Robin Miller's Mailbag for July 29, 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: I was wondering if there is any talk within the paddock or IndyCar management regarding the month of September? I know Penske and his team are probably just trying to get through August, yet I would imagine Penske has people working on the possibility of September having no races, or maybe racing elsewhere. Do you believe we are headed for a race-less September? Not just because of the virus, but I have heard there are issues with management at WeatherTech Raceway. My gut tells me that both Portland and Monterey area are not going to allow fans even if they allow the race. Do you think Penske will still have those two races, even without fans?

Lastly, do you believe the drivers are aware that this might be a 10- or 11-race schedule? I don't want any drivers or teams making ridiculous comments at the end of the year dismissing whoever does win the championship. As long as they have a diverse set of races and tracks, the champion is deserving.

Derek, Riverside, CA

RM: Unless the Harvest GP in early October at IMS is moved it appears IndyCar will be idle in September, because Portland and Laguna are both scrapped. And as crowded as NBC’s sports schedule is that month, it would likely be very difficult to fit in another race. Plus, with the IMS road race now a doubleheader, which combined with two at Mid-Ohio and Gateway, gets the number to 13 and St. Pete is set to be 14.

Q: I love the Mailbag every week and I look forward so much to reading your columns, but one thing as a Californian living two-and-a-half hours from Laguna Seca is, you have to know what’s going on there. They want to racetrack closed because of the property value for real estate development, and they could care less about the health and future of Laguna Seca as a racetrack. That managing board really wants them out of the way despite the MotoGP race that used to generate more income for the whole entire Monterey Peninsula in the week leading up to the race then any other event, including the historic races or the IndyCar races back in the day. I’m just saying the lifespan of Laguna Seca… yeah we may have a race in September or October or whenever it’s scheduled, but I would say after that, no more.

John. B

RM: Obviously it’s become official since you wrote and Laguna is cancelled for 2020, but as RACER reported on Monday, the track is negotiating a three-year deal to keep IndyCar, so that’s encouraging.

Q: In response to your article on Iowa Speedway and a rumored Penske purchase, I still think renting it going forward makes the most sense. I like the Iowa track and really enjoy watching the races there. Dirt track racing, not asphalt, is king in Iowa, and my concern is sustaining a fan base in the years to come. Should the track change hands from ISC, making an action packed two-day event is crucial. Hosting IndyCar, Indy Lights, MSR Sprints, USAC Silver Crown or ARCA/Xfinity might work. What do you think?

Rick, Roseville, MI

RM: The Captain said in my story he would prefer to keep renting Iowa because it’s one of IndyCar’s best tracks, but he may have to buy it to make sure it doesn’t get bulldozed because NASCAR doesn’t seem to want it. And I’m sure whatever returns with IndyCar in 2021 will be a good package for race fans.

Throw a bunch of Indy cars into a corn field, and magic happens. Phillip Abbott/Motorsport Images

Q: Do you think IndyCar will now go to COTA since F1 cancelled the race?

Mark Fellows

RM: No, and I don’t think IndyCar will ever race at COTA again. If the track was having financial issues before, losing the F1 race might be the final nail.

Q: We've recently seen Formula 1 decide to race at tracks they didn't have on their original 2020 schedule -- Mugello, Imola, Portimao, Nurburgring, and I'm sure they could add more. With IndyCar seeming to want to keep races in the greater Midwest, do you see any outside-the-box tracks in the Midwest or Northeast in the mix? Milwaukee, Lime Rock, VIR, Watkins Glen, Pocono, etc.?

Tom, Greenwood, SC

RM: No. Unless St. Pete gets shut down by the pandemic, it looks like IndyCar will have 14 races in 2020, and that’s the number it was shooting for a few months ago. I would think Barber and Richmond would be the first two choices if St. Pete was canceled, and it would likely have to be a rental situation.

Q: Has IndyCar ever explored the idea of racing at Brainerd in Minnesota? With the cancellation of the West Coast swing, Brainerd could be an interesting alternative. The 2.5-mile course looks a bit Mickey Mouse for IndyCar, but the old 3.1-mile course would be cool. In the old days it held Can-Am and F5000 races. I have no idea if the facilities are appropriate for the cars of today, but more doubleheaders are going to be too hard on the mechanics.

Doug Mayer

RM: USAC ran twin 100s at Brainerd in 1969 (Johncock and Gurney victorious) but never went back, and I’ve not heard anyone in IndyCar ever mention it, so I would seriously doubt if it’s on the radar.

Q: Do you think IndyCar will ever go back the Watkins Glen? I love the series and that Roger Penske is the owner. Would love to see them there. Seems like great racing, and a true destination for race fans the week before and after.

Mike Milner

RM: Michael Printup has always said if the right date could be secured he’d be interested, but July 4 and Labor Day both flopped. Sharing the weekend with IMSA would seem to be the only option, but the sports cars don’t seem too keen with that idea so it’s doubtful.

Q: With the news that the IMS road course is going to run three races this year after the cancellation of Portland and Laguna Seca, I’m going to repeat a point that I and a couple readers brought up a couple weeks ago. When we suggested that they change up the track layout, you clearly weren’t a fan and said, “Why would you mess with what is a pretty racy layout? Is it going to make the racing better? I highly doubt it.”

Well, I would argue that it could make racing better. These guys are going to have so many laps logged around this track by the time of the green flag for race three that I don’t think there will be anything new happening. It’s like how the F1 races at Barcelona are awful because the teams log so many laps there before the season and therefore can’t really make any setup mistakes, and the drivers know it like the back of their hand. The IMS road course is a solid track with solid overtaking opportunities, but three races on the same track seems a little extreme. Change it up and give the drivers a challenge on a track they’ve never driven before. It’s IndyCar on a road course, so it’ll be a good show either way, but in a season of doubleheaders and repeating tracks, this would be a little bit of spice.

Joey T.

RM: Why would IMS spent the money to re-route or change what has three passing opportunities to take a chance the new layout might be as good? It wouldn’t, especially this year when it’s spending money hand-over-fist on improvements for fans and is taking a big hit on the Indy 500. Trust me, R.P. doesn’t relish three races on the IMS road course, but this is all about survival and quotas in 2020.

Q: IndyCar's performance at Road America recently has changed my bias against road courses. What a weekend – very close racing by and large, and not just the usual veterans up front! Palou, Herta, Pato, of course Rosenqvist and others were very impressive. Even Marco qualified higher than last! Speaking of which, I was at Canada Corner on Sunday, and Marco didn't seem to be attacking the corner during practice like the others were; seemed rather cautious. Not sure if he was real tight or what, but it was surprising to see how well he actually fared among the other drivers. Not too good at the end, unfortunately. I noticed in the racing program his team is listed as 'Andretti Herta w/Marco & Curb Agajanian.' Is he part-owner of his car, or what does this mean?

Terry Clevenger

RM: Yep, Marco is the car owner, or one of them, with help from Mike Curb, Cary Agajanian, Bryan Herta and his dad. I have no idea how it’s divided up. But the Road America doubleheader was about as good as road racing gets.

Be your own boss. Chris Jones/IMS

Q: Do you think that IndyCar would be looking into changing up the layout so we don’t have the same race three times in one year? I think this would be a great idea because they definitely have different options. Just like they could use three-quarters of the oval and then a little twisty bit. This would be a nightmare for the teams trying to to set up the cars, and I’d love it. Also the oval, I’m pretty sure, could be run backwards, because I don’t think there are any walls that would really need much changed. Could you ask Roger if this is in the cards at all?

Rick from PA

RM: I can tell you it’s not in the cards for 2020, but I’ll let IMS president Doug Boles explain the obstacles:

“We have discussed changing the layout. But, two main factors at the moment. (1) The track will be in normal IndyCar road course configuration because that is what the GT Challenge cars and classes are running – remember, this was their weekend to begin with, and teams have been preparing for that layout, and (2) there will be less IndyCar practice time that weekend and the fact the teams know the track well gives them comfort level that they do not need additional practice. And there are expenses – especially going the opposite direction. Going opposite direction requires barriers in different places, and especially at Turn 7 in normal direction (the south end of Hulman), you would have to move the west side wall and fence over halfway into the transporter lot (how we do it for motorcycles), and would drastically impact our ability to house transports and teams for upwards of 80 cars on that weekend.”

Q: What did you think of the weekend schedule at Road America? Couldn’t they have had a practice Friday? Saturday’s race ended after 6 p.m. The track announcer said it takes six hours to prep the same car. With the next practice at 8 a.m., Sunday it puts a lot of pressure on the crews. Thoughts?

Comment: Upon entering the track a lady says to me: “You must have the oldest shirt here.” The shirt is an old tribute shirt to four-time Indy winner Al Unser. I say to her, “Those were the good old days.” She says “This is their good old days,” pointing to her three grandsons. Isn’t this what we’re all in it for, to pass the thrill of racing on to future generations? We may not all have family to share the thrill of racing, but we all play a role in promoting racing and passing it on.

Bob Hunt, Lodi, WI

RM: I thought two days was fine and, judging by the letters, so did most of the people attending. They loved racing instead of practice and it gave them more bang for their buck. Sure it was tough on the crews, but three days instead of two might have been even tougher.

Q: Excited that Ohio/PA race fans will get a doubleheader at Mid-Ohio, and kudos to IndyCar and everybody involved for doing the best they can to get some races in considering the pandemic. As it shapes up right now, if we drive to Indy for qualifying weekend, we could have three weekends in a row of IndyCar!

Do you know if the qualifying procedure will be the same as Road America’s, and do you know the thought process behind it? Why can't they just qualify in the morning and race in the afternoon? If IndyCar is worried about the teams and mechanics, make both races an impound race! I think this setup hurts teams that may have an issue. Why penalize them both days? And please tell me this will also be the case for Gateway. It's hokey and needs to go, along with double-points at the Indy 500 and season finale.

Thanks for all you do for open-wheel racing. We'll be wearing our masks and socially distancing on the hillside across from the start line at Mid-Ohio, and wherever they move us at the Speedway.

Scott St. Clair, Erie, PA

RM: They did it to save wear and tear on the mechanics and I think it worked, because one session each day and put the cars away rewards the teams that got it right in practice. Not sure what the procedure is going to be for Gateway, but oval qualifying at Iowa produced two different pole winners and a first-timer, so I also liked that. I know the fans who went and wrote in loved two races instead of all that practice and qualifying.

Q: What a wonderful – and true – article about Conor Daly! Thank you for putting your important opinion out there about a great American driver. We are fortunate fans who have always followed the support series and had the pleasure of watching Conor and Josef Newgarden, and getting to know them since they were in Skip Barber. When we get to see them now, if we are that lucky, they greet us as the fine young men they are beyond their talent. We always want the ride that Conor deserves to come his way! Always enjoy reading your comments, but this one really hit a spot in our hearts!

Ron and Elaine Gertner

RM: Well thanks, glad you enjoyed it, and even though he’s jumping back and forth between two teams, he’s showing his strength in terms of reading a chassis and making it better. He’s not a great American driver yet, but he could be – especially if he gets a stable ride for three years with the same engineer. He’s always been able to race, and people tend to forget he and Newgarden were equals all through the junior formulas.

Q: With it looking highly likely if not definite that Team Penske is leaving sports cars after this season, what is the future for Helio Castroneves? Is this year his last Indy 500-only appearance with Penske? If so, is he interested in coming back to IndyCar full-time with another team? Would another team be interested in him?

Jason Branch, Ocala, FL

RM: All good questions. I think he’ll get some good sports car offers and I think he’s still carrying the torch for IndyCar, but can’t imagine him driving for anyone else but R.P. It could be his last Indy 500 depending on how he runs, who comes back with Team Penske in 2021 and how soon Scott McLaughlin is in a car.

Will this year be the last chance to see Helio at Indy? Levitt/Motorsport Images

Q: Big Ed Carpenter fan here. Big sprint car fan here. I've watched Ed since the early 2000s and was just always a fan. Very likable guy. Can't wait for him to win Indy. After watching Iowa last weekend, I have to ask, is it time for Ed to put two young guys in his cars and bring out a third car for him to run Indy only? I would love to see Ed put Conor Daly full-time in one of his cars and Chris Windom full-time in a second car. Air Force sponsors Conor, NOS Energy sponsors Chris. Give these guys three years to build themselves. (I know Chris Windom would maybe have to run a couple full seasons in Lights before the move to IndyCar).

I am not knocking F1 guys coming over here to race, but would just love to see some USAC guys get their shot. Too many damn talented racers. I went to Attica Raceway last week and watched Kyle Larson tear up the Brad Doty Classic. The dude knows how to wheel a race car. The world we live in is all about second chances. Since it was a ‘business decision’ to let go Kyle in NASCAR, do you see Chip offering Kyle an Indy 500 chance? I think that would sell big in the Indy ticket office, and I think the guy can compete for the win.

Andy, St. Marys, Ohio

RM: Ed is a smart guy and he’s not going to hang on if he thinks his time has passed, and I still think he’ll be a factor at Indy next month. It’s tough for anyone to run a few races a year and be competitive with today’s mob of talent, but he’s struggled lately at Texas and Iowa. I think Rinus Veekay is the future of ECR, and Daly could be a full-time candidate as well if USAF stays with him and Ed goes the Indy-only route. Larson’s best hope for an Indy ride would be Tony Stewart, but it won’t be with Ganassi. And Windom has been supported by David Byrd in Lights the past two years, so that’s his best ticket to get to the Indy 500.

Q: Long-time reader, first-time mailer. Out of the small field of rookies in IndyCar this year, who has impressed you the most so far this season and why? Who could improve a little more? Thanks for your time and keep up the hard work.

Brandon Karsten

RM: Askew, Palou and Veekay have all been impressive at various times – Oliver at Iowa and qualifying at IMS, Alex and Rinus at Road America and Iowa – and they certainly don’t drive like it’s their first year. They’ll all improve during the next eight races.

Q: I'm seeing a decline in Power (though still fast) and Vettel. As an insider, what are a couple of signs drivers are starting to fade? Both those guys seem to he making high-risk moves early in races. Dixon is still a hard charger, but he’s now just munching points like Pac-Man.

Mike, Sacramento

RM: I don’t see any decline in Will’s qualifying or racing, but it’s human nature to press a little when your teammates have won races and you haven’t. He was looking good at IMS before stalling in the pits, and had Road America in hand before losing out on the final pit stop. Qualifying in the back and not leading laps or being competitive would be the signs of fading, and he hasn’t shown any of those.

Q: Silly season talk seems to be picking up already, mostly about the Team Penske’s line-up (both IndyCar and IMSA) and Andretti with Hunter-Reay and Veach’s contracts expiring. Do you know if Dixon’s contract also expires this year? Could a stable McLaren program be more enticing to him whenever he does go back on the market? By the way, I’m rooting for R.P. to buy Iowa (presumably for a song). I’d like to see IndyCar take more control of its future schedule rather than wringing their hands waiting/hoping for a good promoter to give them a call.

Kirby, Indianapolis

RM: Power, RHR and Veach are the only drivers I know of at the end of their contracts, and I’m not sure if Pagenaud has an option year in 2021 or a contract. Dixie was offered a fortune to go with McLaren two years ago and turned it down, and I would think his last contract will keep him with Chip. IndyCar doesn’t need to be in the promoter/track owner business, but it’s a necessity in some instances.

Q: Saw a photo the other day of Emerson Fittipaldi the day after he won his first Indy 500 in 1989, standing in his winning car, and stacks of money piled on the car and on the ground around him. You probably remember the photo. The purse at Indy used to be a big deal. When Len Sutton finished second in 1962, I remember him commenting that he was set for life. Sadly, the purse has stagnated over the years, mostly due to the Leaders Circle program. With the perceived stature and long history of the event, it's now an embarrassment. Nice to see R.P. kick in a couple of million to increase the purse to $15 million. But a lot more is needed.

Indy is the premier event of the series and draws the most eyes. It's the best opportunity to attract fans and sponsors. As you have written before, when the purse was flush, it brought in a whole lot of drivers and owners and sponsors and manufacturers who wanted to chase the money. So, what if the 500 purse was ‘silly’ rich? Double it to $30 million – at least. And $5 million to the winner.

Title sponsor(s) are needed, sure, but R.P. has a whole lot of business connections. And let's face it, isn't it ridiculous that the payout for a driver finishing far down in the field doesn't even cover the tire bill for the month. It's the Indy 500!

Of course this is all hypothetical. But don't you think significantly increasing the purse would be a great way to elevate the stature of the race even more, help the series overall, and bring some new blood on several levels into the sport? Love that R.P. has spent some money and given the Speedway some long overdue TLC. But I think that one of his next priorities should be increasing that paltry 500 purse. I see a whole lot of potential benefits and growth with a big pot of money to chase. Your thoughts?

Jim, Indy

RM: Here’s what we have to remember. The Indy 500 purse in the 1960s was a huge payday compared to baseball, basketball and football salaries or golf tourneys. An Indy driver could make more in one day than a lot of those guys did a year, and Sutton wasn’t exaggerating. But I wrote a column in 1978 calling out IMS for its pathetic purse and it did get better during the next 25 years, but it’s been stagnant for a decade while all the other major sports have skyrocketed in salaries and purses. And the fact IndyCar’s purses are embarrassing certainly adds to the difficulty in making ends meet for a car owner. I hope R.P. can find a $5 million title sponsor and throw it all into the purse, because Indy needs to pay at least $500,000 to start, and the larger the purse the more chance to entice one-offs from sports cars or maybe NASCAR.

This shot wouldn't really work today, would it? Image by IMS

Q: I have been watching IndyCar ever since I moved to the U.S. in 2009, but finally get to cheer for my countryman Rinus Veekay and couldn't be more excited! It's incredibly difficult to rate rookies based on the difference in age, and team they drive for. We've seen Askew on the podium and Palou on the podium, which are great results! For Veekay, the only tangible benchmark we have is that he's consistently beating his teammates (on race day). Had a great result in Indy and could have been on the podium in Iowa, but there isn't as much talk about him as with the other rookies. Considering he's only 19, how would you rate his season so far, and where do you see his potential?

Dennis Vrijsen

RM: I think there’s been plenty of talk about him and his potential, but he and the rest of IndyCar’s kiddie corps don’t drive like newbies. His pass in the Carousel at Road America is the highlight of the season so far, and he raced good at Indy and Iowa as well. Bright future ahead.

Q: I know the Arrow McLaren car runs McLaren colors, but I have yet to see any McLaren name on the car. Is there some reason for this?

Doug, Stafford, VA

RM: Not to my knowledge. Let’s just say Arrow is the big dog on that team, but McLaren wags its tail.

Q: I have not read or maybe missed it, but will IMS have allow fans to attend this year's qualifying Aug 15-16?

Skip Conner

RM: Yep. Fans will be welcome for practice, qualifying and Carb Day, and grandstands will be open in a variety of places. All corners except Turn 3, Tower Terrace, Pit Road Terrace, areas for Paddock and Paddock Penthouses for time trials.

Q: Trying to get clarification on Bronze Badges for the 500. IMS website states "access to garages, pits and other operational areas will be reduced and enforced." My question is, will I still be able to enter the garage area with my bronze badge on practice and qualifying days?

Dale, Chesterfield, VA

RM: That means the number badges sold was restricted, but if you have one you will have access to Gasoline Alley and the pits.

Q: Do team owners have to pay a fee to field a car in the Indianapolis 500?

Chris Fiegler, Latham, NY

RM: Leaders Circle members don’t, but non-LC owners pay $20,000.

Q: Good couple of races in Iowa a couple weeks back. Nice to see the aeroscreen do its job not just once, but twice. I’m all for safety, and while I preferred the F1 halo, I’m warming to IndyCar’s screen. Just one thing though. How can the aeroscreen look so badass from the side while looking like a washing machine coming down the track from head-on, even in the same camera shot?

Bill Phypers, Brewster, NY

RM: I don’t know, but that’s exactly what we all said the first time we saw the artist renderings. Pretty cool from the side, but not so much head-on.

Q: I need to take you back to Road America and ask about scoring. Hunter-Reay gets knocked out before Turn 1 and Rahal gets it after Turn 2, yet Rahal is listed as last and Ryan is scored second-to-last. How the heck does that work? Love what you do and how you do it, thanks!

Blanch, Carol Stream, IL

RM: Neither completed a lap, so they’re scored by where they qualified.

Q: Considering the pandemic audience, the Iowa rating is disconcerting. But at least it did better than soccer, from what I read. I don't see how those numbers draw in sponsors. Perhaps changing the series name is needed, something like The Indy 500 Tour. Hardcore fans will still call it IndyCar, but a "new" audience is required for sustained success at this point, and the 500 is well recognized even by casual sports fans. It seems to me this would benefit current and future sponsors more.

Also, the 500 is scheduled to run on the five-year anniversary of Justin Wilson's death. Is there a story on NBC planned covering that, and leading to the aeroscreen development? Even if NBC simply reruns your tribute, it will be well received as a way to remember Justin (and Dan Wheldon).

Pat in Virginia

RM: Some of the TV numbers have been disconcerting considering the lack of other sports, but I’m not sure anything can make a big difference. The racing is great, but obviously that’s not enough. I imagine NBC is planning a feature around the aeroscreen and why it was necessary.

By virtue of out-qualifying Graham Rahal at Road America, Ryan Hunter-Reay was classified 22nd instead of 23rd after this mishap. You have to grab those silver linings. Michael Levitt/Motorsport Images

Q: I met Ralph Liguori at a golf tournament in Tampa 20 years ago and saw him race at East Bay Raceway with the Outlaws in the '80s. He was a nice, cordial guy. Thanks for remembering these long-forgotten racing drivers. Once you’re gone, there will no one else to do this. So hang in there, we're the same age. On a different subject, was Ed Carpenter ever in line for running IMS, being the stepson of Tony George? Do they get along?

Tom B.

RM: I imagine there could have been a place at IMS for Ed after he retired if he wanted to sell his team, but he and Tony are very close. TG is part-owner of ECR. As for Lagooch, he was a damn good racer with some crummy luck at Indy, but no finer person.

Q: Can’t believe it’s been 30 years since Rich Vogler passed away. How about a Rapid Rich story to wrap up the Mailbag?

Jeff B., Joliet, Il.

RM: A USAC midget show at Whitewater Speedway in 1981 and I’m starting on the outside of Row 1 and Vogie lines up fifth. On the first lap in Turn 3, he drills me and knocks me into the guardrail and tears off the right-front corner. After the race, which I think he won, we’re at the pay window and he comes over and starts apologizing: “It wasn’t my fault, Engelhart shoved me into you.” I said something like "Rich, it’s the first lap and you and I both know you’re going to pass me pretty quick, but you didn’t have to take me out." I had just written a pretty glowing column about him in The Indianapolis Star so he felt more remorse than usual, and offered me $100 to help fix my car. I declined and he slapped me on the back and said: “No hard feelings, just hard racing” and he was gone. I always liked Rich and I never saw anyone with more aggression, and he truly could be a ‘Mad Dog’ but he was one of the best.

Q: Having recently read the Autocourse season review books from the 1990s, I noticed there was a driver named David Empringham in Formula Atlantics/Indy Lights that was very successful, yet he didn't seem to make it to Champ Car. What happened to him?

Nathan from Victoria, Australia

RM: Yeah, I think I said a few weeks ago that Lee Bentham and Empringham were two of the brightest Canadian stars that never got a chance in CART. David went into driver instruction and sports cars while Lee has been spotting for Ed Carpenter forever.

Q: In last week’s Mailbag, Greg R. mentioned Mario immigrated (his parents, brother, and sister) from what is now part of Croatia and settled in Nazareth, PA. Greg mentioned near Langhorne Speedway, actually its Nazareth Speedway. Mario and Aldo raced at Langhorne which was about an hour away. Langhorne is where Aldo was seriously injured. Still planning to be out at Indy for the race. Hope to see you there. Best of health and safety with today’s pandemic, and can’t wait to see you and your wit on NBC. You are an Indy gem.

Stephen Janny, Nazareth, PA

RM: Good catch, I let that one slip by. But here’s a good Langhorne story. When Mario made his big car debut it was at the 'Horne, and he had dirt master Tommy Hinnershitz helping him that day. The old pro warned him not to drive too deep into Puke Hollow, and Mario said afterwards that advice probably saved his life.

Q: I grew up about 10 miles from the long-lamented Ascot Park in Gardena, CA in the 1960s. My dad and Uncle Lowell took me to many midget and sprint races when I was growing up and Parnelli Jones was my absolute racing hero, which made watching the 1967 Indy 500 just a gut-wrenching experience for a diehard 13-year-old racing fan. Parnelli was not enthusiastic about driving the turbine car in 1967, as pointed out in the Bourcier book. When approached by Andy Granatelli to drive the thing, P.J. put a price on his services that he thought would send Andy packing -- $100,000 for the one race! He was a gobsmacked when Granatelli agreed, and the rest is history.

Regarding Bruce Kerr's question about the '67 and '68 turbine cars, I just want to point out another factor that came into play. Over that previous winter, the rule-makers at USAC severely restricted the size of the air intake for turbine-powered cars at Indy, which would have reduced the power output of such engines. I may be wrong about this, but I think the older turbine car was tried out at Indy in late April or early May with the smaller, more restrictive intake and found it wouldn't get up to any kind of competitive speed and was garaged. Because of their smaller, more aerodynamic shape, the "wedge" cars designed by Colin Chapman for the '68 race were able to put up competitive speeds with the smaller intake.

Really miss seeing and hearing you at the races, Robin! Keep up the good fight, and wrangling with Mailbag readers!

Mike S, Southlake, TX

RM: All I know is that Joe Leonard was practicing in it when he crashed and pretty much destroyed it, so I think he was set to drive it. Art Pollard also drove it during practice. Leonard replaced Mike Spence, who was killed in practice, in the one of the wedge turbines (No. 60) and Pollard took over the No. 20 wedge and Graham Hill qualified the No. 70 Lotus turbine.

The STP turbines created as many storylines off the track as they did on it. Image by IMS

Q: I've been watching various dirt track races on FloRacing from Penn & Indiana. I don't understand how the tracks are allowed to have what looks like large attendance with no social distancing or very few in the crowd wearing masks. Do the tracks have to follow state rules, or only local rules? It makes no sense that the large tracks which NASCAR and IndyCar run on can't have fans in attendance, but these smaller short tracks seem to be able to pack the stands.

Bob from San Jose, CA

RM: I think in Indiana it’s governed by the counties, but very few masks at Kokomo or Lawrenceburg for Indiana Sprint Week and people just seem comfortable being outdoors. It’s a mix of young and old at USAC shows so it’s probably risky, but no short track is prepared to police the grandstands even if masks are mandatory.

Q: A couple guys I spoke with at Williams Grove told me about McKenna Haase and I watched the "This Racing Life" video and I understand she moved to Indy to build relationships to further her efforts. Don't know her from Adam, but she sure looks motivated.

C. Deery

RM: McKenna is living in Greenwood but drives or flies to Knoxville every weekend to run 410 winged sprinters, and she’s a little dynamo who has won a feature there. Our NBC producer Terry Lingner befriended her a few years ago and he’s very impressed with her focus, fitness, nutrition and desire to make it in sprints. But I imagine if someone out there wants to put her in an IndyCar some day she would be happy to listen.

Q: The obvious ESPN 30-for-30 is the CART-IRL split. Heroes and villains, IMS is in new hands, most of the key people are still alive, and enough time has passed where you should get some honesty. I was a heartbroken 14-year-old kid without cable. IndyCar went away from me for a decade and I would love to know the ‘rest of the story.’ In the year of experimenting with sports schedules, is there any chance Mr. Penske surprises us with an IndyCar-F1 doubleheader at COTA later this year?

Steve K

RM: Might have been relevant in 2008 when everything got back together, but it’s rancid water under the bridge and not really worth re-opening old wounds. I pitched it to HBO in 1999 after a feature on The Split with James Brown, but there wasn’t enough interest. No chance of a COTA race, let alone a doubleheader.

Q: I'm in the process of sorting through and scanning the contents of an old suitcase that belonged to the late Larry Bisceglia. The suitcase was rescued intact from a junkyard dumpster in Yuma, AZ, and contains a large assortment of photographs, photo negatives, press releases, letters and autographs he collected during his record 37 straight years as "Mr. First In Line" at the Indianapolis 500. One thing I've discovered is he may have been a member of the Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Club. How could Larry have joined that exclusive group if he didn't meet the 20- year requirement of actually being directly employed in IndyCar racing? I believe you are a member of the 500 Oldtimers, right? Do you have any stories about Larry that you could share?

Lawrence Stoen, Palm Beach Gardens

RM: I’m not a member, but Larry was part of the Indy 500 fabric and that’s why he was inducted into the Oldtimers Club. I didn’t know Larry but he was beloved by drivers, owners, mechanics and fans, from everything I was told.

Q: Great work as always. I love Indianapolis 500 tradition, and I know that the performance of ‘Back Home Again in Indiana’ has been assigned to various artists since Jim Nabors passed away. This isn’t a complaint, but an observation: Some of us would like to see video replays of Mr. Nabors performing the song as part of the pre-race festivities, but as a move forward, how about suggesting to Mr. Penske that the song be performed by the Hoosier Springsteen, John Mellencamp? He lives down the road in Bloomington, and I understand one of his neighbors is Steve Kinser. Please stay healthy.

Jim Donnelly, Daytona Beach, FL

RM: I sent your request to Doug Boles and R.P.