Robin Miller's Mailbag for July 8, presented by Honda Racing / HPD

Questions for Robin can be sent to millersmailbag@racer.com. Due to the high volume of questions received, we can’t always guarantee that your letter will be printed, but Robin will get to as many as he can. Published questions have been edited for clarity. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of RACER or Honda/HPD.

Q: Granted, you cannot draw a trend line with one data point, but the July 4 Xfinity race at the IMS road course was infinitely more interesting than the IndyCar race that preceded it, and I am not a NASCAR fan. Did some light bulbs go on at NASCAR and IndyCar? Is this a better NASCAR event than the longish, boring Brickyard 400? It's not a Watkins Glen-type legacy course, but July 4 it provided some excellent tin-top racing.

Should IndyCar now reconsider the wisdom of using the road course, especially when the tin-tops are running the same day), and should IMS reconsider bringing back the original F1 layout? Even if F1 returns to IMS, surely the F1 tire boys can by now figure out how to manage a high-speed corner (the Parabolica being a semi-close approximation to IMS Turn 1 taken backwards)? I think it would add to the racing in both series to have that high-speed corner.

Richard in CA

RM: NASCAR’s best racing for the past few years has been Watkins Glen and Sonoma, but the Xfinity show last Saturday had to be a pleasant surprise because it was the best of the three when it could have been a crash-fest. IMS has suggested that Cup move to the road course, but from what I hear it’s always been rejected because NASCAR doesn’t want to look like it failed on the oval. But it has in terms of attendance over the past several years, and IMS is just not a good track for stock cars. But why would IMS change the layout? There are three places to pass.

Q: With the Indy Grand Prix, Pennzoil 150 Xfinity and Brickyard 400 going on July 4th weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, when will we see those three series scheduled on the same weekend and the same speedway again? And where?

Chris Fiegler, Latham, NY

RM: If NBC’s Sam Flood and IndyCar’s Jay Frye have their druthers, 2021 for sure, because both are big fans of a doubleheader and I think NASCAR embraced the concept as well. Roger Penske was very pleased with the first one at IMS, so IndyCar may keep its road race for Brickyard weekend next year, but I think an oval would be the preferred track for another one – maybe Richmond or Texas.

Q: After reading your July 4 story 'Cockpit heat a brutal challenge in Indy GP' I wonder, since IndyCar has already jumped the shark with the aeroscreen, essentially eliminating the open cockpit aspect of this type of racing? I know it’s an important safety innovation, but with it the unlikelihood that we will hear those famous words at Indy “It’s a new track record” ever again, do you think it makes sense, or at least wouldn’t hurt, to go ahead and add horsepower-robbing A/C so that at least we don’t have a driver succumb to heat exhaustion?

Kirk Whitacre, Ft. Myers Beach, FL

RM: I don’t profess to know if air conditioning is even a possibility because the cockpits are so tiny, or if it would have any affect on the horsepower, but I think IndyCar will look at ways to help cool the drivers.

Q: I was wondering why, with all the engineers and mechanical brains that are involved in the sport, that they can't find an answer to the heat problem. Doesn't someone build a coolsuit that drivers could wear? How about some bigger vents on the car? Aero issues there, I guess. I guess it's not simple, but there's got to be an answer.

Phil Stone, West Hartford, CT

RM: Well, the engineers and mechanics didn’t design the aeroscreen and there was hardly any testing, so it was more or less dropped in everybody’s lap. Having said that, let’s give IndyCar a chance to make some adjustments (if possible) to try and help with the cooling. But it won’t be a coolsuit. The four veterans I asked all said they were too heavy and bulky for the cockpit.

Just fill the entire cockpit area with icy water, all the way to the top of the aeroscreen, and give the drivers little snorkels. Problem solved. Image by Cantrell/Motorsport Images

Q: After the comments on how hot and miserable it is in the cockpit, they better figure something out or these stupid windows are going to cause more crashes and injuries from people possibly passing out or losing control of their body from heat exhaustion. There were a terrible idea in the first place, and I’ve never been alright with them. IMS proved that.

Eric, London, OH

RM: Well, nobody passed out or crashed because of overheating, but obviously there is a major issue that needs attention. The drivers I spoke with afterwards said they’d never been so exhausted, but all of them credited their workout routine for helping get them through it. And there may be limitations on what IndyCar can do to help, but I know it will try.

Q: After reading your article 'Cockpit heat a brutal challenge in Indy GP', I have been reflecting on the discussion leading up to and during the development of the aeroscreen. I don't want to rehash the issue of whether it should be there or not. Having said that, I would like to call BS on everyone that said that a halo will not work on an IndyCar, as there is clearly a halo-like structure under the screen. My question is, why would IndyCar (or anyone for that matter) say that a halo does not work when there is, without question, one there? Just my $0.02, but there would be no heat issue if they used the foundation of what is there and not the casing around it.

Jeff Reso, Orangeville, Ontario, Canada

RM: IndyCar did a lot of testing with only the halo but found it had limited effect with flying frontal debris, and it wasn’t applicable on high-banked ovals when the driver had to be looking far ahead. IndyCar said the aeroscreen was designed as a solution for total cockpit safety, and I guess what was good for F1 doesn’t necessarily fly for IndyCars.

Q: After watching the Heatstroke Grand Prix this past weekend, I have to wonder if the tech boys don't overthink things sometimes. Add a small scoop to the side of the cockpit, feed an insulated box that holds a piece of dry ice, add a small electric fan to guarantee constant airflow to the driver. I'm not an engineer, but I'm guessing the whole thing could be put together for less that $100. I'm sure there are all kinds of reasons why a simple solution won't work. Or, really, are there?

Bill Carsey, North Olmsted, OH

RM: Nor am I an engineer, and in previous answers I think I’ve addressed the fact it may not be an easy fix because of the confines of the cockpit. Simon Pagenaud said he was going to call on Team Penske’s experience (maybe in sports cars) to try and get more air circulating, and I imagine they’ll figure out something that maybe everyone can copy.

Q: Some of the best TV ever was you and Dave Despain on Wind Tunnel. NASCAR is like Stroh's beer – regional to national to out of business. NASCAR is dead to me. Tell the people running IndyCar they have a real opportunity to be the premier racing show in the U.S. So whom can I root for? I need a team of good guys trying hard and having fun. Name a team I can start to follow, please.

Tom, NYC

RM: Why not start following Jack Harvey at Meyer Shank Racing, a good little team going full-time for the first time in 2020, or Ed Carpenter Racing with Conor Daly, rookie Rinus Veekay and Ed on the ovals? Good guys with good stories. And thanks for the WT comment, Despain was the best.

Q: It's Friday evening and I just checked the Indy road course qualifications. Unsurprisingly the two Foyt entries are right down the bottom. Why do I find it unsurprising? Does anyone not? What is it that keeps Foyt's team an embarrassment despite constant changes in drivers, staff, and now, sponsor? It seems a place where race driver's careers go to die. What is it that keeps A.J Foyt's team so consistently awful?

Anthony Jenkins, Toronto, Canada

RM: I can promise you that if the original schedule had run then Sebastian Bourdais would have been near the front last Saturday. He gave A.J.’s team a real boost in the lone test they ran, and could really help turn things around if he was full-time. Or even had four or five races. But T.K. and Charlie will do fine on the ovals, and Kellett is a rookie that nobody expects much from so let’s be realistic.

Q: Aaron Telitz drove a really mature race in wet/dry conditions in his IMSA victory with Jack Hawksworth last Saturday night. Is his future strictly in sports cars, or do you think Jimmy Vasser might put him in an IndyCar if the stars and moon align?

Jonathan and Cleide Morris, Ventura, CA

RM: I think we’re all hoping he gets an IndyCar opportunity with JV and Sully. I’m sure a lot will depend on sponsorship, but I know they regard him highly, and what if Seb goes to A.J. Foyt in 2021? Then it might open the door, but Telitz showed his talent in limited Indy Lights running – and winning.

If you're new to IndyCar and need a cool team to get behind, you could do a lot worse than Meyer Shank Racing. Image by Abbott/Motorsport Images

Q: When is Andretti Autosport going to get its act together? Dixon is making them look foolish. Where is AA’s No.1 driver Alexander Rossi? Rossi and Herta should be a 1-2 punch! All team resources should be focused on those two, and use the other four for experimentation. Come on Michael! Push the leaders of the No. 27 and No. 88.

Dan, Lima, OH

RM: First of all, I wouldn’t dismiss Hunter-Reay like you have, he’s still plenty quick and capable of winning, but the anvil that’s been dropped on him the past couple years is now being shared by Rossi. They both got hosed by electrical problems at Texas (as the race started), and RHR drove his butt off to get back to eighth place. Rossi had clutch problems and other mechanical gremlins last weekend that cost him practice time, so he’s due for a trouble-free Road America. Little Hertamania is fourth in the points and hasn’t been dazzling yet, so he’s sitting pretty.

Q: After spending almost two hours on the phone and making 97 calls to the Iowa Speedway, I was finally able to get through and get tickets for the Iowa doubleheader. I was baffled today when I noticed they were advertising tickets are still available. What kind of a crowd should we expect?

Joe, Ingalls, IN

RM: Thanks for being persistent, Joe. The crowds haven’t been very good the past few races, and last year was besieged by bad storms, but going back to night racing should help. I would imagine good camping turnout and maybe half full grandstands, or a little better. You have to think a lot of people are still gun shy about public gatherings, so that would be a decent turnout.

Q: The ice has been cracked on doubleheaders! This is a great thing for racing. This also solves IndyCar’s Fontana problem. March in SoCal is very mild weather-wise, and I have no doubt IndyCar wouldn’t mind the Saturday evening spot in the schedule. Any possibility here?

Vincent Martinez, South Pasadena, CA

RM: That could put Fontana back in play some day because track president Dave Allen likes IndyCar and will only run them at night, so a Saturday night/Sunday afternoon IndyCar/NASCAR twin bill might appeal to him. But Long Beach is the next month, and I imagine that could be a concern for both, although two different crowds in my mind.

Q: I’m impressed with R.P.’s attention to detail and the improvements made to IMS. The only thing I didn’t understand was the painted white start/finish line was moved 5-10 feet north of the yard of bricks. Why was this done? Will it move back for the 500? In my opinion, it should stay adjacent to the yard of bricks. Hope to see everyone at RA next weekend!

Aaron, Hubertus, WI

RM: There are two timelines – one north of the bricks for ovals, and one south for road courses – dictated by the direction of the race. Don’t know why it was done, but it’s been that way a long time.

Q: So happy to watch our favorite sport again with the Indy GP! I’m a big fan of the road course race to kick off the month of May (July) even if it’s not well attended.

One thing that really bothers me is the track configuration used every year. It looks glorious to see a car go backwards through the Speedway Turn 1. Some of us witnessed Ferraris, McLarens, Renaults going flat out there years ago. Can you please talk to The Captain about skipping the last chicane to switch it up a bit?

Paul, IL

RM: With all the things on his plate, do you really think changing the road course configuration is on R.P.’s shortlist? And why mess with a layout that actually offers two or three chances to pass? No, I’ll be happy to bug him about bringing back the apron, but unless F1 comes back and makes some demands, I can’t imagine the road course changing.

Q: Have you heard anything about any track changes for the Harvest GP at the Indy road course? I think it would be an interesting challenge to run one of the alternate layouts, rather than just running the regular Indy GP course again. They could run it in reverse like MotoGP, or even use the old F1 track.

Joey T.

RM: Did you and Paul (above) drink out of the same glass? No, I haven’t heard of any changes, and why would you mess with what is a pretty racy layout? Is it going to make the racing better? I highly doubt it.

Q: It’s nice to have a true racer with great business skills in charge of IndyCar and IMS. I don’t know if it was Roger’s idea, but the historic IndyCars running four sessions at Road America during this weekend’s doubleheader is pure genius – that’s one way to make new fans. Do you know anything about potential plans to somehow assure that his vision for IndyCar and IMS carry on when he has to pass the baton?

Steve in MN

RM: Mike Lashnet’s Vintage Indy group runs will be at Road America and they run at Gateway every year and I think they’d run as many places as IndyCar wants and it certainly adds to the weekend – great memories for the old and a good way to educate kids on the old days. As for The Captain’s succession plan, I’m sure between Greg Penske, Bud Denker and Tim Cindric that everything will continue to move along nicely. But I don’t see R.P. slowing down until he’s 90.

Q: We were in Indy two weeks ago visiting my youngest and, like here, things sure are weird. Anyhow, I enjoyed your comments on R.P. and it was good of you to take a stand on the fussing. We had tickets for May, can’t go in August, so we’re hoping we’ll get a shot at 2021. During his CART days, I was not much of a Penske fan, but over the years I’ve revised my opinion. He clearly loves the sport, as you do, and has risked a lot to see it succeed. I’m sold!

Jon Jones, Oologah, OK

RM: The Captain has always put his money where his passion lies, whether it was investing in racetracks, propping up CART, being a steady supporter of American motorsports or buying IMS and IndyCar. I’m so glad he gave all you fans an option, and when you get here in 2021 you won’t believe how good it looks.

Q: What if the CDC by August implements a new restriction on large gatherings before August 23?

Darby Morrison

RM: I imagine the Indy 500 would be moved to Oct. 3.

Q: Read your Cancel the Whine Club Membership column. So have any of those bitching and moaning provided any realistic option besides pretending COVID does not exist and just letting everyone in, or is it the classic complaining about something without providing a solution approach? Going out on a limb here that Roger Penske and his team may have just run through one or two more scenarios and weighed a few more pros and cons than those complaining.

Is it optimal? No. But given the circumstances, it is as good as you can do, and they are going through an administrative nightmare by polling everyone and then reassigning as many as 125,000 to 130,000 seats. Much better than an arbitrary lottery or going by seniority that could have upset a lot of ticket holders. Sounds like anyone who has already purchased a reserved seat will be able to attend, which is as much as anyone could possibly hope for. Let's just hope people behave themselves over the next several weeks so all of this isn't for naught.

Don Weidig, Canton, OH

RM: None of the gripes I received offered any alternatives that made more sense than Penske’s plan. Something like this could easily be a no-win situation for the paying customers, but I thought the ticket distribution and rollover options were about as fair and sensible as anyone could expect.

As much as we all like to see packed stands at Indy, this year most are just grateful that we're going to have a race. Image by Levitt/Motorsport Images

Q: You are a betting man. If you were to set the line in Vegas what would be the over/under for fans at the 500?

Don Weidig

RM: I’d say 125,000 counting suites and infield.

Q: I’ve attended 72 Indy 500s in a row and here’s what IMS is doing for me. I currently have seven Paddock Penthouse tickets together in rows 1-2 of Section 12. They have allowed me to keep five of those seven. I have four in the Paddock below us, and they have allowed me to keep two, and I have four in the Southwest Vista and they have allowed me to keep two. I have two in the Northwest Vista and they have allowed me to keep both of those. I went ahead and told them I would take all of those they allowed me, and to apply the balance for next year. I think that is very fair on their part.

Here are my thoughts. The last few years, not including 2016, the 100th Anniversary year, it appeared that there were about 20%-30% empty seats scattered around. In addition, they have undoubtedly not been selling any new seat orders since they announced the postponement of the race. I would think that in normal times that might be as much as 10% additional sales. Then there are many people who may not be able to attend due to the new date. For example, our daughter is extremely disappointed because she is a fourth grade teacher starting school the very next day, and feels she has too much to do to prepare to be gone that weekend. Then add in those people who just won't to be out in that large of a crowd that soon.

Put all of that together, and I believe that the Speedway feels comfortable that they are not going to make a lot of people mad by reducing the allowed attendance to 50%. For me, I think they have been fair in allowing me to have 11 of the 17 tickets I own. In any case, I am looking forward to my 73rd 500 in a row. When your ship is in rough waters, you want the very best captain to be at the helm. I agree with your analysis that Roger Penske is the very best captain to be in charge of IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Butch Welsch, St. Louis, MO

RM: Damn, 73 Indys in a row, that’s amazing and impressive and I’m glad you feel you were treated fairly by IMS. But seats are still being sold for Aug. 23, and I think your analysis is correct – always been empty seats low in corners and short chute, and half-full would likely be the biggest sporting crowd of 2020. Thanks for seven decades of supporting Indianapolis.

Q: I think I am like every IndyCar fan when I say the best thing that has happened to IMS and the series in 50 years is Roger Penske taking it over. And I applaud his determination in making sure fans will be in attendance for the 500. This will make my 54th race, and there is no sporting event that I look more forward to. And I plan to go. But I will admit that I was disappointed when on one hand they “suggest” it would be “better” if those of us over 65 (I’m 71) would be safer to stay home, but then with the other hand they insist they plan to go forward with the Indianapolis market TV blackout. Everything that they are doing is because of the most serious health crises in almost 100 years, but that is the hill they want to die on?

If I knew it was going to televised live I would probably consider staying home. But being that I refuse to miss it, come heat, humidity, and health risk, I’ll drag my old ass into the track. Thanks for taking the time to listen.

Bob Putnam, Speedway, IN

RM: First off, I hope you have a seat with shade because I can’t imagine sitting in the sun in a bleacher for four hours, but your passion and support is certainly admirable. I’ve said this for a couple weeks, but if IMS decides to lift the blackout it’s likely not going to announce it until a few days before the race (like it did in 2016) because it’s still trying to sell tickets. I know NBC would like it because Indianapolis would drive up the ratings. So let’s wait and see.

Q: Watching NBC Sports Gold practice for the Indy GP, and Leigh and Paul are talking about Felix and his crash late in Texas. Paul is talking about patience and taking what you are given. Having just watched the 1993 Phoenix race where Paul crashed out late with a two-lap lead trying to put another lap on someone, I just had to start laughing.  Leigh, playing the straight man, asked Paul something about that happening in his career, and Paul said something about Roger. Laughing too hard to hear it all, but it made my day. So happy they are doing the broadcasts.

Speaking of Paul, he accomplished so much but left so much on the table. Wicked fast, but prone to crashing. Probably should have been multiple champion, and he did win an Indy 500. Does he ever talk about regrets?

Mark, San Diego, CA

RM: Oh, hell yes, P.T. is very honest about his career and knows he threw away some races and at least one more championship, but can laugh at himself and that’s always refreshing. On the flipside, he probably doesn’t get enough credit for winning three times for R.P. in 1997 when that team was really struggling and he was running Goodyear tires against the superior Firestones.

Tracy delivered a few highlight reel moments in what was otherwise a tough 1997 for Penske. Image by Motorsport Images

Q: Since we probably won't make a race this year, I've been trying to find more ways to support the series. I purchased the IndyCar Gold Pass and so far it's been well worth the price. I also just placed an order for some IndyCar merchandise and, not surprisingly, the new online store is much better after the Penske touch. One of the items I bought is a Rahal jersey, and it got me thinking about how many sponsors most drivers have. Rahal is one driver that runs a decent number of liveries during the season. What kind of money does it take for the different sponsor levels (associate vs. primary some races vs. full season)?

Tate in Kansas

RM: Thanks for subscribing and being a loyal fan. RLL has been rotating sponsors for the past few seasons and it seems to work quite well. I have no idea what people pay, but I would imagine Indy is the most expensive for obvious reasons. And if you have the whole car or just the sidepod or a rear wing, they’re all different prices.

Q: Is there anything from this season's schedule that has a chance staying next year or whenever things are back to “normal"? I get it’s more cost-effective for May when they're already there, but I like the idea of the Indy GP on July 4th. If not that, any of the doubleheaders? I assume Detroit’s would stay once that returns but do any of the other tracks want to keep theirs?

Anthony, Shrewsbury, MA

RM: The doubleheaders at Road America, Iowa and Laguna Seca were born out of necessity to try and get to 13-14 races, so besides Detroit, I think the only other possible twin bill in 2021 would be an IndyCar/NASCAR show on an oval. But who knows if any of that trio this year would want to try two races next year?

Q: Barring injury or fatal accident, who are some of the drivers who you think should have made it to the big time in Indy cars, but for one reason or another, didn’t? One who comes to mind for me is Hurley Haywood. He was no stranger to high horsepower with experience in a 900hp Porsche 917-10K and various 800hp 935s. He was quick and with his endurance experience, he knew how to be there at the end. From what I can tell, he drove for smaller teams that did not have a lot in terms of resources and that makes it hard to stand out. So, who makes your list?

Don Hopings, Cathedral City, CA

RM: Tommy Kendall, Lee Bentham, David Empringham, Jon Fogarty, Jonathan Bomarito and Patrick Long would be at the top of my list, along with Chuck Gurney and Sleepy Tripp. Kendall was a sports car star that started in open wheel while the next four were either champions or winners (or both) in Formula Atlantic. Long made a good impression in Europe and it looked like he might land with Bobby Rahal before he got a full-time sports car gig. Gurney was a winner in midgets, sprints and dirt cars and only got a sniff once at Indy in a bad car, while USAC midget king Tripp never even got a taste. And I always thought Ronnie Shuman would have been damn good but his brief try (Ontario and Indy) was in an uncompetitive Indy car.

Q: I remember in a Mailbag question you answered over a week ago that you mentioned the IZOD Challenge at LVMS, and the drivers that were offered a chance to compete. Given the unfortunate result of what happened to Dan Wheldon, has there ever been any regret from Randy Bernard? You know, from agreeing to hold a sponsor challenge such as that, knowing that perhaps Dan might still be with us today if it wasn’t for a start last, make your way up, and win millions for you/a lucky fan type of challenge?

Kevin, North Carolina

RM: Randy was devastated after Vegas and blamed himself for a while until enough people convinced him that Dan was a racer and going for that big money was part of his makeup. In hindsight, some drivers were concerned about all those cars on such a fast, tight track, and if anything it might have been a better idea at Fontana. But Randy was trying to raise awareness and get IndyCar some national attention with a one-of-a-kind payday, so I don’t think Wheldon had any problem with it.

Q: I'm a longtime reader, first time writer. I grew up following road racing in the '60s and '70s and was a huge fan of both Roger Penske and Jim Hall. I think many people today only know about their achievements as innovators and team managers, not so much about how outstanding both were as drivers. I even got to see both drive Chaparrals at The Glen when Roger was subbing for an injured Hap Sharp.

We all know how Roger is doing these days, but I haven't seen anything about Jim in several years. Do you know how he is doing? Every year I couldn't wait to see what wild new innovations the latest Chaparral would spring on the racing world. Jim is one of the all-time racing greats.

Jim Pettengill, Ridgway, CO

RM: He looked good a few years ago at the RRDC in Long Beach when he was honored, but I don’t think he goes to many races. He was a damn good road racer with a fertile mind and much like R.P. – usually one step ahead of everyone else be it sports cars or Indy cars. He finished fifth in the German Grand Prix, won Sebring and flirted with the idea of running at Indy in one of his early Chaparral Can-Am cars. But winning the Triple Crown in 1978 with Al Unser and Indy in 1980 with Johnny Rutherford left his mark in open wheel.

Q: If I were a betting man like you I’d still put my money on a Kimi comeback strategy since other current F1 seat opportunities are limited, but… Vettel? IndyCar? Heard any scuttlebutt or wild rumors? He needs a change of scenery. What say you?

Scott B., Gainesville, FL

RM: I say for somebody used to making $15-20 million a year that I’ve got a better shot at driving for Chip Ganassi than Vettel does of coming to IndyCar. I don’t think he’s the least bit interested – especially in ovals.

Q: I am reading a very enjoyable little book called "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein. It is essentially the story of a relationship between a man-who is a race driver-and his dog who is named Enzo. Enzo's master is a race driving instructor in Italy for Ferrari. At one point in the book Enzo talks about how driving on a dry straightaway should involve slow hands. He goes on to say that driving in the rain and/or marbles would require fast hands. Among today's drivers, who would you say has the best fast hands? My picks would be Scott Dixon and Sebastian Bourdais.

Ron Ford, Muskego, WI

RM: Juan Pablo Montoya gets my vote. He should have crashed every other lap at Gateway back in 1999, but never hit the fence because his car control and quick hands were incredible. After the race I remember his engineer, Morris Nunn, shaking his head and saying he’d never seen anything like that in all his years of F1 and IndyCar.

Fast hands: Montoya at Gateway, 1999. Image by Motorsport Images

Q: What was the reason Zanardi struggled so much the year he came back to CART? Was it the new team or him? On Instagram I always see the drivers workout and fitness routines. In the '90s they had faster cars but I don’t remember fitness being a big thing. Was it and people just didn’t talk about it, or is that newer?

Geoff B.

RM: It was Mo Nunn’s team and they weren’t new, but they weren’t the powerhouse of Ganassi, and don’t forget that Zanardi had a nice advantage with Honda and Firestone from 1996-98. He also drove hard and that Reynard fit his style, and it was a great combination. The G-forces and downforce today are so extreme compared to 25 years ago that a driver has to be in top shape. And now with this closed cockpit and limited air circulating, it’s more crucial than ever.

Q: Thanks for the much-needed challenge to cancel the whine club as Roger Penske works wonders at high speed to upgrade IndyCar and IMS. Since fans do help pay some of the bills, I suppose it is inevitable that some whiners just can’t see the reality of real-world challenges, but I hope we can see a muted group of malcontents as we count down to the 2020 Indy 500. I’ve heard a rumor that we may see more historic Indy cars on track in years ahead, albeit not necessarily at IMS. Have you heard any such news? After years attending and serving as a mechanic at the Rolex Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca, I’d love for a wider audience to see the vintage Indy roadsters run on tracks they belong on.

Where do you stand on modern accurate recreations of historic engines? With advances and spread in CNC technology, many rare vintage European engines and bits and pieces are now in use in vintage racing. If there was a modern production Offy engine to power vintage racers, would we see a field of roadsters on track?

Rick Wilson, California

RM: All I know is that Mike Lashnet’s Vintage Indy Group is running Road America and Gateway and they’re usually at Milwaukee and Pocono, so they pretty much go wherever they’re asked. The late, great John Martin was still building Offys before his death and somehow he got parts, so I’m not sure if it was CNC technology or old pieces, but it still sounded great when he fired them up. He would bring his iPad to Charlie Brown’s for lunch and turn up the volume, which always made Pancho, Kunzman, J.P. and Vuky happy.

Q: I love to see drivers racing in multiple classes. NASCAR drivers sometimes race up three different series in one weekend. There is pretty much a race every weekend in NASCAR. In IndyCar, there’s less than half as many races. Why do IndyCar drivers race only the IndyCar Series? What do they do with all that downtime? Is it against the rules? If so, why?

Jeff Koopman

RM: I think Kyle Busch is the only guy that still runs all three NASCAR series, and the Cup regulars have cut way back in Xfinity races because NASCAR is trying to build the next generation. Some IndyCar guys like Dixon, RHR, Seb, Rossi, Herta, Rahal and Pagenaud run the Rolex 24 and Road Atlanta, but it’s not against the rules, it’s just the way racing is today. Pretty much the good drivers stay in their own lane unless they get a good opportunity to run a sports car race that doesn’t conflict with IndyCar. What to they do for six months? Work out.

Q: I’ve always wondered – your bio says that you flunked out of Ball State after two quarters. Does that mean you left school after one semester? Yep, a lot of free time during quarantine.

Chris Chilton

RM: I was asked to leave after two quarters that produced two Fs, a D, a C and an incomplete. I then attended Danville Junior College for a semester and IUPUI for a semester before The Indianapolis Star hired me. Lucky? That’s putting it mildly. I missed a class at IUPUI because I was traveling with the Pacers. When I finally showed up it turned out to be geology instead of geography, and the teacher was kind enough to let me withdraw. But thanks to Scott Fulford, the crack mechanic on my Formula Ford, I actually got a 2.1 GPA because I copied all his answers on finals. Except for the time I stole one of those blue books and filled it out with a report and then snuck it into class and scored the only B of my career. I couldn’t even get an A by cheating.

IMSA endurance events like the Rolex 24 are a good place to spot IndyCar drivers away from their natural habitat. Image by Levitt/Motorsport Images

Q: In response to Don Hoping's 7/1 letter about getting fans to the race track, and Black fans specifically, is that you become a fan because your father, uncle or someone took you to a race as a child. If you don't have that experience, it’s difficult to become a fan of something that you aren't exposed to early in life. He obviously had that because someone took him to a race at nine years old. All forms of racing have seen a downturn in fan support in recent years, and a lot of has do with them chasing away the party crowd back in the '90 and early 2000s. It was getting a little out of hand, yes, but as fans, if you didn't want to be a part of it, you stayed out of those areas.

The thing is, I went to a lot of races with my father and uncles (we lived near IRP), and when I got older I was part of the party crowd, but when I had kids I took my kids to the races and we stayed away from the party crowd. Point is that that is part of the evolution of race fans. My kids are fans and repeated the same cycle. Vegas tried the family thing for a short time and figured out quick that that didn't pay the bills, and it became “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

Indy is trying to manufacture the Snake Pit experience, but those people are only there for concerts and don't care anything about racing, and without the concerts will never come back. Not sure you can ever get it back now. Thoughts? On your comment about NASCAR being better at diversity, one Black driver out of 40 isn't exactly diverse. IndyCar has drivers from all over the world including Japan and Latin America, and is a lot more diverse than NASCAR. There just isn't a Black driver. Willy T. unfortunately was never given a real chance in either series. Thanks for the reporting and information, and loved the stories you told on The Skinny.

Randy Keene

RM: I agree, and I think that’s what I said last week – if you don’t grow up with racing and it’s not in your family’s routine, you’re not going to become a fan whether you’re black, white or orange. As for diversity, I was thinking about writing a column about all the diverse drivers in IndyCar, but NASCAR does have a program in place that made it possible for Bubba Wallace to get to Cup without bringing his checkbook.

Q: I congratulate Roger Penske, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar for the way they have handled the uncertainty surrounding this year’s 500. I’ve been attending the 500 since 1962 when I was 10 years old. I’ll be there again on race day. Will it be the same as if it were May? No, of course not. But the fact that the race will even happen is a tribute to everyone involved in pulling it off in a very uncertain and trying situation. But, for me, when the green flag waves, everything else will be forgotten and it will once again be race day in Indianapolis.

Peter, Gainesville, VA

RM: Well said Peter, thanks for your patronage.

Q: Received my letter/notification from IMS inquiring about my plans for August 23 and the 104th running of the greatest race on the planet. I am not going to be able to attend and believe me, I sincerely hate to miss what is the best day of my year. It is very generous of Mr. Penske and IMS to offer credit for my unused tickets, and I am very appreciative. However, if I could, I would tell them to keep my money as a token of my appreciation for their stewardship of the hallowed grouds, and to please charge me double next year as I am so thankful for all they are doing! Many thanks to the Hulman/George Family for the wonderful years leading up to now. and heaps of support for Penske Entertainment for the promise of the future.

Troy from Indiana

RM: A good way to end this week’s Mailbag: a gesture not often seen by any fan of any sport on top of a heartfelt thanks to IMS then and now.