Robin Miller's Mailbag for July 24, 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: I thought the Iowa race was awesome, as usual. Kudos to the track and the series for getting it done. That Ferrucci kid is fun to watch. But you would never know it from the complete imbeciles that comment on the articles on RACER.com. "The race was too late." Really? Were they supposed to race in the rain? "It was a Penske parade." Really? Pretty sure Ganassi and Arrow SPM would see it differently. Was it an Andretti parade at Road America when Rossi disappeared? "There was nobody there." Considering the weather, it was amazing anyone was there. Only a couple comments were from people that were actually at the race. The rest are a bunch of keyboard jockeys in mommy's basement who most likely have never even been to a race, ever.

Time to eliminate the comments under the articles. If you don't like the series, then go watch something else. It's the same idiots week after week with the same arguments. Marco sucks, Penske has an unfair advantage, the series is doomed, we have to eliminate ovals, we have to go to Europe, etc, etc. Unbelievable. Time to end the comments. If they want to bitch, then they can write to you and actually have to have a valid argument. All I saw today was a bunch of "non-fans" with an axe to grind.

Mike, Colorado Springs

RM: While Josef was pretty much in his own orbit, the race itself was entertaining and featured lots of hard close racing from second to 17th. I told the boys in the booth during a commercial break I couldn’t believe how many people stuck around after that storm and a four-hour delay. Iowa has some great fans. And IndyCar did the right thing to get the race run because Sunday’s forecast was for day-long rains. I get that The Mailbag is a catch-all for complaints and compliments, but fresh observations are always appreciated.

Even when the race isn't that eventful, IndyCar still just puts on one hell of a show, and Iowa Speedway is a fantastic venue. While I love watching racing on TV, there really is no substitute for being there in person – the total IndyCar experience – and my boys will remember Saturday night for a very long time. Hope to see you there next year.

I guess I'm supposed to ask a question in this column, so here's one: How is that no one has written a biography of Roger Penske? (At least, I can't find one)? A household name in the sporting world and a titan of industry, I would love to know more about what makes The Captain tick. I think I heard somewhere that RP has no interest in making an autobiography, but it's a bit of surprise that someone hasn't taken a shot at writing about him. You'd think there would be interest just from a business perspective, wanting to know the "secret" to his success. Thanks for all you do for this great sport.

Jeff Zuehlke, St. Paul, MN

RM: Thanks for educating the youngsters on IndyCar and hanging tough on a challenging night Jeff. The race was damn good once it finally got going. As for The Captain, it would be a fascinating book and I need to ask why one has never been written, but R.P. is a pretty private person so it doesn’t surprise me. Plus, when could he spend any time sitting down to recount his life? He only sleeps four hours a night because he’s always on the move.

Roger Penske contemplates the opening to his autobiography. "It was a dark and stormy night..." Image by IndyCar.

Q: I tried to send an email Saturday morning before I left for the track about an evening race rather than the night race. Then Mother Nature served up a huge serving of crow. I went from upset about the excess heat to wondering who on Earth would have thought about bringing a sweatshirt? Anyhow, I'll be back if the race starts at 8 p.m. or gets the Pocono date.

This is for the Mailbag readers: Tickets 12 rows from the bottom (plenty high enough) for me and my six-year old were $30. Hotel in Iowa City, $90 (could have gone cheaper). Food and fuel, $100. That's one heck of a show for $220 when I got home at 2 p.m. Sunday. I only caught 40 laps, though. A midnight start was a bit much for a six-year-old. Still worth it. So I'm looking at you people in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis, Lincoln, Omaha and anything else in a 450-mile radius. It was an 899-mile round trip for me.

Ryan T.

RM: Thanks for hanging in there with your son and making the trek. I don’t think Iowa was too pleased with its date being moved back or the starting time, and as I wrote on Monday, it should demand an 8 o’clock green flag next year. And a $30 grandstand ticket is more than reasonable and offers a good view at Iowa.

Q: I was relieved that the Iowa start was delayed, and that they made the decision to run the race Saturday night. Lots of bitching on RACER.com about having to stay up past midnight. Hey, if you can’t stay up late on Saturday to watch one of the best races of the year, have the nursing home staff change your diaper and go to bed. I love that track. If you didn’t think that was a good race, despite domination in the lead, then you can’t be satisfied, apparently.

I’m quickly becoming a big Ferrucci fan. He’s a racer. What I do not understand is why NBC scheduled it the way they did initially? The IMSA race had already run. Why not show that, or an edited version of it after the Xfinity race, and keep the viewers informed (in case they didn’t already know, which seems unlikely for real IndyCar fans) that the IndyCar race was coming up live at 9:00? Some people seem to think that the East Coast is the only time zone in the United States. The Iowa race was not entertaining to me when it was run during the day. There is absolutely nothing wrong with starting the race at 9:00 EDT, and ending at maybe 11:30.

Also, glad to see Zach Veach have a good run. I am starting to detect a pattern at Andretti – only Rossi is running well consistently. I’m wondering if Rossi has adopted the insular European attitude of not sharing setup information with his teammates? IndyCar continues to go from strength to strength, and I’m loving it. Keep up the good work.

Keith Younce

RM: Bitching on RACER.com? Say it ain’t so. As for NBCSN’s strategy, it wanted to start the IndyCar race on the heels of the Xfinity race because that’s a great lead-in and any NASCAR event usually helps our ratings. But I think all parties will agree that Iowa must be run at night in the new contract. Rossi shares info with everyone at Andretti and vice versa. They’ve just missed at Iowa lately after dominating.

Q: You recently noted in a Mailbag that the Iowa race was more affordable than many races because hotels do not gouge. I’m attending the race this year for the first time and I can tell you that hotels are gouging. What normally are $90 rooms are now $225. I went this year because I’m committed with tickets but I will not return. Ticket prices are high as well.

Ken R, Geneva, IL

RM: Sorry to hear that. I was going by the hotels in and around Altoona, but I figured the ones close to the track would jack up their rates. But the gentleman in the letter before yours got $30 seats that were just fine, and that’s certainly not too expensive. The $160 club seats are pricey, but between the rows halfway up in the grandstand and paddock passes it seems pretty affordable in this day and age.

The patience of IndyCar fans was rewarded at Iowa – particularly for this youngster, who went home with Newgarden's cap. Image by IndyCar.

Q: Hey Robin, you certainly earned your $$$ Saturday night. Tons of airtime for you at Iowa! Were the stands there anywhere close to full before it started raining? Was out of town for work all week and got back just in time to consider walking up for the race. Ended up staying home, which was a good decision in hindsight, considering the start time. But pushing the race so late pretty much guaranteed the place looked empty on TV. Wouldn't a Sunday late morning re-schedule have made more sense? This race needs all the help it can get, and an 11 p.m. start doesn’t help.

Jeff C., Des Moines

RM: No, it was sweltering in the sun and nobody in their right mind was going to go to his or her seat before the race started – even before the weather moved in – and ticket sales were reportedly up eight percent, but would half of the 30,000 seats been occupied? We all looked at Sunday’s forecast and it called for day-long rains, so getting the race run (even at 11 p.m.) was the right call.

Q: I thought it was a great race Saturday night, too bad it didn’t end earlier than 2:30 a.m. Eastern. My question is, do you think anyone has anything for Newgarden this year? He has the most poles, most wins and is the points leader with only five races to go.

Rob K, Erie, PA

RM: Considering there was a red flag 50 laps in for more rain it’s amazing it wasn’t later, but maybe we got decent ratings on the West Coast. Of course it’s been a good year for Newgarden, but Rossi and Pagenaud have also been untouchable five times (and Sato once) so it’s going to be a battle to the end – especially with those stupid double points in the finale.

Q: What was the cause of Newgarden’s anger after qualifying in Iowa? When you interviewed him on NBCSN after qualifying he appeared to be very upset. After the interview it appeared that he wanted to talk to Rossi, who was otherwise engaged in his own interview with another media outlet. The TV commentators said that they had never seen Newgarden so upset. He is usually very upbeat.

Bill McGuire, Knightstown, IN

RM: He was just pissed off because he’d been the only driver to crack 18 seconds in practice and clearly had the best car, so starting third behind his two teammates didn’t sit well. It was uncharacteristic of Josef, but totally understandable. And I correctly predicted in our NBC production meeting he was going to kick everyone’s ass in the race, because standing down in the corner watching practice it was obvious he had no peers. If the race ran in the sun it would have been a bigger rout than it turned out.

Q: Just what we need – another Penske 1-2-3! How is this any different from F1? I admit the racing is better, but who has won most of the last championships, who has won most of the last races? Any driver they get rid of who could compete, they force into contracts where they can’t race for anybody else. You can’t tell me that if Juan Pablo Montoya or Helio Castroneves were with another decent team, they wouldn’t be challenging for wins? Even though they both wanted to race in IndyCar, they were offered deals they could not refuse. I don’t think that’s fair.

Something needs to be changed, because Penske dominates this series. Now they’re going for the only driver who can really challenge them in Rossi? It’s not a balance of power, it’s a domination of power by Penske. Every time I find a driver I like that’s doing well, they get scooped up by Penske. After that, I can’t root for them.

What changes do you think could be made to correct this? I know you definitely don’t want to tick off Penske because he puts so much money into this series. Just makes me sad there are so many good drivers in this series, and only a few of them have the opportunity to win unless Penske has a bad day.

P.S.: Don’t say it’s been a year since they had a 1-3 pole run, either, because what other team has ever had that?

Tim B.

RM: The most successful team in IndyCar history with the most resources and experience is going to be tough to beat, so winning seven of the 12 races so far is hardly a surprise. I understand your point, it was more fun cheering for Newgarden when he was the underdog with Ed and Sarah, and that’s human nature. And Mercedes’ dominance in F1 has made it pretty boring, but at least in IndyCar it’s not a given that Team Penske is going to win. Sure they were 1-2-3 in qualifying at Iowa and JoNew was unchallenged most of the night, but that also happened at Long Beach and Road America with Rossi and at Barber with Takuma Sato, so it’s not just one team every weekend. And, sure, Colton Herta got a good break with a caution at COTA, but he held off Newgarden for the win and that would be like Haas or Toro Rosso winning in F1 (which, by the way, could never happen) because the driver and his team have a much better chance to show his skills in IndyCar’s spec formula.

There are three Penske cars too many in this photo for reader Tim's liking. Image by Abbott/LAT.

Q: Why would any team (other than Penske of course) want to run with Ilmor-built Chevrolet engines? For example: at Iowa, the worst of the Penskes qualified at 179.449. The best Honda was roughly two mph down on that, and the next best Chevrolet was Kanaan, down in 13th at 174.848 mph. That's five mph slower with supposedly the same engine the Penskes are running. Do dampers and car setup get you five mph? Roger Penske is an owner in Ilmor Engineering (you know, that company that never gets any mention or credit for Chevrolet's success). Does it not seem a little fishy that no Chevrolet team has won a race in three or so years other than Team Penske? Are the other teams just so awful, or is Penske getting the cream-of-the-crop choice of engines? Or perhaps, something a little more sinister, is Penske juicing their fuel (nitrous)?

Rob, London, Ontario, Canada

RM: Watching the Penske cars negotiate the bumps at Iowa is a lot more impressive than how fast they went in a straight line, because it’s about handling, not horsepower there. And both of Ed Carpenter’s Chevys were fast in the race as well, so again, more about getting your chassis right. Yes, dampers are key to success nowadays. No doubt Honda has the better teams right now, but I’m always telling you that Chevy and Ilmor really don’t care as long as they’ve got The Captain. He’s the only reason they’re in IndyCar. Are his engines different from other Chevys? Maybe. Probably. But if so, that’s not why they win. And I’ve heard the nitrous theory for a couple years now (and especially at the end of this year’s Indy 500) but between great pit stops, top engineers and three of the best drivers in the field, would they really need to cheat? And why would IndyCar let them? This isn’t USAC circa 1970.

Q: I am a huge Rossi fan, and previously, like you and many others, agreed that a Rossi move to Penske would be a lateral move only. Andretti Autosport is certainly his right now. However, after watching Penske’s domination and Rossi’s inability to run with them, I sickeningly now have to say that I believe he must move to The Captain if he is ever going to win a championship. What are your thoughts? I pray you can shed some light that will my conclusion wrong!

Dan, Placerville, CA

RM: Nah, he dominated Team Penske at Long Beach and Road America, and he’s still very much in the title hunt. He predicted it might be a long night before the race, and it’s Josef’s best track. My thoughts are that he’s staying with Andretti and Honda because I think loyalty means something to him, just like it did Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Q: I realize Will Power won the 500 last year, and that usually cements a driver's tenure with Penske for several years, but I can't help but wonder if he might become the exception.  He's thrown away good runs the last two weeks with two incidents in Toronto and the pit miscue in Iowa, and it seems like he's been making more and more of these type of mistakes as time goes on. I know you've been saying you're starting to think Rossi will stay with Andretti in 2020, but is there a possible scenario out there where Rossi would replace Power at Penske instead of expanding to four cars?

Vincent Michael, Sunbury, PA

RM: No, Will has another year on his contract, and obviously he’s pressing, but he’s still plenty quick and has done a lot of good things for Team Penske. He’s obviously pressing right now since he’s winless but I don’t think R.P. would bump him if Rossi came on board. It would just be a four-car effort.

Q: Isn't the intention of the wave-around rule just to remove the lapped cars from between the pace car and the leader? Why does IndyCar give every driver one lap down their lap back every time the leaders pit under caution? It sure seems like some real NASCAR-type entertainment B.S. contrived to keep as many cars on the lead lap as possible. If a driver goes a lap down, he should have to race his way back onto the lead lap, which is feasible if he has a fast car. (Rossi at Phoenix last year was a perfect example). There shouldn't be any freebies in racing.

Tom, Newark, NY

RM: There are two schools of thought. It sucks for the guys who ran fast enough to lap everyone, but it’s better for the show to have 16 cars on the lead lap instead of six. It’s nothing new, and I can’t recall when this policy started, but likely the late '80s or early ’90s. I’ve never liked it, or closing the pits, because it’s manipulating the competition, and sometimes it actually becomes an advantage to those cars because if they pit for fresher tires and more fuel for the sprint for the finish.

Q: I am tired of the rule that allows wave-around cars to pit before they go green. On the caution for Sato, only the top six were still on the lead lap, but seventh-place Rossi and 17th-place Dixon were a lap down. When the pits opened, all six lead lap cars pitted. On the next time by for the cars a lap or more down, nobody pitted. A few laps later, everyone ahead of Newgarden got the wave-around, putting them on the lead lap. Then they pitted, staying on the lead lap. In NASCAR, only one car gets the Lucky Dog. In IndyCar, the rule allowed 10 cars to get the lucky dog. (Not that any of this was ever explained on TV). 

So when they restarted, the top 17 were on the lead lap. This is totally unfair to the six who were good enough not to get lapped and had earned that buffer. Instead, the 17th-place car went on to finish second. I get that it’s about the show these days instead of racing, but lets keep it IndyCar racing, not IndyCar entertainment. I hope Jay Frye and the powers-that-be fix this rule for 2020.

Mark in Cincinnati

RM: I don’t like it either, and in the old days CART had a rule that the pass-around cars could not pit until the restart, so that was much more fair to the front-runners that had earned an advantage. For example, you’d still lose at least one lap at Iowa, and be a half lap behind at Road America when it went back to green. But when the car counts diminished that rule was eliminated. And I’m told the teams all voted to retain this rule, but that’s not to say IndyCar won’t review it.

Q: How does Dixon do it? Driving an ill-handling car most of the race and winding up second, while a very racy Ferrucci fades out of the top 10. Hats off to the reigning champ.

David, Traverse City, MI

RM: Dixie didn’t seem to know when I interviewed him right after he climbed out of the car. He had a cat-swallowed-the-canary look and a sly smile like he’d stolen second place. “I thought we probably had a top-15 car,” he said. “Just a great job by my team.” He parlayed good strategy (staying out late on the last pit stop) with a fortuitous yellow and new tires to come from nowhere. Oh yeah, and he is Scott Dixon.

To be fair, half the drivers on the grid were probably asking the same question as David from Traverse City after last weekend's race. Image by IndyCar.

Q: I was under the impression that there is no passing before the line on restarts. Dixon very clearly passed a car before the line on the last restart but was not penalized. The announcers mentioned the restart was under review, and I thought for sure they were looking at Dixon passing before the line, then nothing. I don’t have a rulebook in front of me so maybe I’m wrong about the restart rule?

Eric Z, Lancaster, NY

RM: Passing is allowed regardless of a car’s position in relation to S/F when racing begins or resumes. In IndyCar, the leader has earned the right to start or restart the race by accelerating in the prescribed start or restart zone. Once the leader initiates acceleration (identified by live telemetry), the green flag flies and the car lights are simultaneously extinguished.

Q: What is the cloud hanging over Ferrucci’s head from his days in Europe? If I remember correctly his father caused trouble. The kid has a good personality, and is an aggressive but clean driver.

Kevin C

RM: He rammed into his F2 teammate after the race was over and then got on his cell phone on the cool-off lap and was subsequently fined, then banned, and lost his Haas F1 testing job as well. His father also was heavily criticized by the media. But since coming to IndyCar, Santino has been nothing but professional with a great personality and, obviously, a pretty damn good skill set. Is he cocky? Yeah, but he’s also respectful to his teammate and the competition, and has raced hard but clean. His dad attends all the races, but no dramatics from what I’ve seen. I think they realized they had a clean sheet of paper over here and a fresh start, and they’re making the most out of it. I know this: the kid is entertaining as hell behind the wheel and a good quote on top of it.

Q: I'm really enjoying the racing this season. Some races have been better than others, but none have been complete duds, in my opinion. I also want to give a thumbs-up to the IndyCar app. The live team communications is great, especially for an oval like Iowa. And it's free. Now a question: what's the real deal with Ferrucci? He came to IndyCar with a lot of baggage, but I have yet to hear a negative thing about him. He's certainly a talented and entertaining driver, and was one of the stars Saturday night.

Tobey Taylor, Houston, TX

RM: Like I wrote in the answer above your question, Santino has been a breath of fresh air – especially after all the things we’d been warned about him. I chalk it up to being a kid – we all did stupid things, but he certainly appears to have matured between ages 19 and 21.

Q: Do you think Marco Andretti is driving scared and just doesn't want to admit it? It certainly does seem that way to me. He's never been real stellar at the road courses, but in the past he always seemed to do well at the oval races. Yet in the past few seasons he hasn't performed well at all, even at Indy where he was usually considered a threat. I don't have anything against the kid, but man, it's painful to watch any more of this, as now the only threat he poses to the other drivers on track is that he's a moving chicane. It just looks to me like something has spooked him and that he's scared to death at the moment and just doesn't want to admit it, and I wonder if you feel the same?

Best Regards, TK

RM: I think he got spooked on the first lap at Indy with a wicked loose car and went straight backwards and never recovered. And the worst thing for an IndyCar driver is to have a terminally ill-handling car on an oval like he did last Saturday night until finally parking it. But I’ve never considered he was driving scared. I think it’s more a lack of confidence than anything.

Q: Over the last two years it has been very evident Marco has lost his confidence or desire to be a driver anymore. Yes, I know he has two huge gorillas on his back and that he’ll never be able to live up to what others expected of him. Now is the time for Marco to step away as a driver and focus exclusively as an owner. Conor Daly could step in immediately and show a vast improvement as a competitive driver and car over what has occurred in the past two seasons. Just think, the series could have 24 competitive cars instead of the present 23. In addition, the series would have a driver in Conor who had a good personality to help promote IndyCar racing. I’ve heard talk that Mazda is looking into supplying engines. So that’s what my crystal ball is telling me. Stay healthy and I’ll see you at Mid Ohio.

Kevin C

RM: I agree to a point, because he’s been quick in practice at so many places but then can’t repeat in qualifying and, subsequently, the races. He’s got the ability to go fast and race well, but is so inconsistent and it’s puzzling. He qualified 10th at Indy but immediately faded, and qualified in the back at Detroit after winning the pole by an impressive margin in 2018. Last weekend wasn’t a good one for Andretti Autosport, but he was slow in every session while one of his teammates with a lot less experience, Zach Veach, figured things out and drove from the back to seventh. Mazda? Don’t think so.

Mazda has plenty to keep it busy elsewhere. Which is a shame, because that red would look as cool on an IndyCar as it does on a DPi. Image by LePage/LAT.

Q: After watching the Iowa race Saturday night, I have come to the conclusion Marco really needs to step out of that No. 98 car. Regardless if he is an owner, that car and team deserve better. Finishing five or so laps down at the Indy 500 and having to park his car at Iowa has got be a huge embarrassment. I think his excuse was that they might have picked up some debris Saturday night? Not buying it. Everyone keeps talking about Marco’s winless streak, but let’s be real, his podium drought is at four years! He is nowhere close, and when the green flag drops, he becomes a gentleman driver and a moving chicane. It’s painful to watch, as I want him to succeed. Let’s hope Rossi resigns with AA (he reminds me of Michael in the early ’90s), RHR finds his mojo, and Conor Daly gets a full-time shot with AA.

MJ, Scottsdale, AZ

RM: All I can say is that it has to be agony, because he’s an Andretti and he’s got pride, so how long does he want to be a field-filler? And will he ever turn things around? I hope so, but I truly don’t know what’s happened because he’s got talent.

Q: Liked your article on driver altercations. You alluded to Parnelli getting into a scrape or two. I think he and Eddie Sachs had a great one that resulted in Sachs doing a pose for the newspaper with a surrender flag in his mouth. I always wondered if Rufus took that one in stride. I know we were excited about the growth of ownership that appeared last year, and I know some of them have fell on harder times that we hoped.

Any word on other potential owners in the pipeline? I know it’s an old drum to beat, but I really want to see Conor Daly in a car next year, and the more options, the better his chances. Plus, I love the new blood in the paddock. My comment is that I hope we all see the gift we have to IndyCar in Alexander Rossi. It really seems like he may be a superstar in the making, if not already. And while he seems to be a really good guy, he has a little of the old school mentality(that A.J. and Uncle Bobby had that makes him unique. Hopefully he lands back with Andretti and NAPA for long-term. I wish you continued good health!

John Guedel

RM: Thanks John. I’ve talked with Rufus about him punching Sachs, and he always says he’s sorry he did because he liked Eddie. But very few people were dumb enough to pick a fight with the Jones boy. Haven’t heard of any potential new owners yet, except maybe Zak Brown. I’ve been pounding Conor’s drum for a long time and I think he’s really shown he belongs this season. I just wish A.J. would have kept him, because he’s a technically skilled driver and he could have helped that team. I know he was critical of them at times, but he gave them their best runs of the past three seasons, and he’s done wonders with Carlin Racing in only two appearances. The Air Force likes him and Andretti Autosport, but I don’t think it’s enough sponsorship to provide a full-time seat. Rossi has a lot of that ’60s mentality and go-for-the-throat instinct, and I think he’s going to stay with Andretti.

Q: Wondering if you have any insight on Fernando Alonso rumors/leaks? Something I've noticed over the last two broadcasts – whenever Michael Andretti is interviewed he is wearing KIMOA sunglasses, a different pair at Road America than Toronto. Tell me I'm the only one who has noticed this – or is this just a coincidence? (Or did Fred give Mike a store display last year with every pair in the lineup). Glad to see you're healthy, hope to see you at Pocono.

Tom from Philly

RM: You are very perceptive Tom, I hadn’t noticed, but I don’t think it’s any surprise that Michael likes Zak Brown and Fernando, and would love to run them again at Indy. But they need to bury the hatchet with Honda of Japan if Michael stays with Honda (which I think he will) for that to ever happen.

Q: Carlin is looking an awful lot like Dale Coyne did circa 2015. That’s not a compliment. They don’t seem to be holding down any drivers, and you can never predict who will be driving any weekend. Beyond that, they’re just slow. Do you see this trend ending or stabilizing any time soon? This is a dangerous trend, and I’d hate to see their position get any worse (though that’s hard to imagine unless they got hold of some Foyt setups).

Max Camposano, Moraga, CA

RM: Actually they did a really good job in qualifying (Karam was 14th and Daly 16th) considering how early they went out, and the fact there was only 60 minutes of practice to try and figure things out. Trevor Carlin’s team is still learning and it’s only year two and he’s a successful racer who will get it right, but right now he’s scrambling to keep two cars on the track. The team likes Sage and Conor, who will be driving the final two ovals for them, but it’s tough enough competing with Penske, Ganassi and Andretti if you have a test program, big budget and steady line-up – let alone when you are playing musical chairs with limited finances. FYI, Coyne had three wins by 2015, and it was a decade earlier that he cut corners, had a rent-a-ride and wasn’t a threat.

Time for some fun 2015-spec Coyne trivia: The team had eight driver changes across its full-time cars in 2015, shared between seven drivers – Tristan Vautier raced both the No. 18 and the No. 19. (Pippa Mann also drove two different entries: the No. 18, and the third No. 63 at Indy). Image by Levitt/LAT.

Q: First, is there any way to convince IndyCar and Iowa to have a night race permanently, even if it means having the race on a different date? The cars looked great, the racing within the field was terrific, and outside of the weather (which nobody can control), it was a fun race overall.

Now the complaint: Is there any way to satisfy the fans or get them to quit bitching about anything and everything? From moaning about not being able to watch the races in Canada (to those people I say, there's got to be a way for you to watch on whatever outlet you choose, just pony up and pay); to complaining about the supposed lack of rain delay updates (there were plenty, especially from the track itself); to Penske domination this season (um, hello, it's called racing, you're supposed to try to be better than the other guy); to the inexplicable dislike for Sage Karam, a racer who got screwed by Ganassi for reasons not necessarily tied to racing, and who only needs a steady ride and some confidence from a team who wants him; to the constant crying by fans screaming, "Bring back _____________!" and then never showing up at _____________ and then get pissed that IndyCar isn't listening to them; and then finally the complaints about the season not being long enough (Confession: I'm one of those guys).

Geez. All that bitching and moaning is exhausting. The cars look great, the drivers are top-notch, the racing is competitive, and the sport seems reasonably healthy. What else can you ask for?

Jake, Pasadena, CA

RM: Television is obviously a big part of the equation in scheduling races and starting times, but I do think NBC, Iowa Speedway and IndyCar will sit down and figure out how to make sure every future race is at least an 8 o’clock start because it benefits everyone. Like I wrote, it’s always smart when an IndyCar car is preceded by a NASCAR event because it helps the ratings, but in this case it’s a better TV product to run at night. And it’s better for the paying customers, who often aren’t taken into consideration. Sage has a lot of fans at the track, so I guess I’m not familiar with his detractors.

Q: I’m glad someone told me to set my DVR for a couple hours longer, as I wasn’t watching the Iowa race live. I’m impressed with how IndyCar handled the delays, and also impressed with the amount of fans that stuck around. I know if I was there, there’s no way I would have left early. That’s what us diehard fans do. I would also like to point out what a good commentator that the Dinger has become. I hope he can do more, especially with Tracy next to him. Now our town prepares for Mid-Ohio – can’t wait!

Mark Suska, Lexington, Ohio

RM: I was also impressed with the folks that stuck it out, and as I’ve said for a long time, Iowa has a lot of die-hard IndyCar fans. I thought A.J. did a fine job and played off P.T. quite well. His enthusiasm was obvious.

Q: Seems that every year I email you about the IndyCar race at Pocono and defending this event's merits. It's a classic Indy car track with three turns patterned after three classic Indy car tracks, attendance has been on the upswing the past few years (I continue to be amazed at the number of people that are at that track at 9:30 Saturday a.m. for first practice – more than you see at many oval tracks for qualifying), and the crowd's energy during the race reminds me of what it was like in the stands at events in the '80s or '90s. (Zanardi's comeback at Cleveland comes to mind).

So, my thought/question: Over the last several years, we have everyone scratching their heads and fretting over the decline in popularity and attendance at oval tracks and trying to figure out how to fix it. Now, here we have a classic oval track hosting a 500-mile event that has demonstrated an increase in attendance over the last several years, with ownership that (from what we can tell) appears to want this event to continue. So, considering all of that, what kind of message does IndyCar send if they just let such an event fall by the wayside? One other thing: could you provide an address where fans can send snail mail to Robert Wickens? Gotta love that kid! Keep up the great work Robin, and thank you for your passion for this sport and its participants!

Alan, Harrisburg, PA

RM: I think the people who show up every year at Pocono are some of IndyCar’s best and most loyal, but it’s tough to say the attendance is good enough for Pocono to make money or for IndyCar to want to stay. I think ABC Supply’s sponsorship has kept it alive, but I’m not sure either side wants to continue after next month. I wish it were a pair of twin 125s instead of 500 miles with 22-23 cars, because I think it would be a much better show and attract a larger audience. But as I wrote a couple weeks back, the reality is that 20,000-30,000 at any oval needs to be considered a good crowd nowadays – I’m just not sure it’s ever been 20,000 since IndyCar returned to Pocono. I have no idea what snail mail is, but you could send a card to Robert at Arrow SPM Racing, 6803 Coffman Road, Indy, 46268.

Q: I’m from the UK and have traveled to the U.S. for the past three years for IndyCar races (twice to the Indy 500 and this year to Detroit). I also attend F1 races, DTM, WEC each year, plus others ,and have to say IndyCar is a breath of fresh air. It’s so fan-focused; I’m just not used to that in Europe. With the ongoing growth of IndyCar racing and its emerging popularity in Europe (with F1 drivers heading over to drive in it) can you see a European IndyCar round happening in the near future? If so, where? My preference would be the Brands Hatch GP circuit, 30 minutes from my house!

Gareth Holt, London, UK

RM: Well USAC ran Brands Hatch and Silverstone in 1978, and Champ Car ran Brands Hatch in 2003 so there’s some history, just not sure there’s enough interest. The oval in Germany (Lausitzring) drew very good crowds in 2001 and 2003 and is still in operation, but would it want open-wheel to return? The best reason for IndyCar to go to Europe, Asia or South America is to get a big sanction fee that could be split among the teams, but I think those days may be gone.

Paul Tracy leads the Champ Car field at Brands Hatch in 2003. Image by Griffiths/LAT.

Q: Let me start off by saying that I always enjoy the Mailbag, and watching you on TV. I am old enough to remember saving my pennies so I could subscribe to the Indianapolis Star for the month of May for coverage of the Indy 500. My question is, I saw Jay Frye and Roger Penske talking during the rain delay at Iowa. I always thought of Mr. Penske as being of average size and build. On TV it looked like Frye was standing up, and Penske was sitting down, but I don't think that was the case. How big is that guy? And it certainly didn't look like he would have any problem standing up to any of the drivers or car owners!

Ken Smith, Fremont, Ohio

RM: Jay is 6’5” and played football at Missouri, so I don’t think anyone in the IndyCar paddock is ever going to challenge him physically. It’s safer to send an email if you disagree.

Q: Why does IndyCar not race at Lime Rock? Baltimore was a big hit, and I thought I had heard at one time IndyCar was looking at that track. I see IMSA is racing there and I would think an IndyCar is smaller then an IMSA car. Keep up the good work on NBCSN, doing a great job.

Arnold Edgar, Danville, IN

RM: Let’s ask Marshall Pruett: “Because Indy cars would fly into outer space. IMSA’s GT cars show them with two, three, four wheels off the ground flying over fastest crests – imagine that with 300 more HP and 50 mph faster, and they would still be looking for Marco Andretti on the Connecticut countryside. IMSA won’t send the prototypes any longer because they’re too fast.”

Q: Your column on NASCAR/IndyCar double header got me thinking. Of course, back in the late ’90s, Chip Ganassi was part of the oval at Sportsman's Park in Cicero. Then ISC built Chicagoland out in Joliet in 2001. NASCAR was just here the other weekend. Chicago had a marquee role in IndyCar up until, geez, almost a decade ago now, then it was over. We are surrounded by races in Indiana Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, St. Louis and Ohio. What would it take to get a race back in the Chicago area? A street course by the lake would be kick-butt, of course. But any updates or predictions on a Chicagoland NASCAR/IndyCar double-header? You mentioned it as a potential option.

Evan Townes in the Windy City

RM: All I know is that Jay Frye wants a place like Chicagoland or Kentucky or Gateway or Richmond to try the double-header but, drum roll, it takes two to tango, so would NASCAR want to share its Chicago weekend with IndyCar? Is IndyCar open to Chicago? I think so.

Q: With the tremendous amount of torque in the wheels when IndyCars accelerate out of the pits, it seems to me that having one or two guys pushing on the aft wing to “help” the car out of the box would have a negligible effect. Why do they do it? Do all of the teams do it? (Does it really help the car get going? Could it help prevent stalling the engine? Is it assumed that the engine will stall and the driver can pop the clutch to restart the engine? Perhaps it's just tradition? On the negative side, might it warp the aft wing out of its designed aerodynamic position?) That new reporter, Dillon, did a nice job conducting driver interviews at Iowa.

Mark, Altus, Oklahoma

RM: From Ganassi Racing’s Mike Hull: “Yes pushing on the rear wing when the car is leaving the pit box certainly does help with getting the car up to speed, especially on cold tires or when the pit box is wet. Not all teams do this. Yes, if the tire changers are holding onto the rear wing for too long when pushing it does slow the car down. Pushing on the rear wing does also help prevent the driver from stalling when attempting to leave the pit box. You can actually see some teams using their tire changers to push or pull on the rear wing in a lateral direction to either help get the car rotated, or keep the car straight when spinning the rear tires depending on what that driver might need when trying to leave the pit box. (This is more likely to happen if there is another car pitting in front of the car attempting to leave the pit box)  We do not use this method on the No. 9 car as Scott doesn’t like that feeling and prefers to be in control of the car’s direction when leaving. (You are more likely to see this at a street course when the pit box length is short).

“In most cases, you will not see teams trying to push start the car when stalled – it’s normally quicker to push the car back to the mechanic who is waiting with the starter. Yes, the speedway wings that we currently run at Indy, Texas and Pocono are very small and fragile. We are careful how we push on this assembly as we also ran a mechanical adjuster for this configuration, and that adjuster could get damaged if you had someone pushing on the wing. We try to have the tire changers push directly on the attenuator when possible.”

Colton Herta gets a helping hand out of the pits at Road America. Image by Levitt/LAT.

Q: We haven’t heard much of the third engine manufacturer pursuit since April when Porsche bowed out, joining what appears to be a solid, if not spectacular, field of European manufacturers that IndyCar so craves that has rejected their overtures. I know there is a list of variables as to why these organizations might balk at IndyCar, but do you have any idea what the overarching thought is? Visibility? ROI? Cost? Logistics? Prestige?

And what about IndyCar changing their engines and chassis almost simultaneously with Formula 1? We know there’s no technical comparison between the two. But I’ll bet there are some manufacturers looking to get involved in open-wheel racing who want to see what Formula 1 comes up with first, and monitor the ever-evolving specs of Formula E, before deciding if either of them are worth the investment – while, much like many Europe-based drivers, seeing IndyCar as a fallback to their pursuits. Does that come into play anywhere?

Dan W., Ft. Worth, TX

RM: I think Formula E’s attraction is the fact manufacturers can showcase their technical staff and innovation. Obviously IndyCar would be much cheaper to enter than F1 and the V6 is a relevant engine, but I don’t pretend to know why it’s so difficult to score a third manufacturer.

Q: Do you worry that losing O'Ward, Bell, Larson to other series is like the ’90s when Indy lost Gordon, Stewart and others?

Steve Mattiko

RM: I worry about losing Pato, but Larson and Bell never had a chance of coming to open-wheel because none of the IndyCar owners had any idea who they were and never pursued them. Ganassi had a good talent scout and that’s why he got Kyle, and Bell was snapped up by Kyle Busch and now Toyota and Joe Gibbs. They both wanted to be stock car drivers but both want to run the Indy 500, so hopefully some day they’ll get that chance.

Q: With 12 Americans racing at Iowa, when was the last time over half the field was American?

Matt Converset, Decatur, IN

RM: Last month at Texas there were also a dozen Yanks. Sage Karam replaced Charlie Kimball in the line-up.

Q: I was reading some questions and answers in the Mailbag about the health of the series, and personally I am enjoying the car count and influx of new teams, (although the short season is still a shame). I wanted to ask you about sim racing. Whether it is the online championship for the official F1 game, or the iRacing league, the trend is for this segment to grow, and it worries me. While I don’t have numbers, the number of people who play online has likely eclipsed the number of people who watch an IndyCar race on television. Prizes of $100,000 are given to the season champ. McLaren has named gamers to its team. I’m seeing a dangerous trend. The games are better, the graphics are unreal. How long before advertisers switch their dollars to this platform which seems to be capturing the youth and early adult market?

There is no denying the demographic for race fans is creeping towards the grey scale. When I was in Portland, I felt like I had found the fountain of youth as my age of 47 felt young indeed. Real racing revolves around sponsorship, and as the series struggles to attract new fans, will we soon start cheering for the No. 22 Depends Penske Chevy (rebadged Buick to appeal to old guys), or the No. 5 Flomax Honda, where in the TV ad Hinch feigns missing Indy 500 qualifying due to spending half an hour in front of a urinal? All while fat, unshaven 20 year-olds in sweat pants win big bucks playing sim racing from their parent’s basements.

Trevor Bohay, Kamloops, BC

RM: Good question, Trevor. I know several longtime IndyCar fans that play iRacing who haven’t been to a race in a long time, and I’m sure you are right about the demographic of all those young people attracted to it as well. It’s easier to sit home and watch a race while you can also “race” in your basement on your computer, and I only see this trend growing as the die-hards get older. Thankfully, some people still like camping at road courses or hanging downtown at Long Beach or Toronto, and even driving to St. Louis for an oval. And that remains a decent platform for advertising/marketing and B-to-B relationships for sponsors, but when you hear that 25,000 people turned up to watch gamers battle in LA or that the Fortnite World Cup offers $30 million in purses, you might want to worry for motorsports as we know it. At least with corporate America.

Q: This may be old news, but I have to add my two cents about crowd attendance. I completely agree with your points about cost, but I also see people spend the same or more to go see a baseball or football game in my area. I think some of it has to do with the lack of information about what’s happening on track. At other sports you see all the action, all the time and you can hear what’s going on. Many race courses lack the ability to see and hear all of the action. I mean, the PA system at a racetrack is a joke when the cars are running at full speed. Why do they even mess with that anymore?

I have been attending Road America since 1989. Of all the tracks I’ve been to, this is the only place I would go to year after year. It has improved dramatically over the years. We have way better bathrooms, there are a lot of resources, the food selection is awesome… I could go on and on. But personally for me, the biggest improvement was the big screen TVs they added years ago. I’d like to see more in certain locations, but at least I have a few to choose from. However, I hate missing out on the broadcast. When I was younger, that’s just the way it was. Getting information or seeing television broadcasts from anywhere but your home live was non-existent. Now, I can watch a race from anywhere I get reception on my phone.

The addition of screens at Road America was a step in the right direction for reader Erik. Now, if only it could sort out its cell reception... Image by Levitt/LAT.

Unfortunately, this is also lacking at RA (and many other courses) because the reception is horrible at best. However, if IndyCar can figure out a way to get that same information to people at the track, they might get a better crowd. I realize there is an experience to be had by going to a track, and you obviously still get that over the entire Sunday or that weekend, but during the race I want to hear and see everything instead of guessing or asking around. What about track WiFi and a code for race ticket holders that allows them access to watch the broadcast on their phone? You don’t need it at every track, but a four-mile road course in the hills of Wisconsin sure could use it!

Erik Steinbrecher, Oswego, IL

RM: The cost of installing WiFi at a place with RA with 640 acres would be $3 million so that’s not feasible, but I’ve often thought IndyCar should invest in a few big screens and take them to road courses and street circuits.

Q: For John from Hermann, Mo.: Here’s my bill from Road America in 2019 from the IndyCar weekend. Don’t know if you can reproduce it in the Mailbag, but it’s $100 for the tickets for four days (required when you buy camping), $65 for the camping wristband (allows you to come and go from the property all four days) and $40 for a campsite for tents or pop-up campers for all four days and you could stay until Monday if you choose. (Campsites nearby charge $43 per day). All that adds up to $217. Add one more ticket and camping wristband and it’s $382. I am not sure that the price is so expensive, it’s an amazing weekend for the price and based on how they need to open overflow campsites every year, many other campers feels the same. Keep up the great work! See you at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Mike Kristof

RM: Thanks for that breakdown, Mike. Compared to three or four nights in a hotel, it sounds like a bargain in terms of pricing. I’d never heard any complaints until this year and George Bruggenthies instituted that $100 discount before Labor Day a couple years ago, and it seemed quite popular.

Q: I'd like to address John Humason's comment about price "gouging" at Road America. Paying $500 to camp on-site at the racetrack is likely a good deal considering I paid $300 for two nights at a hotel in Fond du Lac, plus the $100 for a set of race weekend tickets. The hotel I stayed at recently changed ownership and they honored the rate that I got when I made the reservations in advance, but the going rate at the time was much more expensive, which would have put it close to the $500 John spent staying at the track (and how can you compete with that?). While on the whole the trip can be expensive, I simply look at going to Road America as a tradition that I enjoy, love to support and, to me, the IndyCar race is worth it.  Also, add me to the list of those grateful for to George Bruggenthies for the start time, especially coming from St. Louis. See you at Gateway!

Steve Stuber

RM: First off, George is my hero for sticking to his guns and making IndyCar go with his starting time, because he understands people can’t be heading back home at 6 p.m. on a Sunday night. But if you attend an NFL or NBA game in Indianapolis and want to buy two good seats, it’s easily $500-600 dollars before you pay to park or buy your first drink. And the access at Road America is second to none.

Q: Hey Miller, I read John H's comment in last week's Mailbag. I camp at RA with my wife every year. The tickets cost us $100 per person, the campsite costs $40, and each of us is required to have a "camping wristband" which is $65/person. To me, this is hardly a price gouge. That comes in at $185 per person for three nights and three full days of on-track action, paddock access, and an already great atmosphere. Add in that we don't buy a single concession at the track, besides a few ears of corn, and this trip is a steal! Name me another sporting event that you can go to that includes lodging, parking, and your admission for $60/day?

David L, Neenah, WI

RM: Thanks David, I chose these three letters out of about 20 all in the same vein that Road America was a bargain for what you get. I know what $60 gets me at a Colts’ game: four soft drinks, four hot dogs and a program.

Q: I always enjoy the Mailbag, and your commentary on NBC/NBCSN. I liked your response to a Cannonball question a while back, about Brock Yates (RIP) bringing it back and you might have made one final run. Anyway, two questions, if you don't mind: 

1) Sarah Fisher's best chance to win as a driver? She led laps at Kentucky in 2000, finished second to Hornish at Homestead in '01 – and if there had been a crash in the closing laps and a restart, could she have caught and passed him? And the '02 MIS race, where she led laps, but finished 8th due to cooking the tires. (Tomas Scheckter won that race, even with Paul Page rooting for him). Or the KY race in '02 where she was on pole? 

2) Katherine Legge returning to IndyCar – even if Indy only? Michael Shank said at the 24 Hours of Daytona that he was being nagged – his words – on TV that Katherine was on him to line up an Indy ride. I know she's committed to IMSA, but if a ride did materialize?

Matt Wiser, Auberry, CA

RM: Sarah chased Hornish to the checkered flag at Homestead, but I can’t remember those other races to be honest. I know if she had ever been with a top-line team she would have won an IRL race or two. Katherine was thrown into Champ Car with no experience but she’s gotten better and better this past decade and I’d love to see her back at Indy (she competed in 2012 and 2013).

Come on Shank, make it happen. Image by IndyCar.

Q: The big sweeping tracks like Watkins Glen and Road America would be obvious choices for additional IndyCar/IMSA cooperation, but what about a smaller venue – say, Portland? Stuffing all the transporters into the infield might be a challenge, so IMSA might limit what classes run there. To add to the show, put some IndyCar drivers in IMSA and one or two IMSA drivers (with recent open wheel experience – Telitz, Nasr, Derani) in an IndyCar. Both series have raced there and they are always exciting. What do you think?

Jonathan and Cleide Morris, Ventura, CA

RM: I think there should be an IMSA/IndyCar double-header at Portland and Laguna Seca. Obviously, IMSA wouldn’t be allowed to bring all its classes because of space constraints, and IndyCar might only let Lights race, but they would draw a lot better as a package. To think IMSA runs at Laguna the week before IndyCar is ludicrous.

Q: You must be beat to s*** after Iowa, thanks for the reporting. Indy pace car questions: 1 )Why does guy on the right stick a gloved right hand out the window? (Perhaps for old times sake?). 2) Why were the two flags affixed to the rear bumper back in the day eliminated?

Charlie Ogletree, Greenville NC

RM: That’s always been the way to signal drivers being waved around the pace car. Got no clue about the flags. I had an easy night compared to Kevin and Dillon. I worked the pre-race and post-race, but sat on the pit wall during the race while they chased stories and called pit stops. No complaints.

Q: Who decided that three commentators should talk incessantly during every NASCAR race to the point that you can't even hear any racing? Having to mute the race eliminates the excessive chatter, but is a poor excuse for racing audio as well. It a race, not a talk show so c'mon guys, shut the hell up at least half the time! 

While I'm grinding on the axe, Rutledge Wood of all people and no Robin Miller at Indy – really? Another absurdity, and a big one for sure. Keep up the good work Robin, always enjoy your perspective.

Bill Shaffer, North Port, FL

RM: I think when you have a lot of people on air it’s human nature to want to get in your two cents as often as possible, but it’s tough to call a race and not talk over each other sometimes. I’ve not heard any complaints about NBC’s crew on NASCAR and I’ve watched the last couple races in their entirety and hadn’t really noticed what you are saying, so I’ll start listening closer. As for race day at Indy, that was a tough one to swallow, I’ll admit, but we had 11 people on air and no more room. But thanks.

Q: Following up on your response to Spike M. in the July 10th Mailbag, you said you would be all for tape delaying race broadcasts so races could always start at 1 p.m., but that tape delaying doesn’t fly anymore. Can you or someone in NBCSN elaborate on why tape delaying a race broadcast no longer makes business sense? I recall even some of CART’s races were tape delayed during their heyday. I consider myself an avid fan, but am too busy with life to sit inside during the day watching a live race broadcast (the exception to that being the 500). I watch most Sunday races in the evenings long after they have finished, and fast-forward through the commercials – if that is not tape delay by proxy, then I do not know what is.

Having all Sunday races start by 1 p.m. local time may not pack the stands, but surely it must be a step in the right direction for attendance, as George Bruggenthies knew. And I would like to think the half-million avid IndyCar fans who follow the sport on traditional TV are not likely to care when the race broadcast airs if helps attendance, especially at ovals.

David, Greensboro, NC

RM: The anti-tape delay theory is that people will find out who won before the telecast and then not watch it.

Q: Going back to the Toronto race, with Pagenaud low on fuel and Newgarden pounding the wall and losing time each lap, what do you think the chances are that Power’s run into the tires near the end was Penske team strategy to get a yellow and to help both his teammates finish the race and not lose positions?

Paul Fitzgerald, Indianapolis

RM: I think a few teams raised their eyebrows, and IndyCar looked at the replays but determined nothing sinister had happened.

Q: I had the chance to watch the final two Formula E races in Brooklyn and I was very impressed. The cars were very fast and cool looking, but they sounded like hair dryers going by at 180 mph. Attendance was fantastic and the VIP hospitality (called the Emotion Lounge) was packed, even though a VIP ticket was $2k each. Everyone I spoke with was blown away with the speed and action on the track.

There seems to be a lot of international attention to this sport while not so much here in the States, based on the huge number of international media at their press conference. No joke, there must have been 400 press in Saturday’s post-race press conference. While walking the pits I saw Michael Andretti, who has a two-car team, sporting his BMW swag. I noticed that Penske has its name on a car, and Katherine Legge was driving one the Jaguar E series cars for Bobby Rahal. So my question to you is, what the future of Formula E as it pertains to IndyCar?

George S, Indy

RM: I don’t know that it has any future with IndyCar. I think our fans like race cars that make noise. I get that all these manufacturers are gung-ho, and I hope that Michael and Bob are making money, and I’m happy Dario is the TV analyst, but I have zero interest. And I don’t think the American motorsports media cares, either. I guess it’s an acquired taste – like soccer.

Robin Miller: Not pictured. Image by Bagnall/LAT.

Q: Please pass along to Jerry Laake that with his budget, he can do both a two-seater ride and a nice e-racing setup. My wife and I did the standard two-seater last year (driven by Kyle Kaiser and Juan Piedrahita) and it was exhilarating. While I'm sure a ride with Mario is marginally better and certainly cooler to talk about, is it worth an extra $2500? That's subjective, and maybe for Jerry it is, but for me it would not be. Also, by joining IndyCar Nation, the two-seater ride is half off (i.e., $250), and it offers opportunities for two-seater rides and hot laps at races throughout the year. Just some additional options to consider.

Justin in Indy

RM: Thanks for this info Justin, hope Jerry sees it.

Q: The world has changed. Consumers have an abundance of entertainment options. Movie theaters struggle because they're competing with 70" 4k TV's and cheap THX sound in people's living rooms. Some have adjusted by offering La-Z Boys and food/booze service and it seems to be working well. In racing, venues are still doing the same thing the last 50 years. Metal bleachers in the baking sun, a 10-minute line for a $5 bottle of water then another line for a $8 hot dog or $10 beer. Audiences have those same 4k TVs in the comfort of their living room, so what's the appeal of sunburn, dehydration, and a bruised posterior?

Take Indy. You can show up day of the race and sit anywhere but Turn 1. B & E Stands are sold out every year. The view of the action is only a little better than Turn 3 (arguably because of start/finish and pit out), but with the shade it's not torture or a three-mile hike. If you're out there in row RR, it's 30 minutes round-trip to visit the latrine and grab a tenderloin. It also doesn't help that our cell phones (the oxygen of modern life) are useless 90% of the time.

Compare attending IndyCar to PGA. Sure, a third of their attendees wander around on GA tickets, but the other two-thirds are in hospitality or premium access tents. And they don't cost $600-$2500/person to get into. You mentioned MLB. Game times, cover, better/more accessible food options, decent seats with backs, cell repeaters, etc., all make for a better fan and social experience. And parking isn't two miles away from your seat. Ditto for NFL, NBA, and NCAA events.

Could a key to improving race attendance in 2020+ be giving fans willing to shell out $150-200 on race day a better option? Like PGA, offer them proper seats, or even standing viewing areas with shade, bars, food, some counters and high tops, CCTV, and easy access to bio breaks. How do we get the series and promoters to start thinking differently? Start with the seating, then look at other areas of fan experience that may be more in line with the 21st century consumer experience.

Aron Meyer

RM: Thanks for a thoughtful piece about some of the challenges of getting today’s 25-45 crowd to an auto race. IndyCar and USAC have an old guard that needs replenishing, and I’m not sure it’s feasible. What fans endure today to attend a race compared to going to an NFL, NBA or baseball game requires a different mindset. In our instant-gratification world, racing is a day-long commitment that takes patience as much as passion, and it’s so much easier to watch on TV or on your phone. I’m glad we still have fans that need the real thing, but I’m afraid it’s a dying breed.