Robin Miller's Mailbag for April 22, presented by Honda Racing/HPD

Your questions for Robin should be sent to millersmailbag@racer.com. We cannot guarantee we’ll publish all your questions and answers, but Robin will reply to you.

Q: As a huge Kyle Larson fan (he reminds me so much of my man Smoke), I am extremely disappointed in his actions during the iRacing event. What he said was inexcusable, and I was surprised it took CGR so long to fire him. With that being said, in the past motorsports have been pretty forgiving when it comes to drivers who have done something stupid and/or harmful, especially if they are as talented as Kyle. A lot of people believe that Chip talked him into going to NASCAR (I’m sure the money played a big part) when he really should have went to IndyCar. What do you think the chances are that Tony starts an IndyCar team, hires Larson and (I’m a Bowtie guy so I can’t believe I’m saying this) brings Ford back into the fold as a third engine supplier?

Troy Keag, Fountain, CO

RM: Tony and I watched Kyle sweep the USAC 4-Crown event at Eldora back in 2011, and I told Smoke he should sign him right then and there because all he wanted to was drive WoO or NASCAR. Stewart said he didn't have any seats open at that time, but when I saw him at the Chili Bowl he rued not signing the kid and then worrying about where to put him. I think it's very possible they could hook up, but probably in NASCAR and maybe then the Indy 500 some day. But I give Chip big props for hiring him and then giving him the freedom to dirt race to keep him happy, and I know both are pretty devastated with how it all ended. Ford could be a player in IndyCar because of R.P., so we'll see.

Q: Imagine you’re Kyle Larson. Which is worse? Public scorn, loss of income or telling the Chipster that you screwed up his sponsorship from McDonald's?

Brian Bristo

RM: I talked to Kyle last week and I think his Mom was his toughest critic, but obviously he felt horrible about letting Chip, the team, Chevy and McDonald's down and forcing their hand. But McDonald's is still going to be with Ganassi if we ever start racing again.

Q: While it’s true Fernando Alonso shot himself in the foot with his statements about Honda and that the Japanese executives are never going to let him drive a Honda again, considering how big a mistake Kyle Larson made for dropping the N-bomb for the whole world to hear… this is far worse than anything Fernando could’ve said. Which makes me wonder what the Japanese Honda executives would have to say about Larson’s extremely offensive statement compared to Fernando’s? Even if it doesn’t make them see Fernando in a new light, would they reconsider vetoing the Alonso/Andretti deal?

Aaron, Media, PA

RM: I don't think the Honda of Japan execs care what happened in NASCAR with Larson. It's not going to change their feelings about Alonso.

Q: Kyle Larson was fired by Chip Ganassi Racing and suspended by NASCAR because of a racial slur that he said during an iRacing event, Has anybody in the IndyCar Series ever used a racial slur and got kicked out of IndyCar Series and terminated by their teams?

Chris Fiegler, Latham, NY

RM: Not to my knowledge. I recall a couple drivers losing sponsorships for disparaging comments about a product or a certain part of the country, but never losing a ride because of a slur or cuss word.

And with this, we've now burned through pretty much all of our 2020 shots of Kyle Larson. Image by Kinrade/Motorsport Images

Q: If there is a short season, who do you think would be a title favorite, since potentially one DNF or poor finish could be fatal to championship hopes, or for that matter, a top 10 points placement?

Matthew, Ohio

RM: Be tough to bet against Team Penske, Andretti and Ganassi – strength in numbers.

Q: Hoping you are coping well with reality of "house arrest" we all face these days. What are your personal odds that everything kicks off on time with respect to the revised schedule that IndyCar recently announced?

Dale, Chesterfield, VA

RM: Got no clue, because we have to wait and see if spectators will be allowed. Texas Eddie Gossage already said he wouldn't host an IndyCar race without fans, and Road America is contingent on paying customers – like everyone else in IndyCar. So even if the government decides to allow events, the key will be if people are allowed to attend.

Q: How come Indy does not offer pit/garage/paddock passes for the Indy GP or even single day passes for the month of May? I know there is the Bronze Badge, but is Roger thinking about possibility offering single day or Indy GP day pit/garage/paddock passes that can be reasonable priced? I understand why these passes are not available for Indy 500 race day, with the huge crowds and all. Any chance the Harvest GP in October will have a pit/paddock/pass at reasonable pricing like most other tracks offer?

Andy, St. Mary's, Ohio

RM: From IMS President Doug Boles: "For credentials, we have continued to provide garage and pit access through our historical Bronze and Silver Badge program. If a customer purchases a bronze badge, for $135, it is cheaper than the gate admission would cost for all practice/quali days and the customer receives garage access. And, in past years since the inception of the GMR Grand Prix, we have given Bronze Badge holders pit access (treated like a Silver Badge) on the Monday practice following qualifying to make the experience that much more valuable. So, I do not see a change for May (or GMR/I500) as it relates to the offerings. With respect to the Harvest GP, we are exploring more credential options, including single day access, and will have more information related to that in the coming weeks." 

Q: It's been interesting to see the difference in opinions on sim racing. Lots of the old school crowd (yourself included) seem pretty dismissive. But it's this same crowd that wonder where all the young racing fans have gone. I became an IndyCar fan because of a game called IndyCar Racing (from Papyrus, which is basically now iRacing) that came out in 1993, when I was not even 10. Most of my friends that enjoy motorsports and are my age have at least an F1 video game, and some of them have full iRacing rigs. Am I suggesting sim racing replace the real thing? Hell no, there's no comparison to being at the track, and I'm super bummed Detroit is off the schedule this year because that's my closest race. But if we're after the younger crowd, isn't it at least worth going after some of the sim racing interest, even if the old-timers hate it? Thanks for your weekly mailbag, helps keep us sane during these crazy times.

Mike from Kalamazoo

RM: I think it's obvious the youth of America loves sim racing and video games, and it's likely how kids will learn how to drive race cars some day. And it's good to keep IndyCar in the headlines (hell, ESPN gives the iRacing a spot on Sports Center and never covers a real race), but I worry that sponsors might see as many if not more people watch a fake race than a real one, and that might hurt down the road. I realize we're starved for entertainment and it certainly appears that iRacing has captured a lot of people's imagination, so I'm obviously in need of an attitude adjustment (but not likely).

Q: This IndyCar iRacing is starting to grow on me, but also makes me sad for not having a Month of May this year.  It doesn’t feel like April without March Madness behind us and Indy to look forward to. My question is, how has IndyCar missed out on having media star Danica Patrick, fan favorite Sarah Fisher, or current Indy-only driver Pippa Mann in any of the races yet? By the way, it has been great to see Robert Wickens have success in these simulations.

F. Melkey

RM: I doubt if Danica or Sarah have the time or are interested and I can't say about Pippa, but it seems like she'd be game.

Why haven't we seen an iPippa in an iRace yet? Image by Levitt/Motorsport Images

Q: Who do we trust without question to guide us on the best path forward for IndyCar? Why, the Captain of course!  Perhaps the old curmudgeons (and actually, even a few of the current drivers) should take a look at the Captain's comments regarding the IndyCar iRacing challenge series (Dale Earnhardt podcast/NBSCN article).

Look, we all realize this is not real motorsport or IndyCar racing, it's entertainment. How do you keep/grow your fan base?  Entertain them, and keep them engaged year-round! How do you grow the health of the series? Get eyeballs in front of sponsors! Eyeballs = money to teams. The TV and online ratings cannot be ignored,  and the Larson/Wallace sagas tell you sponsors are taking it very seriously. The Captain's got it right. Take advantage of this unique sub-discipline to keep IndyCar in front of fans year round. Don't oversaturate it, keep the dose small and save it for down times like now, or the "Winter Season".

And it looks like it can keep at least some team members (engineers/spotters) and drivers working (i.e. paid!) year round. Are you ready to eat iRacing crow yet Miller?! (haha). As for the compulsory question: Can you give any insight into the monetization plans of these new opportunities by teams? Seriously, thanks for all you do.

Combo IndyCar/iRacing Fan, Gainesville, FL

RM: Good letter and good points (and I ate lots of crow last year after Laguna when I said it would be a flop and a bad race to end the season). If iRacing is responsible for lots of new younger fans then I'm all for it a few times in the off-season, and I think the drivers have embraced it, which is a big boost. NBC also got behind it and that's been a huge plus, so it's working quite well. And I'm out of touch but it may be too late to save me (smile).

Q: It's taken some getting used to, watching IndyCar drivers compete on a video game, but it's better than nothing. I'd like to suggest that instead of "playing" on tracks that the series already runs, that they race on tracks that the fans have always wanted to see them on. I remember a lot of requests for Sebring and Atlanta in the Mailbag, and I'd add VIR to that list. How about Cleveland, Las Vegas (either Oval or Downtown), Ontario? This is probably the only time we'll have this opportunity, even if it is only virtual. Give the fans what they want, or even the ability to vote on the choice of tracks.

Napalm Nick, Locust Grove, VA

RM: I think that could be a plan if this pandemic continues to cancel races and I know the final race will be on a track picked by the fans, so it could be Cleveland or MIS, or maybe Spa.

Q: Did Penske/IndyCar get the message re Esports participation, or were they dragged in belatedly as a “me too”? Thanks for you great coverage of real IndyCar.

Ian

RM: I think IndyCar and NBC saw the potential after NASCAR's iRacing opener on FOX and followed suit, because it's obviously working for both and people are responding. But I think IndyCar had it planned before NASCAR, and it was going to be on the IndyCar website until NBC jumped on board.

Q: I'm somewhat bemused and at the same time perplexed by the fandom of IndyCar and iRacing. IndyCar and others are pimping iRacing as a way to stay connected to fans in this disconnected time we're all in, and I get that part, mostly... What makes me smile a slightly wry smile is that IndyCar is promoting iRacing, which it never does with its own product or series. Why is IndyCar ready to pimp a video game and not their product of actual IndyCar racing? Do they not see the benefit in the promotion of their own series?

Just Jake

RM: I'm not sure if that's true, or it's just a by-product of nothing else going on so it seems like this extra promotion. No doubt IndyCar lags behind NASCAR In promoting and marketing the drivers, but let's give Mr. Penske a year or so to rectify that situation. And as people have mentioned above, this iRacing may be the way to finally make new fans out of young people.

Q: During the Split, the IRL ran only ovals. Starting in 2005, they started to run street and road courses. Who took that decision, and why? Originally, they were supposed to be an all-oval series if I am correct.

Phildawg Paris

RM: The reality that ovals weren't drawing is probably the best answer, and the fact road racing had made a major comeback with CART and Champ Car. There also wasn't going to be any engine leasing, but that also went away. A.J. called the IRL "CART Lite" by 2005.

Q: Which Michael Andretti put in more impressive performances, pre-F1, or post? Obviously the statistics would say pre-F1. You can make the argument that post-F1 was more impressive. After his return he was hauling cars around that were certainly good, but maybe not the very best package of the time.

Eric Z, Lancaster, NY

RM: He was winning races with an inferior tire and superior driving, so post F1. But he was damn near unbeatable when his engine held together in the early '90s.

Q: I remember Jim Hall in the roles of car constructor and team owner; what can you tell me about his days as a racer?

Mark M

RM: A damn good sports car racer who captured USRRC titles in 1964 and 1965 and scored a massive upset at Sebring in 1965 against the big boys of Ferrari and Ford. He also drove F1 for BRP before it went out of business, but he ran fifth at the Nurburgring, His driving career basically ended in Las Vegas in 1968 in a grinding crash in the Can-Am race that laid him up for six months.

Q: It seems like a good time to say thanks for your coverage over the years. Google sent me your remembrance of Bubby Jones, and it recalled some great stuff. I watched Bubby race from the crazy seats in Turn 1 at Ascot Park. The thing I remember about him so well was that he did little or no “elbows up” stuff. You could see into the sprinters easily in those days, and when Bubby slid past, his arms barely moved. He just set it and rode the groove. If he moved at all it was just to execute a pass. It was a damn art form. Beautiful to see.

I  also remember watching you race at Paragon. It was less artful, as you know, but it established credibility that has lasted for decades. When I read or see your reporting, I know it’s authentic. I was an outlier in the group around the Kinsers when I saw you on the track. Old Man Bob was the racer, Randy was a comer, and Steve was not yet The King (because Dick Gaines was driving the 11). I think we were mean to you. People said, “That there is Robin Miller from The Star. He thinks he’s so cool.”  Well, we thought you were so cool too, and we were afraid to say hello. So some 40 years later, “Hello”. Sprints have always been the best form of racing, IMO. You’ve always been right there in the middle. Nice job, man.

Scott Millsop

RM: Jones moved slow everywhere but the racetrack, and was about as smooth and smart as they made a racer. No wasted motion. I ran second to him one night at Little Springfield in a heat race and considered it one of the highlights of my career. Thanks for the support and memories.

Michael Andretti was a force to be reckoned with regardless of which side of his F1 stint you caught him on. Image by Levitt/Motorsport Images

Q: Going back to the late '60s to early '70s, oftentimes there would be a man at USAC sprint races, mostly at Terre Haute in the west end of the pits, giving away watermelon slices from a truck in the pits. If I recall, he more times than not would be wearing a red Foyt shirt/Sheraton-Thompson, Coyote... Do you recall, and if so who was he?

DM

RM: That was Gypsy Mitch and he usually hung with A.J. Foyt, and his specialty was corn.

Q: What has become of Kevin Cogan? You see many former drivers appearing and welcomed back around the Indy 500, but not Cogan. He was pretty good for a few years, working his way up to a full-time ride with Penske. But his career seems to have been defined by his crash, taking out the front row, right at the start of the 1982 Indy 500. He claimed it wasn't his fault, but I recall few believed him at the time. Did you? Was his career unfairly sullied by that single mistake -- if indeed it was one?

A. Jenkins. Ontario, Canada

RM: It was either a halfshaft or it broke loose under acceleration. Kevin bounced back and should have won Indy in 1986 for Patrick, but got beat on a late restart. He had some health issues but I believe they've been cured, and he lives in Southern California.

Q: I watched Grand Prix for the first time in years over Easter. Of course at the end of the movie, they race on the high-bank circuit at Monza. I've heard this story (don't know if it is true or urban legend) that A.J. was scheduled to race there in the early '60s, but the promoters and officials didn't believe he was capable of driving the circuit. Is this story true? And if it is, I mean seriously ­– A.J.? With a good car, he would have had a super-fast circuit like Monza for lunch...

Jonathan and Cleide Morris , Ventura, CA

RM: Not sure where that one came from, but A.J. drove in the Race of the Worlds at Monza in 1958 in a Kuzma-Offy and had no problems as a rookie, and eventually conquered Salem and Winchester in USAC sprints.

Q: Who were some of your favorite sponsors over the decades? Maybe not just the most money, but the ones that really got it and were the most fun.

Josh from Maine

RM: STP by far, because of Andy Granatelli and all the exposure with decals, T-shirts and hats. Nothing else comes, close although Pennzoil did some cool things with Penske and Jim Hall, and Essex was big news and bad pay for Mario's team. Pure Firebird made some cool decals that kids put on their bicycle spokes, and American Red Ball and Bryant Heating & Cooling were longtime sponsors from Indianapolis that knew how to promote. And Budweiser was top of the line with Newman/Haas and Rahal.

Q: Another response to help out a Mailbag questioner: Heath Florkey suggested opening the vault of 500 radio broadcasts to stream for free for one month. Good news for Heath: you can already stream the IndyCar Radio Network for free on TuneIn! They stream not only old Indy 500s, but all sorts of old IndyCar races 24/7. As I type this email at 5am, they’ve just finished a broadcast I couldn’t identify from the ‘60s and started the 2019 Texas radio broadcast.

Joey

RM: Thanks for sharing this information.

Q: On April 16, IMS graciously hosted the law enforcement memorial funeral service for IPD Officer Breann Leath. Officer Leath was killed in the line of duty on April 9. She is survived by a young son. Donations are being accepted by the Central Indiana Police Fund, according to the Indy newspaper. Having retired from law enforcement last year after 40-years service I, and other retired officers, wish we could personally extend heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Penske and the Penske organization for their thoughtfulness and respect for law enforcement collectively, and to the Leath family individually.

Like drivers, the law enforcement community is a brotherhood. Mr. Penske’s actions in this matter are not going unnoticed by law enforcement. Once again the Penske operation demonstrates high class.

Ron Carbaugh, Eaton, Ohio

RM: It was exactly what you would expect from the Penske organization.

https://twitter.com/IMS/status/1250936428101582852

Q: Today, April 16, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was full of action. Probably 99 percent of the Mailbag readers have no clue where this is going. This is not what you think. On Thursday April 9, Officer Breann Leath, age 24, mother of a 3-year old, was killed in the line of duty. Due to the massive participation, her funeral procession was held within the Speedway because of social distancing measures. Not the kind we're accustomed to, but in the end, our Speedway shines its light again! How did this location come to be? Did IMPD contact the Speedway, or did RP reach out to the city? For the record, my younger brother from Hobart, Indiana is a full-time firefighter. He drove down to participate with the Pipes and Drums Band playing Amazing Grace.

Dave Zalai

RM: From Doug Boles: "IMPD actually reached out to Mike Bates on our team late last Friday. Mike is our Sr. Director of Security for IMS and IndyCar. He is a retired IMPD Assistant Police Chief who spent much of his time there managing large-scale event safety and security coordination in Indianapolis. When Mike received the call, he reached out to Allison, Mark and me for our input. Clearly we are supportive as we cannot execute our events without the logistical support of IMPD, and Roger agreed that we should do what we can to host the event. Once that took place, IMS worked with IMPD and memorial service officers/officials to organize and execute the events.

Several site visits (all socially distanced) and many conference calls and task assignments from Saturday morning – Wednesday night late last week were organized to get things ready for the service on Thursday. Many IMS staff (working from home) and law enforcement staff were responsible and then a handful of IMS staff were on-location on Thursday to help execute the event. IMS and Roger were very humbled to be asked, and we were glad we could provide an appropriate way to celebrate Breann Leath and thank this public safety hero."

In STP-land, any space not emblazoned with a logo was space wasted. Image by Motorsport Images

Q: So there was a question about who would be most interesting person to hang out with during this coronavirus "rain-delay". Here's my take. I worked for the ABC affiliate local to Pocono back in the '90s. I was at one of the NASCAR races and of course, Pocono being a huge facility in PA, there's always weather, and we had about a 2-1/2 hour rain delay. All of us were gathered in the media center and Chris Economaki was holding court on the couch. I don't know who he was talking to, but there were stories and anecdotes just pouring out of him. It wasn't an intentional lecture by him, but all of us hushed so we could eavesdrop on decades of racing knowledge. It was a fine way to spend the time.

Therefore, my choice to spend the quarantine with is… you. Who else could regale us with stories of untold heroism, bravery, stupidity, and sheer idiocy? You've seen it all, from so many competitors. I'd listen in a hush to you, just as we did to Chris E back then. With reverence. Keep up the good work, sir.

Bill Bailey

RM: Chris was a great storyteller and there wasn't much he hadn't seen when it came to racing (Dave Argabright's book on Coastal181.com is page after page of cool stories, so I suggest buying it). I've built up a pretty good list of stories in 50 years, and the ones I can't quite recall I just make up because so many of those guys are gone that they couldn't call me on it. Thanks.

Q: I just finished the latest Mailbag with my morning coffee. A bit of a ritual now, not to mention the kids will be up soon and will need both computers for their online school sessions. I agree 100% with reader Heath Florkey that streaming past 500 broadcasts for free would be a great idea. Staying at home doesn't mean sitting on my butt. I'm using this time to get a lot of the "honey do" projects done around here, so having a race broadcast I can listen to from room to room, barn to workshop, would keep me entertained and on task. Curt from Columbus Indiana asked who would you take a ride in the Indy two-seater with? For me that's Sato, hands down – because I haven't thrown up in my helmet since high school football.

Fred Alig, Ashland, OR

RM: Sato would be a thrill show, and worth the price at whatever cost.