do have a lot of stories and Gold seems to be a good outlet because we’ve got lots of time and no commercials. And you don’t have to see my ugly mug and five chins.

Q: I am 71 and have been attending the Indianapolis 500 every year starting in 1960. Now I am beginning to think about “retiring” from my annual trip to the Speedway – maybe in five years or so. Well, NBC might have ruined my plans. Their coverage of the track this year (using the Gold package) is fantastic! I keep waiting for a commercial so that I can run to the kitchen, but there aren’t any!  I am impressed! So I have this decision to make: watch on NBC or sit in the top row of Turn 3. Decisions, decisions!

Jim McGlynn, Oklahoma

RM: Easy choice. Watch practice on Gold and qualifying on Gold, NBC and NBCSN and then come to the race. The top row would clinch it for me.

Q: Really, what’s wrong with you guys – really?  The lady in the clown outfit was, well just horrible, really just off everything.  Well, except talking about herself, some of that I get, I do.  But, really who does she think she is? Led couple of laps, very well done for anyone, for sure! Yes, did get a win in Japan, but you as well as all of us know why and how. We all are talking about this a bunch. The latest line is more, many more, complaints - other than ‘oh that’s Denise or whatever, how cool’. Sure she did a ton for auto racing, good-looking woman, smart, not a great race driver but maybe not the worst on track at any given time. But really? And yes, we all are blaming you, dude! Just amazed how NBC has just blown everyone away.  NBC Gold is a steal, trust me.  Just wish we could keep watching on Gold, no commercials, I do get that money makes the wheels spin, but we did buy into Gold, so let us stay on Gold and not have to be subjected to commercials. Please get the clown ah… gone.

Freddie

RM: The opinions have been mixed on Danica, but it was her first time and I thought she made some good points and had some cool anecdotes. Blaming me? OK I’ll try and figure that one out. But glad you like Gold.

Q: Watched qualifying this weekend and, track action aside, must comment on the performance of Danica in the booth. She was a very pleasant surprise by seeming very natural with her comments; seemingly unscripted but also showed good insight (no surprise) and did it in a very engaging way. A pleasure to watch. I like Danica the announcer much better than I liked Danica the racer. Excellent job.

Erik Karlsson

RM: Her MO is unscripted and that’s why she was always a good quote, and I agree that her debut was just fine.

Q: I have never been a "Danica hater", but goodness, what a waste of time she was in the broadcast. When she was upset about Fred not feeling stressed when things didn't work out on Day 1? And comparing it to her experience at Darlington... I couldn't help but think to myself "and what have you accomplished in racing compared to Alonso?" I do hope that she is not on the air very much beyond the opening segments – and again, I have never been a hater, but she was a waste. I just wanted the usual team to tell me about what was going on. Looking forward to seeing the 500 and you getting to be a part of the network broadcast.

Jon Wright

RM: I didn’t agree with her stance on Fred because I don’t think he was stressed, he was pissed. But everyone has opinions, and DP has the miles and performance at Indy to lend some good insight, and I think she’ll be an asset on the broadcast. I’m going to be Junior’s stunt double while he’s driving the pace car.

Indy is the only race that really matters to A.J., but that doesn't mean that his team will give up on a full-time program. Image by Abbott/LAT

Q: I often hear you and others say that the only race that A.J. Foyt cares about is the Indy 500. If that’s true, why doesn’t he just close up shop on the team and put all his money on that one race once a year? He could hire the absolute best engineers and available drivers that way.

Greg F.

RM: Well, he’s got a good sponsor in ABC Supply that sponsors Pocono and he likes being part of the Leader’s Circle since it pays some money, but mostly he’s a racer and wants Larry Foyt to carry on the family tradition and run full-time. It’s not easy to find veteran engineers and mechanics that only want to work Indy, although Juncos, DragonSpeed and Clauson/Marshall scored big this month with Tom Brown, John Dick and Will Phillips.

Q: I am firmly a believer that cable companies shouldn’t charge extra for perks. Then I saw Gold on sale for $30, so I purchased it. Holy crap! I haven’t turned it off since I bought it. Best investment I’ve ever made with $30. Love the commentary and the production quality is top-notch. Tell everyone over there, great job! Do you have any idea how many subscribers you have?

Eric B.

RM: Glad to hear you like it, Eric. Not sure of our subscription number, but I’m guessing between 6,000 and 10,000, which I think would be encouraging.

Q: I know there have been a lot of people that were hating on the whole NBCSN Gold product this year, but I must tell you that just for the Indy 500 coverage makes it worth buying for the year. It’s amazing to have the full practices with full coverage done like it would be on a normal race weekend. If you bought the Gold package this makes it worth every penny all by itself. I really hope that people are enjoying it as much as I am, because it’s pretty amazing. The only thing I’d like is if you had the option to view in -ar cams live. Just wanted to tell you I was enjoying it and you are doing a great job!

Rick from PA

RM: The feedback I’ve received in 90 percent positive like yours, so I think getting a full-blown television production on your computer screen is a helluva bargain for $30-40-50.

Q: Great coverage on NBC/SN/Gold all the way, and loved seeing you get a lot of screen time, especially up in the booth. As much as I like your downstairs reporting, I think being in the booth might just be your real calling! Thank you for the many fun and insightful moments that enrich the broadcast experience.

Quick thought about the qualification sequence in conjunction with the "guaranteed spots" debate (and I think this weekend shows why guaranteed spots are a lousy idea!): I realize the qualification order hat draw has tradition, but how about we upgrade it to an actual draft, where the top-ranked team in the current championship standing (in this case Newgarden) gets to pick their quali sequence position first, followed by the next ones moving down the standings from top to bottom (the final one would have been Helio Castroneves), and finally the one-off teams not represented in the season standings, based on their top practice speeds?

This way, the regulars of the series get a small but still significant advantage without going full guaranteed-spots-nonsense. It also makes for a bit of good drama worth watching on TV after the last practice session on Friday, and adds a speculative strategic element to qualifying. Good idea?

Maximilian

RM: I suppose it’s worth considering lining up by final practice speeds from Friday, but the draw doesn’t mean quite as much as did because you can qualify countless times. It was definitely a factor last Saturday because it favored the early number (nothing new there) and only Colton was able to better his lot in life in the Fast 9.

Q: I left IMS early Sunday because the forecast looked like there was no way any runs were going to take place. Bummed, but glad I could watch it on NBC when I got home. I forgot how intense and dramatic bumping was – wow!  I am so glad that it is back, and I hope that this shows IndyCar that they do not need to change the format to secure rides. I am a huge Hinch fan and seeing him miss the show was tough, but that’s just the way Indy is. McLaren hopefully learned some lessons and will be back next year. Either that, or they will give up their IndyCar program. What do you think about McLaren and about the chances of changing the qualifying rules to secure rides?

Mark Suska, Lexington, OH

RM: I don’t think the qualifying format is going to change after last weekend, and there still would have been bumping with 22 guaranteed spots. McLaren, as I’ve said earlier, is probably 50-50 to return.

Q: I’m curious as to your observations on practice crowds this year. It seems to me that the traffic lines getting into the track have been longer this year. The number of people in the stands and milling about, at least through Thursday, seems larger. Granted, it’s not like the '60s or '70s, but still larger than the last few years. Thoughts?

Joe, Carmel

RM: When you only have two lines to get in the track it always looks busy, because half the cars are in the wrong lane so the traffic backs up. I think there were more people on Fast Friday than any day this month because Saturday qualifying was pathetic (I counted 571 people in the Northwest Vista). But there hasn’t been a good practice or qualifying crowd since 1995.

Granatelli was always larger than life, but who knows what he could have achieved if he'd run IndyCar? Image by IndyCar

Q: I was a huge fan of Andy Granatelli's and have always wondered why USAC, in my opinion, did everything possible to make him go away? Did they hate innovation, did they only want traditional gas-powered engines, were they old-timers who feared change, or was Andy just a pain in their side? I wonder if it would have been different had he won? Any thoughts?

Jo Ahrens

RM: Because USAC was a short-sighted, small-minded organization that couldn’t recognize that Andy G. was the best thing it had going. He got Indy more publicity than anyone ever has, and USAC couldn’t wait to run him off. If Granatelli would have run IndyCar racing, it would be light years ahead of NASCAR today.

Q: What do you make of Hulman and Company selling Clabber Girl? Mark Miles can say it was sold so the company can "focus on their core business of motorsports," but if that was true then they could have spun it off years ago. Baking powder has been an easy, reliable cash machine for well over a century that I'd have to think anyone would want in a company portfolio. To me the big question is, did they need to sell it to get a quick cash infusion to somehow prop up IMS and/or IndyCar?

John S., Indianapolis

RM: I truly don’t know what to think, but I understand the Hulman/George family wasn’t happy about it, so I’m going to try and find out if that’s true.

Q: On his FS1 show today, Colin Cowherd rated the Andretti family No. 6 on his top 10 sports families. Yet, the Unsers (nine Indy 500 wins vs. one for the Andretti family) didn’t even merit honorable mention! With the Indy 500 fast approaching, which family dynasties make your Top 5 or 10 at Indy?

Michael Boyd, Gadsden, TN

RM: Unsers, Andrettis, Vukovichs, Bettenhausens, Foyts, Rahals and Hertas.

Q: Meant to send this comment a week ago, but forgot in my old age. I was pleased Tony George’s command for the Indy Grand Prix was “Gentlemen, start your engines”. I suppose many could care less what he says, but I’m not a fan of “Drivers, start your engines.” I’d be curious if other Mailbag readers share my opinion.

Rick Johnson, Lynnwood, WA

RM: That’s all determined by the line-up, obviously, and with Pippa Mann in the field this Sunday you’re going to hear “drivers instead of gentlemen.” But GSYE is the famous phrase synonymous with Indianapolis.

Q: Please use your influence at NBCSN and demand the Indy 500 broadcast producer and director not show drivers' wives/girlfriends constantly during the race, especially near the end if there is a real battle for the lead. Some of us still prefer watching auto racing instead of reruns of the Love Boat.

Wayne Brower, Reidsville, NC

RM: ABC started that and then everyone joined in from all sports, and it’s not going to go away.

Q: Crazy weekend of qualifying, but I want to focus on something else. Where are our two “game-changing” announcements that Jay Frye teased were coming in May? Maybe one of ‘em was McLaren getting bumped? Ha!

Justin, Huntington, IN

RM: One will be announced tomorrow (May 23). Not sure there’s any more right now.

Q: I just read your Mailbag for May 15th, and in your response to Steve from Ithaca, you said drivers should stop kissing the bricks because "that was a NASCAR thing." Wasn't Scott Brayton the first to kiss the bricks after winning the pole for the 500 in '95? (Dale Jarrett was the first NASCAR driver to do it after winning the 400 in '96).

Tom, Newark, NY

RM: I didn’t remember that Tom, so thanks for the information. I’ll try and find a photo.

Q: I am 55 years old and my first trip to the famous speedway was in May 1973, the day that Art Pollard died I’ve been reading your articles ever since you were a 23-year-old writer, and you wrote a memorial article about your friend Pollard. My question to you is, what would be your ideal calendar for the month of May? Currently we start on Friday with Grand Prix practice, and we go to the 500 race - about 17 days with about 12 days of on-track action.

Duane, Peoria, IL

RM: Reduce Indy 500 to two days of practice and one day of qualifying until that pathetic purse gets a major upgrade. Practice Friday and Saturday, qualify on Sunday, Carb Day on Friday, the parade and the race. And stage a midget race in the third turn after the Carb Day concert.

Q: Do you think any of the big teams have a driver who is not at the track now they have available this weekend in case of a crash and slight injury to one of their drivers that would keep the main driver sidelined for qualifying weekend, but would be available to jump back in for Carb Day and the race? Basically, someone to step in and qualify the car just in case of a minor contusion or mild concussion sustained this week?

Doug Skinner

RM: No, I don’t think anyone has a sub waiting in the wings, but I’m sure they can see Stef Wilson walking around or know Carlos Munoz’s cell number or know how to track down Jay Howard.

Unfortunately, this is the closest we're likely to get to seeing Jimmie Johnson in the Indy 500. Image by LAT

Q: I thought it was cool that Jimmie Johnson came up midweek to check out the atmosphere for the 500. I saw him being interviewed and he implied that he loves the race and series, but would never ever drive an IndyCar on the oval on any level. I was very surprised. I sensed fear. Maybe I'm wrong. What do you think?

Doug Ferguson, Debary, FL

RM: You sensed right, the fear of being divorced. JJ was interested in running Indy and use to call Dario to talk about it, but after Dan Wheldon lost his life, Mrs. Johnson told the seven-time champ never to think about driving an IndyCar. But I would have loved to see it.

Q: When Scott Speed drove for Andretti in rallycross, was he ever a candidate to drive in the Indy 500? You would think he would have been a perfect candidate: open-wheel experience in F1, oval experience in NASCAR, and success and connections in a team that we can always count on to field an armada at Indy. Was he just never interested, or was Andretti not interested?

Ian from South Carolina

RM: No, Scott had a rough debut at Indy in his only try back in 2011, and I think that was enough for him.

Q: As the Indy 500 is swiftly approaching, I find myself lamenting the fact there are no Indy races within reasonable driving distance from me. I live about 4.5 hours from Virginia International Raceway, and about 5.5 hours from Charlotte's new "roval" track. What physical limitations are there preventing IndyCar from coming to VIR? Is the track not wide enough? Is it because the track is surrounded by grass with no real run-off? Is it the lack of seating for spectators? I'd love to see IndyCar go there, but I doubt it will ever happen, and I'm just curious why.  I think the Charlotte Roval is a real possibility in the future, though. I'm counting on you to make it happen buddy! Just kidding of course. Enjoy your May.

Scott from NC

RM: My understanding (having never been to VIR) is all the reasons you listed, and I’ve not heard Charlotte mentioned since the tragic IRL race back in 1999. I think your best shot could be a return to Richmond, Va., where there were some good races and crowds.

Q: The Indy Grand Prix telecast on NBC got very good ratings. Do you think in the future IndyCar might have more races on Saturday if it meant being able to be show the races on NBC instead of NBC Sports Network?

Greg

RM: You knew that network races would score higher ratings than cable, and besides the IGP, Detroit is the only other network race set for Saturday this season but I’m sure NBC looks at all the best possibilities. Could we get a Saturday night race at Iowa or Gateway on network some day? Maybe, but it might have a better chance if they were held on a Wednesday or Thursday night because I don’t think many sporting events (besides the Stanley Cup and NBA Finals) stand much of a chance on Saturday nights.

Q: I’ve been an IndyCar fan since the early '80s and have bet on two races that entire time because I just like watching and enjoying. My neighbor is a big gambler, so I thought I would try my luck last Saturday. I figured with Dixon qualifying second and the history of the race, he’d be a high probability winner, so I put $10 on him (and $10 on Rosenqvist, just for the heck of it, as he is tough). Obviously I lost. When was the last time Dixon got passed for a win? When was the last time his car was that much slower than one guy (though he qualified second)? That was BS. I know $20 is nothing, but it is rare for Dixie to get passed when leading (and push to pass didn’t even help). He even had a ton of push to pass left and still got his doors blown off. I don’t buy it. A five-time champion doesn’t get passed like that. Something stinks in Indy.

Randy Mizelle, North Carolina

RM: I’m a big fan of conspiracy theories Randy, but this isn’t one of them. Pagenaud is real good in the rain and his car was great, while Dixie couldn’t get his to turn as the laps wore down. He had a six second lead with 10 laps to go and that’s usually money in the bank, but he was pretty much defenseless.

Q: Wow! It’s the only thing that I can come up with to sum up the weekend. Saturday and Sunday were both worth the price of admission! The new format worked out great, and translates excitement and drama to the audience at home, from talking with people at the track, and my friends that watched at home, both qualifying days meant something.  NBC did a great job of translating that to the audience.  It was so good, I had to rewatch it on NBC Gold when I got home from the track. I hope the track and series listens – don't touch it. You have something that works great and offers up as much, if not more, drama than the actual race. They created two days of must-see TV.

Now it's time to prepare for the best week of racing in Indiana. Thursday, the final Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fair Grounds. Friday, back to the Speedway for Carb Day, then we are going to head to Raceway Park for more Silver Crown action. Saturday, the Little 500 (still got a top row seat for you). Sunday, the 500, Monday, World of Outlaws at Lawrenceburg Speedway. So many other great races going on that I just don't have time for this year.  This week is my Christmas!

JR Rouse

RM: A good letter to end The Mailbag and go into racing’s biggest weekend.