Robin Miller's Mailbag for October 21, 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: It's interesting to see Alexander Rossi racing for Penske at Petit Le Mans. I would suspect the Honda/Acura tie had a big part in this happening? Do you think Andretti Autosport had much say in it, was for or against it? If I'm a team owner I don't think I would be big on one of my top drivers sampling Roger's operation.

Craig Claerbout

RM: I imagine when Honda went all-in to keep Andretti that there was some conversation about letting Alexander race sports cars for them as well, but I don’t see any downside for Michael. If anything, maybe Rossi learned a couple of things he could take back to Andretti.

Q: Internet forums are blowing up with memes and jokes at the expense of ASPM. There is a lot of hate towards Sam Schmidt and the ASPM team as a whole for the handling of Oliver Askew. That makes two years in a row that ASPM is at the center of fan hate around the firing of a driver. So getting to the heart of the matter, what is it about ASPM that puts it in the fan crosshairs of hate for two years in a row? On the other hand, we all know how much race fans, and IndyCar fans in particular, like hate.

John Balestrieri

RM: I’m not privy to anything ASPM does, but I don’t think Sam should get the blame for Askew. I know Hinch (and his fan base) were steamed at Schmidt after last year’s messy divorce, but this latest controversy has McLaren written all over it. They want to control the message from drivers, mechanics and engineers, and evidently the interview with The Associated Press was Oliver’s fatal mistake.

Q: What came first -- Felix and a handshake deal with McLaren, or Oliver’s interview with Jenna Fryer? I’ve heard a lot of behind the scenes things where I’ll place a lot of blame on Oliver’s management team, but there’s a long shot theory that says the concussion thing was a last ditch effort to save his ride after talks between AMSP and Rosenqvist had moved quite far along. I say 5-3 on the interview being first and 10-1 on the interview being second. Where’s your money go?

Ryan in West Michigan

RM: I don’t know. Marshall and I were emailing Stefan Johansson a couple weeks ago when we heard Felix was out at Ganassi (and got no response) and it was about the same time as Jenna’s story, so I’d bet the interview triggered the decision.

Q: I read the AP article on Oliver and wondered if he would regret his agent's mouthing off about the team and Oliver's fear of notifying the team of his injuries? I am not sure about who is behind Oliver's dismissal. It just seems par for the course with this team. On the other hand, I am delighted that Pato received a contract extension for next year. Will Oliver find another seat for 2021? And then I read about Felix leaving Ganassi for AMSP. Did you see this coming? I thought that all was well with Felix and CGR. If anyone would be leaving, I figured it would be Marcus. What am I missing? I am not sure how wise a move this is for Felix.

Deb Schaeffer

RM: I’m sure Oliver wishes he could retract that story because it also pissed off IndyCar, but I’m hoping he gets another chance somewhere because he’s got talent and he’s a great kid. I just don’t know where it would be, because he has no money. Felix’s departure was a shock because they had worked so long and hard (both sides) to get him in a Ganassi car, and he’s obviously very good. But we don’t know the NTT sponsorship details, and Marcus has a solid sponsor (and also did a really good job in 2020, despite not having the results to show for it).

Hopefully Askew still has a view similar to this one when the field reconvenes for the first race in 2021. Joe Skibinski/IMS

Q: Hard to believe it’s just one race to go to see who will win the championship. I read the AP article about Oliver and it did not seem like he threw the team under the bus, he just expressed how he and many others are afraid to divulge any health issue due to fear of the axe. Was there more to this? 

On the shocking news Felix will go Arrow McLaren SP, does this open the door for T.K. to do the ovals for Jimmie in that car? We need a silly season update from you for sure: Helio? Hinch? Oliver, done? Teams looking at adding cars? Lots of positive news in difficult financial times – we’re lucky on many levels. What else can we look forward to in 2021?

Sean O., Vancouver, BC

RM: I agree, it wasn’t that damning a story, but thin-skinned people evidently thought it was. I don’t think there’s any place at Ganassi for T.K. and I hope he puts together something for Indy with RLL or ECR. Hinch will be fine in 2021, but not sure there’s any place for Askew right now – or Helio. We can look forward to more cars on the grid and the return of Hamburger and French Fry.

Q: Seems Oliver Askew would be a good fit for RLL’s third car. Now that the first-year jitters are out of the way, he would benefit from Graham’s and Sato’s tutoring, and at 23 years old could be productive for a long time as Sato (42) moves closer to retirement and Graham probably could go another decade. Your thoughts?

Jeff, Florida

RM: Oliver would need a big sponsor and I don’t know what Robby Buhl and his partners have planned for Spencer Pigot in 2021, so there might not be a seat except for Indianapolis if they ran four cars.

Q: I know racing is a business of dollars, but enough is enough. AMSP releasing Oliver Askew because of an injury (while possibly blaming his agent for comments that hurt their feelings) is maybe the worst thing to come out of the 2020 IndyCar season. Any goodwill Sam Schmidt may have earned from keeping Robert Wickens on the payroll is gone after this. Oliver deserved better, especially from a team owner who sustained life-changing injuries in a racing crash. I'm sure the fact he doesn't come with a sponsor dowry doesn't make him as appealing as a funded driver, but they knew about that when they signed him. There were times when his smarts allowed him to outshine his well-funded teammate, so I hope someone in the U.S. racing world picks him up. As for the AMSP organization, I wish them a solid mid-pack future.

Chris King, North Olmsted, OH

RM: There is no doubt Askew deserved better, but like I said earlier, don’t blame Sam for this one because I think it was McLaren. And Pato wasn’t funded to my knowledge.

Q: Why do you think Felix has left Ganassi?

Jordan, Warwickshire, UK

RM: I heard Ganassi wasn’t pleased with his oval-track performance, but it may simply have been a matter of sponsorship, and we’ll know when we see whether NTT is back in 2021.

Q: I was really intrigued to read about Formula E champ Antonio Felix da Costa's IndyCar test with RLL next month. What are the chances this leads to a ride with RLL or another IndyCar team? Would be exciting to see another driver of his caliber come to IndyCar.

Justin from CT

RM: I imagine if he brings $4 million he’s got a good chance at an IndyCar ride.

Q: What's up with Simon Pagenaud's future? A year ago it seemed set he would serve out his final contract year with Penske, then move over to be the experienced driver at AMSP. But that team now seems full.

Brian in Ohio

RM: The Indianapolis Star quoted Penske saying that all three drivers were returning in 2021 and Scott McLaughlin is also being added to the line-up, so I imagine 2021 will be Pagenaud’s swansong with The Captain. But as poorly as he’s run this season, I would be worried about being cut loose early.

Q: Check your radar for me, Robin. Are there any owners in any series interested in Montoya or Castroneves?

Curious Lew

RM: I’m sure they could run IMSA, but they both want to return to IndyCar if they can find a good ride.

Q: I read your piece regarding DRR. Does Sage Karam have any chance to race next year if DRR decides to go in a different direction? In your opinion, will he ever get a full-time seat to see what he can do?

Brian Buskirk

RM: I’m afraid Dennis has been Sage’s only salvation, and even though he’s only 25 it seems like he’s been passed over for even a younger generation. DRR didn’t rule out staying with him, but probably the only way he can move on in IndyCar is to find a big sponsor.

Q: Not saying that Sergio Perez from Formula 1 is the favorite, or even someone mentioned as a replacement for Askew. Just what are your thoughts on Perez if he made the switch to IndyCar?

Phillip Schmitz, Euless, TX

RM: His name was mentioned initially at AMSP when he lost his F1 ride and he and Pato would give IndyCar a massive crowd in Mexico City, but I’ve never seen him quoted about wanting to come over here.

Q: Did you watch the Rossi in-car video at the Harvest GP? Wow! What AA needs to do is prioritize the drivers in this order: Rossi, Herta, RHR and Hinch. Maybe the right engineer could jumpstart RHR or Hinch’s careers. Now, for the No. 98: Michael should give that car to Marco to run under the AA umbrella and find a deserving driver that can win! Marco finished behind Veach in points, so he really needs to retire. I am worried that McLaren is passing AA in success! This has been a horrible year for the entire team. Do you think Rossi is second-guessing his decision?

Dan, Lima, OH

RM: Hard to say why Rossi and engineer Jeremy Milles lost their way this season, but those things happen and they’ve been back on pace the past few races, so no reason to think they won’t be strong in 2021. Herta, Honda and Andretti gave Alexander a chance to make a career over here, so I imagine even though he’s been frustrated, I think he’s loyal to those people who believed in him. But another year like this one and he won’t be.

Are these two the core of Andretti Autosport's future?  Michael Levitt/Motorsport Images

Q: Why doesn’t Jimmie Johnson pay for his Ganassi ride in 2021 out of his own pocket? Based on Jimmie Johnson’s reported earnings from NASCAR over his career, the cost of a limited season would be like small change for him. Shame he did not try IndyCar when he was at his peak.

Brian, Melbourne, Australia

RM: I think he will help find sponsorship for his IndyCar ride, but he’s way too smart to spend his own money.

Q: I’m curious about something with Roger Penske. He is not on the pit box these days during the races. That clearly makes sense regarding attending to various functions at IMS and as the owner/leader of the IndyCar Series. So to what degree has he separated himself from Team Penske in general? Do you think that is likely to continue in the foreseeable future?

Don Hopings, Cathedral City, CA

RM: I think R.P. talks to Tim Cindric all the time about their teams in IndyCar, NASCAR, IMSA and Australian Supercars, so he might not be as hands-on as before but he’s still plenty tuned in. And I don’t ever see him going back on the box – he doesn’t want any appearance Team Penske is getting special treatment.

Q: Reading the Oct. 14 Mailbag and people calling some of us whiners about the lack of oval racing, of which I was one. I not whining, I was just stating the fact that IndyCar’s heritage was built on oval racing. There was also a comment about attending these events, and I can say I have attended close to 40 Indy 500s, every race at Kentucky, every race at Michigan since the late '80s, the last three races at Pocono and Gateway and at Texas! So I have a right to bitch!

Brian Lancaster, West Lafayette, IN

RM: Yes you do Brian, and I appreciate your loyalty and for giving me your history. Anyone invested like you can bitch all he wants. I totally understand the frustration of only having four oval races in 2021, but I just don’t see that trend getting better in the near future.

Q: I see all the comments about 2021 schedule but just saw a story on F1’s 2021 scheduling and the difference made me pause. Seems the people tasked with keeping F1 COVID-safe are suggesting the 2021 schedule could be a lot like 2020 schedule -- not a schedule at all, but stops at opportune and ever-changing list of tracks/countries that can 'safely' absorb the F1 circus for two or three days. The 2021 IndyCar schedule may be missing a few tracks we'd all like to see, but at least we've got a schedule, something to look forward to. All credit to Roger Penske and his group for giving us that, as right now hope is a really nice thing to have. Do you see any repeats of the 2020 schedule next year?

Grant B., Visalia, CA

RM: I think it’s way too early to know what anyone’s schedule might look like in 2021. If tracks can’t have fans then IndyCar might have to be the promoter again, and right now we just don’t know.

Q: Roger Penske is my hero and has been for years. However, I am somewhat concerned that IndyCar is now a benevolent dictatorship. Any other form or ownership of IndyCar would surely have burned and crashed in 2020 and hundreds of people would be out of jobs. My hero’s passion is 110%, but realistically he is 83 years old. Do you know how Penske’s ownership of IMS and the IndyCar series is set up for long-term success? I assume some of his kids are involved, but is there a corporate mission statement, board of directors etc., or is it just Roger and his keen interest and checkbook?

Jim Cox, Rock Island, IL

RM: With his attention to detail I’m sure R.P. has a plan in place for IMS, IndyCar and Team Penske, but I can’t imagine anyone having the same passion and commitment after he’s gone. We’re all hoping he’s around for at least another decade because IndyCar’s survival likely depends on it.

Q: The 2021 IndyCar 17-race schedule has been out for a few weeks, and the Mailbag has seen its share of complaints about the lack of ovals and the exclusion of races at places that must not be named in the Mailbag. Do I miss the CART days of the seven ovals/seven road courses/seven temporary circuits? Of course, but as you often point out, those days are gone. Ten years ago, I didn’t think that an IndyCar series would exist in 2021, so kudos to the folks in charge. My concern centers on the fact that there are only 13 venues. NASCAR works because it directly controls about half of its tracks, and with a few notable exceptions, Speedway Motorsports LLC controls the other half. It has a pretty strong grasp on its future. Can the current model of venue/promoter/sanctioning body continue to work for IndyCar in the future? If you don’t control (own) your tracks, will you have places to race?

Want an example? California has declared war on the internal combustion engine. How long will it be before California’s politicians pressure Long Beach to dump IndyCar for Formula E, thus conforming to the state’s vision of transportation in the future? That’s going to happen at some point. I hope we have a series to complain about 10 years from now.

Bill Carsey, North Olmsted, OH

RM: I think IndyCar has already had to change the template for getting or renewing partnerships with tracks. The days of the $1-2 million sanction fees are likely over, and that could immediately make IndyCar more attractive to potential promoters. Oval tracks are either going to sit empty or be torn down (NASCAR is facing both) so there are no guarantees just because you own the playing field. It’s a slippery slope for all motorsports sanctioning bodies and tracks right now, and working together is almost paramount to survival. I just hope I’m dead when they run Long Beach with electric engines.

We've already had electric racing at Long Beach. Zak Mauger/Motorsport Images

Q: NASCAR merged with International Speedway Corp, the France's company that owned all of their tracks. NASCAR now owns outright the tracks that are responsible for half of its schedule. It makes sense; they get to keep the TV money, the gate, the track signage... everything. Of course, they know how to promote an event and fill up the stands, too. (At least as much as they can in today's environment.) This also gives them security in the schedule, because they control all aspects of it.

Has The Captain considered following the same path? He owns and promotes Indy, and in the past has owned California, Michigan, and Nazareth, so he should know the ins and outs. If IndyCar learned how to be a successful promoter, this would give it all of the revenue available during an event, and absolute control over its schedule. You said in the last Mailbag that IndyCar can't rent the Gateway staff to run other events. Maybe not rent, but it could hire them full-time. Penske knows it's all about people. If IndyCar could create an effective promoter office, it could get the most out of any race it ran by owning the track and running the event, and offer more possibilities to advertisers over the parts of the schedule that it controls. So, any chance of vertical integration in IndyCar?

Rob, Ringwood, NJ

RM: I used to argue with USAC that it needed to be more involved in promotion but the powers never agreed, and this year IndyCar had to be its own promoter at Iowa plus help out at IMS, Road America and Mid-Ohio with doubleheaders, and give Texas a sweetheart deal. Roger Penske doesn’t want to own any track except IMS, but I do like your idea of renting out Chris Blair and his staff at Gateway or forming a promotional arm of IndyCar, because too often when we go into a city nobody has a clue what IndyCar is or that there’s a race.

Q: We all know fans want old tracks to make a comeback, and I totally get it from a business standpoint. Tracks went away for a reason, and that was that there were not enough butts in the seats. Knowing how much of an impact Roger Penske has on the sport, do you think he has any pull left in him to get something going for The Milwaukee Mile or Burke Lakefront Airport? I know there is currently no sponsor or promoter out there, but we all know Roger's pull.

Jason, Chicago, IL

RM: He promoted Cleveland at one time so I would imagine he’d consider it if the city was interested, but Milwaukee just seems littered with political potholes so I imagine Kentucky has a better chance.

Q: Assuming COVID hangs on through out the winter and into spring, how soon will IMS need to make a decision about moving the 500 to another weekend? Are there back-up weekends already penciled in on the 2021 calendar? Also, a sincere thank you to everyone at IMS and IndyCar for pulling off a miracle of a race season in 2020. I am truly grateful for every minute of IndyCar I got to see this year.

Fred Alig, Ashland, OR

RM: If I knew the answer to those questions Fred, I wouldn’t be a 30 percent picker in pro football. Hell, I’ve got no idea, and neither does anyone else right now. We’re seven months away from May, so ask me again in February.

Q: Being a Hungarian fan, I am happy to read all your stories every week. I started watching CART in 1997 (being 12), stopped around 2005, and rediscovered it in 2017 thanks to Alonso. Well, I stopped watching F1 last year after watching it for 25 years, because in F1 there are hardly any good races while in IndyCar there are no bad races. Most complainers should discover that the U.S. has the best road and street courses in the world (Road America, Mid-Ohio, Portland, Barber, VIR, Long Beach, St. Pete). They are classy, old-fashioned tracks with fantastic sections, gravel traps, nice hairpins and nothing like boring Tilke-dromes. I love them in simulators.

I have a question about new events. As there were rumors about returning to Australia, what about Adelaide having a joint event with the Clipsal? Big crowds, nice downtown, good circuit with enough overtaking places.

I would add one question regarding The Split (even after reading Ed Hinton's series). Did TG ever consider supporting U.S. talents in CART or fielding a team (beating the CART barons as well)? He could have given Jeff Gordon a try at least in open-wheel. And thank RP for keeping IndyCar alive!

Csaba Besztercei, Hungary

RM: IndyCar had meetings in Australia but were told the asking price was too high, so maybe R.P. will have a go again some day, although foreign races aren’t high on his list. If it made everyone money, I’m sure he’d be happy to negotiate, but no idea which cities might be in play. Don’t think TG had any interest in fielding a team until he started the IRL, but I always kidded A.J. that he could have hired Tony Stewart instead of Marco Greco.

Q: A.J. Foyt had a long-time sponsorship from the Goodyear Tire Company during his driving days. Could you please tell us how it got started? What’s his relationship with the company like now, and did he ever consider switching tire companies during his racing career?

Brandon Karsten

RM: Here’s the story from The Man: “I ran Goodyear tires at Trenton and blew everybody’s ass off in 1964, and that got it started. I wanted to run the Goodyear tires I’d tested at Indy, but the engineers said they were no good so I wore a Goodyear suit and used Firestone tires to win my second Indy 500. After that I was all Goodyear.”

He probably even had Goodyears mounted on that tractor. Phipps/Sutton

Q: Regarding your "Who’s the greatest? It’s complicated..." article from October 19, A.J. also won the NASCAR Firecracker 400 in 1964. And I think some of your readers got confused because your column was about the greatest seasons, not trying to pick the greatest driver.

Joe Mullins

RM: Thanks Joe, I totally spaced looking at A.J.’s NASCAR record (seven wins total) and I appreciate you pointing out Daytona in ’64. As for my column, it was a good way to spotlight Kyle Larson’s amazing season while also looking back at the great runs from the legends through the years. Unfortunately some of the “experts” who comment on RACER.com are so anxious to give their opinions they don’t actually take the time to grasp the premise of the story. It didn’t say Larson was one of the greats (although I think he will be), it simply showed how versatile he’s been this year on the dirt in midgets, sprints and dirt cars in what has been a great season.

Q: A two-part question, because Road Atlanta is on my mind with last weekend’s Petit Le Mans and I would dearly love to see an IndyCar race there as it is only two hours from my home. I know that it has come up many times before that Road Atlanta is not safe for IndyCars. But I am curious, is that what the drivers like RHR and Pagenaud who have driven there say? What would be the speed differentials between DPi and IndyCar? The fastest part of the track is the back straight and the fastest prototypes may get up to about 190 there, and there is plenty of run-off in the Turn-10 area. The downhill onto the front straight would be a challenge, but surely something could be done there. Thanks for all you do! I look forward to reading the Mailbag first thing Wednesday mornings.

Paul Lewis, Macon, GA

RM: Tony Cotman has designed tracks all over the world in addition to being on the FIA safety committee, and here’s his take: “The speed would be similar, just a little quicker, but there is not plenty of run-off area. In my opinion, there’s not adequate run-off area period.”

Q: I think for the long-term survival of the Big 3 (IndyCar, NASCAR and IMSA) they will need to embrace more inter-species weekends. A race on the Roval in Charlotte with IndyCar and IMSA on Saturday and NASCAR on the Sunday would be awesome. Splitting the tracks’ costs three ways instead of three separate events makes lots of sense/cents. For fans to have that kind of crossover on the same weekend also might bring more folks in to watch. Same with The Glen and Sonoma. As a race camper, I’d much rather go to see the Big 3 over a weekend as opposed to watching endless hours of practice and a bunch of Mazda Miatas as support races even if it means an extra hundred bucks. Do you agree?

Gary, Anza, CA

RM: I do think doubleheaders between the three are good ideas whenever possible, because it’s about entertaining people -- especially if IndyCar and NASCAR can figure out an oval to run together. I think John Doonan understands the value and IMSA will do more with IndyCar in the future.

Q: I am writing following the announcement of the engine rules for 2023 and beyond and the new long-term commitment with Honda and Chevrolet. It was a key announcement for IndyCar, and as a fan, I can't congratulate enough Roger Penske and his team for their fantastic work over the last months. But what I would like to comment is that, as per the press release note, the new 2.4L turbocharged engines will have to have a V6 architecture. Is the engine configuration really a condition? Maybe there are advantages that I am missing, but I think that leaving it up to the OEMs to define the engine configuration they like would not only allow for some creativity and diversity between the brands, but it would also serve as an argument to lure other OEMs to join the series.

An OEM could have more readiness and expertise to build an engine in its preferred configuration, and it could also be used to promote its road-going products in an easier and more direct way, as they could share common characteristics. For instance, we can all associate certain engine configurations with some brands, like Porsche with flat-6 engines, or BMW with inline-4s, and so on... Also, maybe this would require some adaptations chassis-wise, but I believe that as long as some engine-chassis interfaces are defined and frozen (like the engine fixing points or the positioning of the electric power unit), this engine freedom could be accommodated.

Jorge Neiva, Portugal

RM: Thankfully, we have Marshall Pruett’s take on this: “Yes, the 2.4-liter V6 layout is mandatory, and agreed upon by Chevy and Honda as the size and cylinder count they want. So it’s not a case of IndyCar forcing them to do anything they aren’t in agreement with going forward. From what I’m told, other manufacturers that are looking into the series have had favorable responses as well.”

Then-HPD President Ted Klaus: "...and so in tribute to our first F1 win with Richie Ginther in Mexico in 1965, I'm proud to say that Honda's next IndyCar engine will be a 1.5-liter V12".Michael Andretti: "What?"Michael Levitt/Motorsport Images

Q: When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. Wishing or complaining about wanting the past back is not going to make it happen. Money, money, money makes the world go 'round.

IndyCar and NASCAR are on the decline; therefore I think it is inevitable that they will and should pair up. Future schedules will be shared schedules with both series running the same track each weekend. I think it is likely that other racing series will join them, making for a racing weekend with three or four or more races. I see electric car races added to the weekend also. Let’s add some virtual racing: let fans go head to head with real drivers and bring the youngsters to the track – desperately needed! This will generate more fan interest, give fans more bang for their travel/ticket buck and will promote the rivalry between the two. It saves costs for each series. It enables sponsors to have more to promote. NBC could have racing weekends like football has their weekends. Have each of the series champions -- IndyCar, NASCAR, sports cars, electric, virtual -- compete in an end-of-the-year IROC-type of event -- a racing Super Bowl! It just makes sense. Do you see some kind of extended partnership down the road?

Dennis Watson, Loda, IL

RM: I see IndyCar and NASCAR doubling up a couple times a year (IMS road course and an oval to be named later) and IMSA adding on to Long Beach, but there are only a few places that would want to try and make it work.

Q: I just read, finally, Brock Yates’ book Cannonball, and enjoyed it very much. And I noticed a mention in there of some guy from Indianapolis named Robin Miller, who participated in one of the earlier incarnations of the event. Have you ever written on this topic, or do you have any thoughts about the Cannonball that you’d care to share with your loyal readers? I’m willing to bet plenty of us would love to hear about your experience.

Jim Bray, Calgary

RM: No, I got to say my piece in the Cannonball book and I didn’t leave anything out, but it was one of the great adventures of my life. Driving from Manhattan to the Pacific Ocean as fast as our Vega would take us with an ice scraper being used as our cruise control and four cans of gasoline strapped together in the hatchback. It was dumb, lethal, insane, stupid, exhilarating, tiring and I’d do it again. Fortunately, I got to run one of the two “real” races, and not the rally it turned into because of all the heat Brock Yates received. He was going to bring back all the guys from the first two runs for a Cannonball Memorial in 2004 or 2005, and I just about had Paul Newman and Eddie Wirth convinced to do it when Brock’s lawyer told him ‘no chance in hell’. But talk about a spirit of adventure that likely doesn’t exist anymore. I’ll always be indebted to Brock for letting me be part of all the fun.

Q: In the spirit of the 24 Hours of Daytona, with four classes of cars on the track at once, let’s put NASCAR and IndyCar on the same road course at the same time! Talk about excitement and the chance to increase attendance and TV viewers! Imagine Kyle Busch trying to keep Scott Dixon from lapping him. Or Joey Logano and Will Power both Penske drivers side-by-side through a turn. We can dream, can’t we?

Kevin H.

RM: And then make the drivers trade cars at the halfway point.

Q: Hey Robin with the aeroscreen on UK18, would Penske entertain a round at Pikes Peak Hill Climb? It was a fixture back in the day, and now that road is all paved. It could be another way to keep showing our series is the most diverse on the planet. Road, street, oval, hill climb. Plus it could be part of a triple crown for the series. Long Beach GP, King of the Mountain, Indy 500. I would love to see our drivers attack the mountain in the open-wheel class. Granted, they probably need a more aggressive aero kit and possibly electronic power steering pump to help with steering, along with Firestone providing a special tire for the mountain. It would be epic for Will Power or Alexander Rossi to take the open-wheel record and possibly overall in a modern IndyCar. Granted I know it's bit sketchy, but our drivers live for the danger at speed. Thoughts?

Kevin, Long Beach, CA

RM: I think it would be more appealing if it was still dirt, but either way there is no way today’s car owners are going to give it the green light.

Q: No doubt there is a lot of disappointment about the dearth of ovals on the 2021 IndyCar schedule, but do you think the 5/8 mile oval at Lucas Oil Raceway could be an option someday, or is it ill-suited for IndyCar racing?

Dave Morgason, Plainfield, IN

RM: No SAFER barrier, and probably too tight for IndyCars anyway.

Q: With the recent announcement of Indy Lights returning in 2021, amid the upping of prizes and safety, wouldn't it make sense for IndyCar to lure more teams to field entrants in Lights by offering perhaps bonus test sessions? If you field a full-time entrant in Lights, you get two-four additional test days. If you use your Lights driver in the test days, you get a bonus day or two. It would be nice to see others helping fill the field besides Schmidt and Andretti. End result, the lights gain a bigger/stronger field and hopefully we see the pipeline to IndyCar.

Eric J, Hayward, CA

RM: A form of that incentive was used a few years ago and it really didn’t make any difference in participation, but hopefully bigger purses will entice new teams.

Q: After reading your piece about ovals being on the ropes, I got to thinking about IndyCar’s 2.4-liter hybrid engine formula for 2023. How would hybrid technology translate to ovals? As I understand it, KERS recovers power under braking and translates it into acceleration. On the few ovals left on the schedule, how much braking is there aside from entering and exiting the pits? Would higher horsepower necessitate more braking into corners and a KERS system then add stronger acceleration out? With this in mind, what ovals would benefit from the new 2.4-liter hybrid engine formula?

Bill Phypers, Brewster, NY

RM: Let’s ask Mr. Pruett: “Yes, this question has been posed for quite some time, and the answer is still the same: Like in F1 with dual KERS systems that use braking and heat/energy from the turbo, IndyCar would need to have the same type of dual system to charge its KERS on ovals. There are many styles of KERS, and not all rely on braking to charge, so it’s a non-issue here.” 

Q: I’m well aware that I’m late to the party, but I just watched the Bobby Unser roast that Marshall Pruett posted little over a month ago. I’ve never laughed so hard. Great content and absolute priceless! I love the stories and enjoyed hearing about the friendships too. I was trying to figure out what Martin van Buren was doing wearing a t-shirt over a collared shirt, then I realized it was Roger Penske and he can wear whatever he wants, however he wants. This leads me to my question. Can you please tell me where I can get one of those shirts? Great to see you guys having fun up there… hope all is well.

Steve, Lorraine, Ohio

RM: Unfortunately we made about 200 of them and I doubt you or I can afford to restart the process for one shirt. But it was a great night, glad you enjoyed it.

Q: Is the BC39 happening in 2021? I don’t see it being promoted or even listed as a 2021 event on the Speedway’s website.

Ken E., Geneva, IL

RM: From IMS president Doug Boles: “At this point, we are still planning on having the BC39. We are hopeful it will be near the Brickyard weekend (although it could end up moving). We are trying to be considerate of the Knoxville Nationals and looking for a date that would work without too much impact on drivers that would do both and on NOS Energy (which sponsors both). Hopefully we will have a date announced in the next few weeks.”

For now, it's all systems go on the 2021 BC39. Image via IndyCar

Q: Most of the complaints about oval racing for years have been that the racing is boring. Not much action or passing. All kinds of changes to the cars, both NASCAR and IndyCar have not produced good, side-by-side, passing and racing. TV viewers wait to watch the last laps to see any action at all. The whole oval format in USAC, POWRi etc., gives us a lot of real racing to watch. Go to your local tracks and see good racing for a good price. All the major racing venues have priced themselves out of the market to both the individual and the sponsors.

I think more short tracks for both NASCAR and IndyCar may wake up the fans. Start with the same format as USAC: time trials, heats, and race up to the A-main. Put on a good 2-3 hour show with a long enough A-main to have one pit stop. Leave plenty of time for commercials between races so each segment is not interrupted. The best show this year was the Chilli Bowl -- a ton of great racing for a week, a full alphabet of qualifiers and great racing to the finish of the A-main on the final day. There is no simple solution to the lack of attendance, it's gone downhill for a long time. Time to blow up the system, get rid of the gimmicks (stage racing, etc.) and put on a show the fans can actually get excited about.

Jack DeVience, Valparaiso, IN

RM: I thought Iowa had some good racing, as did Indy, and Gateway’s opener was also entertaining. You can’t have non-stop passing on every lap and when I think back to the '70s and '80s and there might be one or two cars on the lead lap, today’s oval shows are so much more competitive. But going to a midget/sprint format isn’t going to fly -- not enough cars or money.

Q: Robin, I love IndyCar and am thankful that RACER exists and provides us Marshall Pruett and yourself to keep us informed about what is happening in IndyCar. This week we go into the final race of the season and the Dixon vs Newgarden fight for the championship at St. Pete. I love it!  The question I have has nothing to do with the race though, but I know you have had health challenges and simply wondering how you are doing. You and Shabrall Pruett are in our prayers and hope you both stay strong.

Jamie Roe

RM: Thanks for the kind thoughts, Jamie. I know Shabrall is making a strong recovery and walking again (she’s an ex-Marine and has quite a resolve) while I just visit the chemo train every few weeks and I feel fine for a 70-year-old retread.