Robin Miller's Mailbag for January 27, 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: Coming soon, the end of NBC Sports channel and civilization as we know it… or not. I noticed that everyone is all doom and gloom about the end of the NBC Sports Network. And while I admit I will miss it, I don't think this is the ‘nuked from orbit instant death’ for IndyCar and IMSA that some people are saying. And while the channel is dying, NBC Sports will continue across NBC Universal's other channels. NBC has stated that the USA Network will be taking over some NBCSN's load. Given that USA's average viewership numbers are roughly double NBCSN's, this could actually turn out to be a good thing if NBC continues to promote IndyCar and IMSA.

Furthermore, since USA is on basic cable, the average channel surfer is more likely to see a race while flipping through the channels. And finally, The Captain isn't going to let the millions upon millions of dollars he has invested fade away into the ether. I am quite certain the Penske organization has already come with contingencies on top of contingencies for this. So to quote the meme that originated in WW2 Great Britain, "Keep calm and carry on." Because no one knows what the future will bring.

Haskell Barnett

RM: You sent this before my column was published on Monday but I think your assessment is spot-on. Racing fans love to bitch without ever considering the realities of the situation, and this shift to Peacock and USA is merely NBC trying to get the most out of its properties while keeping up with the ever-changing arena of how we watch sports. And it figures to be cheaper than NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold. Thanks for making sense.

Q: I love your insights and opinions so I have to ask: is IndyCar dying a slow death with a possible move to Peacock in 2022? RP can't be pleased, and it seems clear that the series would have fewer eyes on it. It’s not that I can't afford to pay for the service, but I won't pay to watch sports – any sports – beyond my cable package. Just to be clear IndyCar is my favorite sport, bar none, but for the sport to move a portion of its season to Peacock, I guess I'll wait to see if the series moves once the NBC contract ends. Could I be looking at this wrong?

Mark M, Floyds Knobs, IN

RM: Like I wrote on Monday, the fact NBC is giving IndyCar nine races on network this year is incredible considering how poor the ratings are, so going from NBCSN to USA/Peacock is hardly reason to panic. We just need to hope that NBC wants to keep IndyCar beyond 2021.

Q: Thoughts on where IndyCar will go for its television after this season? Total confidence in Roger Penske and the IndyCar management to make a decent deal, but curious what you think the options are?

Jeff C., Des Moines, Iowa

RM: I don’t think there are any options except staying with NBC, and I would assume The Captain will work something out because he knows how flexible and supportive NBC has been the past two years. It’s not like there’s going to be a bidding war among FOX, ABC and CBS. ABC/ESPN always treated IndyCar like a stepchild compared to NBC.

In Burma, people view the white peacock as the bearer of eternal happiness. Whether the multicolored streamed version can do the same for IndyCar fans remains to be seen. Kinrade/Motorsport Images

Q: Just saw the article confirming the end of NBCSN. I know this year is unaffected by this development, but I am concerned about future IndyCar broadcasts not being available on TV and cable. If IndyCar stays with NBC on the next contract and a bunch of races are shown on Peacock, look out. Ratings are going to plummet. I know IndyCar wants to grow young viewership, but a significant amount of IndyCar's most loyal fans are middle-aged or older, and they are much less likely to stream a network like Peacock. Hope RP and his staff take this into consideration when negotiating the next contract. NBC has done a nice job the last few years, but airing races on a streaming service is going to hurt IndyCar. Fox, CBS, and ESPN have multiple channels. Better to move to another network than lose a major part of your fan base.

Miles, California

RM: Ratings are going to plummet? Did you see the 2020 ratings? The lowest Indy 500 of all time, less than a million average on network and less than a half million on NBCSN. Why would you think FOX, ESPN or CBS would have any interest in IndyCar with those numbers? Whether we like it or want it, streaming in the future and nobody is saying the races wouldn’t still be on NBC or USA if the contract is renewed for 2022, but Peacock will replace NBC Sports Gold for practice and qualifying and my understanding is that it’s only $5 a month. Considering all the money that NBC has spent the past three years trying to grow IndyCar, you’d better hope they stick around because nobody else is going to embrace a niche series like NBC has.

Q: I've been an IndyCar fan since I was in high school marching band and marched and played around the 500 track in 1973. I never miss a race on TV, have been to the race on several occasions, and time trials more times that I can count. But with the coming demise of NBCSN, I have a feeling that I won't be seeing much IndyCar racing on TV and I can't see myself paying for another service, as I already pay way too much for cable as it is. Please tell us that NBC or USA will be broadcasting all the races in 2022.

Barry, New Haven, IN

RM: We don’t even know if NBC is going to keep IndyCar beyond 2021, but I just don’t understand all this hand-wringing about the expense. I believe USA is part of most basic cable plans and Peacock will be $5 a month, so what’s the difference between paying extra for NBCSN and NBC Gold and what’s around the bend? I think the hope would be that NBC and USA show all the races if a deal can be struck, but it’s not like it’s a big price increase.

Q: I was originally bummed when I heard about NBCSN being discontinued at the end of 2021, but just found out from IndyCar that the content from NBC Gold is shifting to Peacock. This ends up a better value, as Peacock is only $4.99 per month and you get much more content than just IndyCar. As long as the coverage on USA is as good as it has been on NBCSN, it shouldn't be much of change other than a new channel. I hope IndyCar (and the NHL) don't go back to ABC or ESPN, the coverage there was terrible.

Bob Rundgren, Villa Park, IL

RM: Thank you, Bob, for restoring my faith in race fans that have common sense and read the fine print.

Q: I’m thinking I’m buying streaming service Peacock this year instead of NBC Sports Gold for IndyCar! I’ve seen no marketing from the Gold folks about IndyCar 2021, and from what I read in the Indianapolis Star, Peacock looks like what’s really going to happen. I’m really looking forward to this season. It will be great fun to watch Jimmie Johnson and I plan to attend Nashville, but only with an inoculation in my arm.

Jim Fling, Trenton (Speedway), NJ

RM: Obviously you wrote this before Monday’s news that Peacock is replacing NBC Sports Gold, so for $5 a month you will be able to see all of practice and qualifying, plus a whole bunch of other programming and sports.

Q: Apparently not even Roger Penske – unless he decides to get into the TV business, that is – can save IndyCar racing now. I'm referring, of course, to the news that NBCSN is shutting down at the end of 2021. When this announcement came out, a bunch of folks on social media started screaming, "I can't get NBC." And I thought, "Say what? You can't get a national TV network? You can rant on social media, but can't get a national TV network? Explain that. And then I realize that this is IndyCar's problem. No wonder racing is losing fans, they're too stupid to know how to use the channel changer. How can racing expect those fans to use Peacock or the USA Network if they can't "get" NBC? I'm glad I got to see IndyCar racing (and other racing) in the heydays of the '60s and '70s (though I wish I'd grown up in the late '40s and '50s to go to those races) because I fear Indy car racing is in its death knell. (Kinda like disco but much worse)...Thoughts?

Just Jake

PS: Even though he was before your time, why do you think Rodger Ward gets short shrift when it comes to mentioning the "great" Indy car drivers?

RM: You made me laugh very loud because it’s true, IndyCar fans are so quick to bitch and moan they don’t stop and look at the big picture or the facts. Nine races on NBC this year is amazing, and maybe the rest being on USA or Peacock, is still a helluva good deal. And cheaper than the current setup.

Q: I've just read that Simona de Silvestro will be returning to Indy in 2021 driving for an all-women outfit. The latter will be interesting and is well overdue. What is your assessment of de Silvestro? I think she is the best female racer out there, then and now. Much superior to the over-hyped Danica Patrick, who always did little in top rides. Simona drove lesser equipment, and without the media dazzle or fuss, always showed well. A good, solid racer – not just a good 'female racer’. I hope she does well.

Anthony Jenkins, Mono Mills, Canada

RM: She’s easily the best female road racer, and I only wish she could drive one of RP’s cars on the road course as well. Simona was just becoming a fan favorite when she had to change careers, and I think we’re all happy she’s returning with a fighting chance.

It will have been a long time between Brickyard visits for De Silvestro. Williams/Motorsport Images

Q: I'd like to add to the deluge of NBCSN-related emails you're getting. I'm a bit concerned that unless $500+/hr attorneys can, if they even want to, get IndyCar out of the deal with NBC; that most races will be pushed to Peacock like they did with the "good" English Premiere League matches. I'm not sure how many more premium streaming services I can handle at my old age.

Shawn in Maryland

RM: Why would you assume most IndyCar races would all be on Peacock? NBC and USA are likely the landing spots if IndyCar and NBC can renew their deal for 2022 and beyond. And Peacock is $5 a month.

Q: Does Hinch have a ride with Andretti for 2021? If yes, when can we expect this to be confirmed? If not have you heard if he has a ride somewhere else?

Peter Duckworth, Fishers

RM: He’s all set.

Q: As of this writing, we still have not heard about The Mayor, Carlin's seats, or Coyne’s seats. I have heard/read rumors of Grosjean being in at Coyne and possibly Kimball. Is Max racing the road courses with Daly filling in the ovals like last year? And how the heck is Hinch not signed yet? Felt that was an all-but-done deal, yet we still have nothing. Any other rumors out there for a third Rahal entry? And will Andretti run the No. 98 with anyone else to compete for the Leaders Circle prize?

Eric, Hayward, CA

RM: The Mayor will be at Andretti. Grosjean should be confirmed at Coyne any day, and I think Charlie may end up running Indy for A.J. and Larry Foyt. Expect Conor to run Texas and Gateway for Carlin, but not sure about Rahal’s third car plans other than I think Robbie Buhl remains interested. Bryan Herta wants to run the No. 98 but I imagine it depends on how many races Marco wants to do.

Q: I wanted to compliment you on your article about Marco Andretti. It was insightful, honest, and also very kind. You painted a picture of a real person, with feelings and issues like all of us. I have never met Marco, but saw him up close a few times at Long Beach, and he struck me as very aloof, and not really interested in the fans. But you set me straight. I am also introverted, and have been mistaken as aloof and stuck up because of my quietness. It was heartwarming to hear that he is a real person, full of self-doubt and anxieties about his career. And to hear about his fundraising for charities filled out the picture of him being thoughtful and having a big heart. Thanks for your insights. It will be fun to watch him with his cousin in sports cars. My money is on him doing great things.

Sean Raymond

RM: Thanks, but I don’t know that he’s full of self-doubt. It’s just hard to explain how he can fade to fast at Indy (2019 and 2020) after showing such pace.

Q: Thought that was a great column on Marco. I don't know how you do it, but very thoughtful stuff. So what if he had won Indy? I thought he had, when Penske had that screw-up in the pits. I looked up at Mears, and he looked disgusted, hanging over the rail of the spotter's stand, like he was going to puke. Last restart, when they came out of the short chute, I said, "It's over, Marco Andretti wins the Indy 500." When they came through Three, I said, "He (Hornish) doesn't have time." Four, I said, "Maybe, but I don't think so." But did anyone ever ask Marco if he wanted to be a race car driver?

Clyde Holler

RM: I don’t know what would have happened, but I would like to think he’d have a lot more than two victories in 15 years if he’d won Indy at age 19. I have no idea if anyone ever asked him that, but someone once said that if Mario had been a plumber, so would have Michael and Jeff. I imagine it was expected because he showed such early promise.

Q: The city of Toronto will announce within a month of what outdoor events will take place this summer. I will be shocked if the race takes the green flag in mid-July. Will Hinch be in the fourth AA seat full-time?

Ron, Toronto

RM: Yes he will, and obviously that could help bolster the Toronto crowd, whenever the race is held.

Q: The month of May and the Indy 500 will soon be upon us shortly. With the current virus restrictions and the recent availability of vaccines, it would appear that circumstances in four months will not be improved to the extent that will allow spectator access once again this year to the May 500. Any indication that we will have another August Indy 500?

Bruce, Sheffield, MA

RM: Way too early to make any decisions, but I think there will be fans and the race will be in May, and I think IMS has a plan in place to make it happen.

Marco finished top three at Indy four times, but that near-miss on his debut on 2006 remains his best result at the Speedway – so far. Michael Levitt/Motorsport Images

Q: Since IndyCar is down to three ovals, do you think there’s a company out there willing to sponsor a Triple Crown Award – say, for the winner of Texas 1, Gateway 1, and Indy? With the added car count for 2021, maybe this could be an additional award to drive interest in the series.

Brad from Powder Springs

RM: There could be, but it might be easier to see Indy, Long Beach and Road America – all three of IndyCar’s disciplines.

Q: Love reading the Mailbag and your reviews of days gone by. I am old enough to have sat in the bleachers when A.J. put his dirt car on the pole at the Milwaukee Mile. Is there any possibility of IndyCar, and the 500, becoming less of a spec racer circuit?

Pete Peterson, Arvada, CO

RM: Not as long as there are 22-24 cars at every race, it stays ultra-competitive and Dallara remains the only car manufacturer interested and equipped to produce cars.

Q: This motorsports fan of 50-plus years thanks you for your exceptional column. Your perspectives are fabulous. Perhaps this is a bit off-topic from the nature of typical questions, but I’ll ask anyway: How has the development of modern race car telemetry changed the driver-to-team discussions when setting a car up? Way back in the day all the feedback was driver’s perspective, lap times and tire temps. Modern times, immense vehicle dynamics data. Has the role of the driver been significantly reduced or modified with the advent of the telemetry?

John S. Burke

RM: Oh my god yes. When I started hanging around Herk in the late '60s there was a crew chief and a tire engineer spread among several teams. Jim would run, come in and tell Pete that the Mallard was either loose or pushing, and they would make the necessary adjustments after checking tire temps. But it was Herk’s seat-of-the-pants feel, no engineer, no computer and nobody else besides his brother in the conversation. Foyt, Andretti or Bobby Unser could make a difference because they were so chassis-savvy, while Rube and Gordy were more "feel" drivers that simply ran as hard as possible most of the time without a lot of concerns about chassis or tires. And today a driver still gives feedback, but it’s always checked/questioned/adjusted by the computer and engineers, and probably not nearly as important as it used to be.

Q: Last week a question was asked about the last one-off Indy winners and you mentioned Clark, Hill, Montoya, Castroneves, and the late Dan Wheldon. Obviously, Montoya and Helio were CART/IRL crossovers. What about Al Sr.’s upset in 1987? I don’t remember if that was his only race of the year, but I remember he went to Indy without a ride. Any good stories about that upset of a race?

Bill Mapel, Austin, Texas

RM: Big Al also ran Pocono, Michigan (he finished second), Nazareth and Laguna Seca. The car Unser was a show car sitting in a hotel lobby the week before it got pressed into service.

Q: Man, I wish I knew your stories. I’ll bet you have a bunch. You really need to write a book. I’ve been a big fan of IndyCar and especially the 500 since I was a kid around 1958 or so. My biggest complaint about the several iterations of the sport is that the media sterilizes the drivers. No scandals, fights, rumors, etc. We know it’s there but they keep it under wraps pretty well, and I think it hurts the series. If we knew the other 95% of their personality it would help us get more vested and therefore more supportive of IndyCar. Just my two cents. Thoughts?

Jim Fischer, Mentor, Ohio

RM: There are no better personalities than T.K. and Hinch, and Newgarden is pretty entertaining as well, but characters like Sachs, Hurtubise, Uncle Bobby, Jerry Grant and Curtis Turner aren’t possible anymore. Too much politics and fear of offending someone. And we can’t force rivalries. We prayed Andretti and Rahal would be a good one, but it never developed.

Q: I hear about the Leaders Circle in your mailbag. Would you please explain it and why it is so important to the IndyCar teams?

Joe Turner

RM: The Leaders Circle is IndyCar’s financial enticement to run the full series. If you sign up/qualify, compete in every race and finish in the top 22 in points, you get $1 million (or somewhere in that neighborhood) spread out over a few payments. It’s not much, but in this day and age it’s pretty valuable. And it’s also why IndyCar’s purses are so pathetic, because the money had to come from somewhere.

Q: Sometime in the mid or late '50s we got our first small black and white TV. One of our favorite shows was on Sunday evening and called “What’s My Line.” Hosted by John Daly with panelist Bennet Cerf, Dorothy Kilgallen, Arlene Francis and perhaps Fred Allen? Each week they would have a "Mystery Guest" whom the blindfolded panelists would try to identify by asking questions. One year the Mystery Guest was the winner of the Indy 500! They had apparently flown him to NYC right after the race. I was awestruck! Other than a blurry B/W photo in the newspaper, this was my first time seeing an actual live race car driver! He could actually move and talk!

The other thing that impressed me was that he looked like a raccoon, due to his white eyes surrounded by black grit from the track outside the area of his goggles. Don’t know if he didn’t wash his face after the race or if they recreated the effect from makeup. I can’t recall who the driver was. Who was the driver? What year was it?

Craig Smith, Boulder, CO

RM: That would have been Anthony Joseph Foyt and Ray Harroun in 1961 on the show “I’ve Got A Secret.” Go to YouTube and watch it. (ED: I couldn't find a clip of an Indy winner on What's My Line, but here's Stirling Moss's appearance on the show shortly after winning the 1958 Sebring 12 Hour.)

Q: Due to this autonomous race idea, we get no Freedom 100. It just baffles my mind. Can’t we bring them to MIS for a ‘high-speed’ Freedom 400 or 250 or something? Man, that’d be guaranteed classic in the making! Hey IndyCar, take this driverless race to a parking lot down the road.

Jimmy H., Kalamazoo, MI

RM: It baffled the owners because the race is always fantastic and it also gave the sponsors their best exposure, but I don’t think MIS is on anyone’s shortlist.

Ironically, this year's autonomous car race at the Speedway offers very respectable prize money.

Q: What is the hottest race that you have raced in your racing career?

Chris Fiegler, Latham, NY

RM: Probably Little Springfield when it was 95 degrees with 90 percent humidity.

Q: Congrats to Rob Dyson for his selection as Chairman of the IMS Museum. Now, can you please give us a short primer on the relationships involved? Since the sale, I’ve never been clear on the Museum. Who owns the Museum and collection? Is the real estate and facility ownership different than the collection? It was reported that the Hulman-George family retained some ownership rights. Was the selection of Dyson made by an independent board, the family or Penske? Your explanation and insights are appreciated. It’s a great facility and I’m hopeful to see it prosper long into the future.

Gerald Oliver, Midlothian, Texas

RM: Roger owns the building, but not the cars (except his) and I imagine he hired Rob because of Dyson’s longtime involvement and passion. The family has nothing to do with anything at IMS right now to my knowledge.

Q: I recently heard Jenson Button say he had been talking about driving road and street races for Arrow McLaren SP in IndyCar 2021, but it fell through because he couldn’t get enough preseason testing. One has to wonder whether this reached Roger Penske’s ears? Button is well-liked by Honda and has a good following in Japan and the UK, resides full-time in the U.S. and now a Honda team has a spare car at Andretti. The guy is very charismatic and good with the media – a sponsor’s dream. Surely there is a way to make this happen, even if only for a part of this year’s season as a precursor to all the road and street races in 2022. It pushes all the right “Buttons.” IMHO!

Ian Jardine