Robin Miller's Mailbag for August 26, 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: Robin, you nailed it. Sato deserved the win as much as Dixon did. I'm very much a traditionalist and this may put me out of sync with younger fans, but the Indy 500 is 500 miles. Not 505, or 510. Green/white/checker is a NASCAR thing, and if it works for them, fine. Not here. Pigot hit that attenuator a ton, and I had deep concerns for his safety first, not the finish. I also realized that the work to repair it against the time of day and laps left was going to end up as it did. NBC was already tight on time. There was no alternative. So be it. That's Indianapolis. Am I in the minority?

Jim Mulcare, Westbury, NY

RM: No, I was pleasantly surprised to see 70 percent of the avalanche of emails had no problem with ending under caution. Like I wrote Sunday, it happened 12 times between 1988 and last Sunday, and you are spot on – it’s the Indy 500, not the 505 or the 510.

Q: Why no red flag! What a way to “treat” the fans who couldn’t be there. Boo on the chief steward? Who is it, Harlan Fengler’s grandson?

M. Snodgrass

RM: The chief steward didn’t make the call, IndyCar did, and between the time it would have taken to repair the attenuator and the fact NBC’s five-hour window was up, it was an easy call.

Q: The Indy 500 ended the way it should have, and a true race fan would not have wanted it any other way. The thought of throwing a red would be saying that Dixon didn’t do it during the race, so let’s give him more chance to see if he can win. Overtime doesn’t belong in racing. This kind of thinking has ruined NASCAR. It was a great race, and yes, I would loved to have a green finish to see if Dixon or Rahal could have pulled it off, but we didn’t and that’s racing.

Jack, Ft. Myers, FL

RM: The majority of letters agreeing with the decision came from older fans, while the newer generation has been brainwashed by NASCAR’s gimmicks. But if there had been more laps left (18) like in 2019 and television wasn’t a concern in repairing the fence, I think IndyCar would have gone red.

There was some fan consternation over the yellow flag, but the black and white checkered one was all that Sato needed to worry about. Barry Cantrell/Motorsport Images

Q: Paul Tracy needs to get a clue about a three- or four-lap shootout. It's hard to have one after the leader has taken the yellow with four to go. Paul's lack of situational awareness is partially to blame for red flag talk among the once-a-year IndyCar watchers, AP reporters and Indy Star columnists. There was no way a red flag could have happened and restarted the race with any green running. Sato was going into Turn 4 on Lap 196 when Pigot crashed. So when he took the yellow, he was on Lap 197; four to go. By the time the field gets packed up, and brought onto pit road for a red flag, you probably burn up a minimum of two laps – Laps 197 and 198, at best!

You would need two laps to get going again, like they did in 2014 to restart the race. That would have been Laps 199 and 200. Race over. Any talk of a GWC so we could get a Sato-Dixon duel probably ends up with neither of them winning. They had the fuel to make Lap 200, and that's about it. We don't need the Indy 522.5 like we did with the Daytona 522.5 this year. At some point, people need to learn that IndyCar races finish under yellow and 500 miles is 500 miles.

Mark in Cincinnati

RM: Good point. By the time you get the field behind the pace car, let everyone pit to see if they cut tires in the debris from the crash and rejoin the race, you’re out of time.

Q: My wife asked me a question I didn't know the answer to. As noted in your article, red flags stopped the Indy 500 in 2014 with seven laps to go, and 2019 with 18 laps to go. She asked me are there not written race rules or regulations that determine whether a red flag near the end of the race is shown, or is it totally up to the chief stewards of the race and/or IndyCar series?

Don H., Indianapolis

RM: There is no red flag rule in the IndyCar rulebook. Beaux Barfield red-flagged Fontana in 2012 because he didn’t want the championship to be decided under yellow, and he also gave the fans a green-flag finish at Indy in 2014. Kyle Novak followed that with the call to go red last year with almost 20 laps go. It’s a judgment call based on the circumstances. There is no chief steward. Novak is the race director and former drivers Arie Luyendyk and Max Papis are the stewards. Jay Frye breaks the deadlock on a rules infraction.

Q: Let’s mandate the last three laps must finish green (first attempt) two laps (second attempt), one lap on the final attempt before then finishing under yellow. I heard the damage caused by last crash was going to take some time to repair, but why not? Blah finishes versus an overall good race needs to be addressed, as we are looking for new eyes to view the product on track.

Doug Postel

RM: The race had over three hours to decide the winner, and it did. Funny, nobody ever complained in all those yellow-flag finishes during the past three decades, but NASCAR’s myriad of gimmicks somehow has affected IndyCar fans. Look, if there was time to go red, they would have, but there wasn’t. End of story.

Q: I have no problem with the Indy 500 ending under yellow -- a racing accident happened that was going to take forever to ensure the Pigot's care and to clean up the mess with only three laps to go. The stewards made the right decision. Teams should be considering the risk of an unfortunately timed yellow when intentionally running second at the end of the race, just like they consider the risk of a poorly timed yellow when choosing when to pit in the middle of the race. Stop the woe-is-me attitude. The stakes are so much higher. Own the strategy at the end just like you do during the rest of the race. What say you?

Patrick Eaton, displaced Hoosier, Concord, MA

RM: I say they made the right call for all the reasons I named earlier, and I’ve got no problem at all with the Indy 500 only going 200 laps. Everyone had their chances.

Q: Why in the flat earth is what is supposed to be the greatest race in the world dependent on a network TV window? This feels like a disgrace. So it takes two hours to repair the attenuator. So what? Red flag the thing, and let the shootout play out. This is supposed to be about the fans. Really? Could have fooled me. It’s about NBC. I’m still angry 24 hours later. What is Danica paid? Unless It’s a free lunch and coach, it’s too much. She adds almost nothing and is dull as dirt. And I like her.

Mike DeQuardo, Waukesha, WI

RM: The sponsors are dependent on five hours of network television, but that decision wasn’t just about NBC. You’re a couple laps away from the end of a good race so why keep everyone around for another hour? It’s racing, that’s the best explanation, and it was fine for much of IMS history.

Q: I sure hope you got to attend the race, and thanks for your insightful article that followed. Hopefully the history lesson you provided stems the whining. Eleven races in 32 years ending under caution is an interesting stat, and yes, a one-hour delay for a three-lap shootout would’ve meant the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze, and I guess 2014 and 2019 showed that the chief steward does consider a red flag. If anything, those stats show that it makes sense to have the tires and fuel strategy to be able to be in front for those last dozen or so laps and not rely on the tow and the slingshot off the last turn to make your move. No attack, no chance!

It was nice to see Hinch have a solid run even though the Andretti Armada was a bit lost for race pace, and who can’t be happy for perennial nice guy, Taku and Letterman and crew? I for one was happy to witness this race. The series has done its best in the face of a tough situation, and should be commended.

Trevor Bohay, Kamloops, BC, Canada

RM: A red flag is all about the situation, and nobody wants to stay green more than Kyle Novak and his crew or IMS but sometimes it’s just not feasible – like last Sunday. Of course you want a slam-bang finish if possible, but I never recall any complaints in 1988, 1994, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012 or 2013.

Who's going to volunteer to go back through the 2013 Mailbag looking for angry yellow flag letters? Williams/Motorsport Images

Q: Watching Indy on TV does kind of make it seem like just another race. You just don't get any kind of feel for it. In order for it to be "Indy" you need the crowd, the noise, the vibration through the stands, the smells; just the whole vibe that goes with it and all else that goes with the weekend. How did it feel to you? Cannot wait to attend once again in person, and I will never take it for granted again.

Don Weidig, Canton, Ohio

RM: It did feel like just another race until it started, and then near the end when you were trying to work out if Sato had enough, or Dixon was waiting to make his move, or Rahal had anything for them. It was still Indy in terms of the clout it carries to win, and still pretty riveting.

Q: First off, I am very glad we got to watch a pretty decent 196-lap race. So we hosted a 500 party. Had 28 people over to have a good time. Only four of the 28 are 500 regulars. Everyone was having a lot of fun.

The alternate strategies were great. The people who do not understand strategy loved it. The lead was changing all the time. When Spencer crashed, I knew the race was over. So how did everyone react? Seventeen people could not believe the race was over and felt short-changed. Two people were ecstatic it was over (both wives whom would have only been happier if the race ended on Lap 101 so they could have left earlier). The other nine were kids that were just happy to play in the pool for three hours and not having adults yell at them. The purists will hate my group, but that ending sucked!

JR Rouse

RM: There’s nothing wrong with being disappointed about the finish, but more importantly,thanks for hosting a party and trying to make IndyCar some new fans. Hopefully the good racing will bring them back and overshadow the yellow-flag finish. Remind them it still went 500 miles and over three hours.

Q: It was fitting that at the first Indy 500 under Roger’s rule the race winners nailed the Penske/Mears strategy. Be strong all race, then spot-on at the end when the money is on the line. The decision to end under yellow was correct. No way that would have worked, even without the damage to the attenuator. Too few laps left. As you pointed out, TV was an issue. Plus, in this crazy year, a one-, maybe two-lap shootout had the potential for more carnage to a paddock that doesn’t need more expenses has to be considered – maybe it shouldn’t matter, but whatever. I have zero issues with their decision. Plus, aren’t there yellow protocols that have to be followed? Opening the pits, sorting the line up too? Taku is fully deserving of the win.

Eric Z, Lancaster, NY

RM: Good observation. It was a Mears-like drive for Sato (something he wasn’t capable of a few years ago) and he pounced at the perfect time. There are protocols with yellow and red flags like you mentioned. Both take time, which there wasn’t any more of.

Q: I’m sure you are being inundated with email from folks unhappy about the yellow finish at Indy. Personally I believe the officials made the correct call. With the accident occurring on Lap 195, there were simply not enough laps remaining to gather the field, send them to pit road, and then give proper pace laps and a restart. Since this is IndyCar and not NHRA, a drag race finish simply would not have been good racing, and also likely would have resulted in more crashes. If IndyCar ever does the green and white thing, just shoot me!

Skylor. Palos Verdes Estates, CA

RM: IndyCar has used the red flag three times before, but never the G-W-C scenario. And we won’t shoot you Skylor, we’ll simply make you watch any Pocono NASCAR race on a reel-to-reel tape for 24 hours.

Q: I'm sure you're going to be bombarded with complaints that the race finished under yellow instead of officials throwing a red flag to clean up Pigot's frightening accident. I know in the hours since the race concluded, social media certainly has been opinionated on it. I was OK with it. It had nothing to do with wanting to see Sato or Dixie, or even Rahal have a shot at winning under green. But it has everything to do with something that has bugged me for years. We have raised an entire generation of fans who expect a green-white-checker finish. I blame that squarely on NASCAR trying to fabricate competition, and other series falling in line.

That's not what real racing is about, though. I bet if you asked anyone with the last name of Andretti, Mears, Unser, Foyt, Rutherford, they would be OK with it, because with 10 to go, real racers always had to be in a position to go for it with the possibility of a race ending under yellow. It was just part of the strategy of real racing. I mean, nobody likes to see a race end under yellow, and I do recall a couple of really good two-lap shootouts in the past, but our current "keep trying until we get it right" mentality seems to ruin it for me. Your thoughts?

Brad from Seattle

RM: I agree 100 percent, and you nailed the symptoms – NASCAR has almost made it a sin not to finish under green, and a lot of young fans think that’s how racing is conducted. We’re all in agreement that fans want and deserve a green-flag finish if possible, but not at any cost.

Q: I hope you don’t ignore the fact that every fan of IndyCar is upset and angry. I know IndyCar likes to ignore the fan reaction and pretend that everyone is happy. Please be honest and report the truth in the Mailbag. IndyCar gifted a win to Sato.

Rick H.

RM: Hmm, well of the 63 letters I’ve received so far about last Sunday’s Indy 500 finish, 54 of them had no problem with the race finishing under the caution so I don’t reckon you speak for the majority. How was Sato gifted a win? You don’t know if Dixon or Rahal had enough to get by him in the closing laps, and it appeared he was in control.

Why would IndyCar gift an Indy 500 win to Sato? Barry Cantrell/Motorsport Images

Q: How could a recent winner, front row starter, and drama-free-in-August be overlooked? I picked Sato, put my money where my mouth was, told my readers to do the same, and collected at 16-1. And that was despite being “overlooked” when media credentials were dished out for this year's race and not having the benefit of being inside of the fence.

Tim Hailey

RM: Good point, Tim. We were all writing and talking about Andretti Autosport, Dixie’s pace in all kinds of weather, all those fast rookies and Honda’s dominance, so Sato got lost in the shuffle. Nice call on your part.

Q: I just wanted to vent a little bit: I am seeing all over that people are questioning whether Sato's win is legit or not? How can they think this? Were they not watching the same race? Sato earned that win, just like his win with Andretti. He had a very smart strategy, and in my opinion, if Dixon was waiting to make a move, he waited too long. Sato was around a mile per hour faster than Dixon before the flag came out. Plus, I would rather the race finish like that then going red then restarting – it just feels too fabricated that way. So did Sato have enough fuel, did Dixon have the pace to get past him? We will never know, but I was very happy to see Sato get No. 2.

Tony, Utah

RM: It’s hard to imagine some of the suggestions that the race was fixed. Why would IndyCar want Sato over Dixon or Rahal? It wouldn’t. And considering some of Taku’s moves at IMS over the years, I would think he’d earned some respect by now. Read Marshall’s story about fuel.

Q: Kudos to the Rahal team on a group well done, it's long been time that the organization as whole has gotten credit for the job that it does with less money than the bigger teams. It spends wisely, operates on a budget across multiple series, and wins quietly through hard work. Quality team, quality people and doing things the right way.

I have noticed a maturity in Graham Rahal over the last couple years: yes he is strong on the track, and as I tracked this year's race, had better lap times over the last 20 laps or so than both Sato and Dixon. What impressed me even more was under caution the last couple laps, he spent his time on the in-car radio thanking his crew and the entire Rahal team, Sato and expressing his concern for Spencer Pigot. He is now, sponsor, team, social media, and corporate business savvy!

I have no idea what Bobby Rahal's plans are and see him in his prime as an owner, but I also see Graham as a future owner driver and leader in the sport beyond his driving days. What say you, Robin Miller?

Dave Pisula, Gahanna, Ohio

RM: I say that Graham worked with his car and crew all day and charged up into contention after dropping way back early. He said his car was too loose at the end to win, but he was right there. With a little luck he’d have won Road America and maybe the Indy GP, so he’s driving well and seems to have regained his confidence. He’s also responsible for helping build RLL and finding sponsorship, so he’ll be a good car owner if he so chooses.

Q: Now that he has two Indianapolis 500 wins, where does Takuma Sato rank among all-time greats at the Speedway? Two wins. Third in 2019. Nearly won it in 2012. Sure, it took Taku a few years to really figure it out, but is it fair when looking back at his body of work to put him in the top 25?

Sam in The Region

RM: I never thought about it until your letter, but you make a valid point. I think there are 20 two-time winners, so Sato has to be in conversation of the top 25, and if he’d gotten by Dario in 2012 there’d be no argument.

Sato is carving a significant place for himself in the Speedway's history. Michael Levitt/Motorsport Images

Q: After watching Sato win his second Indianapolis 500, it got me thinking. He has to be one of the top five competitors in the past 20 years at the 500. For me, it’s Franchitti, Castroneves, Wheldon, Sato, Montoya or Dixon. I would consider Dixon because he has had a lot of races where he’s been dominant without the results. Where would you place Sato, and Dixon for that matter?

Brian, Joliet, IL

RM: Dixon is No. 1 for me because he’s now led the third-most laps in IMS history, then I’d probably go with Dario, Montoya, Castoneves, Sato and Wheldon.

Q: Even though it seems Scott Dixon really deserved to win, Taku's victory was also well-deserved. Given how hard it is to win the 500 once, much less twice, don't you think it's time to completely reassess Sato's place in the list of top-notch drivers? He's gone from someone who seemed to crash every race to a driver with an amazing skill set across all disciplines of IndyCar. He's a fast qualifier, has now won on a variety of types of circuits and with very different strategies. His first win was more daring, but this one combined great timing and smart management of fuel and tires all while holding off the fastest car on the track. And, if memory serves, he's now won with three different teams, none of them named Penske or Ganassi. How was his win received in the paddock?

Steve C., Ithaca, NY

RM: I never thought Taku would ever smooth out, but that’s exactly what he’s done in the past few years and he’s getting better with age. He gave A.J. his last win, took Indy with Andretti and now RLL, so that’s a pretty damn good resume. I wasn’t allowed in Gasoline Alley or the pits, but I think Sato is pretty well liked, although I imagine a lot of guys were pulling for Dixie since he dominated and still only has one Indy win.

Q: Takuma Sato should have been kicked out of IRL years ago for his unsportsmanlike (I am being generous here) style. The announcing teams (as usual) noted that today Sato had teams (as they do seemingly every race) filing complaints for unsportsmanlike conduct (I am once again being generous here).

Ignoring how he found his way to the front, the ever dominant and totally ethical Scott Dixon let Sato go so he could skunk him at the end, which should have provided an exciting end to the race! Then a violent crash, that should have brought out a red flag so we fans could see a green-white-checker end (like they do on NASCAR). Then race control handed the cheating Sato the win with a caution finish, the worst officiating of any sport of my life. The old phrase “kill the umpire” comes to mind. In my 61 years as a fan, that was the worst finish ever. Roger Penske promised a new order in the Indy Racing League. Time to make good on that promise.

Patrick Hughes

RM: Wow, I get educated every week by somebody. Sato should have been banned? For what? What teams filed complaints? And about what? And you truly think IndyCar played favorites with the outcome? They didn’t want their most decorated driver to win? In your 61 years, how about the other 12 races that finished under caution since 1988? And it’s hasn’t been the IRL since 2010.

Q: I was thrilled to see Takuma win. He took a picture with my kids at practice in 2018, he’s a great guy and a very worthy champion. While watching the race I had the thought that he was running the Rick Mears strategy. 1. Stay near the front. 2. Stay out of trouble. 3. Last 50 laps... go! It’s not unreasonable to say he could have four wins. In 2012 if he’d passed Dario, he was a very strong third in 2019, then his two wins. Where does this second win put him in the 500 history books? Will he be remembered 30 years from now? (I say yes.)

TJ McMurray, Bloomington, IN

RM: Not sure, but he’s going to be a lot higher up in Indy history than IndyCar since he’s only got five career wins and never figured in the championship, but I doubt if that bothers him since Indy is the race everybody remembers. And he’ll be remembered for his aggression, honesty and personality.

Q: Taku did beat Helio in 2017, and now he did beat Dixon yesterday! He has done it not only once, but twice! He showed the speed and mastered how to win the 500. He knows how to set up his car right, which makes him feel very confident for the race, do you agree? I don’t mind waking up middle of the night to witness the moments like this! Congrats, Taku! Job done! It was helluva race!

Noz, Yokohama, Japan

RM: I think he’s figured out Indy, and he’s smart enough to keep up with the changing conditions and his engineer, Eddie Jones, has also been a good influence on him. Job done, indeed.

Q: I knew that Takuma Sato had another Indy 500 win in him! I've been a huge fan since his F1 days where he was very quick and gave teammate Jenson Button a run for his money. Made a lot of ballsy moves, albeit boneheaded at times. That of course plagued him in IndyCar, as well. But even before today, I'm sure over half of the IndyCar field would love to have his little resume of wins. Anyways, I've always wondered why, after Sato's first Indy 500 win, Andretti Autosport didn't bring him back the following season. Do you know any details about that? I would have thought that Honda would want Sato with the top Honda team. Or was it more about Rahal wanting him more?

Martin Moriguchi, Henderson, NV

RM: Michael Andretti was negotiating with Chevrolet and Sato is all Honda, so he couldn’t take a chance on being left by the side of the road and struck a deal with RLL.

Q: Sunday's strong RLL showing honestly didn't surprise me when it all shook out. Sato was strong all month, and Graham wasn't too far behind. It seems more often than not that bad luck intervenes when either Sato or Graham have a good day, and even when strategy is on their side, but it was thankfully on their side Sunday. As the pit stops cycled through, I could tell Graham had a refreshingly strong car and I can only wonder if it would have been a RLL 1-2 if we'd had five more laps? Well-deserved all around, and a testament to their team chemistry to improve and move forward.

Second, I just want to throw out there for the aeroscreen haters that between Askew's crash, and Pigot's insane hit at the end of pit wall, that we likely would have had two very seriously injured (or worse) drivers yesterday without it. That Askew walked away from his crash is also a testament yet again to the HANS device, SAFER barrier, and the countless lives both have saved. Kudos to Dallara, Red Bull Advanced Technologies, and to Tony George, too.

Bryan White, Asheville, NC

RM: I talked to Graham and he said his car was so loose at the end he didn’t feel like he had anything for Sato or Dixon, but quite a performance by RLL. I need to see the cars and a couple replays to know if the aeroscreen prevented serious harm to those two kids, but it couldn’t have hurt.

Q: What drivers impressed you the most during the race? I thought Rahal and Ferrucci did a great job of working their way through the field to earn really good finishes.

Mike B., Illinois

RM: Yep, those two, and Rinus Veekay before his pit mishap. That kid was right in the fight, and also a shout-out to Pato O’Ward, he was competitive on a day where Chevy didn’t have it.

It was a good day for Graham, even if he didn't have quite enough speed in the car at the end. Phillip Abbott/Motorsport Images

Q: I am left a bit bewildered by the race and the coverage. Now, I know why Dixon has finished second three times. He didn’t go for it and made fuel economy comments. Shame on Mike Hull and the entire Ganassi team to so be tentative the last 10 to 15 laps! You made the pit stop strategy, but you had two strong Rahal cars to race. You go for it.

Sato pitted earlier and went for position, and as there were lots of caution flags it worked perfectly. He’s a fighter and could have been a three-time champion but ended in the wall going for it one year.

The race should have been red-flagged, but the wall fix would have taken awhile. Coverage was not stellar. Danica sitting aloof on roof seemed unconnected with the race in the distance. Rutledge Wood should stay at NASCAR, he added very little. Tradition was dealt a blow. The young guns were fantastic, especially VeeKay. Too bad Alonso didn’t do better, but he finished. Disappointed not to see Penske in the winner's circle and congratulating Rahal team.

Craig Bailey

RM: I’m pretty sure Mike turned Dixie loose with 18 laps to go, and I think he and Sato were both full rich much of the time after that. It’s just possible that Taku was quicker at the end, but I don’t think you can blame Hull or the team. It sounded like both drivers had to conserve a little fuel at the start and then went full bore.

Q: What in the world is going on with Andretti Autosport? Are they stretched too thin? Do they need to upgrade from Windows 98 to something current? I just feel bad for RHR. These last bunch of years have been waste for him.

Finally, why haven't you been on the air? Concerns about COVID due to your recent health issues? I wish NBC would use you more on air. Your A.J. interview that was on NBC online was great. I wish they'd have you do more stuff like that. Would love to see some more IndyCar history interviews.

Chris, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

RM: Any time you field six cars you’re going to be stretched thin on pit stops, and I’m not really sure what happened to RHR but it was bad enough he commented on it afterwards. I’m just grounded until I can start making my own blood because I’m pretty weak, but appreciate your comments on the A.J. interview.

Q: I didn’t get the warm and fuzzy feeling from Marco watching Carb Day, and it translated to the race. Can you describe what went on with him trying to get his car dialed into race trim?

Roland N.

RM: I can’t tell you what happened because the media wasn’t allowed in Gasoline Alley after the race, but obviously Marco lost the handle fairly early and never got it back. When he was 28th on Carb Day you figured that was not a good sign.

Q: Until Pigot's crash (thank God he's OK) we really had some good racing. Even though the lead changes were orchestrated, it was still fun to see what was happening deeper in the field. With that said, the penalty on Rossi really changed the character of the race. Not sure it could have been handled differently. Maybe holding him five seconds on his next pit stop?

Ray G.

RM: The Rossi penalty seemed harsh because he was only doing what he was told, but IndyCar said because of all the incidents in pit lane it was cracking down on unsafe releases or preventable contact. It was suggested just to give Sato that spot, but I was told that wasn’t enough of a penalty. Sad deal, he was going to be a factor.

Q: Neither the Texas nor Indy penalties were Rossi’s fault. This poor guy! He has to be pissed! I bet he regrets re-upping with AA. IndyCar has been very harsh on him. I just hope they treat every driver the same!

Dan, Lima, Ohio

RM: Indy is a cruel beast. Alex won when he probably had no business to as a rookie, and he’s been one of the fastest cars the past three years but can’t catch a break. Not sure you can blame AA for all the misery; Texas wasn’t their fault and Sunday’s pit incident was more of racing accident than anything else. It’s a tough job to change the right front and then send your driver back into the fray ASAP while hoping to dodge cars.

Q: Is Kyle Novak the new official we've got to be wary of?

J. Miller

RM: No. He is the race official and two drivers are his stewards, and for those thankless jobs they’ve not had too many controversies in the past four years.

Q: Having seen every Indy 500 since the invention of the motion picture camera, I was very surprised no one mentioned Scott Dixon's start. Never has the middle front-row starter dropped behind the polesitter to begin drafting even before the start! Had Dixon gone on to win, it wouldn't have been due to this unprecedented move, but I thought it was unsportsmanlike, and the race ending under yellow was fitting Indy karma for Scott.

Jeff Ducken

RM: From Race Director Kyle Novak: “In IndyCar, the pole winner controls the start and has “earned the right to start the race.” That aspect is part of the honor and reward for being the pole winner. The green flag is keyed off the acceleration of the pole winner verified through live telemetry. There is no rule regarding passing prior to the S/F line. Once the green is declared, passing may begin throughout the field regardless of a car’s position in relationship to the S/F.”

No complaints about Dixon's start from Race Control's standpoint. Michael Levitt/Motorsport Images

Q: I thought the decision to end the race under caution was the best choice from less than ideal options, and that topic will make up the bulk of the questions this week. We need NBC as a partner to regrow IndyCar.

My question regards the start. I realize that a 500-mile race isn't won at the start (Although a race, even a career, can be lost at the start. See Kevin Cogan and the CV shaft.) My wife asked me if Scott Dixon's start was legal, and I said, "I don't know if it was or should be." I think if you're not in Row 1 it's certainly legal to draft the car in front of you. Isn't there a rule you have to be in the lane's row you qualified in until you cross the start/finish line? Dixon made his own row by drafting Andretti on pole, which backed up the fourth, seventh, 10th... qualifiers behind him.

Should there be a rule, barring mechanical or engine issues, you reasonably keep the pole position driver's pace and your place in the field? Doesn't the pole position driver control the start based on the flagman's signal? My wife and I want to know.

David Parker, Jersey City, NJ

RM: Read Kyle Novak’s response in the question above yours, but Dixon and everyone else has a right to move at the green.

Q: A comment and question about the start and finish on Sunday. The field was aligned good before coming to the green. Then as they came off of Four that’s where the alignment went away and it looked pretty raged coming to the flag. What happened? Should that start have been called off? After all Dixon dropped in behind Marco. I do hope this is not the new normal for the start.

Daniel Bullock

RM: In the Indy 500 history I can never recall the start being waved off and the drivers all know that, so unless it’s something heinous (like one of the Rathmanns or Cheesburg passing 12 cars before the start) it’s never gonna happen.

Q: For me, the most memorable part of Sunday’s 500 had nothing to do with the racing. It was Roger Penske’s command to start engines. I don’t remember everything that he said, but I’m pretty sure that at one point he got choked up with emotion. If there was ever a doubt about how much Mr. Penske cares about IndyCar, IMS, and the Speedway, those doubts disappeared with his command. Thankful he will be leading the series moving forward and excited to see what’s next for IndyCar.

Kyle in PA

RM: I was glad he honored the Hulman/George family, but he’s always been a class act and owning IMS and starting the Indy 500 was very emotional to him. But “Gentlemen Start Your Engines” would have been cooler.

Q: The pre-race coverage: poor, Good that they interviewed Mario, but no R.P.? No A.J.?  No T.K.? No Alonso? Very weak! Race coverage: Average, decent color by P.T. and T.B. but no Miller? Poor-to-no pit reporting, and that Rutledge dude (still?). Dodge have a majority ownership in NBC? Why is he on the screen doing totally wasteful and idiotic segments? Danica is not good in front of the camera, never was and Tirico did a good job. The video was not good, and a few of my viewing friends agreed. NBC is getting three stars for this one, and I’m being a little generous.

Skip Ranfone, Summerfield, FL

RM: I didn’t see the whole pre-race show, but that’s surprising NBC didn’t do something on T.K.’s last ride and R.P.’s takeover, and I had an A.J. feature that didn’t make it. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and TV viewer and a couple of the folks you mentioned are very popular with NBC. But Tirico is the best.

Q: I don’t want to start picking on NBC‘s coverage of the Indy 500, but it seems to me that something was lacking. Were there less cameras and less crew on the ground? Was it the B team of production directors? It seems like a lot of things were missed. Or is it just my imagination because this was the strangest Indy 500 ever?

Greg in Chicago

RM: Other than not really jumping on Dixon keeping his lead under green and then lapping Team Penske, I thought NBC’s booth did a good job of staying on top of the race. And I don’t think much action was missed on the track.

Q: What was with NBC all but ignoring the King of Indy on Sunday? It was his 65th Indy and they couldn’t do an interview, include him in the segment of watching former winners react to their victories or show him in the pit box? Very disappointing.

Grant

At least one camera managed to find A.J. at the track. Barry Cantrell/Motorsport Images

Q: I think there's a lot of talking points to be had about the aeroscreen in after the Indy 500. While I don't know if it saved Pigot's life like P.T. suggested on the broadcast (not sure the attenuator made it over the cockpit), it obviously saved James Davison. When the wheel, or rotor, or whatever it was exploded, parts ricocheted off the aeroscreen at an unholy rate of speed. If not for the device Davison would've been comatose or worse, without a question. The incident also proves why the halo always has been and continues to be an incomplete solution. If that happens on an F1 car, the driver gets struck in the head, and it's frustrating to me that they aren't actively working to develop a polycarbonate adaptation for the halo.

While the aeroscreen was validated in that sense, I think the Indy 500 also showed us an area where we need to continue improving. It seemed like some of the drivers were having issues disconnecting the cooling hose when trying to climb from the cockpit in a hurry. I'm not sure if the answer is the hose or connection itself, or the space the drivers have to work with when making a fast escape. Any thoughts on what remedies might be looked into there?

Alex from Detroit

RM: I never saw a replay that showed Davison being sprayed by debris, but it’s good to know if he was that the aeroscreen helped keep him from harm. But I have no suggestions or clue what is right or wrong or effective. I’m a writer not an engineer, and I think IndyCar has some competent people working on it.

Q: Any word on when the Mid-Ohio date will be confirmed? My wife and I want to go camping there to make up for missing the 500 this year. But we're under three weeks to the anticipated date, and still no official word.

Ben Malec, Buffalo Grove, IL

RM: I’m hearing Sept. 13-14.

Q: What is the most successful car in Indy 500 history? Has any car won the 500 more than once? Al Unser's Colt from 1970 and 1971 look very similar, but were they the same car?

Ben, Grand Rapids

RM: Vuky’s roadster in 1953-54-55 was on its way to three in a row, and Unser’s chassis had some modifications from 1970 to 1971.

Q: If we are seeing speeds eclipse 232-233 at 750hp in current IndyCar at IMS, how fast will they be going as IndyCar pushes up the power as is planned? What will they top out at say 850hp? 900hp? 950hp? I can't see being comfortable with guys getting above 240 but... you tell me.

Justin, Huntington, IN

RM: They always claim that 900hp is a goal and that would likely put Luyendyk’s track record in jeopardy, but I don’t think 240mph laps are necessary or add anything since we can’t tell 220 from 230.

Q: I think that Jimmie Johnson coming into IndyCar would definitely be a huge deal. He is one of the best all time in NASCAR, and could only bring in some new fans that never gave IndyCar a chance. I don’t think he will be able to compete for wins but I think he would still put on a good show after a few races. I wish a lot of these guys who went into NASCAR would have dreamed of being a driver in Indy instead. I think the biggest loss of the last 25 years was losing Jeff Gordon to NASCAR. I think Jeff would have been one of the all-time greats in open-wheel cars. We can only hope more of these guys wanna try it out. Someone like Kyle Larson would be amazing to watch in these cars. If I was Roger I’d be finding a team and telling them do everything you can to get him a ride.

Rick from PA

RM: J.J. will draw some attention, no doubt, but he’s going to struggle to be competitive so hopefully that won’t diminish his appeal. You have to remember that Ricky Rudd, Kevin Harvick and J.J. all grew up as Rick Mears fans and wanted to run the Indy 500, but stock cars were a much more inviting place to go. Gordon tried but nobody in CART would give him the time of day. Larson’s best shot is if Tony Stewart hires him for NASCAR and then brings him to Indy.

Q: Interesting news and photo of Jean Todt’s visit to IMS, maybe F1’s return to Indy is on the cards – or maybe something more serious, like a merger for one global open-wheel series?

David Adamson

RM: Roger Penske has been very up front about exploring the return of F1 to IMS.

There's still time, Jeff. Richard Dole/Motorsport Images

Q: When was the last time a current IndyCar driver appeared on a national television commercial (not during an IndyCar race)? Helio for Shell V Power?  Or maybe Zanardi and Vasser teaching Montoya to snipe hunt? That was 20 years ago now. I assume drivers are not permitted contractually to seek out commercials to promote themselves? I have heard on local radio Hinchcliffe for Honda and Kanaan for a local Chevy dealer. Of course, let's not forget Danica.

Dave O'Brien , Greenwood, IN

Q: It could be darn near sacrilegious to say this, but I strongly suspect A.J. is fibbing about attending the 1955 Indy 500.  And here's why. His 1983 autobiography co-authored by Neely clearly states that the 1956 Indy 500 was his first (Ch. 3 "Mecca," p. 55 of my copy). He relates many details about the 1956 race and later in the chapter, the 1957 race, which he also says he attended in the turn one grandstand. As for 1955, Chapter 2 of the book has much to say about getting his first sprint car ride that year and racing outside of Texas, but nowhere does he mention attending the 1955 Indy sitting in turn two.

Given the tragic events that unfolded just beyond turn two at Indy that year, I find it extremely hard to believe Foyt was there and somehow forgot to mention it in the 1983 book when he did describe, in so much detail, the 1956 race. In short, I think it's 64 straight 500s for Foyt, not 65.  I suppose I've just cost myself any chance of getting a long-sought-after A.J. autograph now.

Marc, Orange County, CA

RM: Well he’s 85 years old so I’d cut him a little slack. He did mention to me that he saw Vuky’s crash from Turn 2, so that was 1955.

Q: I know your Mailbag is inundated with Indy 500 letters, but I want to talk about Kody Swanson. That guy is such a beast. I watched him win the Pro 2000 race Friday night from IRP on the Road to Indy YouTube channel and I attended the Night Before the 500 race on Saturday. He dominated the sprint car feature. Someone needs to get him into an IndyCar and the Indy 500 fast. I haven’t seen talent like that in a long time. Do you know of any interest from any of the IndyCar teams for a possible one-off in the future much like Bryan Clauson?

Kris from Kokomo

RM: Other than Ed Carpenter, no owners in the IndyCar paddock have a clue about Kody, but if he brought them a check they might start learning. He’s a helluva pavement racer, just like Bobby Santos, but neither has the kind of backing it takes, and Bryan only got to Indy because of Randy Bernard.

Q: I know your inbox is probably exploding with emails from fans angry about how the Indy 500 ended. I just wanted to say that I think IndyCar made the right call, given the situation.

You hit the nail on the head in your article. To ask the fans and TV partners to wait through 45-60 minutes of repairs for just two-three laps of racing is unreasonable. This decision shows that IndyCar has a steady hand at the wheel. I know that some fans feel robbed and the whole situation was far from ideal, but this is major league racing, not a local short track. The series has to show respect for the time of their viewers and media partners. Ultimately, the fact that we had an Indy 500 at all this year is the real victory. We shouldn't let how it ended rob that from us.

Garrick Aube

RM: A good way to finish up the 2020 Indy 500. We had a race and it was entertaining, and R.P. made it happen.