Robin Miller's Mailbag for April 1, 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.

Coming soon: The RACER Guest Mailbag series, featuring Mario Andretti, Tony Kanaan, the Haas F1 team and Acura Team Penske! Click here for details, and stay tuned for more guest announcements.

Q: Firstly, I applaud IndyCar for preserving (at least for now) the Indy 500 and making the GP doubleheader with our NASCAR friends.  They always say "when the music stops, The Captain always has a chair." Well, he proved it once again. Unfortunately, I think we'll be needing a lot more Penske magic very soon for this schedule. When the President mentions June 1st as a time to get things going, I fear that means things like going to work, not racetracks. Can Roger or Miles or Frye hold events in the summer/fall mid-week, or at times when NBC cannot televise? Are they willing to "rent" tracks to race without fans, a la NASCAR?

Greg from New Jersey

RM: Obviously nobody wants to host a race with no spectators or without television, but who knows what kind of hurdles all of sports might be facing by mid-July? But I’d rather see 10 normal races comprise the season instead of doing something drastic just to make it to 14. IndyCar was prepared to run St. Pete with no fans because it appeared to be the only option, and thankfully now it’s been rescheduled. But I think you can count on R.P. and NBC doing everything possible to deliver the best possible outcome.

Q: Really liked your article on RACER about the new schedule, and I love the doubleheader with NASCAR. That being said, it brings to my mind the idea of a doubleheader with F1 on October 24th in Texas, and another one in Mexico on the 30th. Chase Carey is American and R.P. in charge now; I think its win-win situation for both series in this difficult economic time. Your thoughts?

Phildawg, Paris

RM: Roger told me his son, Greg, has had meetings with Carey about bringing F1 back to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, so I’d say that’s his No. 1 priority. An IndyCar/F1 doubleheader always sounds cool, but it’s never got much momentum.

Q: Is IndyCar considering a super season combining 2020 and 2021 seasons? And is IndyCar prepared to possibly race without any fans? I ask because it seems the realistic outcome for the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. is a peak in May to June.

Damion, Tulsa

RM: As I said in an earlier answer, IndyCar was prepared to run St. Pete with no paying customers because that was going to be the only way to race, but certainly it’s not what a promoter or sanctioning body or NBC wants. So sure they were prepared, but only because it was the last resort. Would IndyCar do it in July if that were the only option? I doubt it. As far as combining seasons, why? If IndyCar is able to get 10-14 races run this year, that’s fine.

Regardless of how many races we get in 2020, everyone is keen to turn the lights back on and get the cars onto the track. Image by Levitt/LAT

Q: I know that the coronavirus is wreaking havoc with the economy and so many businesses are having to make tough choices with personnel, but I didn't think it was a great look for Penske and IMS/IndyCar to tout the new race dates at an enhanced facility and then lay off a number of staff just a few days later, as you reported. Were you surprised by that? I hope everyone is brought back when racing and the rest of the world returns to normal, but we all know that's usually not the way it works.

John, Indianapolis

RM: I think we were stunned to think one of the most successful businessmen in the world had to make some tough decisions, but it just shows the seriousness of this pandemic. The people at IndyCar and IMS were told the goal was to bring them all back in 60 days, so let’s hope that number is accurate.

Q: So the new date for the Indy 500 is August 23. Why do you think that date was picked, and how do you think the crowds and ratings will be compared to 2019?

Ron, Portland, OR

RM: I think that date was picked so IMS could have back-to-back weekends on national television, and hats off to NBC’s Jon Miller for getting IndyCar such a good slot in the middle of all this rescheduling mayhem. I imagine the crowd might be done a little because so many people plan their vacations around May, and I have no idea about ratings.

Q: I'm disappointed and mad about IMS' decision to not offer refunds, or at least credits for the 2021 race. I'm not sure I'll be able to attend the 500 in August. "But Kyle," you may say, "IndyCar needs your support now." I've provided more than my fair share. I have a Honda Accord and Firestone tires in my garage. Most importantly, I've brought large groups to the 500 since 2012. Attendees I brought to the 500 have then attended other IMS events on their own (Indy GP, 500 qualifying) and brought other friends. I've been to three other tracks, and was planning to take a group to Richmond this year. I've been responsible for 95 Indy 500 ticket purchases, 26 tickets to other IMS events, 19 tickets to non-IMS IndyCar races, and one Indianapolis 500 Festival Princess. That's 140 tickets! I've been loyal to IMS and IndyCar. And they can't give me one refund?

If IMS isn't willing to treat customers the right way, it tells me it’s either greedy or financially unstable. Either way, I'm reconsidering my fandom. I don't like greedy people. If IMS is so desperate for money that it treats customers this poorly, it won't take long to drive them away. I may as well yank the band-aid off now and move on to other entertainment options, because IndyCar will die soon. I know IMS is within its legal rights to not offer refunds, but just because it's legal to do something doesn't mean it should be done. Barber, COTA and Long Beach chose to offer refunds. The "World's Greatest Racetrack," now owned by the massive Penske Corporation, should too.

Kyle in Raleigh

RM: I don’t know what to say except that I understand your frustration and any fans’ unhappiness with the no refund policy, even though it seems to be commonplace. I think COTA and Long Beach considered all the people out of work and had a change of heart, and maybe IMS will as well. I guess because the race is rescheduled it’s not the same as a cancellation, but I know a lot of people that may not make it back for August. Your support and passion is very important to IndyCar moving forward, so I sent your letter to Roger’s team and I would imagine you will hear from them.

Q: I got my email from IMS today about the postponement of the 500. You live in Indy. My question is, what is the weather going to be like in mid/late August? I’m an old man like you, and I’m concerned about spending a lot of time in the hot sun. Will this be an issue that time of year?

Jim Patton, Lindale, TX

RM: Probably going to be hot and humid Jim, so try and find some seats in the shade like the Paddock.

Q: With the Indy 500 now rescheduled for August 23rd, this puts an interesting variable in play that wasn't there before. Fernando had said he was interested in doing more ovals leading up to the Indy 500 and the old schedule didn't allow. However, the new schedule has Texas, Richmond and Iowa before the Indy 500. What are the chances that he will do those races in preparation for the 500?

Keith, Toronto, Ontario

RM: I would think there is a very good chance we’ll see Fred run at least one oval prior to Indy, and he told me once he watched Iowa and thought it looked like something he wants to try.

Q: Since this will be the first ever IndyCar/NASCAR crossover weekend, do you think there is any chance we could see someone try the double? Maybe a Kyle Busch or Jimmie Johnson? What do you think? My only thought on the Indy 500 is, I hope they have the cooling systems tuned up by then because it will be hot!

Rick from PA

RM: I suggested in my Indy schedule story last week that Johnson might make his IndyCar debut during the July 4th doubleheader, and then he told NBC’s Nate Ryan he was going to seriously consider it, so I think it’s going to happen. Just hope he gets to test.

You could probably work that up into a pretty cool IndyCar livery, especially with a massive '48' splashed down the sidepods. Image by Harrelson/LAT

Q: I haven't yet heard anybody talk about which teams could struggle to make it to the first post-coronavirus races. I think we can all agree that the economy is going to see near-historic declines when this is all over. Unemployment may be at record highs. And the consumer might not have any demand for the suppliers who might not be in business. Having said that, what makes us think sponsors are going to be able to honor their obligations? Faced with angry shareholders, cutting sponsorships would be one of the first things to go. I worry that there may be a lot of teams without sponsorship money. Which teams could make it to the grid if their funding was cut?

Eric, Ione, CA

RM: I have no idea how individual teams’ contracts with sponsors read, but it wouldn’t surprise me if IndyCar only winds up running 12 of 17 races that some money would be given back or held out. But if people are being laid off, that same company probably isn’t going to be throwing money at an IndyCar. And the longer this pandemic goes, the worse it is for everyone – not just IndyCar teams.

Q: A long way to go and I hope we get there, but the Indy 500 calendar shows a two-hour practice the Thursday before Carb Day. Will this be a full-on practice like the Monday after time trials has been the past couple of years? If so, all the more reason to get settled in for race weekend on Thursday.

Don Weidig, Canton, Ohio

RM: Of course. The last few Carb Days have looked like full-blown practice sessions with everyone running long and hard, so this will be the last chance for full-tank runs, gauging fuel mileage and tire wear.

Q: With the Indy 500 rescheduled for August, what are the chances that USAC will adjust their “week of Indy” races to align up the new “week of Indy”? Also, seems the Little 500 group are sticking to their guns with the May date, but I’ll hang on to my tickets and see what happens down the road.

Dale Robinson

RM: USAC runs Haubstadt on Aug. 1 and then has a gap until four consecutive nights at Kokomo (Aug. 26-29) in late August, but there was only one race (May 20) at Terre Haute for Indy 500 week so maybe a couple races get added.

Q: Lost out on Long Beach this year, but gained Portland since it moved back a week! Was already going to be in Oregon that weekend to see Ohio State (my alma mater) at Oregon football game on Saturday. I’m guessing the best place to sit at Portland is by the chicane after the starting line? And the Indy 500 and time trials weekends are in a time that I can take off work to attend!

Rick K, SD

RM: That’s not a bad place, but I think the last corner also offers a good passing opportunity because somebody can stuff it in there coming off that back straight.

Q: I'll admit that the idea of double points kind of made sense when there were three 500-mile races on the schedule. It quickly turned into a ridiculous practice when the double points shifted to Sonoma, and later Laguna Seca, two tracks where it's notoriously difficult to pass. My question is, with this season losing some races, and St. Pete potentially becoming the new season finale, has IndyCar given any thought to scrapping the idea of double points all together?

Tom, Newark, NY

RM: Jay Frye was never a fan of double points in the finale, and as Marshall Pruett reported Monday, wherever the last race is held it won’t pay double points. Only Indy. Thankfully.

Q: Being one of the people on the frontlines of the pandemic, I’m very proud of how the motorsports community (IndyCar, IMSA, F1) responded responsibly to the crisis. Even though there have been fair criticisms, they were ahead of the curve compared to many other sectors of society. As an iRacing participant/fan, major props to the debut IndyCar iRacing event at The Glen. What great production quality, awesome commentary and a not bad racing to boot. Also props to the newbie iRacers like Rossi and Kanaan, who were willing to put their reputation on the line against the guys that are already sim pros. The racing will get better as the old school guys get some more wheel time.

While there has been much old-school fan criticism out there, the one thing that struck me was how this gets IndyCar, drivers, and most importantly sponsors in front of viewers eyes. My question is, how is this helping out the teams financially during this critical period? NBC needs to put this on network! This could be what keeps the small teams alive in these trying times. Stay safe all, and please follow the published public health measures so we can get back to real racing as well.

Scott Brakenridge MD, Gainesville, FL

RM: I don’t see how a race on a computer in front of 12,000 people [ED: 600,000-ish, as of Monday] helps a sponsor. The only two commercials were for Red Cross and that was great, but it didn’t help Wix (Karam’s sponsor) to my knowledge. NBCSN is going to air a couple of match races in the near future and I think that’s more than enough. You stay safe.

Q: Kudos to IndyCar for trying out the iRacing deal. I really tried to watch it, but just couldn’t get there. I’m happy for others who got enjoyment out of it. I’m not sure I’ll ever get into it like real racing, but I have a suggestion. As a younger brother I got a lot of experience being forced to watch others (my older brother and his friends) play video games. When it was fun, it was because they were trash talking each other the whole time and then backing it up or not on the game in real time.

I’d like to watch another version of the iRacing deal where the drivers are all connected to each other via radio. Maybe to make it manageable you have each driver able to talk to the two cars in front and the two behind. Drivers and announcers should be encouraged to talk trash to each other. Make it fun and light. Stop treating this like real racing – there’s no risk, no reward and no danger. I’m not interested in pretending there is. I am interested in watching a fun version of my favorite sport until it can come back for real.

Clint, Chicago

RM: That’s the best suggestion I’ve heard since all this madness started with fake racing. I’d love to hear drivers badmouthing each other, as well as giving it back to the NBC booth. That would be entertaining. I’ve sent your suggestion to IndyCar. Thanks.

For maximum realism they should have a little virtual Robin sitting on a golf cart in the background talking with virtual A.J. about the 1961 Hut Hundred. Image via IndyCar

Q: Does IndyCar buy the airtime for races on NBC and NBCSN? Is this why the iRacing IndyCar event was only content for the IndyCar website? Getting this on TV would provide exposure to sports fans that are begging for – new, live content.

George Atkins, San Antonio, Texas

RM: If IndyCar is going to spend money on NBC or NBCSN it’s going to be for real racing, and the IndyCar.com website is exactly where it belonged in my opinion. But NBCSN has some sim racing planned next month in smaller doses, so stay tuned.

Q: I thought the iRacing event at the Glen was very well put together (and a great way to support the American Red Cross). Everything from listening to the good broadcast team we all know and love, to getting Wickens plugged in for an interview, to seeing a smaller team like DRR and Sage get some good publicity. I think it's a great move by the IndyCar series to do this, and keeps us gearheads smiling during the down time. What does it take to get NBCSN to televise this the way FS1 is doing so for NASCAR?

Kevin Morgan

RM: I imagine if there was an Indy 500 held in May on simulators that NBC or NBCSN might consider airing it, but showing a few match races on NBCSN next month is probably going to be the extent of things in April.

Q: Miller, I know you don’t like this sim racing stuff, but the ratings are too good not to capitalize on, especially in the demographic that matters most. With the Indy 500 moved to August, there’s no IndyCar racing through most of May. That puts IndyCar in line to run a virtual Indy 500. They need to pull in as many current and former stars as they can. They need to run qualifying and bumping, and make a big show of it. There’s enough time to do this right, and I am willing to bet a virtual 500 on NBCSN can draw over one million viewers. Put a tenderloin sandwich on it? I’ll be at Indy in July and in August to make good.

I’ll start with a list of five people to invite: Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Paul Tracy. As an aside, F1 doesn’t currently have anything scheduled for those two weeks in August. While I expect that to change, I would love to have someone pose the question to Verstappen about a Red Bull entry if they can form a technical alliance with another Honda team like maybe Chip Ganassi Racing. McLaren has the equipment to run another entry for Lando as well. Make lemonade out of 2020.

Ryan in West Michigan

RM: As I said in the question above yours, Indy might be the only thing that ranks high enough for NBC to give it air time and treat it like a real race. And getting old heroes would make me more inclined to watch it, but can’t see any F1 guys being allowed to come run in August. Love to see Verstappen some day.

Q: Let me start by dating myself. First race I saw in person was Mario win in Cleveland, first time I saw you on TV was RPM2 night on ESPN, and later became addicted to SpeedTV and Wind Tunnel. iRacing doesn’t do it for me. Bores the crap out of me, but good deal for Sage Karam and the fans who get into it.

I got my racing fix off watching your Tough Guy series on RACER.com, Foyt-isms, and today, the movie Winning. Holy smokes, tell me why I’ve never seen this movie or heard of it till today? I must have been living under a rock, or got brainwashed by Dale Jr.’s top five list of best racing movies. Paul Newman in Winning is hands-down the best racing movie I’ve ever seen, and I got a kick out of Bobby Unser as himself. Do you remember when the movie was filmed at the Speedway? Any good stories?

Steve, Ohio

RM: Winning is what got Newman hooked on racing, and it was a realistic look at racing in those days, and also starred Joanne Woodward and Robert Wagner. Not as good as Grand Prix, but a damn site better than ‘Drivel’ or Days of Thunder. I went to IMS to try and sit in the stands as an extra, but they already had enough people so I got turned away. Uncle Bobby wanted Cary Grant to play him but it was too expensive.

Q: I enjoyed your recent Tough Guy videos about Rube and McCluskey. Keep ''em coming. Have you ever put one together about "tough luck" Tony Bettenhausen Sr.? Do you remember any of the guys in this photo (below)?  I believe that photo was taken after Tony won a Springfield race, according to what is written on the back of the photo. I am such a fan of Tony that I paid $100 for the hard copy of that photo.

Ron Ford, Muskego, WI

RM: I’ve got Tony and son Merle on my to-do list, and the elder Bettenhausen won a lot of races and was a tough SOB they called “Cementhead” for all the times he got upside down. I know that’s Ted Horn to Tony’s left, and Bill Holland on his right.

Definite Tough Guy material.

Q: I just finished watching your "Tough Guys" episode on Lloyd Ruby. In the past week, you have posted several really enjoyable articles. Your chat with Bobby Unser, the article on Foyt in Houston, and now this. Thanks very much. Everyone is sick of this COVID-19 mess, and having a few nice distractions like this is really appreciated. What else is in your pipeline to look forward to?

Duncan, Port Perry, Canada

RM: Thanks for reading and watching, Duncan. Got Steve Chassey, Mike Nazaruk and Sammy Sessions in the Tough Guys series pipeline, and a cool story about a one-shot IndyCar hero you’ve probably never heard of unless you were at Milwaukee in 1963. Looking back at the heroes and races never gets old for me so glad you enjoy it.

Q: Truly enjoy your articles on the tough old drivers back in the day. I got to thinking about Gordon Johncock yesterday, and was wondering if you can shed any insights on his career, what his peers thought, and what he’s up to and his thoughts of late? I’m told he fairly keeps to himself, but was hoping for some stories if possible.

Doug Harris, Westland, MI

RM: Nobody drove harder than Gordy, and his 1982 win over Rick Mears illustrates that determination. He was prepared to put it in the Holiday Inn swimming pool on 16th Street before he lifted going into the first turn on that last lap. I still think he won the 1966 Indy 500, but USAC timing and scoring wasn’t real accurate. In 1984 there was an impromptu press conference the night before Pole Day and Johncock said he wasn’t sure he could run “2-0-10.” I raised my hand and asked how to spell it, and he chased me around Gasoline Alley the next morning and tore off my T-shirt that said: “2-0-10.” But no better person than Johncock, and he and his lovely wife Sue are operating a successful forestry business in South Branch, Michigan.

Q: Mike Mosley always struck me as a driver with potential when I was growing up, but it seemed like he never got the opportunity he deserved. Was he ever in contention for a big-time ride? Did his peers consider him a talented driver?

Tony Lynch

RM: Mose was loyal to A.J. Watson, who brought him to Indy as a kid, and he won from last at Phoenix for Watson but never really had a good car until he drove for Dan Gurney. He sat on the front row at Indy in 1981 in that gorgeous Pepsi Challenger, and scored The Big Eagle’s final IndyCar win at Milwaukee (again coming from last) before AAR ran out of money. But here’s all you need to know. After Mike led Indy in 1971-72 with an old Eagle, Gary Bettenhausen said: “If Mosley ever gets a McLaren, we’re all running for second place.”

Q: I really enjoyed your call with Uncle Bobby. I would love to see you do something similar with some of the other veterans... starting with Foyt! But I’d also love to hear from the likes of Tracy, Castroneves, and others who are no longer racing in the series on a regular. Also, I recently purchased 14 Autocourse yearbooks and during this period of no racing, I find them to be a great read. What are your thoughts on the IndyCar/CART/Champ Car books they released as far as quality and information?

Dunivan Savage, Los Angeles

RM: Marshall and I did a long interview with A.J. a few years ago and hopefully that can run again on RACER.com sometime. We also did a good one with Mario and a hilarious 90 minutes with Uncle Bobby on Pikes Peak. I bought several Autocourse yearbooks because they were well written with great photos and lots of information. I still use them for reference. [ED: If you want to ask Helio a question directly, there’s an excellent chance he’ll answer you in our upcoming Acura Team Penske Guest Mailbag].

Q: I thoroughly enjoyed reading your conversation with Bobby Unser, but his references to Rufus puzzled me a little. Put it down to being in the UK and only taking an interest in U.S. racing in the late '70s, but I cannot recall a driver with that name. I would appreciate you enlightening me as to whom he is referring.

Mark Jones, Chester, England

RM: Sorry it’s Rufus “Parnell” Jones – aka Parnelli.

Q: Watched Racing Scene from 1971 with James Garner the other night. James was another Hollywood actor that was bitten by the racing bug (more as an owner). Seems his driver was Scooter Patrick. There was a lot of footage of Scooter racing in Formula A (I'm guessing the forerunner of Formula 5000). To your knowledge, did Scooter race in the IndyCar Series or the Indy 500? Seems like a guy who would race anything they would stick under his butt.

Jonathan and Cleide Morris, Ventura, CA

RM: He won the last Can-Am race in 1974 at Road America in a McLaren M-20 and was a very successful sports car racer for 20 years. But he finished 19th at Indianapolis Raceway Park in 1970 in his only IndyCar start.

Q: My memory was better in the '70s but I am sure I watched a Formula A (remember them?) race at Sebring that was full of Indy and sports car drivers that included a Lotus 49 (?) F1 powered by the Cosworth 3-liter. I think the driver was Gus Hutcherson. He placed third in both heats. It was a real treat hearing that little cammer grab two gears down the straight as the 5-liter stock blocks grumbled through one shift.

Larry Martin (DeltaVee)

RM: There was the Questor Grand Prix at Ontario in 1971 that pitted F1 cars against F5000. Then in 1974 at Phoenix Sam Posey ran all day and finished 17 laps behind, so that was the end of that experiment.

The Questor GP – cool idea, but probably not much fun if you were strapped into an F5000 car watching the F1 cars vanish down the road. Image by LAT

Q: In last week’s Mailbag you mentioned that the ’64 Indy 500 was your first time sitting in the grandstands. Were you anywhere near the MacDonald and Sachs accident? The video is disturbing, and it is the most horrifying racing accident I’ve ever seen. I often wondered how the people in that section of the track ever got over what they saw that day. Being there yourself, what do you recall and what impact did it have on you?

Mo J.

RM: We were sitting right across from the spot where Ronnie Duman bailed out of his burning car and rolled on the ground trying to extinguish the fire. I just remember seeing the burning tire fly through the air and thinking it must have gone into the grandstands (but thankfully it didn’t). It shook up my mom (her first and only Indy 500) and my friend who went with us wanted to go home, but I begged my dad to stay, and we did until halfway. I guess the only impact it had was that I knew it was very dangerous, but I was hooked.

Q: If Paul Tracy really did win the 500, why doesn’t somebody do something?

Seriously. With modern technology. Conspiracy theories! I mean if it was a miscarriage of justice, Roger should fix it. Thoughts? Not trying to stir up trouble, I don’t even like the guy.

Dano, Lima, OH

RM: Barry Green officially protested, supposedly proved it with the video he constructed and then Tony George disallowed the protest. Fix it now? Too late. And besides, you think R.P. is going to reverse the decision?

Q: My four-night August hotel reservation in Indianapolis is $175 cheaper than my May reservation was. I hope your readers are as fortunate; the rates will probably soon elevate. Anyway, will there still be a memorabilia show on Legends Day for the August running? Changing the subject, there’s a cute Aussie movie available on Netflix called Go Kart with a Karate Kid-type plot. I think the movie does a nice job of introducing kids to racing, and us race fans can promote racing by spreading the word about the movie. Have you seen it, Robin? I am curious if any of the kart-background IndyCar drivers have seen it (especially Will Power and, of course, kart-track owner Sarah Fisher) and what their thoughts were.

Mark, Altus, Oklahoma

RM: Glad to hear, but I’m told they’ve already gone up so good for your timing. Yes there will be a Legends Day on August 22. And hopefully the memorabilia show will be in place so Marshall and I can each spend $500. Haven’t seen it, but I’ll ask Willy P.