Robin Miller’s Mailbag for June 2, 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: Although I wasn’t a fan of Helio back in his Penske days, I actually found myself cheering for him on Sunday because I really thought he deserved a fourth win. Since it slipped through his hands on two previous occasions (2014 and 2017), I felt like the third attempt had to be the right one. I’m really glad he eventually made it, and for the Meyer Shank team as well. Man, the fact that Michael Shank, one of the newest guys in the business, created his IndyCar team four years ago, switched just last year from a part-time to a full-time program and is now able to beat the big guys with probably 10 times less money is a fantastic story!

What happened on Sunday not only showed me that everyone has a chance in IndyCar, but also that Helio still has the chops to compete in the series. Hell, if Emmo and Mario raced there until their 50s, then Helio most definitely still has a few years ahead of him, doesn’t he? Do you think there’s a chance we can see both pairing up again next year (hopefully for a full-time program)?

On a sourer note, one thing really annoyed me during the last few laps: drivers going from right to left across the track to break the trailing car’s draft. I get it: as the leading driver, you’re about to win the most important race of the year, you want to defend your position and not give the guy behind you an opportunity to pass. But as a spectator, you want to see non-stop passing, exciting wheel-to-wheel battles, and ideally a photo-finish ending. Because this is “the greatest spectacle in racing” right?

Besides, dealing with the draft has always been part oval racing. So, from my standpoint, seeing drivers using the “slippery snake technique” not only feels frustrating to watch (even though Helio figured out a way to pass Palou on Lap 199 after he did use it), but it looks un-sportsman-like. I’d even say that it’s a form of blocking. Also, if you’re in the chasing car, and the car in front of you keeps moving from left to right, isn’t there a risk for you to lose your front downforce and crash?

Xavier from France

RM: Pretty much what I wrote after the race -- what better advert than a small team beating the big boys at Indianapolis? Shank says he wants to run two cars full-time and I would imagine Helio will get the call. As for snaking down the straightaways, the leader is entitled to one move and all that did last Sunday was make for dozens of outside passes going into Turn 1. I didn’t see the leaders zig-zagging to keep cars behind them like F1. There were more passes for the lead yesterday than in the last 10 years of F1, so not sure what your complaint is. If you didn’t like Indy 2021, then I’m not sure what to tell you.

Q: History will show 2021 is the year of the "Elders Club." Brady wins the Super Bowl, "Lefty" becomes the first pro golfer to win a Major at 50, and now, the smiling, aging but agile dancing star quick-steps his way into the Indy 500 history books in a most thrilling manner! How many four-time 500 winners scaled the fence to celebrate with the fans, then – thinking he was T.K. in a triathalon – jogged up and down the front stretch? How many times has a mostly pink and black car won the 500? How many times has a one-off driver/team scored the big victory?

Tony Mezzacca, Madison, NJ

RM: The last one-off was Dan Wheldon in 2011, and most winners from the old days were too tired to drink milk, let alone run up and down the straightaway.

Didn't realize it had been that long since Dan Wheldon scored one for the part-timers at Indy. Phillip Abbott/Motorsport Images

Q: I know some people are gonna bitch anyway, but that was hands-down the best 500 ever! Regardless how folks feel about 2002, it's awesome to have another four-time winner. Of the four guys in that club, this is the longest streak between the first and fourth wins. And it’s a feat we'll likely never see again. Guys just don't race as long anymore. And how cool to see Mike Shank taking that victory lap chugging a can of Busch Light? Congrats to Helio, and thanks to Roger Penske not only for making Helio’s fourth possible, but for everything he's done for the sport in the last 18 months!

Ethan Donahue

RM: Bitch about that race? Well not even the experts who comment on RACER.com can find much wrong with last Sunday.

Q: Who is the half-wit that said oval races are boring?

Donald McElvain, Polson, MT

RM: I don’t know, you tell me. There have been plenty of boring oval races in the past but Indy hasn’t been one of them for a decade.

Q: Were Shank’s cars prepared by Andretti? I know they have partnership, not sure to what degree they’re connected?

Mike, Cincinnati

RM: Meyer Shank has a technical alliance with Andretti but they prepare their own cars in Columbus, Ohio

Q: Helio has to drive in the rest of the races! How would that work? Rossi has to be totally disgusted with AA. I bet he leaves.

Dan, Lima, OH

RM: Take some of the Indy winnings and field a second car. I understand Rossi is at the end of his rope but where does he go? Not Ganassi. Penske? Possibly, but not sure R.P. wants to keep running four cars.

Q: What are the rules regarding an emergency pit stop?

Rick in Lisle, IL

RM: “Any car with the nose of the car not past the pit commitment line before the yellow condition should remain on the racing surface. If that car enters pit lane, it may drive through and rejoin on the track according to the car’s blend line order. If the car enters its pit box, damage may be repaired, If a tire is damaged, all tires may be changed. If low on fuel, the fuel probe may be plugged in for a maximum of two seconds. The car will restart from the rear of the restarting line-up. IndyCar may further penalize any competitor who performs any additional work on a car. Thank you.” Kyle Novak, Race Director.

Q: At least four drivers came onto pit lane and crossed the 60mph line and immediately lost control: Will Power, Simona De Silvestro and Stefan Wilson. The Wilson spin in pit road cost two favorite contenders, Dixon and Rossi, the race. All of the drivers that lost control at pit-in said that when they braked to slow down to 60mph their "foot went all the way to the floor." Is there a trend with problems with the brakes that targeted a few unfortunate drivers?

Bob Gray, Canoga Park, CA

RM: Marshall will have a column on RACER.com this week that will explain that better than I can.

Q: So what is the deal with brakes coming into pits? I race enough to know about pads getting knocked back on road courses especially on rumble strips. Never seen on oval with so many teams. An issue with a specific supplier?

Scott Dennewitz Heyworth, IL

RM: See above.

Q: How come the media doesn't explain that Ed Carpenter is Tony Hulman George's stepson? Do you think Tony George invested any monies in Ed Carpenter Racing? What did you think of this year’s start of the Indy 500? It was the complete opposite of years past, with no semblance of a three-wide starting grid.  I can't believe they made it through the first turn without a crash.

Tom B

RM: It’s mentioned but it’s really old news and most IndyCar fans know the dynamics. Yes, TG invests in ERC, and they had a great May. The start was insane, but great job to the drivers for making it through safely.

Q: Let me join the chorus of those singing the praises of what a great 500 it was this year. Seeing the old guard versus the young lions at the Speedway was better than pretty damn good, it as the best race in a very long time. I'd mark it better than Pagenaud vs. Rossi, or Sato's win last year.

Helio's win is a one for the ages, but given that it took him 11 years (and seven years to get number three) to get win number four, does it mean we can expect Castroneves to get win number five in 15 years (age 61)?

As great as Helio's win was, the guy I'm happiest for is Conor Daly, who not only led his first laps at the Speedway, but lead the most laps in the 500. This is demonstrates [to me] that beyond a shadow of a doubt Conor deserves a steady ride with one team, and that he can get it done given a half a chance in reliable equipment.

Just Jake

RM: Like I wrote, it was good, intense racing from start to finish, and not one driver error on the track, just a couple pit spins). I’m not sure if there’s ever been a better one. I’ve been beating Daly’s drum for a long time and thankfully Ed Carpenter has given him a competitive chance.

Q: Great race. What were the odds on Helio winning number four? And how much did you not win?

Rick Smith, San Diego, CA

RM: He was 25-1 most places I saw, and I bet Rahal (12-1) and Rossi (10-1) but Graham was looking good before his tire fell off.

About 20 seconds after this shot was taken, Robin's bookmaker put down a deposit on a new boat. Barry Cantrell/Motorsport Images

Q: I was very fortunate to witness history at the Brickyard when Helio Castroneves won the Indy 500 for the fourth time. In fact, I have witnessed each of the four-time winners' fourth victories: Foyt, 1977, Unser Sr., 1987, Mears, 1991 and now Castroneves. Foyt's win was when I was 17 years old and attending the 500 for the first time and yesterday, my 30th 500, I attended at the age of 61. How exclusive of a club does this put me in, having seen, in person the four wins? Is it a relatively small group of Indy fans, or a really big one? If it's the latter, maybe I should have some T-shirts printed up, celebrating this fan club and sell them next year at Indy. (Just kidding)

Greg, Elk Grove Village, IL

RM: Good Lord, how would I know? At least 100,000 claim they were sitting in front of the Sachs/McDonald crash in 1964, so your guess is as good as mine.

Q: I was kind of ticked off when Castroneves made the comment regarding his disputed win in 2002 in one of his post-race interviews. I think that was disrespectful to Paul Tracy. I believe that if the technology we have today regarding video replays, GPS, timing loops, and in car cameras was available in 2002, there is no way Castroneves would have been declared the winner of that race. That would never happen today. TGBB screwed PT out of a sure win.

Gary, Anza, CA

RM: I didn’t hear what he said but that would be very disappointing, because P.T. has taken the high road about 2002 for a long time and been very complimentary of Helio.

Q: Hurray for Helio. His vibrance is absolutely unmatched. In looking back, don't understand why Helio carries the anchor for the 2002 kangaroo court? Lots of strife and controversy between CART and IRL. But the burden seems clearly misplaced. Your thoughts? And this won't be his last…

Jim Harrell

RM: I think the IRL took the most pounding, but I know what I saw in the ESPN truck after the race, and I know that when P.T. came down the straightaway first under the caution that Tony George was pounding a program in his hand, and I know Sam Hornish Jr. radioed to his crew that “Tracy just won the Indy 500,” so let’s don’t act like everyone had it in for Castroneves. It’s pretty much been forgotten, so he should be thankful for that, and even A.J. said some nice things about him after the race. But it was a very popular victory and good for IndyCar.

Q: My question is regarding Graham Rahal's pit stop which resulted in his tire coming off and him crashing out of the race. I assume that the left-rear tire changer knew that the tire was not secure. If my assumption is correct, why didn't anyone get on the radio and tell Graham to stop? Did the tire changer not say anything? Was this a communication breakdown? Either way his day is ruined, but it was extremely lucky that nobody hit him when he slid up the track and that his tire didn't hurt anybody.

Brendan from Mequon, WI

RM: Don’t know, but usually the driver leaves when he’s signaled to and sometimes things happen.

Q: From my vantage point at Indy, on the outside near start/finish, it was at least 80% full from Turn 4, down the front stretch, and into Turn 1. Video screens seemed to indicate same things in Turns 2 & 3 and down the back. I am not buying 40% capacity and 135k, and have heard no media comment on it at all. What say you?

Matt Casto, Lebanon, TN

RM: I wrote that it looked like a whole lot more than 135,000 and I’d guess closer to 200,000, but I think IMS had to be clever with its estimates to get a green light for 40 percent.

Q: I will never for the life of me understand how Simona De Silvestro did not get sponsorship to continue her career in IndyCar, forcing her to take her considerable talents elsewhere. Danica had shown the excitement that a competitive female driver could generate for the sport -- and for the sponsor. And while she might not have had some of the marketing tools of Danica -- particularly not being American -- Simona could have made that up with her level of driving. As you have stated many times, she’s the fastest woman to ever sit in an IndyCar. But now -- writing before the Indy 500 -- it looks like she’s stuck with second-rate equipment for her return to the States, just like in that Lotus engine year. It was a real miss by IndyCar to let her go overseas then. Do you have any explanations?

Michael Hill, Baltimore, MD

RM: How about Sarah Fisher being the IRL’s most popular driver and not having a ride? Or IndyCar not keeping Danica away from NASCAR? Simona was becoming a crowd-pleaser but nobody (owners) had the money or vision to keep her in a seat, so she had to leave. And her ride at Indy wasn’t second-rate equipment, it was prepared by Team Penske.

Q: I'm a long-time open-wheel fan and wanted to share my thoughts on one aspect of the current state of IndyCar. Undoubtedly Scott Dixon is the most successful driver over the past number of years. First-class driver paired with a first-class team has yielded tremendous results. My issue, and it really isn't much an issue, but more of a lost opportunity for the sport as a whole, is that Scott just has near-zero personality or charisma. If he had 5-10% of what A.J. or Mario had, and still have, the sport would be much better off. Do the teams or IndyCar work with drivers on how to make them more marketable or on how to inject more personality into their on-air interactions? Thanks for many years of enjoyment and insight from your columns.

Nick B.

RM: Scott is quiet and humble, but he’s got a great personality and he just prefers to live under the radar. I don’t think IndyCar has a clue about how to promote or market its drivers (now they’re calling them athletes), but Dixie sells tickets with his driving, not his public persona.

Has it really been eight years since De Silvestro was an IndyCar full-timer? Ellman/Motorsport Images

Q: Thank God again for IndyCar’s development of the aeroscreen. It saved another life in the 500. When Graham Rahal lost his tire after his pit stop, seeing it hit Conor Daly's car sent chills up my spine. If not for the aeroscreen, I fear we may have lost another great driver. Great job by IndyCar with its development.

Now, my question.  At the 500, my seats were on the outside of the track at pit entrance. I saw first-hand the spins of Stefan Wilson and Simona De Silvestro. One thing I noticed is that the pit speed limit cones were just before the first pit stall and not at the beginning of the pit wall. In years past it seemed to me that the pit speed limit cones were at the beginning of the pit wall. Am I correct on that, and if I am, why was the pit speed limit line moved up to just before the first actual pit stall? Besides the two spins, we saw several near misses when cars entered pit lane. If Simon Pagenaud had been having his car serviced when Simona spun, she would have taken out his car and several pit crew with her spin. Seems to me moving the pit speed limit line to where it was for the 500 only added danger.

Bob J., Indianapolis, IN

RM: The tire hit the nose so I don’t think the aeroscreen saved Conor’s life, but it could have saved Justin Wilson, and yes, it’s been very effective. Let's hand it back to IndyCar's Kyle Novak to answer your question:

"For practice and qualifying before the field off 33 is set, the pit speed location begins at the attenuator because cars are required to pit off T3 during green conditions, which is standard practice procedure at IMS. Also, with 36 pit boxes for practice, we need almost the entire pit lane length and more areas to bring cars back and forth from gasoline alley. Thus, the longer pit lane speed zone.

"For final practice, the pit speed moves to the race day location because cars pit off T4 during green conditions, 286.5 feet inward of the practice/qualifying pit speed location, and about 100 feet from the first pit box Also, now that the field of 33 is set, the pit speed zone can be shortened."

Q: What do you consider the ultimate TV broadcast team when it comes to delivering quality information, education and a little entertainment? I grew up on Jim McKay, Sam Posey and Jackie Stewart and don't trust my memory. I loved the vibe of the 500 and how they followed HCN all over the place. I hated, but understand, the commercials every six laps. But nobody said a word about what happened to Herta, VeeKay and several other early contenders. I enjoy Tracy and Bell, but it didn't feel like there was any depth to asking questions about anyone outside of the top five. I think Posey or Paul Page would have at least said, "What happened to the front row?" other than Dixon, who got the cartoon anvil. I miss Bobby Unser. Thanks for making the Mailbag the highlight of my week!

George E, North Carolina

RM: We all liked McKay because he was such a presence, just like Mike Tirico, and it seemed to elevate Indy’s status. I like Stewart and Uncle Bobby best, but I think P.T. and TBell are usually on top of things, and Diffey is good at reading a race.

Q: Not so much a question, but more of an observation about the month of May coverage. As a long-time fan that lives on the West Coast, whatever coverage I can get of the Indy 500 I consume. I purchased the Peacock IndyCar package and watched all of it. All of the practices, all of the qualifying on Peacock, and the race on NBC network. And while qualifying was broadcast on cable, I watched it on Peacock and got to skip all of the commercials, often getting additional commentary and uninterrupted coverage.

The Peacock App is easy to negotiate and the money was well spent as I enjoyed it all. As usual, the revolving crew in the booth and in the pits did a great job of keeping us informed and entertained. I hope that as IndyCar negotiates its next broadcasting agreement, they take into consideration the value to the viewership of continuity. The current broadcast production and on-air talent is so much better than what we as fans have had in the past that it is concerning to think IndyCar would try something else.

Steve Smith, Palm Desert, CA

RM: That’s what I keep telling these people who want FOX or CBS -- be very careful what you ask for, because NBC has promoted and covered IndyCar like nobody else.