Robin Miller's Mailbag for October 7, 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: After two laps on Friday I thought, "This is the best race all year." After the race was completed, I thought, "This was one of the best races in a long time." Rinus Veekay and Colton Herta were simply amazing to watch, and Josef Newgarden was solid as well.

This brings me to a point I have stressed for a while now, and that is the season finale. I have always suggested three candidates for the finale that in my mind, are better than what the series has given us in recent memory. We all know it will not be Iowa, and Gateway is succeeding where it is on the schedule. This brings up my third candidate: the IMS road course. It makes sense in many ways. It is a historic track that is where the core fan base is. I say if they insist on a second race on the Indy road course, make it the first week of October and not a support race for NASCAR. Agree?

Brian Joliet, Illinois

RM: If they could draw a big crowd and give it some atmosphere, sure, but despite the great racing over the past weekend, people do not come to IMS to watch road racing. Now, there are usually more people at the Indy GP than will be at St. Pete, but it looks good on television because it looks pretty full and you’ve got water, etc. But I’d still finish the year at Gateway because it’s got the feeling of a big event.

Q: I have never been much of a fan of the Indy road course, but I watched the Harvest GP races anyhow. Wow! What great racing. It looked like they were going after a $50 million dollar purse. Will this be an annual event?

Ron Norman, Speedway, IN

RM: It certainly was, and I always laugh at the people who clamor for IndyCar to change the track or run in the opposite direction – really? You’ve got three places to pass and then some, as was shown over the weekend. There will be two road races at IMS in 2021 – May 15 and August 14 with NASCAR. And, as Roger Penske said in the column I wrote on Monday , depending on what happens with COVID they could always go back to IMS if needed to help the schedule.

Q: What is the reasoning for IndyCar not using the Turn 1 oval for the road course like F1 used to? I really find the twisties prior to pit lane very annoying and slow. When F1 used the oval in Turn 1, it was fascinating to watch them come off the infield and scream around onto the main straightaway. I would think it would present more opportunity for drafting and passing, and high speed is what Indianapolis is all about.

Rod, West Chester, Ohio

RM: There were more passes last weekend in the IndyCar doubleheader than in all eight F1 races at IMS added together, so why would you mess with a successful layout?

It was hard to find much to complain about from the Harvest GP doubleheader, but a couple of Mailbaggers rose to the challenge. Michael Levitt/Motorsport Images

Q: Did I miss something, or is IndyCar trying to set a record for lowest TV viewership? Why in the world was the first Harvest GP race held on a Friday afternoon? I imagine you'll have to get a microscope to see the ratings.

Rod, Houston

RM: Well, let’s see. There was an eight-hour sports car race scheduled on Sunday long before the Harvest races were added to the 2020 schedule, and Friday was logical since NBC made room for Saturday’s show. You are right, Friday afternoon on USA isn’t prime time, and it’s a shame because that race was so good, but with all the sports shuffling and searching for airtime, that was the best available scenario.

Q: I was reading through the IndyCar website and the marketing department asked the fans to rate the Harvest Grand Prix. I thought Race 1 was one of the best races I have seen... some folks rated it as the worst. WTH are they looking at, and what type of racing are they looking for? Some IndyCar fans are never satisfied.

John Farris

RM: Whoever said last Friday’s race was the worst obviously knows nothing about road racing, competition and history, because it was compelling from start to finish. And those critics should simply find another sport to bitch about.

Q: I'm sure this won't be the first or last question you're getting about the IndyCar schedule this week, but here goes. What happened to COTA and Richmond? Iowa, I had been hearing was likely gone, but I was pretty surprised to see those two off as well. And for my own selfishness in regards to Richmond, there is now no race in the mid-Atlantic or northeast. But I don't want to harp on that, I'll use it as an excuse to plan a long vacation.

What did you think of the Harvest GP? I would love to see them return in the fall again after watching both races. Even with Will Power leading the whole way in Race 2, I thought the action was awesome. I also think crowing the champ at Indy has a nice ring to it.

Anthony, Shrewsbury, MA

RM: I told everyone six months ago that IndyCar would not be going back to COTA and obviously they opted for NASCAR, which gives them a better chance at drawing a crowd. NASCAR pulled the plug on Richmond because I guess it was gun shy about the economics. The Harvest GP was some of the best road racing I’ve seen in 55 years, but I doubt it comes back in the fall unless it’s necessary again to round out the number of races.

Q: I've noticed a lot of displeasure from many IndyCar fans at the lack of ovals on the 2021 schedule. My response would be, if you want more ovals, then do your best to attend them in person, so perhaps more ovals could be added. Pre-pandemic oval races did not have the best attendance. I attended two Phoenix races with less than 20,000, including the final race there. The road and street courses draw great crowds/campers. So I say if fans want more ovals, attend ones on the schedule so more ovals can be added.

Kevin, North Carolina

RM: I wish there was a way to document the bitchers and moaners to see if they’ve ever attended an oval or how recently. But I like your logic.

Q: First, I just want to say I'm typing this email to you sitting in B Stand Penthouse over Turn 1. The sports cars are zipping around and I'm waiting on the IndyCar practice session to start. I'm grateful to be back home again at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The facility looks great and I hope the Harvest GP weekend goes well! Now, Iowa. I'm gutted that we've lost that race. It's been my second favorite behind the 500 since I started going in 2017. In hindsight, I deeply regret not going sooner (I was too busy whining about IndyCar not racing anymore at Chicagoland, Milwaukee and Michigan to bother, apparently).

Yeah it was hot. That tends to happen during July races. We fans whined, took it for granted, didn't show up, and now it's gone. I don't buy into the argument that "it's in the middle of nowhere," because anywhere that is spitting distance from an interstate highway, a Walmart and a few hotels isn't in the middle of nowhere. It's not the sexiest of destinations, but it's a four-hour drive from Chicago, hotels weren't too pricey, or you could camp to save money. I'm ranting, I realize, but we fans dropped the ball. Yeah, we got screwed by NASCAR, but that's only because their fans also dropped the ball and took Iowa Speedway for granted after the novelty wore off. Now it may be gone forever.

Same thing seems to be happening with Chicagoland Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. People are going to whine about the lack of ovals on the 2021 schedule, or complain that racing at Texas and Gateway sucked this year, but if we want to keep them on the schedule, it's important to support them. People whine, I accept that. How about the people accept some personal accountability? Thanks for your time, and please send me the bill for the race fan anger management counseling.

Andrew, sitting high in Turn 1 at IMS, finally

RM: Thanks for supporting IndyCar, first and foremost. When NASCAR pulled its Xfinity and truck races this season you knew the end was near, and I think if Roger Penske had received a fair offer he would have bought it, but now, who knows its fate? Like R.P. said in my Monday column, Iowa is a good track for IndyCar, so I hope it can be revived.

I think everyone hopes that miniature farm equipment continues to have a place on the IndyCar schedule in the future. Levitt/Motorsport Images

Q: I gotta say that this schedule is just a disappointment to me, and I'm assuming others.  I read why there are no races at Richmond/Iowa, which I feel is just B.S., but I have a bad feeling that Roger sold his soul to the devil (TMS) to get an event in 2020, and we the fans have to pay the price in 2021. Please explain why no COTA? I see that TMS is now taking COTA race in the schedule, the fact that NASCAR is now racing COTA explains everything to me. We have only three oval tracks, which is pathetic. The fact that NASCAR has five road races (I don't count that Roval) means they have more road races than IndyCar has ovals, which is not a good feeling. I don't want to hear that Indycar has momentum, we have %$##. I'm so frustrated, so annoyed, and just have no hope that IndyCar will ever be relevant again.

Roger needs to talk to us, not you, not any other reporter, we need The Captain to talk to the fans and explain the schedule. We are owed that, at a minimum. I read that Miles is concentrating on North America, well WTF has he been doing? What have we gotten in the past five years that is on the schedule today? It appears that we get a new track then it goes away, we can't retain anything and it's annoying. You tell Roger that a 15-track schedule is what I had to go through in Champ Car era, I don't need that again. Besides Nashville, this could be a schedule from 2005 or that era. You could have a lot more insight of why it is what it is, but to me the end result is just disappointment. Be special IndyCar, not predictable.

Dan, Chester, CA

RM: I really don’t know how to answer your question other than read my column from Monday and look at the history of ovals over the past 20 years. There is a reason NASCAR is going to more road races, and let’s wait and see what happens when the TV deal expires. All I can tell you is that without Roger Penske there would not have been a 2020 IndyCar season, nor would there be anything resembling a future. Predictable? How about survivable.

Q: No question, just a comment: It’s not Roger Penske’s fault you’re not attending ovals!

Rob Peterson, Rochester, NY

RM: Thanks Rob, you took the words right out of my mouth.

Q: Read your article about ovals and people blaming Roger. I’m not blaming Penske at all, or even the series. They did the best they could, but I’m smarter than everyone (sarcasm) and came up with ideas they haven’t (sarcasm). Genuinely do think NASCAR should throw IndyCar a bone and pick them up on a weekend somewhere? Just one more oval would go a long way to the optics on that schedule.

Ryan T.

RM: Obviously they’re sharing the Brickyard weekend on the road course in 2021 and I think The Captain and Jay Frye still have hopes of an oval-track doubleheader with both series. NBC liked the idea, so I think it will happen.

Q: It seems to me that NASCAR is trying to stifle IndyCar at some tracks. I know Iowa was said to be losing money, but it's a good track for IndyCar and the only option was for Roger to buy the track? Then, IndyCar has a three-year contract with Richmond and I bought tickets, was very excited to go, and then the pandemic hit. So why not go this year and the next of the three-year contract? Then there is COTA. Again, a three-year contract, I believe, and the first race was probably the best race there ever. I get they didn't make money, but with the good racing, maybe things could get better? Oh, wait, Super NASCAR can come in and save the track! Then there was supposed to be this whole "We'll partner on some weekends" thing. What happened to that? I'm not a conspiracy kind of guy but NASCAR is no friend of IndyCar, and if I wonder why they get to play on hallowed ground when IndyCar isn't even allowed in their sandbox?

Bob Akerman

RM: I think NASCAR is way too busy trying to keep its head above water to worry about sabotaging IndyCar, and Richmond was collateral damage. Iowa has been bleeding money for years and COTA saw a chance to make some money by replacing IndyCar with NASCAR, so that’s just business. The Brickyard is a big paycheck for IMS in the current TV contract, and we’ll see if a doubleheader with the two can be hosted by an oval in the next year or two. I’ll admit it does look like NASCAR might be ganging up on IndyCar, but I think it’s all about bottom lines.

Q: The 2021 schedule is bad, to say the least. And why? Because NASCAR pulled Richmond and Iowa, and stole COTA. Do you think it is a coincidence that IndyCar is stuck with its least diverse schedule as NASCAR announces its most diverse? I don't think so. The France family used its power and money to take over sports car racing in the U.S. (Probably why IMSA won't cooperate on any joint dates.) How soon will the Indy 500 be like Le Mans, in that it is a standalone race [ED: The WEC might disagree with that], with a loose association with NASCAR'S open-wheel series?

Bruce, Philadelphia

RM: I know it looks suspicious and it’s not that I trust NASCAR but I truly think all three instances are more about business than duplicity. But of course I believed in Santa Claus until I was 11.

Q: I just viewed the 2021 IndyCar schedule. The Richmond race was left off of it. (The 2020 Richmond race was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.) Do you know why Richmond was left off of the schedule? Any chance that it could still be added?

Ron Alper, Norfolk, VA

RM: It wasn’t left off, it was dropped by NASCAR and all we can assume is that the stock car powers got cold feet and were convinced it was going to be a financial loser even though it drew good crowds in the IRL days. No chance it will be added.

COTA's vast runoffs will be left for NASCAR to explore next year. Chris Graythen/Getty via IndyCar

Q: Seriously, only three ovals and four oval races for 2021? Why not get rid of some of the doubleheader races and have an oval race at MIS, Chicagoland, Iowa, Pocono or Kentucky? Hell, race at all of them. IndyCar was founded on ovals and they are all going away. Pretty sad! Hopefully, in the real near future, Mr. Penske can wave his magic wand and get some of these tracks back.

Brian Lancaster, West Lafayette, IN

RM: Mr. Penske spent his own money to keep Texas and Iowa on the 2020 schedule, and if any of those tracks you mentioned are interested in hosting IndyCar again, they can find his number pretty easy. But he can’t make them take a race, and right now there’s not a big line to sign up ovals for IndyCar.

Q: Believing that IndyCar decision-makers read your Mailbag, I ask: Now that NASCAR has announced that it will not visit Chicagoland Speedway in 2021, does this open up an oval track opportunity for IndyCar? I attended IRL races there in the past. There are many IndyCar fans in this geographical area. (I am, however, concerned that NASCAR is trying to freeze out IndyCar by virtue of not renewing the race at Richmond for 2021.)

Rick in Lisle, IL

RM: Roger Penske said in a story I wrote earlier this week that Chicago and Kentucky might be an option someday, but probably not earlier than 2022.

Q: I know the 2021 schedule is out, but with NASCAR pulling out of Kentucky (and Chicagoland), do you see any possibility of them hosting an IndyCar date in 2022 or beyond? I know it's most likely not realistic, but just wanted to hear your thoughts. Thank you for your continued insight and thoughts about IndyCar each and every week in the Mailbag.

Chris Howe, Upper Sandusky, OH

RM: I heard Chicago may get bulldozed, but Kentucky could certainly be a possibility down the road. Again, it’s all about sanction fees, title sponsors and putting in the promotional work to try and make it a success. I would imagine Kentucky might be calling R.P. sooner than later, and obviously it’s in the heart of IndyCar country. But it hasn’t shown any interest in IndyCar for a long time, so who knows?

Q: Can't tell you how disappointed I am that Richmond never got a shot. Sadly, I doubt it would have pulled in anyone under the age of 35, or maybe 40 since it's an oval race without an associated carnival. I've seen USAC/CART/IndyCar races at Ontario, Riverside, Fontana, Vegas, Phoenix, and Richmond, and all have come and gone from the schedule. I've been to Long Beach twice, but don't like the sight lines for temporary circuits, (however the fist fight in the stands one year was entertaining). So what is an old oval fan supposed to do now? How many viable ovals are left in the U.S. that IndyCar can race on? Is there any hope for us old-timers?

Napalm Nick, Locust Grove, VA

RM: I went to all the Richmond races and I think there were 25,000 quite a few times, so it’s so disappointing IndyCar never got another chance after signing that three-year deal. I don’t honestly know how many viable ovals are out there, but it’s not like there’s a big push to get an IndyCar date. My advice? Just come to Indy next year.

Q: OK Robin, the 2021 IndyCar schedule is a complete joke. I don't understand why there continues to be large gaps in the schedule year after year. A month between the first and second race of the season, and again in July. I mean, come on, only two races in July, which is typically IndyCar's busiest month... I get that COTA, Iowa, and Richmond probably have a lot to do with this, but it's a huge concern.

Obviously the pandemic has a lot to do with it, I'm sure, and there's no way I see Long Beach, Portland or Laguna being run even next year. The fact IndyCar has almost no ovals anymore is really a tough pill to swallow, and I get ovals are a tough sell these days, but the series needs to do something to get them going again. The last thing this series needs is to be a road/street course series only aside from the 500.

Paul, Lake In The Hills, IL

RM: The 2020 Summer Olympics go from July 23-Aug. 8, 2021 so that’s why that gap, because it’s one of NBC’s big investments and ratings draws. Other than the space between St. Pete and Barber, it’s got a nice flow, and I like the way it’s laid out and so should the mechanics. The fact IndyCar only has three ovals is a direct result of apathy, and Roger Penske can rent Iowa if available, but what else do you expect him to do?

Q: With NASCAR ditching a round at Chicagoland, MIS, and Kentucky, why aren't we jumping on this? I like what IndyCar brings, but that ratio of road, street, and oval needs to be balanced a bit better. Why run two races on the IMS road course next year? It's not worth sacrificing additional dates. Just feels like the wrong direction with after the 2020 schedule was something to build off. I know it's COVID, but come on.

CJ Shoemaker, Kalamazoo, MI

RM: NASCAR cut Chicago and Kentucky from the 2021 schedule so I imagine they might put in a call to The Captain, but the first IMS road race is on NBC and the second is the Brickyard doubleheader with NASCAR. It’s not a case of sacrificing dates, it’s simply trying to get to 17 races with tracks that actually want IndyCar. And if the IMS road races next year are anything like last weekend’s, sign me up for three of ‘em.

Q: With Richmond and Iowa gone, what is the likelihood of Loudon or Pocono returning to the series? I’ve attended races at both venues, and what a show they put on. After all, both tracks were originally built for Indy cars. Also, I remembered hearing Watkins Glenn wasn’t dead and buried, just looking for a better date other than Labor Day weekend – any truth to a possible return? And I attended the Champ Car race in Montreal in 2002; what a race that was, and the stands were jammed packed! Any chance IndyCar can go north of the border? I think it be great for Canada and the series.

Rick Scotia, NY

RM: Loudon staged one of the greatest oval races ever in 1993 with Mansell, Tracy and Emmo and the crowd was 50,000. By 1998 the attendance had plummeted to 5,000, and nobody came back in 2011, either. So I’d say no chance. Pocono didn’t promote IndyCar, and it showed. The Glen isn’t interested unless it could be a twin bill with IMSA. But I do know IndyCar talked with Montreal about returning, just not sure where that stands today.

Time for a Kentucky revival? Walt Kuhn/Motorsport Images

Q: Judging from some of the reaction to the schedule announcement, it would seem some fans are impossible to please. If you don't mind, I have two questions. Firstly, what are your overall thoughts about the schedule? Secondly, a couple of years ago you were pushing for Gateway to be the finale. Have you changed your mind?

Jordan, Warwickshire, UK

RM: I think IndyCar did the best it could with what it had to work with, especially given that COTA, Iowa and Richmond were yanked out from under them. I would go to Gateway for the finale in a heartbeat. It would have a good atmosphere and likely be a sellout, and owners can take their sponsors to downtown St. Louis to eat and drink.

Q: With only four oval races on three tracks, 2021 will be the worst IndyCar season in memory (I'm 66 years old). What happened to Iowa and Richmond? Is there any chance of getting Michigan or Fontana back in the near future?

Jim, Dunnville, Ontario, Canada

RM: How can you say that before a race is run? Did you watch last weekend’s doubleheader at IMS? There was more legit passing on the road course than any oval I can recall in recent memory. If nobody wants to host IndyCar on ovals, what is Roger Penske supposed to do? I don’t know which tracks might have a chance because I don’t know if any of them are interested.

Q: With NASCAR trading four ovals for road courses on their 2021 calendar and IndyCar dropping two, is it safe to say that the oval attendance/interest issue is more widespread than just IndyCar? NASCAR is no longer holding onto their 1.5-mile track love that they found in the early 2000s and they are making radical changes. I’m guessing Kentucky and Chicagoland will be left to decay like Nazareth. I know it’s bad to say, but the IRL seems pretty good right now... I would love to see an all-oval schedule. Politics, B.S., and destruction of American open-wheel racing aside, would you like an all-oval IRL-like schedule? Or would you prefer what we have next year?

Matt from Phoenixville, PA

RM: First off, IndyCar got dropped from Iowa and Richmond, it wasn’t their decision. An all-oval series? Do you recall what the grandstands looked like after the IRL ticket was removed from the season ticket package at Chicago, Kentucky, Kansas and the pathetic turnouts at Phoenix, Fontana and Loudon? I like the diversity of IndyCar because nobody else in the motorsports world can match it, and if a couple more ovals could perform like Gateway and join the schedule, then people would have to find something else to bitch about. But oval-track racing has become a very tough sell, even for NASCAR.

Q: The 2021 schedule looks more like a 2007 Champ Car schedule. Has Roger given up on the series? All attention to the Speedway? Or, is he seeing how the COVID stuff plays out?

Jeff Loveland

RM: Giving up? Yeah, he spent his own money to make sure the season finally opened in Texas, rented Iowa for a doubleheader, helped promote twin bills at Road America and Mid-Ohio and staged two more races last weekend at IMS. I swear, I do not understand what you people expect.

Q: I’m concerned about the future. Next year will have a 13, at most, track schedule full of gaps. Today (Friday Harvest GP)'s race is in the middle of a workday on a channel I never heard of and didn’t know I had, having been pre-empted by figure skating. The main engine manufacturer’s parent company (who’s yes, a separate entity until it comes time not to give Nando a ride) just up and quit F1. A seven-time champ who’s garnered 100s of millions in sponsorship might not find enough money for a half-season run. Tell me there’ll be racing next year and the next few after that.

Shawn Lee

RM: I think as long as Roger Penske is alive and kicking there will be an IndyCar series and an Indy 500, and I think Honda and Chevy gave the series a nice vote of confidence last week. USAC racing seems to be in decent shape, so as long as IndyCar and USAC are in play, I’m good. Could care less about F1.

Start a 'bring back Zolder' movement, then we'll really be heading into 2007 Champ Car territory. Weston/Motorsport Images

Q: It is interesting to see how IndyCar and NASCAR respond differently to these difficult times in motorsports. NASCAR, coming of a couple of decades of massive growth, finds itself with declining attendance and TV numbers. Its approach is to take massive swings to try to win back fans. The Chase, now the playoffs, major remolding at tracks like Daytona and Phoenix, PJ1 traction compound, choose rule on restarts, and now a major overhaul of tracks in the hope of regaining the old fan base while adding to current fan enjoyment of road courses.

Of course, NASCAR has the money to try big things. IndyCar, on the other hand, is coming off years of decline, now finally slowly creeping upward. Its response is more conservative. Firm up the schedule with returning tracks and dates. Staying in the U.S. Not doing anything gimmicky (except for double-points on the finale). It will be interesting to see how each approach works out. Which model do you see working?

Joe Mullins

RM: When we say declining numbers for TV and attendance we need to be rational, because NASCAR remains light years ahead of IndyCar and a weekly Cup race holds up well against regular season basketball and baseball. Yes, they’ve both declined since the boom 20 years ago, and NASCAR has been throwing darts the past several years trying to rekindle that popularity, but it hasn’t made much difference. IndyCar is more challenged because it’s a tougher draw for promoters, but there has definitely been a renaissance with road racing (and NASCAR is on board as well) and that’s good, because it balances out the loss of oval tracks. NASCAR will get a culture shock when the TV deal is over and renegotiated, whereas IndyCar gets very little in the way of TV money because the ratings aren’t very good, so it’s a matter of making the best of your situation. Having Roger Penske at the helm gives me hope.

Q: With Honda’s F1 exit, might the IndyCar and IMSA programs pick up a bit more funding and resources? When IndyCar gets to the hybrids for 2023, do you think Honda will start out with an advantage over Chevrolet? The same might also be true in IMSA. As far as I know, GM has not raced any hybrids in any series.

Don Hopings, Cathedral City, CA

RM: Take it away Marshall Pruett: “Honda Japan, which funds and operates the F1 engine deal, and American Honda, which funds its Honda Performance Development firm that operates its open-wheel and sports car programs, are separate entities, so changes in F1 won't affect HPD in IndyCar. I'm confident there will be an engineering information exchange between Honda's F1 and IndyCar programs to see what can be learned from F1's hybrid package, but there's a big difference in power output and design freedom in F1 that won't transfer to IndyCar's lower power, spec KERS units. On the last question about advantages, I'm reminded of IndyCar's aero kit introduction in 2015 where Chevy had to start from scratch on building an aero team, HPD had the vaunted Wirth Research to lead its design, and by comparison, Honda should have blown Chevy out of the water. It didn't happen – not by a long shot – and it served as yet another reminder to never question Chevy's capabilities, even when it might be lacking experience in a new area of development.”

Q: My questions never end up in the Mailbag, but here goes. Honda announced that it is leaving F1 to focus on “carbon neutral” engines. However, I read that Honda will be extending with IndyCar, and supplying the new hybrid engine platform. F1 already uses this, so not sure what Honda has to gain by supplying the same platform to IndyCar? My question is this, why is Honda staying in IndyCar if it completely contradicts its reason for leaving F1?

Eric Batchelder

RM: Dan Layton of Honda Racing/Acura Motorsports answers: “The issue is one of resources and capacity. Formula 1 consumes far more resources from our parent company [Honda Motor Co., Inc.] than the North American-operated and funded IndyCar and IMSA programs. Honda has decided that our involvement – both financial and the personnel – currently in Formula 1 can be better utilized on future power train and passenger vehicle development. So it’s not a case of the direction either series is going – both are committed to hybrid power – rather, it’s a decision based on the best way for Honda to use the resources it has available going forward.”

Q: First, it was great to see you on NBC Sports Gold at the IndyCar Harvest Grand Prix. Now, here’s my question. In the last laps of Race 2, someone was on Will Power’s radio telling him when Colton was on P2P, and when he was out of P2P. I was under the impression that that information was no longer available to every team in the field. Am I wrong, or was Team Penske tapped into Team Andretti’s data? Nonetheless, Race 1 was the best road race in years and Race 2 was also very good. The IMS road course is a real winner.

Dan Spata

RM: According to IndyCar, the teams all see it once a lap – every time they hit the start/finish line it’s updated, but it is not live during a lap. And a few years ago it was off-limits to everyone, which I like better. I hate that monitoring we heard last weekend when Colton was trying to overhaul Will.

Q: Wonder how long it will be until a top-tier IndyCar team attempts to snag Rinus Veekay?

Pat Rizk

RM: Or Pato O’Ward? Or Alex Palou? Or Santino Ferrucci? I would think Team Penske has its eye on Colton Herta, and Pato has helped make Arrow McLaren SP a contender so he might be comfortable staying. Ed Carpenter has given Rinus some good cars, so maybe he stays as well. Santino says he’s staying with Dale Coyne, but we know Andretti was sniffing around him, and Palou isn’t sure about 2021 but he wants to stay here.

VeeKay is one of a several youngsters whose stock is rising. Barry Cantrell/Motorsport Images

Q: Does Conor Daly have a place in IndyCar? It is well-known you are a supporter, and I like the guy myself, but in the Harvest GP races Daly went virtually unnoticed except for being lapped and badly balking Colton Herta's late charge for a win. With so much exciting young talent entering the field and immediately rising to the top (Herta, VeeKay, Palou, O'Ward ) what would be the appeal in signing a no-longer-young driver who has struggled in the lower midfield for years?

Bosco McNab, Toronto

RM: Well he’s only 28 years old so it’s not like he’s a relic, and CD has had some good drives the past two years, just not a lot of good luck. I’d like to see him with one team, full-time, and the same engineer before he’s judged, and as long as he’s got the Air Force he might get that chance with ECR.

Q: Is it possible for you to throw some light on the Askew interview that he did recently had that has upset his team so much? Apart from his unfortunate injuries, it would seem to have a large influence on him potentially not being retained for 2021. We know Arrow McLaren SP is very sensitive as a team after the reasoning behind letting Hinch go last year. Ironic that Hinch was let go but now the team wants experience by hiring Helio. While I know it won’t happen, can you imagine O’Ward, Helio and Sergio Perez! Tasty.

Oliver Wells

RM: The story by Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press was pretty straightforward in that Oliver said he hadn’t felt right since his crash in the Indy 500, but didn’t want to step out of the car since he was a hired hand that brought no money. After struggling at Gateway, he finally sought help from the same clinic that helped Dale Earnhardt Jr. and has been receiving help and advice ever since. But he didn’t say anything disparaging about the team in that story, although I hear they were upset with his agent’s comments. I’ve never seen anyone try to control the message like McLaren, so I’m sure they’re upset he talked to Jenna without jumping through all the PR hoops. It was rather curious, however, that his concussion wasn’t mentioned in the press release when he was replaced by Helio Castroneves. I hope the kid keeps his ride, he’s plenty talented and deserves it.

Q: Will Liberty Media investing money in Meyer Shank Racing  allow for the team to be a two-car IndyCar team in 2021? If yes, who could be a second driver?

Paul Fitzgerald

RM: I believe so, and I think Mike was already talking about that for 2021 before Liberty made the announcement. Too early to guess about a driver, let’s wait and see who might be available.

Q: Will Power's dominant win got me thinking about the history of drivers who have won a race by starting on the pole and leading every lap. It is a rare occurrence today, for whatever reason. Going back to 1960 there have been 52 races won in this fashion. It happened 22 times in the 1960s, but only three times in the 1970s. It happened four times in the 1980s, and eight times in the 1990s. Between 2000 and amalgamation of CART and the IRL in 2008, it happened 11 times. Since the amalgamation, it has only happened four more times. The longest gap between wins like this was between round 6 at Belle Isle in 2012 and Will Power's win on Saturday.

The most dominant wins were recorded by Mario Andretti with 11. His first was in 1966 at Milwaukee, and his last was at Elkhart Lake in 1987. The next-most dominant wins were by A.J. Foyt with six. A.J.'s first was 1963 and his last was in 1975. Michael Andretti had four, Dan Gurney, Al Unser and Paul Tracy had three, five drivers had two and 12 drivers hadone1. I believe that the competitiveness of the fields in IndyCar racing today is what makes it so much harder to accomplish these feats. I also believe that the large number of dominant wins in the 1960s can be put to the change from roadsters to rear-engine cars, along with the utter dominance year in and year out of Mario and A.J. What do you think?

Doug Mayer, Revelstoke, BC, Canada

RM: I think you bring up a great point. There are seldom any blowouts in IndyCar, and certainly no winners lapping the field like the '60s, '70s and ’80s. That’s partly because all the cars and engines are the same, the teams are deep and the drivers are damn good. Roger Penske said it best: “The rules are right and nobody is two seconds faster than anyone.”

Q: I know you're probably getting deluged with mail on this, but I just wanted to say that I'm super stoked! I've been to one Brickyard and didn't care for it. I will attend my second along with the IndyCar race next year. Hopefully this leads to more collaboration between the two series!

DJ Odom, Anderson, IN

RM: I think IMS suggested to NASCAR to move the road course several years ago, and if it’s anything like this year’s Xfinity race or last weekend’s IndyCar doubleheader, you will be greatly entertained.

Q: When was the last time we had two back-to-back caution-free races in IndyCar?

Travis R, Noblesville, IN

RM: In 2012, Edmonton and Mid-Ohio.

Q: I am an open-wheel loyalist, but the Cup cars on a road course are highly entertaining. I was glad to see that NASCAR added COTA, Road America and a weekend with IndyCar at the Speedway’s road course. The Xfinity race at Indy was good, but the cars looked painfully slow, especially around the tight corners, compared to IndyCars. Do you think NASCAR will dump the experiment when it is apparent how much faster Indy cars are? I guess it boils down to how the fans like it, but would be interested in your opinion. Keep up the great work you do for us.

Andy, Las Vegas

RM: If the new Brickyard format is as good as The Glen and Sonoma usually are, the fans won’t care how fast or slow a stock car looks around the IMS road course. I think it’s a very smart thing to do.

Edmonton 2012 was about yellow cars, not yellow flags. Phillip Abbott/Motorsport Images

Q: This weekend’s Harvest GP’s produced some great racing and some exciting finishes throughout the field. I know the schedule is already released for 2021, but aside from the shared weekend with NASCAR, I really hope we see another fall event in the future at IMS.

My question involves the loads of marbles and tire debris after the events. At IMS, there sure was a lot of marbles and tire debris all over the track and on the cars. It appeared to be a lot more than we see at other events, but that could be an illusion due to accessible camera angles for us fans at home. After each event and after the sweepers clear the track surfaces, what happens to all the rubber debris? Does Firestone take that debris and try to recycle back in to future tire formulas, or is it recycled/reused in other ways?

Jamie Doellinger, Wrightsville, PA

RM: No caution flags, no chance to sweep the marbles. Not sure they were any worse than usual, and no, they are not recycled. Thrown away.

Q: Could the Scott Dixon car be repaired with 200mph tape over the hole in the sidepod at the Saturday Harvest GP like they do in NASCAR?

Howard, Lombard, IL

RM: Not without losing way too much time. A Ganassi pit stop is 6-7 seconds and that job might cost a lap.

Q: I could be wrong, but I remember that when NBC signed its TV deal with IndyCar it was only for three years covering the 2019-2020-2021 seasons. That means two out of three seasons are almost over, and by the end of next year, if nothing is done then IndyCar will be without a television home. Do you know if IndyCar is working on extending this deal, or what else is going on behind the scenes when it comes to the TV deal? Thanks for all that you do, Robin!

Naruto Uzumaki, Milwaukee, WI

RM: Well NBC picked up its option for next year and, naturally, Roger Penske and Mark Miles will be negotiating for a new contract as soon as the season is over.

Q: Robin, thank you for your excellent work. It was good to see you back on NBC Sports Gold for practice at the Harvest GP. I apologize if this question is a repeat, but I really would like to know why the clock continues to run on qualifying during a red flag. Can you fill me in?

Leslie Bissell, Kansas City, KS

RM: Teams are guaranteed five minutes of green and it’s a time-certain schedule because of television and the schedule of other races. Thanks for your kind words.

Q: After sitting just past Turn 1 at the Harvest GP and watching a bunch of guys overshoot the turn and use the escape road (A.J.'s drivers three times each), I wonder, during course familiarization do drivers actually drive through the escape? It was rather narrow and had a fairly tight turn at entry. If I were a driver I would have hated to experience it for the first time during a race! Thanks for beating the IndyCar drum!

David Teller, Greenville, OH

RM: I think they all drove around in a pace car or walked the track the first time they saw it, and it happens so frequently in practice that everyone is tuned it.

Q: How time-consuming is it for a team to change a car's livery from one sponsor to another? Alexander Rossi's car, for example, on Friday was NAPA-liveried, and Saturday it was AutoNation. I assume cars are no longer painted in sponsors' colors, and most likely are wrapped?

Roger, Omaha

RM: Mike Hull of Ganassi Racing kindly handles this topic: “When done in the building, removal and clean takes two to three hours. Wrap time itself is 16 to 20-man hours for entire bodywork plus spare front and rear wings. We have two technicians assigned in the building who print and then install. An additional set of wings is three hours. When doing at the racetrack overnight, it’s more hands on deck

“Our group did it for the 10 car at Gateway from the first race to the second. The NTT car became the Monster Energy car overnight, while the mechanics simultaneously race-prepared the race car. We worked in advance to have a common color on the lower chassis and some of the wings, which helped reduce time. We also pre-wrapped the spare sidepods, plus one set of spare wings, which reduced the trackside effort. To put it into perspective, when we were painting, the preparation work, paint, paint-on the livery, and clear coat was about 40 man hours. In addition, hard to believe, but paint process adds almost 14 pounds, with undercoat, paint, painted decals and clear coat. When it needed repaint, the surface for chassis and all other parts had to be totally stripped past the undercoat for weight reduction.

“Additionally, a wrapped car is half that total weight number. In the 'old days,' lots of teams painted over the paint! Think how heavy the car became. With how far that wraps have come, plus the revised partner placement in the short back-to-back weeks, or doubleheader overnights, wraps makes much more competitive and practical sense.”

Q: Recently read a lovely reminiscence about Dan Gurney, which mentioned Roger Penske in passing. Got me thinking: There really hasn’t been a lot written about Gurney’s and Penske’s relationship. Were they BFFs? Respectful competitors? We know all about Penske (and Pat Patrick) funding Gurney’s White Paper vision that became CART. Penske also ran an Eagle at Indy and bought Gurney’s former F1 shop in England. But they overlapped as drivers and owners for about 60 years, so there have to be more stories to tell. And I would guess you know a lot of them. What’s your take?

Al Gordon

RM: I don’t know who RP’s BFFs are, but he and Gurney had a deep respect for each other as drivers, constructors and thinkers. The Captain obviously believed in the White Paper, and always had his eye on AAR since it created so many great cars. They had some good battles in sports cars, but other than one time at IRP, I never got to see any of them.

It would be fascinating to know what they're talking about. (Whatever it is, it got Mickey Thompson's attention). Robin Miller collection

Q: I still think you average about one letter per week about the CART/IRL split. Do you get sick and tired about talking about The Split? The most common term you use every time you respond is it caused "irreparable damage" to the sport.  I would hope any major sport or racing organization thinking about breaking away would learn that almost nothing good came from The Split.

Ron, Portland, OR

RM: Probably average two a week, but sometimes it’s new fans that weren’t following IndyCar back in the mid ’90s so it’s more of a history lesson. The aftermath of The Split speaks for itself in terms of attendance, TV ratings, sponsorships but IndyCar has made a nice comeback in the past few years.

Q: In the Mailbag and your recent article on RACER, you have written a lot about the fate of ovals in the context of IndyCar. Do you have a sense of the health of short tracks and their prospects for survival after the pandemic shutdowns? By “short tracks,” I don’t mean Iowa – more like Gas City, Williams Grove, Ventura, etc.

Tom Hinshaw

RM: I subscribe to Flo Racing so I’ve been watching USAC midgets and sprints all summer, and the car counts and attendance look quite healthy. I think short-track racing around the country may be in decent shape, but without knowing anything about the weekly shows it’s hard to gauge.

Q: I hope you are doing well and were able to attend or watch the Harvest GP races. In both races, the racing was close, passing was frequent, and there were no yellows. What more could one want? The coverage provided by the NBC announcers was the best, despite being without you and Hinch. But the camera shots were amazing and plentiful. NBC had cameras everywhere, and those people deserve so much credit for capturing all the action. And the producers who patch it all together flawlessly for us to watch are magicians. Big thanks to the best in the business: NBC. I haven’t been to the Speedway in five or six years, but it has never looked better on TV. It looks like a new clean and shiny object instead of a worn-out relic. Mr. Penske has obviously done much, and I am so glad he was able to purchase IMS. I can’t wait to see another Indy 500 from the stands.

Tom in Manistee

RM: Thanks Tom. Credit to producer Terry Lingner and director Roger Vincent – the two best in the business and they captured all the action.