Robin Miller's Mailbag for July 31, 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: Mike Hull gets my vote for the smartest man in IndyCar! He played Dixon’s tire strategy perfectly, and then Scott drove like a man possessed to make it work at the end. Where did Power’s speed go? Our TV coverage went to the NASCAR race too soon to get all the post-race interviews.

Doug Mayer, Revelstoke, BC, Canada

RM: Mike thanks you for the nomination, but is quick to point out it was a team decision between Dixie, engineer Chris Simmons and himself. Power said in our interview afterwards they simply made the wrong tire selections. But Hull did share the thinking that goes into choosing which tires to start and finish on:

“Where you start weighs in the decision. That’s why you saw some of the red tire starters on scrubbed rather than stickers – you knew immediately that they were a three-stop strategy with that grid decision. The second (if it’s final) or third stop is based at that point on what the longevity has been on reds vs. blacks, plus how close to the end, as reds do restarts better than the blacks if there’s a late yellow. Most teams specifically will watch when lap times begin to fall on sticker tires in the first run.

“In the case of Mid-Ohio, we thought that in order to have something close to a full run on them, that the track needed to be fully rubbered-in, so decided to start on sticker blacks. If we could get to lap 28 or 29 on the blacks, would have a chance for two stops provided that the sticker reds on a rubbered-up track could get you there on the next one. From there, it’s a tough one, as witnessed by SD in his last 10 laps. Felix couldn’t make 59, so a three-stopper for them, so their decision with the tires left was to go to blacks, so we say both strategies could work to lap 90. You could get it done with either strategy.

“The overall key, especially at Mid-Ohio, is having a portion of your run with completely open track position. That was very apparent with Dixon vs. Felix. Dixon by being on the two-stop strategy had much more open track position than most. Felix had to fight hard to clear not only the slower cars in front of him at the end, but also earlier in that final run. Not a perfect science, but great when the chemistry lab gets it right.”

Ganassi won some hearts – and some critics – with its Dixon vs Rosenqvist throw-down at Mid-Ohio. Image by Abbott/LAT.

Q: Does the call to bring in Rosenqvist into the pits on Lap 45 seem like the ultimate in team tactics to maximize points for Dixon? Barry Wanser saying Felix was always on a three-stop plan seem pretty weak considering they ran him to a two-stop distance around Lap 30. He was well ahead of Dixon and the rest before that lap 45 stop. Even if the tires degraded some, he probably makes it to lap 60 still ahead of the pack and second-placed Dixon, and goes on to win the race.

Instead, the Ganassi brain trust buries him in the pack and yet he still almost pulled it off. I know everyone was puppies and unicorns after the race because "Chip let them race," but it sure seems like his team screwed him over for Dixon. Pitting on Lap 45 made no sense considering where they pitted before. Thoughts?

Mark in Cincinnati

RM: Good day for Ganassi strategists to weigh in. As for the ultimate team tactics, Barry Wanser says: “Not at this point in the year. We race the No. 10 car to win.” As for him saying a three-stopper was always the plan, “We took advantage of running fast laps at the end of the first stint on the primary tires. We had thoughts it could be done in two stops, but not likely running alternate tires on second stint.” And on your theory that Felix makes it to Lap 60 ahead of Dixon and goes on to win the race on two stops: “Once we caught traffic that had newer tires and watching our ghost car for where we would come out after the stop, and knowing the No. 9 car made the decision to try it on two stops, we came in to cover the other strategy with three stops. We knew Felix could move forward on another set of primary tires running full fuel and Honda power, and came out in second only nine seconds behind Dixon.”

To the criticism that the Ganassi brain trust buries Rosenqvist in the pack, Wanser responds: “If five lapped cars didn’t end up between Felix and Dixon, Felix would have caught Dixon many laps prior to the end and would have a greater opportunity to pass him for the win. Our other challenge for the late race passing was Felix had used up all of his push to pass. The lapped cars and then Dixon had push to pass to use to defend.” Thanks, Barry.

Q: What do you make of Ganassi's inability to field a winning second car? It's been since 2014 that a CGR car not driven by Scott Dixon won a race, and I don't see that changing this year.

Chris M.

RM: Well it damn near happened last Sunday, and I think Felix is going to be a multiple winner before it’s all said and done. Maybe not this year (I picked him to win twice), but next year for sure. That kid has got it.

Q: Fantastic race (on TV anyway) from Mid-Ohio. Tons of strategy not caused by yellows and pit closures, but by tires and fuel. Kudos to Firestone.  Sadly, the finish was significantly hampered by lapped cars. I realize they're racing for position, but come on, 15th on back? With 10 laps to go, OK, but with 3-6 laps left, it was absolutely ridiculous. Young Felix deserved to win that thing.

Greg in NJ

RM: Race director Kyle Novak: “Race Control has the discretion to order a command blue flag on any car that is one lap down to the entire field. This rule is the same for ovals and road courses. In other words, a car that is in jeopardy of being put a second lap down to the leader is eligible for the command blue flag. Once the flag is ordered, the car receiving the flag has one lap to cede the position to the pursuing car or face further penalty. At Mid-Ohio, the only cars that were eligible for the command blue flag during the entire race were the No. 5 and the No. 7 due to the first lap incident in T4/T5.”

Q: Attended the race this weekend at Mid-Ohio for the first time and was impressed with the access to everything that you get with IndyCar compared to other racing series. Now to the question... Towards the end of the race Rosenqvist clearly had the faster car than Dixon, but was held up by lapped traffic, particularly Chilton and Andretti. Is it time for IndyCar to punish drivers for ignoring the blue flag? We were treated to a great finish, but perhaps it may have been even better if lapped traffic hadn’t played a role. Also, thanks for signing my NBC Sports hat!

Sam Smith

RM: The No. 30, No. 59, and No. 98 were racing for position at the end of the race between a slowing Dixon and a charging Rosenqvist. They really had no place to go. It’s ultimately the consequence of an all-green race. Lapped traffic has always been part of the game aside from the above rule and late race re-order procedure under FCY, and the teams need to handle it amongst themselves. I saw Dario go down and talk to Carlin in that closing salvo, obviously to ask for some relief for Felix.

Q: I thought the rules in IndyCar were similar to F1 regarding lapped cars. Cars on the lead lap shouldn't have to fight to pass them as if they were fighting for position. Shouldn't the lapped cars have made it a bit easier for Rosenqvist to pass, or was the situation different because the lapped cars were fighting for position among themselves?

Bill, St. Petersburg, FL

RM: Please read the two answers above yours. Dealing with lapped cars at Phoenix and Milwaukee was always part of a driver’s craft and made for a lot of exciting moments, whereas road courses and street circuits are much more restrictive so it’s much tougher – and more frustrating. Tony Kanaan pulled out of the way at Mid-Ohio while Chilton, Marco and Sato were caught up in their own race.

Q: Mid-Ohio was an awesome race that had all sorts of twists and turns in it. The fact that The Master (Dixon) held on just tells you how good he is – one of the greatest. Rosenqvist drove a helluva race – pushed Dixon but didn’t wreck him; Newgarden just went for it as always – maybe not the smartest move, but he is a pure racer. And that was just part of a great day on a tough track before a great crowd. Poor TK… I think the season has sucked the energy from a great racer. Any chance he comes back? Any chance Foyt just folds? I was concerned that they couldn’t keep up with higher level of competition this year, and it doesn’t appear they are up to task and improvement hasn’t been there.

Bill Cantwell

RM: I think A.J. wants him back, but not sure T.K. wants to return at this point. Tex threatens to quit every now and then and I know it’s no fun for anybody right now, but it’s his life and Larry’s future, so he’ll keep going.

Without wanting to put words in Kanaan's mouth, it's a safe bet that this is not the most fun season of his career. Image by IndyCar.

Q: The German GP was fairly entertaining. Let's see... multiple pit stops, strategy calls, tire management. They took a page from the IndyCar playbook, agreed? Mid-Ohio was great again. I was hoping Felix would get his first win. It's shaping up for a spectacular run to the end of the season.

David, Traverse City, MI

RM: It was like watching an IndyCar race and it featured some actual drama and uncertainty, which is why people should want to watch. Felix will get there.

Q: That sure was an excellent race on Sunday! How did RHR end up getting past Power? Did it end up being tire strategy? Also, I saw that Will still had 43 seconds of PTP with two laps to go. Please tell me he used it all by the time he crossed the finish line.

T.J. Spitzmiller, Sarasota, FL

RM: It’s a lame excuse but I’m in the pits so I can’t see half the action and I have no idea how RHR got by, but I interviewed Will afterwards and he simply said they made the wrong selection on tires and that buried him.

Q: Great race! Dixon’s the man! IndyCar proves again why it’s the premiere racing series in the world (my opinion). NASCAR with its “stages” (three races in one – how can they justify calling the Daytona 500 a 500-mile race?). And as I watch the German Grand Prix with F1’s generic tracks (they all look the same) and predictable winners, it’s too bad the old Formula 1 tracks of yesteryear with their character are long gone. IndyCar is a true test of a driver and team’s ability to excel.

Joe Weiss, Spooner, WI

RM: The rain actually made the F1 race pretty damn entertaining, but you are correct, most weekends IndyCar has the better racing from start to finish and an element of surprise that usually doesn’t exist in F1. The other thing is that even when Newgarden or Rossi or Pagenaud have checked out this season, the racing from second to 15th has been splendid. NASCAR races are way too long and usually need a GWC to have any kind of compelling finish, although Kentucky with the Busch brothers was fantastic and Harvick holding off Hamlin at Loudon was good too. I agree with what you say, I just wish more people would watch IndyCar.

Q: Thanks for your continuing insight on IndyCar. This season especially, it's really disheartening to watch the A.J. Foyt team perform so poorly. As such, I'd like to put you on the spot for a minute –  if A.J. et al, came to you and asked for three bullet points that you felt would provide them more success next season, what might you come up with?

Bob Kehoe, Oregon

RM: Put both teams in the same city. Spend big bucks on a damper program and specialist. Hire a driver with technical savvy.

Q: I am intrigued by the role tire choice and degradation plays in IndyCar race strategy. When did IndyCar implement the current tire rule where teams must run at least two laps on each tire compound (blacks and reds) during a race? Also, when did IndyCar begin using tires designed to degrade, rather than last as long as possible? Lastly, did tire choice play as important a role back in the days where there were multiple tire manufactures?

Mike, Midland, TX

RM: Firestone’s Cara Adams and Dale Harrigle were kind enough to provide the following: the two-lap minimum was put in place when the primary and alternate tires were introduced in 2003. Before that, Champ Car had primary and optional tires, with teams allowed to run either tire at will. Before she became the lead engineer, Cara was in charge of road and street course tires and recalls drop-off was always a target; to have a tire that was quicker initially but had some degradation. She says there has been more of a drop-off on alternates over the last several years.

Q: It’s perhaps why I have been in therapy and getting nowhere for years and losing my shirt, but I don’t believe in loyalty. There, I admitted it. Is there something wrong with me? Maybe I should clarify. I don’t believe in loyalty if and or when someone like Roger Penske can change your life by offering more money and a better car and chances than Andretti if your name is Alexander Rossi. What makes you think beyond loyalty that he wouldn’t bolt to The Captain, SPM or the rumored third big outfit if offered a plumb gig?

Turning Roger Penske down if he made an offer is career suicide. Rossi’s future seems like Josef Newgarden’s in a lot of ways. He was loyal to Ed Carpenter and before him Sarah Fisher for having him in IndyCar, but put that aside and signed with Penske. I would expect Rossi to do the exact same thing if it were offered and Honda didn’t object and NAPA migrates with him. You’re a journalist with a lot of sources, so maybe you know something we don’t yet about his leanings.

Geoff Roberts, Unionville, Canada

RM: RHR turned down The Captain and won Indy and a championship for Andretti, so it was hardly career suicide. He was loyal because Michael gave him a lifeline when it appeared his career was over. And staying kept DHL in the family as well. Rossi has been just as quick as any of the Penske drivers the past two years and almost as successful, so if the money was comparable, and I’m sure it was close, why not stay at the team that’s built around you instead of being the fourth spoke in the biggest wheel in IndyCar? I wrote the saga of his contract negotiations on Monday and R.P. made it sound like if it was only three cars maybe he’d have been a Penske driver in 2020. But I think Alex felt loyalty to Michael and Honda, and likes his four-car chances better.

Rossi would never allow an important career decision to be guided by pure loyalty... oh. Image by IndyCar.

Q: I was curious, when did Roger Penske become Roger Penske? What I mean is I’m 45 years old and remember Mears sponsored by Pennzoil and being a favorite at the Indy 500. I remember the unbelievable when Penske missed the show in 1995. So I’m curious: when did he become the dominant team owner everyone wanted to drive for, and the favorite to when the 500 and championship every year?

Steve

RM: The first time was the Can-Am days with Porsche and Trans Am series, because you could see what a first-class effort he ran. Then at Indy he showed up with a McLaren in 1971 and that set the tone for the next five decades. Building his own winning cars further enhanced his reputation. He was Roger Penske a long time ago, but began his Indy domination in the '80s.

Q: I understand the reason for starting the Mid-Ohio race at 4:05 was so NBC could show their Tour de France coverage… oh wait, no I don't! In what world do people actually want watch a bicycle race more than IndyCars? Starting the race that late put IndyCar in direct TV competition with the NASCAR Cup race in Pocono, which is obviously more popular. If the point of putting the race on network television is to attract more viewers, why start it so late? Also, the race looked very well attended on TV, and for the people who don't live in Ohio, the late start time must have contributed to them getting home at an unreasonable hour.

Tom, Newark, NY

P.S. I'm looking forward to attending the Pocono race in a few weeks, and I hope it's not the last one.

RM: In order to get eight network races, IndyCar has to pretty much take what time slots are available in a schedule crowded with golf, track & field, swimming and NASCAR. The Tour de France had an audience of seven million for its final stage in 2018, so let’s not compare ratings with IndyCar. I think we all agree that 4 p.m. is way too late to start any race and it no doubt kept some fans home (although it looked like the best turnout in five years), but national television is a valuable partner for IndyCar, and a couple late races a year are likely going to stay in the rotation.

Q: I will agree that the overall production of IndyCar race weekends by NBC outpaces that of ABC in detail, but as I tuned in for Mid-Ohio to see the cars already on track with no pre-race coverage reminded me of the “good ol’ days” and was disappointing. Couple that with watching the Formula 1 race without commercial breaks, and that makes me long for a subscription service for IndyCar. Is this even a possibility?

NBC Gold coverage has been incredible and I wish that what I watch during practices and quali would be the same on race day. I understand that sponsorship is vital to the sport’s budget, and in turn, this sponsorship comes with the need for exposure to the marketplace, but I am all in to pay for a complete broadcast without interruption. Any chance this will happen?

Tom Anderson, Mesa, AZ

RM: I imagine there could be some kind of NFL Red Zone channel some day for IndyCar on NBCSN or the internet, but right now network television is still king. We all like having a pre-race show to set the stage, but last Sunday was a rarity.

Q: I have a question about TV ratings. I DVR all the races on DirecTV. I also try to watch the races live. How do the TV ratings get counted? If I can’t watch the race live, I leave my television on to the channel that the race will be on (NBC or NBCSN) in the hopes that my TV will help the ratings of the race. Does taping something on my DVR get counted in the race ratings?  If I can’t watch the race live, does it help to leave my TV on while I’m not home?  Does having multiple TVs on in my house help the ratings?  If it does, I’ll turn all three of my televisions on to the race!

Rick Govert, Hobart, IN

RM: A response from the NBC home office: “A viewer would have to be a “Nielsen home” (there’s a sample, so it’s not every TV home that’s reported) to be counted. If he were a Nielsen home, I’m not certain exactly how his scenario would work out (although we’re glad he’s so interested in watching our IndyCar coverage on multiple TVs!).”

Q: Last I heard was, IndyCar has a batch of (Chevy and Honda) engines that are assigned at random to IndyCar teams (from an IndyCar-controlled pool, for parity) when they need a replacement engine. Now you say Ilmor provides special engines for The Captain (Penske). Isn't such favorite treatment a violation of the rulebook? Kindly explain.

Bill in CA

RM: That was my obviously failed attempt at sarcasm. When Ilmor’s Paul Ray says he’s got a bone to pick with me, I knew I better explain. But since I did such a poor job last week, let’s let Chevrolet Racing Program Manager Rob Buckner clarify:

"There are numerous ways that Chevrolet ensures that each of our race teams have equal-performing engines, many of them internal but some also regulated by IndyCar. When we build an engine, we have no idea what car it will be assigned to. Finished engines go into the “engine pool” and when a Chevrolet-powered car needs a new engine for any reason, IndyCar selects an engine from the pool and assigns it to an entry. Variation in engine performance is very controlled these days -- we are well beyond the days of hand porting. Every engine is as identical as we can make them -- across the fleet at any given time is very equal. In addition, our Chevrolet engine engineers all work very closely together and are able to overlay and compare data. The calibrations that control fueling, ignition, boost, etc., are very precise and that is to protect our reliability.

We do all we can to lift the performance of each Chevrolet-powered organization, and will continue to push for improvement."

"I think I might have accidentally given one of the special Penske engines to Spencer Pigot." (Note, in case it's still not clear – we're kidding). Image by Levitt/LAT.

Q: With all due respect to Leigh Diffey, Kevin Lee was awesome in the booth for Mid-Ohio and needs to stay there. Period!

Chris Fields, Indianapolis

RM: I thought it was Kevin’s best play-by-play effort to date, and he’s been doing IMSA races as well to hone his craft. But Diff is one of NBC’s lead announcers all year round and he loves IndyCar, so I guess the best way to put it is that we’ve got a very capable backup quarterback.

Q: There have been plenty of times this season that I haven't been happy with IndyCar Race Control. I haven't written in about them, because I don't want to be the typical Mailbag/RACER commenter bitcher. At Mid-Ohio Kyle Novak deserved a big shout-out for letting the race finish under green after JoNew took himself out. What a great finish! It was too bad the network TV window was so tight, but what a great race to have on national TV. I'm a happy IndyCar fan!

Dylan Burgett, Villa Park, IL

RM: I think Kyle does everything possible not to throw a FCY if it can be avoided, and it’s given IndyCar more racing this season. I think the drivers and fans appreciate it – I know the purists do.

Q: Just noted in your comments this week that Karam and Daly will run the remaining ovals for Carlin. I thought the plan for 2019 on the No. 31 car was Kimball for most ovals and Pato on road and street courses. Does this mean Charlie may be out of the ride? Also, we stayed for the race at Iowa. We were camping, so basically were already committed. One comment is how crazy the last two restarts were in the back half of the field. I thought for sure something was going to happen both times heading into Turn 3. Kudos to some great driving and mutual respect among those guys.

Don Weidig

RM: I thought I said Daly in the No. 59 for Pocono and Gateway. Carlin liked Sage’s feedback and he was hoping he got another shot, but the understanding is that it’s Charlie’s car for those two races.

Q: Frankly, I don't see the upside for either series with a double-header. What if either race is a true snoozefest – how does that help interest in your product? And the opposite, what if both races are great? How does that increase anyone's interest in the other's series? But I'd reconsider the idea if, and only if, it were to happen at Fontana in the fall, if only to show those short-sighted fools running IndyCar that you can go up against football and win. 

My other thought on such an event is the IndyCar still sees itself as the stepchild of big bad sister NASCAR and capitulates to them in all things racing – and that's bad for them to do – and that if this idea were to work, that somehow it becomes a prelude to IndyCar selling out to NASCAR and becoming just another part of the France family empire. I'm totally against that. Thoughts?

Jake, Pasadena, CA

RM: The upside is a lot of good publicity and the hopes you can fill some of those empty seats at all the ovals. Who is to say a Jimmie Johnson fan might not take a liking to Santino Ferrucci? So what if one or both races weren’t barnburners, the two biggest series in North America on the same card is worth a try. And why would IndyCar be a sellout to NASCAR? Just because it might be an ISC track? I think both series have bought into NBC’s wish to work together, and this would be a great start.

Q: As for the article "Could a NASCAR/IndyCar double-header really work?" Both series would have to solve the problem of tire incompatibility and get the blessing of their respective OEMs regarding their drivers before anything else is worked out. If those two major hurdles are cleared, then selecting a venue like the Charlotte Roval makes the most sense. It's in a region with a lot of big companies and good potential for landing a title sponsor – and hopefully a large purse. And NASCAR would market the hell out of it. If NASCAR pares down its schedule, which could allow more date options, it creates an interesting possibility.

Lastly, hold both races at night. Better for the fans in the stands, and better racing – maybe. I'm not sure how well an IndyCar would perform on a roval at night, but I'd love to find out! I don’t know about the logistics, but had IndyCar ever considered a night road/street race before?

Rob Peterson, Rochester, NY

RM: All options are open since it’s only the talking stage, but I know Jay Frye would like a Saturday night/Sunday afternoon twin-bill and I imagine that’s what a promoter would want to try. Two races in the same day wouldn’t get the desired buzz, in my opinion. Not sure IndyCar has considered a night road/street show, but it might be cool.

Q: I remember attending in 1973 the Michigan Twin 200s. At that time USAC had a stock car division and they ran a double-header on Sunday. Indy cars first and stock cars second. It was run in late July or early August. Do you think that might work for a NASCAR/IndyCar double? Two sprint races in one day. Or split Saturday and Sunday?  But I am guessing that as long as the Captain has Detroit on the IndyCar schedule, that is not going to happen.

Kevin, Arlington Heights, IL

RM: I believe Mark Miles prefers two races on the same day, but as I said above, I don’t think any promoter would go for it because the idea is to draw a nice crowd for two or three days with one ticket. MIS and Belle Isle co-existed in the CART era so it could work, but only if MIS is interested and I think Gateway, Richmond, Chicago and Kentucky would all be considered before MIS.

Q: Just got done watching the final Mid-Ohio IndyCar practice before qualifying. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy the NBC Sports Gold Pass! Great conversations and technical information. During the program, the guys were talking about the number of current and prospective IndyCar drivers who have come up through the Road to Indy. This amazes me, especially with the small (but obviously very talented) field of Indy Lights drivers.

My question is, what can be done to get more teams to support the Road to Indy? Andretti does more that his fair share of supporting it (as he does with everything Indy). I know teams can get extra test days if they’re involved, but what can be done to motivate a Penske or Ganassi, teams with the resources necessary to run the series to be involved? Being able to follow drivers up through the ranks is a positive for both the drivers and IndyCar.

Wally, Eden Prairie, MN

RM: Nothing anyone can do short of IndyCar pouring some decent money into the purses, and that’s not going to happen. It’s just disheartening the two most successful teams in the paddock don’t support the ladder system.

Andretti Autosport is currently leading the Indy Lights championship with Oliver Askew. Shame Ganassi and Penske aren't alongside them on the grid. Image by Road to Indy.

Q: Sorry for piling on, but I first have to clarify that I’m a huge Marco Andretti fan. Nothing would make me happier than to see him win the Indy 500. That said, the man has a gorgeous wife, a lot of toys, a beautiful house, a seemingly perfect life! Nothing wrong with that! Enjoy, Marco! But give Conor your ride already.

Vincent M, South Pasadena, CA

RM: Marco paid for Conor’s IndyCar test at Sebring a few years back, and maybe he’d enjoy the role of full-time owner some day since he co-owns his current ride with his father.

Q: I usually don’t like to badmouth any driver, because I couldn’t do what they do, but that being said, Marco is a disaster! I think he would be better off being a co-owner with his father and finding a young driver like Conor Daly. He hasn’t been competitive in years, and is not going to be. I don’t think it his team due to the fact everyone else seems to be doing well. Also, being such a late start in Iowa, (weather) I think it would be great to see NBC do a re-broadcast during the week so fans that didn’t see the race would have a chance to watch it later.

Brian Lancaster, West Lafayette, IN

RM: I guess if Rossi, RHR and Veach were in the back and struggling it wouldn’t be so glaringly obvious, but Marco is lost right now and nobody knows if he’ll ever find his way back to the front.

Q: Nice to meet you in person at Iowa. It's amazing how quickly the weekend goes by when it's just the two days. I wanted to shoot the breeze with you on the random IndyCar scuttlebutt, like, Ferrucci (who's a blast to talk to) has to have a bright future, no? Most of the better seats for '20 are probably settled in, but he's got to be in line when they open up. I loved the race, it was the first time that I've seen the IndyCars run on a short oval and I'm embarrassed that it's taken me this long. Hopefully they'll schedule that race for nighttime next year and forever into the future.

Jonathan M.

RM: Santino has been a breath of fresh air and I’m sure Dale Coyne wants to keep him, and I imagine the kid is plenty happy with his engineer, Mike Cannon, since they’ve clicked like Mike usually does with rookies. Not sure there will be many seats opening up, anyway.

Q: I always love the IndyCar race at Iowa. It’s fast, there’s lots of passing, and the cars look fantastic under the lights. I was dismayed to hear that there’s been some difficulty in securing a deal for IndyCar to return, but I choose to hope that an agreement can be secured, because for IndyCar to leave Iowa would be a colossal mistake. In fact, the racing is so good at Iowa that I would like to see more short tracks on the IndyCar schedule.

I know there’s been some discussion about Richmond, which I think would be a great addition to the schedule. But that got me thinking: What would be some other good short tracks to add? I know long-time fans would like to see Milwaukee return, but to be honest, I’m not sure the racing would be any good. Relatively flat ovals don’t seem to agree with IndyCar nowadays (look at Phoenix), so any new track would need plenty of banking.

With that in mind, how about Dover? Short oval, high banks, and in the middle of a relatively untapped market for IndyCar racing. I’m sure the fans that the series made during the Baltimore street races would love to see IndyCar return to the area. Are there any other short track you can think of that would be good for IndyCar to visit?

Garrick Aube

RM: Not sure where you heard that, because I was told that negotiations were in progress to continue. Richmond will likely get the nod, but Dover was a disaster in the IRL and we’ve been down the Milwaukee and Phoenix paths and it’s over. No other short tracks on the radar.

Richmond: Coming soon to an IndyCar schedule near you? Image by LaBounty/LAT.

Q: I never had much interest in car racing until I saw Helio Castroneves on "Dancing with the Stars." I doubted he was anything more than a "wanna-be" race car driver until my brother set me straight. I have been an Indy fan ever since. This sister now drags her racing fan brother to races including Fontana, Sonoma, Phoenix, Mid-Ohio, this year the Indy GP and the upcoming race at Laguna Seca. And now I am a big fan of F1 as well (despite Mercedes domination -- and what the heck happened to Vettel!).

This year's Indy coverage rarely shows pit times. In year's past, the pit times where shown probably 75% to 80% of the time. This year it has dropped to less than 20% and the pit times are not even discussed by the announcers. I am at a loss as to why pit times are no longer deemed important information. Can you shed some light? Love you guys! PT and Bell are a crack-up when they get going. I appreciate your insights.

Meredyth Meredith, Riverside, CA

RM: I’m in the pits during the race so I can’t always see the monitor, but it seems like we show them if they’re extremely quick or slow. But good stops have become routine so it’s not really that much of a story unless there’s a problem like JoNew had last Sunday. Helio is a good racer, and judging by debut last Saturday on NBCSN, a pretty damn good pit reporter as well.

Q: A question about formal education and IndyCar drivers. Does it help? I noticed that Sage Karam is listed as a high school graduate. I'd guess that many drivers, throwing their all into a racing career have no experience of higher education. Who are the exceptions -- and does it make a difference as a racer or as a person? I recall Milka Duno had several Masters degrees, and that Mark Donohue was a university grad engineer.

Anthony Jenkins

RM: Oriol Servia had engineering experience in college, but Bobby Unser never graduated high school yet knew as much about a chassis as anyone. I don’t think college matters, but today’s race driver needs to learn as much as possible about how to set up his or her car to try and find a tenth or two because it’s so competitive.

Q: Regarding Iowa. Wow that was a show, and IndyCar under the lights is very special. Just like Texas, there's always something happening and the coverage continues to improve. I've followed IndyCar for years and a major improvement is the drivers' attitudes during interviews and the fun they appear to have. It's not an easy sport. Not so many years ago IndyCar drivers had an arrogant and aloof attitude, but that's long gone. Do you agree? I'm a racing fan so no particular favorite team or driver. Always looking for a clean safe race. That said, how refreshing to hear Scott Dixon be pleased with a second and express it? Lastly... Robert Wickens. How great was that, and a life-long role model for all. Hope my views qualify for the positive way IndyCaris progressing! Thanks for reading and keeping us informed.

Pete Bicknell, Somerset, NJ

RM: I’ve always though IndyCar drivers are about as accommodating to the fans and media as any group – especially under the circumstances of having a microphone shoved in their face right after they crashed at 200 mph. No other sport has that kind of instant access, and this current batch of drivers are a joy to work around.

Q: I’m probably in the minority, but being a West Coast IndyCar fan gives us the advantage of time. Of course I would have liked the Iowa race to start on time, but I enjoyed all of the interviews of the drivers on the TV broadcast, as well as watching the IMSA race from earlier in the day. I was working the Twitter feed and Instagram trying to get those weather updates. Oh no, looks like rain. Looking good! No it’s spitting again. It’s back on! Drivers to your cars! I know it would be different in person, but great job NBC in keeping the rain delay interesting. Also, turned out to be an interesting race! Any idea on the ratings?

Tom, San Diego

RM: Only 156,000 people watched the restart after the red flag and there were 259,000 for the first 40 laps, so I imagine most of the viewers came from the West Coast since it was only 11 p.m. when the race ended.

Q: We were at Iowa Saturday night and had great time. Unfortunate on rain delay for fans, but was fun race in person when it started. I hope the race does return next year with sponsor. Do you think it will? I did bring two folks that had never been to any race before, I think they will return in future years. One upside to rain delay was running into Sage Karam during the delay. Very personable; hope he finds a full-time ride in future as well.

Ernie Strate, Des Moines, IA

RM: Yes I think it will return, and I just hope Iowa demands an 8 o’clock local start so it’s assured of being a night race. Sage is a good kid that just needs a good break.

Karam has no trouble winning over new fans, but finding a seat remains an ongoing challenge. Image by IndyCar.

Q: I just read your 4:30 a.m. musings on Iowa. I was among the fans who stuck it out, and I applaud IndyCar and Iowa Speedway for running the race into early Sunday morning. It was far from ideal, but Iowa is my favorite oval outside of Indy, and I stubbornly refused to drive back to Chicago having only seen the final practice on Friday (I safely arrived home just after 6 am after the race, and owe my safe return to Mountain Dew and a seemingly endless bag of dill pickle-flavored sunflower seeds).

I love IndyCar at Iowa, and I agree with the consensus of fans, drivers, and media that the 2020 Iowa 300 should start at or after 8 p.m. CDT like they do for Texas and Gateway. But here's my question:

Not to pick on Iowa, but they have the same "You're On Your Own" Severe Weather Procedures that are common at the Midwest ovals I regularly attend. I realize there isn't much these racetracks can do compared to other pro sports venues (which themselves aren't great; Chicago's Soldier Field immediately comes to mind), but wouldn't severe weather on race day for the 500 result in utter chaos if the best IMS can do is to direct people back to their vehicles? The signs say ‘Make a Plan’. I'd have a relatively short walk from J Stand to Lot 1B, but that'd still be a potential nightmare. What are your thoughts? Thanks for your hard work for our sport!

Andrew McNaughton, Chicago, IL

RM: I guess every track is different. At Detroit, they ordered fans off the island because of the lightning, and I think most places use video boards to tell the paying customers to take shelter and evacuate the grandstands. When the weather darts in and out like it did at Iowa it’s difficult to know what to tell people. But you’re a helluva fan, so thanks for hanging in there.

Q: You mentioned the low purse at Iowa and $35k for a premiere athlete? That’s what the 46th-place golfer at the British Open went home with. As die-hard fans, what can we do to help? I’ve got the NBC Gold Indy Pass. We watch every race. We went to Circuit of The Americas when Indy came to our town. Do we need more media (podcasts, blogs, etc?) Is Indy attractive enough for sponsors? Should I buy a luxury box for my clients at COTA instead of tickets for my friends? Would love to know your thoughts.

Bill Salvin

RM: That’s what the team earned, not Newgarden. There is nothing you can do, but thanks for your kind gesture. IMS and IndyCar have to find some money to make the purses not laughable, but I’m not holding my breath. And I had a couple fans say that the drivers make millions so who cares about the purse? A few drivers make a good living off salaries, but the mechanics get screwed by the Leader’s Circle and these paltry purses, in addition to the owners. The whole financial pyramid is upside down in IndyCar.

Q: Do you know if NASCAR has considered replacing the Brickyard 400 with a race on the road course if possible?

Andy J.

RM: I don’t know if NASCAR has, but I think IndyCar has made that suggestion. There is supposed to be an Xfinity test on the IMS road course but evidently Cup wouldn’t consider it because it would look like it failed on the oval. Which, of course, after a rousing start, it has.

Q: In the paddock at the “Roar before the 24” at Dayton last January, I saw Katherine Legge and Michael Shank together. A day earlier, she had signed her 2012 Indy 500 diecast for me and one of her hats for my wife. I approached them again and I asked Mr. Shank, "Isn’t it about time that you put your real IndyCar driver into the 500?” They both laughed and Mike said, “That sounds like a wonderful idea.” As we have been Katherine’s longtime fans who “sweated bullets” after her excursion at Road America, we would love to see her in a competitive IndyCar. What can her fans do to make this happen? A write-in campaign for us seniors, or social media terror for younger folks who understand how to that?

Dick & Sue Hildebrand, Ormond Beach, FL

RM: Buy lottery tickets or start a campaign to raise $750,000, and Ms. Legge would be in business.

Q: There's a simple solution for Erik Steinbrecher's complaint in last week's Mailbag about lack of information during the races. They're called scanner radios. I bought one for about $150. It's programmable by computer. When I take mine to the track, it has all of the team's frequencies, plus track PA, TV and radio, and even the event management radio frequencies. I guarantee he'll have more information at his fingertips than he'll know what to do with. I wear cellphone-type earbuds, and cover those with sound protection earmuffs so that car noise won't interfere. Works anywhere on the track. Works for all the major series, including IndyCar and NASCAR. I never attend a race without it.

Interesting to see Alonso's name come up again. We (my wife and I, plus a close friend who's a major Alonso fan.) attended this year's Indy 500 specifically to watch him race, so when he was bumped in qualifying, you can imagine our supreme disappointment. We weren't the only ones. There were a lot of people in the stands wearing Alonso and McLaren colors. The Monday after the race, we visited the museum to see the Andretti exhibit, and ran into a gentleman who'd come all the way from Italy to watch Alonso race. Michael needs to get together with Honda, and work something out to put him in a competitive car. Or switch to Chevy.

Dave Gawboy, Rosemount, MN

RM: Thanks for those tips. As you know by now, Michael is staying with Honda, so no Fernando.

Q: I found the question from George S and your answer in last week's Mailbag very thought-provoking, so no question this time, just some comments. I started going to IndyCar races 55 years ago and will always be a fan, but lately I have also been watching Formula E. I agree with Gary that the cars look cool, are fast, and the stands are full. Electrification means the cars don’t stall out when they spin, and the bodywork allows some bumping and rubbing without disaster ensuing, so the racing is video game-like -- non-stop action.

...and yet another brave attempt to sell Robin on the joys of Formula E is rebuffed. Image by LAT.

Solving the problems of making electric cars viable for all the types of tracks IndyCars race on including The Speedway will require the innovation that the fans want. The car industry has started to spend the billions of dollars that this new technology will require. That is why so many manufacturers are involved in Formula E -- to pursue cutting-edge technology that will then filter down to the road cars and be powerful advertising just like the old days.

People who say kids today don’t care about cars are just talking about the wrong kind of cars. They have not seen the knowledge and excitement anyone under age 25 has about Teslas, which are designed and built right here in the USA. The U.S. is leading the world into this new technology, and IndyCar is an American series that has a chance to be part of the future; they should do it. The alternative is watching the series get ever smaller as the fan base (like me) fades from the scene.

Pete in Tucson

RM: I’m the wrong person to pitch this to, Pete. Silent IndyCars? Just shoot me. And I don’t think today’s fans care that much about innovation, but obviously all those manufacturers in Formula E do.

Q: Robin, thanks for shining the spotlight on a couple of great racers. K.O. and Sammy showed that there is still some life in the old lions. Who is the oldest you can remember ever winning in a midget? I remember seeing ARDC shoes Len Duncan, Dutch Schaefer and Russ Klar, to name a few, racing well into their 70s, and winning… Klar in modifieds at Islip, too. For me, the good ol' days of racing. Hope you're well. Keep it coming...

Jim Mulcare, Westbury, NY

RM: Probably Mel Kenyon when he was in his 70s (maybe at The Speedrome), and I know Ralphie The Racer Ligouri ran a midget at that age too, just not sure if he won.

Q: Robin, hope you’re doing well, I have four years being cancer-free, keep fighting. I have been a racing fan for 50 years. I have been to all sorts of venues, from IndyCar to NASCAR, any and all dirt tracks.

One of my memories from going to Laguna (started going in 1970) and Long Beach (first 10 years) was walking through the paddock area. You used to be able to walk up to a team hauler and watch the guys work. Saturday afternoon was the best; you could see which team was scurrying to find a race setup and see the ones who were happy with their set-up.

I would walk through the whole pit area and check all the teams. It was cool to see the cars being torn apart and final setups installed. You could see the car up close. Now they all are tented up and you can't see anything. I always think about the young kids wandering through and not being able to see what the car actually is. I think if they opened it up for everyone to see, it would get the younger audience a little more excited about going to more races. One of the reasons I quit going to see IndyCars race in person (IMSA also) is that there was no interaction. It was like walking through a ghost town. I say, open up the haulers and let everyone see the real experience. Yes, I get that they don't want other teams to see setups and it is a pain for the crews to deal with questions from fans, but think of all the kids going back to their friends and talking up the experience. Just my thoughts.

Second, there are some very young talented midget and sprint car pilots all over the U.S. Every time I read an article about them, the end is always the same. They all say I want to race in NASCAR – hardly a peep about IndyCars. Sad to hear. Some one these kids would set IndyCar on its ear. I wish there was a better system to get some of them switched to IndyCar. Thanks for all your dedication for IndyCar, we need more people preaching.

Michael Mastoris

RM: Stars like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell were locked into NASCAR because Ganassi, Toyota and Kyle Busch came running and nobody in IndyCar even knew they existed as teenagers. Chip had a good talent scout, that’s why he got Larson. USAC drivers know that NASCAR still has some paying rides, while IndyCar would be about bringing money from Lights all the way to Indianapolis. But you can still get great access to the cars and drivers in the IndyCar paddock. Nothing like it in NASCAR or F1.