Robin Miller's Mailbag for October 28, 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: Watching the series finale at St. Pete, I made the following observation: in Newgarden and Dixon, it is clear that I was watching the two best active drivers. The story in qualifying was all about the young guns, a resurgent Andretti team, and another qualifying clinic by Will Power; however, one by one, all of the drivers folded in one way or another while Newgarden and Dixon carved through the field to get to the top spots. There isn’t any doubt in my mind that Dixon and Newgarden are absolutely the most complete drivers that we have seen for many years. By ‘complete’, I mean that they have speed, mental fortitude, and can win in any conditions or track type. I don’t think there are too many drivers who I would also call complete. In recent memory, I think you could put Franchitti, Montoya, Zanardi, de Ferran, and Bourdais in this category.

Contrast that with someone like Power, who I think is really fast but strikes me as severely lacking on the mental side of the sport.  Other guys who are/were fast but not complete would include Castroneves, Kanaan, Pagenaud, Tracy, Michael Andretti and Hunter-Reay. In the right conditions, these guys are all winners and world-class drivers, but it seems to me that the difference from the complete drivers on the first list is the ability to handle whatever is thrown at you and still come out on top. Complete drivers will simply not be denied winning over the course of time.

I am hopeful that some of these younger drivers will enter that category. Colton Herta strikes me as having the speed and mental chops, but time will tell. I think Rossi still has the opportunity to get into that elite category, but he needs to do it in the next year or so. Do you agree with my characterization, and who would be on your list of complete drivers, past or present? (Please can we keep it in the modern era of IndyCar, say, the 1990s and after.)

Mike F.

RM: Michael Andretti was as tough mentally as he was to beat on the track so I disagree with your assessment of him, and I think Pato O’Ward and Herta both have the chops and smarts to be in that conversation some day. Dixon has always possessed a cool demeanor regardless of the situation, while Newgarden has matured under Team Penske.

Q: Hope St. Pete confirmed for everyone you don’t need double points for the finale. Do you think IndyCar understands that?

Don Weidig

RM: I think one key person in IndyCar understands it and hates double points in the season finale, but it’s probably up to The Captain to say if it stays or goes away forever. But just as an FYI, Josef would have scored 101 points on Sunday and Dixie 70 so he still wins the championship – by one point.

Q: Josef showed us hat he can win races with his raw pace and not just through Penske strategy and quick pit stops. My wife always tells me that the reason she's not a big Josef fan is because it's hard for her to tell if his wins are mostly due to Penske resources versus his raw talent. He proved on Sunday that he's the best driver in the team’s current stable. Agree?

Jon L., Chicago

RM: There is no doubt he’s the face of Team Penske, but don’t forget he showed plenty of savvy driving for Sarah Fisher and Ed Carpenter. That’s what got him a ride with R.P., and he’s making the most of it.

Dixon got the better of him in 2020, but Newgarden's work in IndyCar is far from done. Richard Dole/Motorsport Images

Q: Scott Dixon has now won his sixth IndyCar championship and is compared with A.J. Foyt, who won seven USAC championships. There is no doubt about A.J,’s dominance for the first six, but in 1979, with CART doing its own thing except Indy, he was basically in a class of his own in USAC. Do you think his seventh title is worthy in comparison with his first six or Dixon’s sixth? Hope to see your face again on TV in 2021!

Bary B.

RM: Obviously it was a depleted field in 1979, at least for the number of quality teams that could challenge A.J., and I’m sure he would admit that was his easiest championship. But he was USAC’s biggest name, and did what he thought necessary to try and keep it going and also add to his resume. And you can’t compare the days of Langhorne, Sacramento, DuQuoin and Springfield to anything after 1971, and nobody was ever better than Super Tex in the 1960s.

Q: Under the old CART points system, Newgarden wins the 2020 title by one point. IMO IndyCar needs a simpler points system that we can follow as the race unfolds. Do you prefer the CART system over the current one? While they are at it, they can get rid of double points, too.

Nathan from Australia

RM: The current point system is fine as long as they leave double points out of the finale, and it seems pretty simple to follow so leave it alone.

Q: Marshall Pruett made a little comment at the end of his latest silly season article about a current star angling for a change in teams. My first thought was Rossi, and it seems I wasn't alone. He's my guy, and I've been so frustrated by all the times he's had the weirdest little gremlins screw him in races. RHR has suffered from these things as well, so I've thought all year that Andretti had better step it up or if I were Rossi, I'd try to get out. IMO he's the best driver in the field, and he deserves better. My prediction is he's angling for that No. 10 car and Honda might help him get there? I know he signed a three-year deal last year, but am I onto something?

Ryan, Dayton, OH

RM: I didn’t ask Marshall, but we both heard rumors that Rossi was restless and shopping around, and Ganassi’s No. 10 car would obviously be in play because it’s the best Honda available. But with NAPA and AutoNation and the team that gave him a chance, I can’t see him leaving Andretti.

Q: I am a Newman-Haas freak and Penske has always been the “evil empire.” That being said, I do believe that The Captain is pure class! Now, my prediction is that Scott McLaughlin will be fantastic! He will be their number one – sorry, Newgarden. I think Rick Mears knows this. This driver will be the next Scott Dixon, or even better! You heard it here first! Your thoughts?

Dan, Lima, Ohio

RM: I think his debut was pretty damn impressive, especially in qualifying, and all I know about him is that Steve Horne told me he was a helluva racer and would make an impact in IndyCar. And Penske ain’t running four cars because he’s ‘hoping’ this kid will be good.

Q: What’s IndyCar’s policy on restarting or towing relatively undamaged cars on-track during a yellow? Do the safety vehicles even carry starters? It was very frustrating to watch Marco plead to get back in the race when so much was on the line.

Steve, Dubuque, IA

RM: “Thank you for your question, Steve. All of the AMR Safety Team Chevrolet Silverados carry starters that enable the Safety Team to restart cars if procedurally possible. However, there is never a guarantee that a disabled car will be restarted or even returned to the paddock, as the priority is always to return the race to a green condition as quickly as possible while minimizing safety asset deployment and also to ensure our equipment remains located properly to service potential future incidents. Cars with flat tires are not restarted, as allowing them to continue around the circuit will likely cause the tire to shred, cause bodywork damage and cause further cleanup that will present a safety concern to cars still running. This was the case with the No. 98, No. 3, No. 27, and the No. 18. By contrast, the No. 7 and the No. 21 were restarted after their incidents and continued, as those cars were able to safely resume without posing a further impact to returning the race to green.” Kyle Novak, IndyCar Race Director.

Q: Where do the funds for the Leaders Circle program come from? I get the sense that some believe it comes out of the owner’s pocket and they think Penske should just open his wallet and fund more teams. It seems to me the program would be funded by IndyCar revenues. 

Rick Navratil

RM: IndyCar funds the Leaders Circle and that’s why the purse money is so pathetic, because the money had to come from somewhere. I think we’re all hoping R.P. can find more sponsorship or get NTT to ante up.

Q: How does James Hinchcliffe not get a penalty for carelessly pulling out and hitting Jack Harvey? He cost me the title of the IndyCar Fantasy League I'm in. What is race control thinking in not penalizing him? Hinch spinning out under caution and taking Jack Harvey out might be why he struggles to find a ride.

Bob Rundgren, Villa Park, IL

RM: He did get penalized -- a drive-through for avoidable contact. And it doesn’t help ease the sting of losing your fantasy league, but Hinch was more gutted for taking out Harvey than having his race go to ^%$$.

All the signs suggest that the talent that earned McLaughlin three Supercar titles and a Bathurst win will be put to good use in IndyCar. Michael Levitt/Motorsport Images

Q: A fitting finish to the season with Newgarden and Dixon each doing what they had to do. It will be interesting when the smoke settles on silly season and we see who’s in and out. In the winner’s circle interview, Josef pretty much validated Pato O’Ward. What’s the length of his contract with Arrow McLaren SP, because I see him ending up at Penske when Pagenaud exits? Your thoughts?

Jeff, Florida

RM: I imagine Herta and O’Ward are both on The Captain’s radar when Pagenaud and Power come to the end of their contracts, and I have no idea how long Pato’s contract is for.

Q: I just read the AP article with Askew. What is the problem with what he said? That he raced with a concussion and was afraid to get out of the car? None of that reflects badly on the team in my opinion. It’s too bad, but does Felix bring any money to the team? I know you said you don’t have any insight into the inner workings of Arrow McLaren SP, but it seems like more of a desire to get Felix into the team. It's unfortunate for Oliver, and you wonder if this will be it for him in Indy cars.

Jim Doyle, Hoboken, NJ

RM: I don’t think Felix brings any sponsorship and I don’t think Arrow McLaren SP needs it. Hoping somebody gives Askew another chance because he’s good.

Q: I had a thought while watching Lewis Hamilton take his 97th pole last Saturday. He has this amazing ability to pull out another tenth or two in qualifying when it is really needed. I’ve seen him do it so many times. Although the qualifying format was different, Ayrton Senna could also do it. In IndyCar, Will Power can do something similar, and going back a ways, so could Bobby Unser. It is almost like saying, “Whatever you see me do, you probably haven’t seen the best that I can do.” Does anyone else come to mind with this ability in IndyCar, CART, the IRL, USAC or AAA, even going back to the '40s or '50s?

Also, for Team Penske, since it is leaving IMSA with two cars and adding Scott McLaughlin to its IndyCar line-up, does it have excess personnel that might lead it to look for an opportunity in another series?

Don Hopings, Cathedral City, CA

RM: Mario for sure, Don Branson (on the dirt), Dario and Montoya seemed to have that ability, as did Zanardi and obviously Mears since he won six poles at Indy. I think four cars in IndyCar and three in NASCAR will keep Team Penske plenty busy.

Q: Why does IndyCar use the name of Vincent Astor on the cup it gives to the season champion? I know it has been using that trophy since 2012, but what connection does Mr. Astor have to IndyCar?

Peter, Los Angeles, CA

RM: Thanks to former CART/Texas/IndyCar publicist Mike Zizzo, we have an answer: “Astor donated the cup to the race, which was an two-mile oval on a board track at the Sheepshead Bay (NY) Race Track. Couple of ties -- Carl Fisher was part of the investor’s team that owned the track with Astor, and the race drew a great field including many who ran Indy, like De Palma and Rickenbacker.”

Q: Question about Sato. I returned to watching IndyCar about three years ago. Even before the questionable mess at Pocono, it seemed like he took a lot of drivers out of races often; same this year. On Sunday it was Andretti and Askew who both needed good days and were delivering. Listening to Ericsson's radio comments from the Harvest GP that were posted by IndyCar was telling, too. He seems to ruin the day for so many other drivers/teams, and the announcers are usually laughing about "wild man" Sato. To me, nice guy or not, it doesn't even seem like he should have a ride and that he should have at least some penalties or probation. It seems that he's not just a wild card, but reckless and selfish at all costs. What am I missing that he never seems to be corrected?

Karl H.

RM: It’s a fair question. Every time we think he’s smoothed out (like his performance at Indy), Sato will have one of those days like Sunday at St. Pete. He’s fast, races hard and is good for the series but remains a “wild card,” because that’s just his style.

Q: Scott Dixon is the Alain Prost of IndyCar; prudent, smart, fast and successful. Takuma Sato is the Pastor Maldonado of IndyCar; rash, dumb and fast enough for the occasional win, but a menace. I guess I should ask that in question form. Would you agree? Thanks for a great season of Mailbag.

Anthony Jenkins, Toronto, Canada

RM: I don’t think Maldonado rates with Sato’s accomplishments, but obviously both were and are prone to unhooking their brain at times. And Dixie and Prost seem to have that same sensibility in a race car.

Maldonado needs a couple of Baby Borgs before we can start any Sato comparisons. JEP/Motorsport Images

Q: A common theme for every race is getting your pit stops timed correctly. You don’t want to stay out to long and get caught by a yellow. Not to take anything away from Dixon, but early in the year there were three races where Newgarden was running well and Dixon had troubles. And in every one of these races an untimely yellow came out and flipped the field and results. That was a huge bonus towards Dixon’s championship. Not really fair. IndyCar could take a page from Formula 1 and use a virtual pace car – if there’s a caution everyone on track the pits remain open and on-track cars are limited to 50mph. This would eliminate getting caught out by yellows.

Mark, Niagara Falls, NY

RM: There was talk of a virtual pace car a few years ago and I can’t recall why it lost momentum, but I think most drivers would agree that untimely yellows have helped them as much as hurt them if they drive long enough. Newgarden admitted he needed some cautions to help him get to the front on Sunday, and I’d much rather see the pits remain open all the time than a virtual pace car.

Q: A long time ago, at a Star far, far away you waged a campaign to urge Champ Car to reload with the exceptional crop of 2002 Formula Atlantic drivers. Regrettably, none of them, except for RHR, made it to The Show. As you wrote not too long ago, this season the equation flipped in favor of promising new faces. However, most recently you and Marshall are reporting that a number of those new faces are losing their rides and are confronted by “need to bring money” challenges in landing new ones. How does IndyCar solve this problem?

Al Gordon

RM: Not sure there is any solution to buying or financing rides because it’s the reality of today’s racing, but I think it’s better than it’s been because Herta, O’Ward, Askew and Rosenqvist didn’t have to bring money this season. And Conor Daly was hired by Carlin as well. Palou, VeeKay and Ferrucci were funded but all three showed their chops and got some interest from the IndyCar paddock although they’ll likely have to bring money to keep their seats for 2021. [ED: VeeKay has re-signed for 2021]

Q: Do you think that if IndyCar teams were offered incentive money to field teams in all three developmental series, would that be enough to get some interest since teams could graduate drivers into IndyCar rides similar to what has been done on occasion in NASCAR and other factory series?

Matthew, Jackson, Ohio

RM: Absolutely, but where is that money going to come from? IndyCar announced that Indy Lights purses will be higher next year, and I think Roger Penske has some more ideas on how to get teams interested but hasn’t shared them yet.

Q: Could you shed some light on why the Freedom 100 is glaringly absent from the 2021 schedule? The car count for Freedom often doubled the season-long car count. Car count has been an issue for quite some time in Lights, and the absence of the big gun teams from the series continues to be a problem. What did CART do differently that motivated the top teams to have representation in Lights compared to now? Money will always be an issue, but having a feeder program where the last step has only eight cars running certainly diminishes the motivation to participate when teams at the top level often take drivers from other series like F2, F3 etc.

Troay Strong, Kansas City

RM: I can’t shed any light because I haven’t talked to R.P. in a couple of weeks, but I will ask him. As for the good old days of CART when there were 20-plus cars in Lights and Atlantics, there was simply a lot more money available back then and I’m not even sure the purses were much better. But today’s IndyCar owners only have to look at O’Ward, Herta, Veekay and Askew to see that Lights is still very much a good training ground.

Q: I was shocked to see the Freedom 100 left off of the Indy Lights schedule. Does anyone know whose decision it was and the reasoning behind it? This was its marquee event. It almost reminds me of when CART thought it could make a go of it without the Indy 500. It makes me wonder if Indy Lights will meet the same demise. I realize that's two different situations, but the Freedom 100 is what set Indy Lights apart from the other two support series -- it elevated it to a higher level. Now, to me, all of those series are the same, and I question whether we need all three.

Scott Segrin

RM: I imagine it was The Captain’s call, but as I said above, I haven’t talked to him about it yet. The rumor is that he didn’t feel Lights cars were safe at IMS speeds.

Q: I read the Green/Savoree Promotions puff piece on IndyCar.com and I had to laugh. Me and many other 2020 Portland GP ticket holders have not been notified yet about whether our tickets will be honored next year, and it’s been six weeks since the cancellation. It also seems that when customers reach out to them, they are not getting a response. My Indy 500 tickets got rolled over and my Richmond tickets were refunded without jumping through hoops. Do you think my tickets will be good for next year? Or should I plan on boycotting races promoted by GSP?

Jared, Reading, PA

RM: I sent your inquiry to Green/Savoree and their ticket department, so hopefully you’ll be finding out sooner than later.

The Freedom 100 will be missed, but Oliver Askew's 0.006s win over Andretti teammate Ryan Norman in 2019 was an extraordinary way for the race to sign off. Image by Road to Indy

Q: What is the story behind COTA not being included in next year’s IndyCar schedule?

Rich

RM: COTA went with NASCAR to try and make some money.

Q: I know this year's circumstances has caused IndyCar to extend its season into late October to get every desired race in. What are the chances of IndyCar racing in October being a permanent thing? I'm sure it would require at least two more races to work, but is that a possibility being considered by RP and IndyCar?

James, Kansas City

RM: Nobody is looking that far ahead because it’s fruitless as long as COVID is alive and kicking, and like it did this year, I’m sure IndyCar will do everything necessary to get in 14-17 races in 2021.

Q: I'm a road course kind of guy who caught this racing bug in the mid to late '60s as a kid, but I religiously went to the Iowa Speedway since it was less than an hour from my home in West Des Moines. Had great access to the drivers and saw many great shows. After buying a second home in Scottsdale I tried to make the races at PIR when here. Of course, now that we've moved full-time to AZ the IndyCars don't go to PIR any more! I went with a couple friends the other night to a charity deal at PIR where we got five laps (of course not very fast but still fun) of the oval. I hadn't been back since the remodel, but wow -- I didn't recognize the place! Very well done, and very nice. We need to get the Indy cars back down here! Any chance in hell of that happening?

Stu Lehr

RM: Very unlikely. The previous PIR boss tried to make it work for IndyCar, but sadly it’s lost its luster, identity and anything approaching a fan base. IndyCar needs to go to tracks that can draw decent crowds and have a shot at making a little money, but Phoenix isn’t one of them.

Q: I liked your article on ‘The Greatest’. You wisely didn't pick one and thus avoided a firestorm. I, not being in your position, have no such qualms! I've been a fan of all types of racing for 60+ years. Four years ago I decided to analyze this question for open-wheel, and as Shelby used to say, ‘sportcar’ drivers in America and Europe. I looked at drivers who had won championships in both of these disciplines to determine an equivalency. I then applied three resulting formulas. I looked at only ‘major’ racing series and reviewed over 1,000 races dating back to 1902. I purposely didn't review NASCAR because it is too specialized and Tony Stewart is the only driver to win a championship in stock cars and open-wheel. My overall results indicated this: No. 1 Michael Schumacher, No. 2 A.J. Foyt, No. 3 Lewis Hamilton. The best ever ‘sportcar’ driver in Europe was Olivier Gendebien and in America it was Peter Gregg. Of course everyone has their own opinion, but that's how I saw it. Who is your Top 3?

Bill

RM: That column wasn’t about the greatest drivers, it was about the greatest seasons and it’s impossible to compare Fangio, Clark, Stewart, Schmacher and Hamilton, just like it is to compare Louis Meyer to Vuky or A.J. or Mears or Dixie. But I’m big on versatility, so I stand with A.J., Mario, Parnelli and Daniel Sexton Gurney. I made a sweatshirt with them on it and called it Mount Rushmore.

Q: During my business career I listened to plenty of overeducated MBAs preach their beliefs of various topics. One of these was Popular Leisure Habits of Americans. No. 1. Always reported was gardening (I feel that included plenty of lawn mowing.) No. 2. Almost always camping! Think about camping for a moment. Road courses are loaded with families camping at the track for a weekend. Dad is probably an IndyCar fan, mom can take it or leave, but kids may become new fans! Promoting ovals with not work at all ovals, but sure Pocono, Kentucky and hold on, even Milwaukee could work. Charge for camping and include free tickets or free camping with two or four ticket purchase. Some combo of the above suggestion could work. It seems much better than repeating past failures of drawing a crowd to ovals. Maybe Gateway folks could run with the idea to get one more oval race somewhere. Should I pitch this to Penske?

Dave Harder, Westfield

RM: In its heyday, the Pocono 500 had massive infield crowds but that all went away, and I don’t think Kentucky and Milwaukee have nearly enough space to make that a hook for a promoter. Iowa always seemed packed with camping overlooking the backstretch, but that’s not enough people to make it work. You’re right that camping crowds can generate some new fans and road courses offer three-day tickets, golf carts and room to roam so that’s why they’ve made a nice comeback in the past decade.

Q: Been reading your stuff since the '90s, and always enjoyed it. Whenever I read about the Indy greats I am always amazed that Al Unser isn’t close to a unanimous pick. At Indy his results clearly exceed anyone’s. Hell, if Menard hadn’t run out of tires he might’ve won in '92 with a Buick. Heard he had fastest car on track until the last stop; feel free to correct. Sure, he did not seek attention and wasn’t a great interview, but what about the results? Then, factor in the years he drove totally uncompetitive cars to some solid finishes for VPJ, Hillen, leading until clutch problems with the Bernstein underperformers. I’m guessing Al’s not the type that would even care about his legacy, but I have never understood the lack of appreciation for his record at Indy. Am I right? Is he underappreciated?

Mark Harpenau

RM: He might be among the general public just because he never tooted his own horn and shied away from media and public speaking, but the racing fraternity certainly doesn’t underestimate his accomplishments. He was as good as anyone at Indy, a master on the mile dirt tracks and a damn good road racer to boot. Big Al was one of the smartest to ever strap on a race car.

When it comes to Big Al, understated definitely doesn't mean underappreciated. Motorsport Images

Q: In last week’s Mailbag you answered a question about whether IndyCar could race on the oval at Lucas Oil Raceway. Part of your answer was "No SAFER barrier." You have mentioned in the past when asked "why doesn't IndyCar race 'here' or 'there'" that the lack of a SAFER barrier was at least part of the reason.

Do you know if anyone at IndyCar has ever looked into creating a portable SAFER barrier that could be installed where needed at tracks and then removed and installed as needed elsewhere? I understand that the SAFER barrier is expensive. However, by using it at potentially several tracks a year that IndyCar otherwise might not be able to race at, seems to be worth at least considering this possibility.

JRT

RM: Glad you asked. I was wrong. IRP (sorry, Lucas Oil Raceway) does have a SAFER barrier (NASCAR installed them when it ran Xfinity and trucks) but there is still not enough room for IndyCars. As for your portable SAFER barrier, not sure it would meet the FIA’s standards and could be properly anchored.

Q: What is your insight into why Ford seems to be terminally allergic to participation in today’s IndyCar? Did the end of CART/Champ Car leave a financially bad taste in Ford’s corporate mouth, or was it something more personal? As much as I’d like to see a third engine manufacturer, I can’t see how three manufacturers supplying a series with at most 24 full-time cars could make financial sense for any of the manufacturers.

Mike Matisko, Newburgh, IN

RM: Back in 2014, Edsel Ford II said there was “no value” in Ford getting into IndyCar racing so I guess you answered your second question as well.

Q: If anyone would wonder why attendance at a road course would be better than at an oval, perhaps my experience could help explain the difference. I'm in Minneapolis, which sets me up perfectly for the Road America/Iowa Speedway doubleheader, seeing the stars of IndyCar race on the longest road course immediately followed by the shortest oval on back-to-back weekends! Awesome, right? Well, a full weekend Road America advance ticket is about $120 and gives me free run of the place. Admission, parking and paddock all included. Plus, kids, up to age 16 (!) get in free. The schedule has the three-tier Road to Indy support program (two races each) and the main event on Sunday. Total weekend cost for the pair of us $120 for at least seven races.

Iowa Speedway on the other hand, kids only got in free until age 9, which required us to buy two tickets for Friday (just getting the cheapest for $15) and a Garage Pass/Fan Walk ticket was an additional $40 each – per person, per day! Ouch! And with so little track activity scheduled, especially the second time I went in 2019 when it did not have Indy Lights (2018 did, with just seven cars), you need to go to the garage area just to occupy your time. Good seats up high on race day were $65 each. You could say "skip the garage passes on race day" but again, there were literally hours with no competitive track action, so you really do want something interesting to do.

Add that all up and you are up to $320 for a Friday night ARCA race, (which an IndyCar fan may or may not care about), a Friday night concert you may not care about and an IndyCar race, which may be delayed by nearly five hours by a storm (2019). That's just two races with comparable access, and it cost us $200 more. I don't know how a comparison between Mid-Ohio or a street race vs. Texas or Gateway would come out, but based on my experience, a road course is an infinitely better value when you consider the number of races plus the access you get for your dollar compared to the a la carte pricing of a weather-dependent oval event with just two races, one of which was stock cars.

Jeff Barak

RM: Thanks for your report and support, Jeff. As we’ve seen, Gateway is the only oval that’s truly figured out you had best give the paying customer a lot more than just an IndyCar race and it’s two days of non-stop action. And your price comparison rings true with all the mail I receive from people applauding Road America for giving them such a great weekend for an affordable cost. The days of people going to an oval and sitting around for hours before the start of an IndyCar race are over -- except for the Indianapolis 500.