Robin Miller's Mailbag for February 26, 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 read with some bemusement (and a whole of dismay) your commentary about the Daytona 500 versus the Indy 500 purse. It's not the first time you've mentioned the disparity in purses between NASCAR and IndyCar, and you're right on all counts, of course. I've sat down a couple of times to figure out the Indy 500 purse numbers and for the life of me I can't understand how or why "the Greatest Spectacle in Racing" pays out so cheap.

In order to pay out $5 million + to the winner and drifting to $500K to dead last, the Indy 500 [purse] would have to hit a number slightly above $25 million – a number that isn't out of reach, nor has it been unreachable for some time. Imagine the entries there'd be for the 500 if that was the minimum for the next 500?

So, here's my question. If you're a racing driver, even a mediocre racing driver, why would you risk your neck for a paltry amount of money in IndyCar (where you get purse of what, $1.98 to win and a nifty decoder ring for first place) when you could exist very well on finishing dead last in NASCAR (where finishing dead last would allow you to be an owner in IndyCar and still race in NASCAR events to make ends meet)? Why do IndyCar drivers stand for such meager earnings and not demand more?

Jest Jake (looking for an excuse to be an IndyCar owner but can't find one)

RM: First off, the average ticket is at least $100 so that’s $20 million before you’ve sold a suite, $10 tenderloin or a $50 parking spot. I figure the IMS gross is a minimum $35 million for May. So let John Menard kick in $10 million as the title sponsor and suddenly we’re at $25 million. IndyCar drivers use to make their living off the 40 percent they earned at Indianapolis because there were very few salaries in those days, and the purse dwarfed anything else in motorsports. But nowadays, because of the Leaders Circle and the purse not increasing like it should have, a good full-timer makes it on his retainer – anywhere from $750,000 to $5 million, but mostly in the $1-3 million range. Why did Matt Brabham run the Indy 500 in 2016 and get paid less than $1,000 for finishing 22nd? Because it was an opportunity, and money wasn’t nearly as important as trying to get established. And demanding more money isn’t an option for most. But I should also mention that NASCAR’s big number is directly related to its monstrous TV package, which IndyCar doesn’t have. That’s how it’s $10 million larger.

Q: Could these few one-offs with Andretti  lead Hinchcliffe back to the team he gained his fame with? Do Michael and Honda see value in retaining him in the series? I'm not about wanting anyone to lose their ride, but Veach has underperformed in what should be a competitive seat. What is keeping him with this team? Is he bringing the sponsorship of Gainbridge? I don't know if Hinch could win the series outright, but he surely could place his car in the top five on any given weekend.

Ken Pulliam, Naperville, IL

RM: Michael said at the press conference maybe this could lead back to something full-time, and also hinted at some more races in 2020, so obviously it all depends on Genesys and how much they want to get involved. Veach did bring Gainbridge, which is probably Andretti’s biggest sponsor, and 2020 will be the final year of his contract. He had a tough sophomore season, but over-performed as a rookie. I wouldn’t write him off yet, and his future depends on his backer.

Hinchcliffe's Andretti Autosport ties go way back to his experimental stubble phase. Image by Levitt/LAT

Q: Great news that Hinch has a part-time ride with Michael this season. It is a shame that Toronto is not in the picture at present, but his being in the run to qualify for the 500 is excellent. Do you think this means that James is now completely off the books at AMSP? I just had to share with you the mail I received on Friday. I looked at the postmark, and knew I didn't know anyone in Charlotte. Turned it over, and it read ‘The Andretti Family’. Inside was a personal, handwritten thank-you note acknowledging my contribution to the Riley Children's Hospital in John's memory. I was quite touched by this lovely gesture. It is something I will keep with my special racing treasures.

Deb Schaeffer

RM: I think Hinch is hoping to still receive some kind of settlement from AMSP but he’s not allowed to talk about it, so ‘not sure’ is my answer.

Q: There was an article that I read at least a year ago, and I wanted to ask you if it was true. Because of the pit limitations at Exhibition Place due to the pit relocation, is it true that the pits can only handle 23 cars? I ask because right now, not including Hinchcliffe and possibly McLaughlin, we have 25 going to race in Toronto. Will we see our first DNQs outside of the Indianapolis 500 since 1998?

Chris K.

RM: It’s true that it’s very tight in Toronto so IndyCar is working on a solution to accommodate extra cars, but nobody is going to get sent home.

Q: The Mayor at Andretti would have a better shot at winning than Fred at McLaren!

Dan Kirby

RM: I don’t know about that, but I do know that Hinch probably has a better shot now that he’s with Andretti.

Q: Just read the letter from Paul Sturmey about the lack of Canadian drivers and if I was Canadian I would agree with everything he wrote. However, I would like to bring to his attention that Parker Thompson is still in the RTI and looking good with DEForce racing in Indy Pro 2000.

Oliver Wells

RM: Thanks Oliver, we’ll keep an eye on him. I always thought Scott Hargrove was going to be the next big thing in IndyCar from north of the border but nobody gave him a chance. We need good Canadian drivers.

Q: Why is it still called "Pole Day" at Indy? The fastest driver of the day really does not win the pole for the race, unless he/she wins the following day during the Fast Nine. They need to bring back Pole Day and have second through ninth race for the balance of the first three rows.

Jay Vandroff, Sarasota, FL

RM: Well, technically it is Pole Day on Sunday because the winner of that Fast Nine is on the pole, but I get what you’re saying because a few years ago the fastest speed of the month was posted on Saturday’s prelims and nobody topped it on Sunday. So the fast qualifier on Sunday’s Fast Nine did start first, but did not post the fastest speed of the month under the clock.

Q: I've heard it takes $5 million to run the IndyCar Series for the year if a team already has all the equipment necessary. Of that $5 mil, what cut does the owner take?

Dave O'Brien, Greenwood, IN

RM: It takes between $5-8 million depending on your sponsor status, but it’s impossible to tell what kind of a percentage (if any) unless you know the total. If a sponsor gives a team $10 million and it only takes $7 million to operate then it’s easy to see the rake. But if an owner only gets $5 million and spends it all, then he may have to rely on Leaders Circle for his cut (and that’s less than a million currently). And if a driver finds $7 million and gives $6 to a car owner, then he makes his salary right off the top. Every situation is different.

Q: Michael Andretti seems to be on the best ambassadors for IndyCar. He seems to make things happen for drivers better than anyone else. He has a great eye for talent, and he sees opportunities. He knows what fans want, and he knows how to run a great team. He has really grown into his role as a team owner and leader. Do you see him one day becoming the next Roger Penske? He already has the name, he has the pedigree in the sport, and he clearly knows how to attract the right people/sponsors. He is great at making some of the best deals come through.

While he may not have the money that Penske has from all of his businesses and involvement in other series, could you see Michael one day taking over the role of owner for IndyCar and possibly the Speedway? I think he would be a great steward for the next phase when it’s time.

Erik Steinbrecher

RM: Well Michael muscled into R.P. territory over the past 15 years (especially at Indianapolis, where his team has won three of the last six races) and is part of the Big 3 along with Ganassi. And he’s kept American drivers on the track like RHR, Rossi and now little Herta, so he is creating his own legacy after being one of the best drivers of his era. Not sure he wants to be in charge of everything, but I also was surprised he wanted to own a team so you never know.

"Don't tell anyone, but I just wrapped Chip's transporters in saran wrap". Image by LePage/LAT

Q: Saw a photo of Will Power at the COTA test and noticed an "Indy 500 Winner" logo embroidered on the right sleeve of his fire suit! Are all of the winners wearing this?  This is the first time I've ever seen this and I think it's a Penske Perfect idea!

Dave Sutton, Indy

RM: No, I’m told it’s an optional patch provided by IndyCar, and obviously Willy P. is very proud to wear it.

Q: If you had to guess, who do you think R.P. would pick as his all-time favorite driver in IndyCar, and has he ever stated it? Would it be Donohue? Mears? Helio? I would say PT, but we all know it’s not April Fool’s Day yet.

Brandon Stevens, California

RM: I don’t think he’s ever chosen one publicly, but it would likely be Mark and Rick because they were all about the team 24/7. Tom Sneva and P.T. would probably be his least favorite.

Q: Everyone is talking about Scott McLaughlin’s IndyCar tests. What happens with Will Power? Is Penske expanding to the Australian S5000 open-wheel series? A Power/McLaughlin Penske team will be a boost to the series. It could also reopen the door to IndyCar returning Down Under. Doesn’t Andretti have his hand in an Australian Supercar team? I’m surprised Chip Ganassi doesn’t have an eyeball looking at it.

Redding F.

RM: I have no idea, but I imagine McLaughlin has a much better shot at driving over here for R.P. in IndyCar than being part of a new endeavor Down Under. Michael has a stake in a Supercar team that Rossi and Hinch ran for at Bathurst [ED: Walkinshaw Andretti United] but I don’t think Ganassi has any interest.

Q: Considering I'm probably the only person who will email you that actually watches Supercars, I'm wondering what the opinion in the paddock and in the fan base about Scott McLaughlin coming over? After watching him for several years and knowing some people who worked with him doing some sim racing stuff, I feel the average IndyCar fan is in for a bit of a shock when he gets out there in a race.

I'm not going tell you he will win the Indy 500 or the Indy GP in his first race, but y'all are gonna have your hands full with him because I genuinely think he's one of the top 10 drivers in the world, pound for pound. Plus, I think the old gearheads will like him because he has that mentality of wanting to race absolutely everything he can race.

Jamie Sullivan

RM: I haven’t talked to any of the drivers but they were obviously impressed with his COTA performance, and getting up to speed that quick says a lot. I read where he’s been released from his ride Down Under [ED: His current Supercars contract ends this year] and he’s made it clear he wants to pursue IndyCar, so we may be seeing a lot of him – even in 2020.

Q: How good is Tim Cindric, and what exactly is his job? I’ve heard him referred to as a manager, director, engineer, and strategist at different times, and I guess beyond calling the races for Newgarden I don’t really know what his role is within Penske. And just how good is he? People have talked about him being the guy who steers the Penske ship overall, and there was a RACER article a few months ago about how damn good he is at strategy.

I gotta figure that he has some really special skill for calling a race, because he guided Newgarden to what looked like a relatively easy championship where (maybe unpopular opinion) Josef made a few too many errors that were all pretty unbecoming of a champion dominating a season (spinning on the last lap at Gateway and Mid-Ohio because of low-percentage moves, being completely anonymous for the entire month of May when his teammates were kicking ass, etc.). So who is Tim Cindric and what’s his role?

Max Camposano, Bethlehem, PA

RM: Tim is a smart guy who graduated from Rose-Hulman and his father (Carl) was a good engine man on Indy cars who worked alongside Herb Porter and Rick Long. He got snapped up by R.P. in 2000 and now runs all of Penske Racing, so he’s involved in every decision – be it IndyCar, NASCAR or IMSA. He is a good strategist and has won several races by making the right call at the perfect time. Sometimes that’s luck and sometimes it’s experience, but I know The Captain has total trust in his judgment in all areas.

Q: I was just wondering if you’ve heard anything about lifting or modifying the live TV blackout for the Indy 500 this year?

Dan Foster

RM: Not in Indianapolis. It will be shown that night on our NBC affiliate – Channel 13.

Q: I started attending races with a friend of mine in Toronto and it didn’t take us long to start following every race, (until last year with the disappointment of a TV package in Canada – don’t get me started); attending Champ Car races in Montreal and then Edmonton. Now it’s been 20 years and this summer will mark our 27th race. We’ve been fortunate enough to get to Mont Tremblant, Baltimore, Watkins Glen and last year we attended our first oval at Pocono, camping infield – American-style, as we call it. Each time, we didn’t realize that we were there for the last time, as those races were all dropped after we went.

Assuming we aren’t some kind of curse and instead are simply lucky to have made it to those tracks, we are looking at the 2020 schedule, trying to find another away race to attend in conjunction with our annual Toronto trip, with aspirations of one day being the two old men we sat with in a beer garden 20 years ago who had been to every track. Can you help us to decide? Is there a venue at risk of not returning? A contract concluding this year that may be in doubt of renewal? That would obviously sway our decision. Is there a must-see (Long Beach is high on our list already, we’re not big oval fans either) from a fan experience point of view that you would recommend?

We also tend to park the car when we arrive and aren’t really in any condition to be driving to and from the track each day, if you know what I mean – this is our vacation, after all. Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Ron, Stittsville, Ontario

RM: You have to go to Road America, and lately Mid-Ohio has featured some excellent racing too, so either one. And it’s not because they’re in danger of going away, but you just need to camp out and take in a weekend of real road racing. Long Beach still has that big-time atmosphere and dawn-to-dusk action for three days. I liked Richmond when they had the right tire, and Iowa has some good racing as well. Gateway is just a great experience for the fan. But I don’t see any tracks in doubt at the moment, although I always wonder if Texas and Iowa can continue to hang in there.

As the guy entrusted with day-to-day control of all of Penske's racing activities, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that Tim Cindric is pretty good at his job. Image by Levitt/LAT

Q: Now that I am newly retired, I plan to drive to Indianapolis this year for the 500. Can't miss Castroneves' likely last chance. I will certainly plan to catch the Little 500 in Anderson the night before, but wonder if you can direct me to other racing that takes place in the area pre-Indy 500? I'd be down for doing a tour of sprint and midget car races in the nights leading up to the 500.

Steve, Fresno, CA

RM: USAC sprints at Terre Haute on May 20, then right back to the Action Track the next night with USAC dirt cars and a May 22 show for Silver Crown at Lucas Oil Raceway in Clermont. Then you go to Anderson for the Little 500 and Indy on Sunday. Enjoy.

Q: All good news coming from R.P. and IMS. One thing I wish, and think needs to be discussed during qualifying as well as during the race, is the fact that they (the stars of IndyCar) are going damn near 240mph at the end of both straights. Nobody in motorsports other than the NHRA are going that fast, especially heading to a hard left turn. If I remember correctly, average speeds is the only thing that is given. Is that accurate? And again, thank you for your knowledge and keeping the love of IndyCar alive.

Jack, Ft. Myers, FL

RM: I’m pretty sure NBC runs the telemetry during a qualifying run that shows the straightaway, cornering and trap speeds and obviously (as you point out), going into Turn 1 at 240mph is insane! But I’ll make sure to ask our booth to emphasize the speed.

Q: When a third OEM is landed, how will the teams be chosen to run that engine? I can imagine any new teams entering the series could easily be assigned the new engine, but wouldn't at least a few existing teams need to make the move in order to evenly spread the load? And how does the series plan on making sure the third supplier does not deliver another boat anchor like the ill-fated Lotus? Could some version of BOP be employed if it's obvious there is a deficit?

Steve C., Ithaca, NY

RM: From IndyCar boss Jay Frye: “It will be up to new OEM to negotiate and secure team deals, and no BOP but we do have a performance clause that if OEM gets behind, they would have one opportunity to fix deficiencies. But we would not penalize others.”

Q: Regarding the new DAS steering system that the Mercedes-AMG team are using in F1, seeing the FIA has cleared this, it will be only a matter of time that other teams will develop their own system, including McLaren. Now that they also have an IndyCar team, would it be possible with the rules for them to transfer this innovative technology across to the Arrow McLaren SP team as well? Obviously I just don't know enough about IndyCar rules to know how much you can tinker with the cars.

Jason Mullen

RM: From Marshall: “DAS, which is extremely cool, isn't in the IndyCar rule book.”

Q: Please Miller, tell me our sacred gathering in May won't be cheapened into a ridiculous campaign rally? Our elected officials are welcome to attend without need to turn this into another political photo op. IndyCar fans we smart enough to demand a real hero, Anthony Joseph, drive the pace car for the 2020 500 instead of advertising the next season of the Celebrity Apprentice. This isn't NASCAR.

Gabe in NWI

RM: I don’t know if R.P. will invite Trump to the race, but I truly don’t think it’s going to take away from the flying start or great racing or atmosphere if he does.

Q: I agree with your reader who, at the risk of starting a s***storm, voiced an opinion that Trump at the Indy 500 would be an unnecessary distraction. As a lifetime Indy 500 fan, I believe the 500 is about honoring our veterans and the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Having Trump there would turn it into the greatest spectacle in politics. No thanks. Wasn’t he supposed to drive the pace car once?

RC, Speedway, IN

RM: Yep, back in 2011 but he made the charge on NBC that Barack Obama may not be an American citizen and that created a firestorm here in town. Will Higgins of the Indianapolis Star wrote this:

“Shortly after the Speedway announced Trump would drive the pace car (a Chevy Camaro), anti-Trump letters to the editor arrived at Indy Star containing words like "embarrassment," "shamefulness," "ridiculous celebrity figure." A Facebook page popped up, urging Trump be replaced and quickly drew 17,000 likes. The Baptist Ministers Alliance of Indianapolis urged the Speedway to rescind its offer to Trump. A groundswell of pressure is starting to build on Indianapolis 500 officials to dump Donald Trump as pace car driver at this month's race."

That story appeared on May 3, with the race just three weeks away, and Trump bowed on May 5, citing business reasons.

Pitlane was the one place where the Lotus could match the pace of its rivals. Image by Boyd/LAT

Q: I attempted to attend the Daytona 500 last weekend for the first time, and I will not return. Look, I realize IMS isn't necessarily packed with Democrats on race day, but the fans at DIS seemed to be largely decked out in partisan political gear (some rather vulgar, an apparent violation of DIS policies that weren't enforced) as much as they were in NASCAR gear. It was a thoroughly unpleasant experience, and I had zero interest in sticking around an extra day for the rescheduled race.

I've come to my senses in the last 10+ years and shifted my motorsports focus from Cup to IndyCar, but had wanted to see the Daytona 500 at least once in person. Shame on me for picking a particularly hostile election year to do this, but I'd be devastated if our 500 turned into a political rally the way theirs did. Please tell me something assuring. Thanks!

Andrew McNaughton, Chicago

RM: At the risk of sounding uppity (thanks Willy T.) I don’t think there’s a lot of comparison between fans at Daytona and Indianapolis. Yes, Trump carried Indiana in 2016, but that doesn’t mean there would be the same thing as you saw in Florida. He was booed at the baseball All-Star Game in D.C. and cheered at the Super Bowl in Atlanta, he didn’t disrupt the games, and I don’t think he’d have any effect on the race, either.

Q: I always look forward to the Mailbag (as well as your Tough Guy videos). Just a couple of comments prompted by the February 19 Mailbag. I agree that “Back Home Again in Indiana” should be performed live each year, but, I sure think that a video replay of a Jim Nabors’ performance could be played over the big screens during race day morning, along with replays of great moments like some of the dramatic race finishes (Johncock/Mears, Little Al/Goodyear, Hornish/Marco, Emmo/Little Al's Million Dollar Meeting, AJ in 1967 – will he get through? Sullivan's spin and win). I would love to see the museum expanded and upgraded.

But I remember seeing the old museum in 1968.  As I recall, it was a red brick building about the size of a small ranch house outside Turn 1, just north of where the administration building is now. I recall there being about a dozen cars, including A.J.'s 1964 car. It is a lot better than it used to be, but do you think Penske will re-model it?

Kevin Eads, Anderson, IN

RM: I think I’d figure out how to incorporate Tom Carnegie and Nabors into the pre-race festivities, and IMS is supposedly working on some video throwbacks as well. And I do believe R.P. will give the IMS museum a facelift so it can accommodate all that treasure in the basement.

Q: Thanks for being you and keeping the open-wheel IndyCar freaks posted on the real news. An idea hit me to honor the Hulman-George family at this year's 500, and especially Mary Hulman-George. She was a very special woman, and quite the philanthropist. How about all fans bringing one dollar (or more, obviously) and ask the Hulman-George family which effort they want to support? My vote would be child hunger. I am certain the Penske group could further develop this, and help the fans feel like we are sharing the Hulman-George love for the future.

David Watson

RM: Thanks for reading RACER.com, and I passed along your suggestion to Doug Boles and Penske management.

Q: I wanted to ask if any testing of the aeroscreen has been done at a track like Road America, Watkins Glen or the like? It looks like vision may be blocked when there is a change in both direction of travel and a change in elevation. Thank you for any information that you can provide.

Nicholas Lish

RM: There are elevation changes at COTA, and nobody reported a problem to my knowledge.

Q: I attended St. Pete and Long Beach last year, and was thrilled with the look of the IndyCar in person after they got rid of the awful “Kardashians" at the rear of the car. I attended with a great friend of mine who had never seen a race, and he was blown away by the cars and the sounds. But leave it to IndyCar to take one step forward and two steps back – the new aeroscreens look terrible! Why, oh why, is IndyCar determined to have the ugliest cars in professional motorsport? (I was not a fan of the halo in F1 but they did a much better job at preserving the open cockpit.

First we suffered for years with the IRL Dallara, then it was the DW12, until it got the much-deserved makeover, and now we are back to the crapwagon look of the DW12 with an aeroscreen. Why can't they just leave well enough alone? If they want to improve safety, invest properly in a new car. Don't just tack on something that looks like they found the spare parts lying around in a junkyard. This has really stifled my excitement for St. Pete this year. Save making IndyCars out of foam rubber, there is always going to be danger. Who is asking for these changes? Thanks for continuing to provide this platform for fans to express their opinions.

Mike F.

RM: IndyCar held out as long as it could before it introduced the aeroscreen, and it wasn’t cheap, with Red Bull’s technology department doing the design. The drivers would have raced with or without it, but because of the pressure to join the club, IndyCar acquiesced and made the move in the name of safety. I think we all miss seeing the driver operate, be it F1, IndyCar, midgets or sprints, but that’s the way of the world today so I guess you either accept or quit watching. But if the racing remains good, it shouldn’t be that big an issue.

Sounds like a few Mailbaggers still prefer to see the aeroscreen from this angle.Image by Abbott/LAT

Q: For several years now, I've had a dream that Indy would host an invitational race on Labor Day weekend. Specifically, a race that would only accept cars built by accredited colleges from throughout the country. Not an electric- or solar-powered car, but an alternative fuel open-wheel metal and fiberglass race car powered by a stock block engine. It could be a claimer series where the investment could not exceed say $250K. Cars could be either sponsored by a college's technology department, or sponsored by a booster organization supported by the college, with the mandate that they have to be built by students (with appropriate supervision).

It would be a great test bed using older (and cheaper) manufacturing options, while simultaneously encouraging the next generation of technicians and engineers to become involved in "our" form of racing. I think it would serve both generations – us geezers who pine for the good old days, and the younger folks who love technology. This has been a pipe dream of mine to fill the time during a long commute, but given the new atmosphere at Indy, I'd be curious to know if Penske, or more specifically Penske Entertainment Corp, would even consider this.

On the topic of Penske Entertainment Group, I'd suggest they start promoting the series by bringing a car to local grassroots events two-three months in advance of a local race. For instance, this year’s race at Richmond is scheduled for June 27. Beginning in April, there are numerous events (i.e. SCCA Track Days, HPDE's, local Track Crosses, etc.) that occur almost on a weekly basis at local tracks like VIR, Dominion Raceway, Summit Point, that are full of potential race fans. Bring a car and a driver (I think Hinch would be a perfect ambassador) to these events, run a couple of laps, offer a discounted ticket price, and build the base while their tongues are still wagging.

Am I completely delusional here? Is Penske Entertainment Group hiring? Would they consider a position of a regional promotions manager? Or should I just have myself fitted for a straightjacket and wicker wheelchair at the nearest old folks home?

Please write that "No Momma's Boys" book with the Indy GOATs while they’re still around to share those stories.

Napalm Nick, Locust Grove, VA

RM: R.P. has made it clear he wants IMS to host different platforms, and your idea (which I sent to him along with your email) might be right down his alley. I do think Penske Entertainment will make some moves, but not until after Indianapolis. I also forwarded your suggestion to Dennis Bickmeier at Richmond. I do like my book title, just wish I had the energy to write it.

Q: I have always wanted to make the pilgrimage to Elkhart Lake and do the IndyCar race weekend camping. I recall one time seeing an article about Mario Andretti having a group of fans gathered on Turn 3 with some sort of sign welcoming Mario Andretti and having him show up for lunch, reminiscence, and photos. Do they still have that group there, and does Mario still show up? If so, I would like to reach out to those folks and arrange to join them. I've always been a big proponent of Mario being the greatest motorsports driver of all-time, not just because he was so good – there were many who have been good – but he was such a pioneer in promoting himself in a day before self-promotion became mandatory in the sport. Your thoughts?

William "Colonel" Sanders, Olathe, KS

RM: As I recall, that was a one-time deal when Mario was helping to save Elkhart Lake on the Champ Car schedule, and those fans were so grateful. I don’t know of it ever happening again, but if someone knows anything please let me know.

Q: So your old buddy Dave Despain signed up for iRacing. You need to get signed up too! Talk to Todd Bettenhausen if you want to get a chance to go wheel-to-wheel with Dave. He can set you up with hardware. He built most of mine.

Ryan

RM: Yes, the old windbag is now a member of the online racing community, and here’s his email to me after I asked if he was really an iRacer:

True, I signed up, but I haven’t decided on hardware, and unless Todd wants to make a house call in rural Georgia the odds are 50/50 I can hook everything up and make it work. If I do get that far, the next obstacle will be my painfully slow (but only thing available) internet connection. I’m guessing I’ll end up running laps by myself for lack of bandwidth, but I’m just hoping to have fun, sharpen my reflexes and improve my hand/eye coordination without breaking any bones.”

My reply was that it’s still a helluva lot safer than riding motorcycles – Dave’s first love.

Q: So what do you think Roger should do to save open wheel yet not go the same route? How about a double-file restart?

Don Catton

RM: Save open wheel from what? IndyCar has only had a couple of multi-car accidents in the past 50 years, so it’s not really a concern. And last I looked, drivers don't crash on the straightaway at 70mph.

Q: Do you have to be an insider to get the inevitable report on Ryan Newman's wreck? It absolutely fascinates me that all that technology – seat, helmet, car structure – allowed that guy to walk out of the hospital two days later. Good news for Hinch eh? Not a full season, but who knows? I have my NBC Gold all ready to go; hope you're back on the air.

Jon Jones, Oologah, OK

RM: Ryan said he suffered a head injury, but we still don’t know if it was a severe concussion or brain bruise or what. There’s been a cloak of secrecy about his injuries, but that may just be the family’s wishes. The great thing is that he’s walking, talking and nothing was broken. NBC Gold is good to go for 2020, so thanks for re-upping.

Q: With all the gimmicks NASCAR has created to improve the on-track interest, why not create rules against blocking? IndyCar/Champ Car both did it, and it improved the product. I would argue that open-wheel races have been better the moment Race Control made Helio pull over for Justin Wilson at Detroit. Heck, if NASCAR does this, they can talk about how they are leading safety improvements in motorsports by implementing it, much like they do when they discuss helmets with visors, HANS devices, SAFER Barriers, and the latest I heard on this week, having a team of trauma doctors travel with the series at each race.

Bob from Michigan

RM: Blocking isn’t racing and requires no talent, but that’s exactly how the Cup drivers are made to behave at Daytona and Talladega. And their fans love it, so I imagine it’s going to continue. And, if someone finally gets killed, well then maybe they’ll outlaw it. But I doubt it.

Part of the show? Image by Levitt/LAT

Q: In the wake of Ryan Newman's crash, NASCAR surrogates heralded the series, proclaiming Earnhardt's death was "a watershed moment." Was it? Sure, they got drivers to wear HANS devices, moved the seat inboard, beefed up safety structures in the cars, etc. Did that save Ryan's life? Yes. All good stuff. But these were overdue evolutionary steps in safety with no real change to business as usual. Let's not mistake luck for wisdom. Ryan is lucky to be alive, or at least not becoming PT mates with Robert Wickens. NASCAR fans inexplicably love these high-speed demolition derbies (aka "plate racing"). If Earnhardt was truly a watershed for the series, they would have addressed this root case.

To put on "a show" for the crowds eager to see "the Big One," they've refused to take measures that would get the throttle off the firewall at some point during the lap to create spacing between the cars. Pack racing not only unnecessarily endangers the drivers, but fans have paid the price too (such as when an engine made it past the fence in roughly same spot Ryan flipped). For the foreseeable future, racing at 200mph will carry significant risks to drivers and the likelihood of cars getting airborne.

As an IndyCar fan, I want to praise our series for also addressing the pack racing issue to reduce that likelihood. To me, tracks like Texas are more exciting now that drivers are driving than when IRL ran flat-out for 499 miles before jumping the leader on the last lap. Will NASCAR take note, or will they wait for someone else to die?

Aron Meyer, Tucson, AZ

RM: Had it not been their biggest star, not sure NASCAR would have initiated the HANS device or safe seats. I guess the thing that always makes me laugh is when the announcers spent 450 miles predicting “The Big One,” and then act surprised when it happens. It’s part of the show and they need it to keep people watching. But it’s not racing. Las Vegas, Bristol, Charlotte, The Glen and Sonoma are racing – but not Daytona or Talladega.