Robin Miller's Mailbag for August 11, presented by Honda Racing / HPD

Quetions 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.

ED'S NOTE: We had some unexpected logistical hurdles to overcome while pulling this edition of the Mailbag together, and Robin and the RACER.com team would like to extend their thanks to Steve Shunck and Tim Coffeen for their help in getting it across the line.

Q: At the Music City GP, Will Power crashed into two teammates, ruining their race. In addition, he was constantly at speed through yellow flags.  He was talked to on Friday, but continued to do it on Saturday.  Did (or should) R.P. or Cindric have a sit-down with Will to straighten him out?

Frank

Phoenix

RM: Behind closed doors, I'm sure Will got his ass chewed out by R.P. and T.C. It looks like he's driving scared, even though he just signed a new contract. At Team Penske it's a no-no to take your teammates out. I'd suggest he just calm down and finish a few races.

Q: Robin, don’t know how well you know Roger Penske, but does he ever get really mad? Over the weekend I saw Brad Keselowski wreck teammate Joey Logano at Watkins Glen, then saw Will Power take out both Simon Pagenaud and Scott McLaughlin at Nashville. On top of that, none of the seven Penske cars entered in those two events ever really factored into the outcome of either race. Had to be frustrating for a guy who is accustomed to success. His public persona is so professional and buttoned-down -- just wonder if he ever lights into people on a Monday morning after the races.

Glad you are back, and continued best wishes.

Mike in Marietta, GA

RM: Roger does everything behind closed doors. He doesn't dress people down in public. But after this year's qualifying for the Indianapolis 500, my understanding is he had a come-to-Jesus meeting with the whole team and laid down the law. But it's only garnered one IndyCar win for the most experienced team in the paddock so far this year.

Q: I’m a local Chicago guy and I’ve been going to races for the past 20 years or so (Milwaukee, Road America, Indy, Joliet, Iowa, Phoenix, and now Nashville). I was at the last three Milwaukee races and the last three Phoenix races, and I can’t tell you how disappointing it was to see the crowds shrink and the races dropped from the schedule. I have no idea why so many “fans” are crapping all over the Nashville race (including Marshall). I know it must have been brutal watching on TV, but being in the crowd was so much fun.

As everyone knows, you see very little of the race when you’re at a street course. You go for the energy of the event, and boy was there energy. My wife and I were sitting in the finally completed Grandstand 6 and really enjoyed being there. It was hot, it was humid, and there were tons of excited fans there. I had no issues with the yellows or reds. It gave me a chance to grab a beer, use the restroom and chat with my fellow IndyCar fans. The city of Nashville and the promoters should be extremely proud of the event they just put on, and I can’t wait to go again next year.

Mike O.

Wauconda, IL

RM: It's good to hear that you have some patience. You have to give track designer Tony Cotman a chance to hear from the drivers and make some changes to help the racing. But it seemed like the majority of the people that stuck around in that weather and heat came away entertained, and that's a good start.

Not sure who Will's directing this to, but it's probably not the boss. Lumen Digital Agency

Q: Welcome back Robin and continued prayers for good health! Your article Right band, wrong song summed up the race perfectly, and hopefully we will have a better show next year as Nashville’s support for IndyCar was impressive.

However, the last several laps did become entertaining when Colton Herta was hunting down Marcus Ericsson. With six laps to go Colton found the wall instead of the lead... oh wait, TV viewers missed it because NBCSN was showing a fierce battle for 15th position.

Could you kindly request NBC to focus on the leaders during the final 10 laps?

Thank you,

Roger in Indy

RM: It's very seldom we miss anything up front. We're always trying to show the best battles on the track. You don't expect the fastest the car on the track to plug it in the wall.

Q: I want to thank Nashville for an electric atmosphere and access to downtown, and hope to see many more years. But is there any silly season talk of Jimmie Johnson? How much longer will Ganassi put up with this experiment?

Rest in peace Bob Jenkins, you were a great gentleman.

Wylie L

RM: Yes, there was a lot of enthusiasm in Nashville, and hopefully they race there for many more years. Jimmie has a three-year deal with Chip Ganassi, and the Carvana commercials are the best thing for open-wheel racing since Alex Zanardi and Jimmy Vasser in the 1990s. We're pretty sure J.J. will be running the Indy 500 next year.

Q: Congratulations to the organizers of the Nashville IndyCar race for an amazing event that has the potential to become one of the premier events in IndyCar.

Regarding the high number of yellow flags, while some changes to the track layout would obviously be helpful in some of the tight places, I feel the drivers and teams need to accept more responsibility for putting on a good show for the fans. Just because you can pull alongside another car and attempt a pass in a corner that’s the width of my driveway, doesn’t mean you should. There’s more to the cost/benefit analysis of a risky move than the chance of wrecking your own car or your competitor’s car, there’s also the issue of making the 70,000 enthusiastic fans sit through another yellow flag. One yellow flag was caused when a team sent a driver back out when they knew the car might be difficult or impossible to control. On a tight circuit like that?

I assume the reasoning was, “If we wreck, we’re no worse off than we are now just sitting in the pits.” True, but the fans are much worse off with yet another yellow flag. It seems to me the teams and drivers need to be more conscious of the fan experience in their decision making. I assume all the teams would love to come back to Nashville, it was a such a great setting. Thirty-three yellow flag laps does not help the cause.

Scott Newton, Santa Barbara, CA

RM: When you are painted into a corner with a 200mph race car and you are going 40mph bad things can happen -- drivers take ill-advised chances and Nashville just had lots of sloppy driving. So hopefully they'll open up a couple corners, and the drivers will use heads and put on a show like IndyCar is capable of.

Q: This is my first time writing to the Mailbag. I began to follow you right at the tail end of your time with the Indy Star. I don’t believe I’ve missed an article since! I was also an avid Wind Tunnel viewer. I had the opportunity to speak with you at Milwaukee a few years back, and you were quite accommodating. You have always written and said what was on your mind, which has made you quite fun to follow. Thank you for all those years!

I do have a current IndyCar question. Back in the day there was a lot of opportunity to rent tracks and test privately, which allowed drivers to develop. Certainly, the budgets were different then. Jimmie Johnson has had to do most of his learning on race weekends. While it is the same for everyone, Johnson and Carvana really add commercially to IndyCar. Target was the last team sponsor I recall putting drivers regularly in commercials. His success, or simply some improvement, would be a big PR lift for the series. It would need to be equal for all rookies, but wouldn’t it be beneficial to adjust the rules to allow additional test days, or extra practice sessions on race weekends to increase seat time?

Kent

Hudson, IL

RM: Kent, thanks for all your support over the years. And you are spot-on in terms of testing for rookies, because they are already way behind everyone else so why punish them and their teams, especially if they are new to the series. An extra set of tires on Friday is hardly a reward because you are a rookie. But just pay attention to the progress Jimmie has made over the last few months, and he's only a second or so behind the big dogs. What else could people expect? Wait until he gets to the oval next May.

The learning curve is real. Barry Cantrell/Lumen Digital Agency

Q: I see no point saying that Nashville was a bad race, a disaster, and so many other adjectives. I believe people are overreacting. It wasn't great, that's true. It was a wreck-fest, also true. But the last 30 laps were not bad at all. I had to follow the race from the IndyCar app. I followed those laps from Herta's in-car, and I felt it was pretty intense. You could really feel the tension rising in him, and at the same time you could feel Ericsson solid as a rock and cold as a Dixon.

Yes, there's a lot to improve, on the track especially, and some old guns, namely Willy P, need to calm down. But I think all of this is a bit too much. Let's not forget it is a new track, a new promoter, a lot of excitement coming into the race, the largest field of the year (outside the 500). Plus, the track had a lot of atypical features -- it was almost an experimental race. And yes, there was anxiety everywhere. But there is huge potential, and in the end, when you look at the results, you see that the greatest are still the greatest. And Marcus deserves the "Bumpy Rider award" for winning at the bumpiest tracks.

Thank you, cheers from Argentina.

Ignacio Agustin Aguirre

RM: Scott Borchetta has been working on promoting an IndyCar race for more than a decade. It's only one race and it wasn't as boring to watch as Mario and Little Al lapping the field at Long Beach year in and year out. So to quote Aaron Rodgers, just relax. It was only one race.

Q: Just wanted to say thank you for all that you have done for IndyCar, and continue to do for the sport. I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now, but your decades of passion covering the sport are incredibly inspiring. I wish I had the opportunity to say hello to you in person in Toronto, but alas… As a Canadian, missing not just one but two years of IndyCar racing really stinks. Do you think IndyCar misses Canada as much as its fans miss them? I would be absolutely heartbroken if Toronto does not return for 2022.

Thanks again for all that you do, and I’ll keep wishing you all the best.

Nick S. Mississauga

Ontario, Canada

RM: IndyCar probably has a many fans in Canada as the United States, and losing Vancouver, Edmonton and now possibly Toronto is disastrous for the series. I just hope the negotiations with Montreal continue but I'd be in favor of heading to Mosport. And I don't wanna hear about the lack of runoff area. I like Bobby Rahal's logic -- where is the runoff area at IMS?

Q: Dixon nailed it in your column. They need to tweak the Nashville layout. I would also look at finding a way to tweak the restart zone to minimize the accordion effect that ruined Bourdais’ race and created the incident with Power and Pagenaud that blocked the track. Despite the mess, that race was still compelling, and I was entertained.  Now, then… can I get paddock passes for less than $1,500 next year if I decide to go?

Fred

RM: That's a great question. And I couldn't believe the prices when I saw them. But obviously R.P.'s team did their homework and figured the pricing was right. But what's wrong with a $50 dollar pit pass?

Q:  More yellows and reds than a Florida weather map. Nashville deserves better, so was it just a "first time here getting used to the track" scenario, or do they need to tweak the layout? Currently it seems very crash-prone. The downtown turns around 4 through 8 is one lane and should be wider. Need to get two lanes through there, although Herta pulled off a couple of nifty passes at Turn 8. Maybe just a wide 180-degree turn at the base of the bridge. Think Long Beach coming on to Shoreline Drive. The restart area is suspect. Maybe restart after Turn 8 coming up the bridge, which would create some aggressive passing on the bridge with the three lanes of width, then everyone is at speed entering Turn 9.

Great crowd there, and they need to want to come back next year. Also need to start earlier or add headlights to the race cars. Your thoughts?

Jeff, Florida

RM: Let's give Tony Cotman and the drivers some time to talk about improving the track, because they will. Like Scott Dixon saidm, "First race, man, always going to need to make some adjustments to the layout." The late start time was influenced by the closing day of the Olympics and the NASCAR race leading into the IndyCar race.

Q: Hi Robin. I think I read somewhere that the new Indy cars will have onboard starters. After watching the Nashville race, I think it would have maybe saved a dozen caution laps. It was really painful to watch stalled cars just sitting there waiting to get fired back up! 

Hope you're feeling better!

Edwin

RM: That's news to me that onboard starters will be part of the new IndyCar package. It would be good for the spectators and the show, but evidently there are too many mechanical challenges.

There was lots to like about IndyCar's first visit to the streets of Nashville --and plenty of scope to make the second visit considerably better. Phil Abbott/Lumen Digital Agency

Q:  Let’s get into it – Nashville. IndyCar brings the race to the masses, lots of people attending their first IndyCar race, and we give them an embarrassing show? The thing is, we all knew this was going to happen, and we went through with it anyhow. Fixing the layout is a given. Then, IndyCar needs to institute a real penalty system. If you cause a yellow you’re penalized; if you cause two cautions you miss a race. These cautions are not only deciding races, but they are affecting the championship. We can start to fix this by getting rid of the unqualified drivers in the series (we all know who they are).

And finally, my pet peeve. Why does it take so long to get back to green action? The track is clear and for some reason they continue to run several laps under caution.

Mark

Niagara Falls, NY

RM: Let's give IndyCar some time to sort things out and try to make the layout racier. Think about the last few years and how good the road course and street course racing has been. Let's have some faith. The talent level has never been younger, better or faster, and there are only a couple wankers trying to be IndyCar drivers. As far as yellows, the length of time it takes to restart the races in IndyCar and NASCAR can be downright embarrassing and make people change the channel.

Q: What did we just watch in Nashville? I understand the economics of racing in Nashville, but how many casual fans are coming back next year after the demolition derby on Sunday? Hardcore fans will be back. Those that were there to see what it was all about will be bored. The surface of that track was absurd. Your thoughts?

Jimmie Johnson. I'm not a hater, I want him to succeed, but I heard him saying he's improving each race. By any objective measure that's not true. He's embarrassing himself out there and I hope he doesn't hurt himself. 

Ray

RM: Nashville will improve through the years, just like J.J. has this season. Pay attention to the timing sheets. If he was embarrassing he'd be five seconds behind. He's not the slowest qualifier, and his teammates are very impressed by his progress and work ethic, Dixon has said he's never seen anyone more committed.

Q: I’m beyond ecstatic to be able to write (and complain) about something in IndyCar to you once again! I truly don’t know what to say about this Nashville race, other than images of the ’96 U.S. 500 or 2002 Surfers Paradise debacles enter into my head. Seemed like a magnificent crowd/atmosphere, but if Tony Cotman cannot alter this course so that every passing zone is not a 90-degree left-hander with runoff being a concrete wall, I cannot see how they run it again. 

Thanks,

Greg from NJ

RM: Let's give IndyCar and Tony Cotman a little leeway to make things better for a track that cost a fortune to build and drew the biggest crowd since the heyday of Vancouver. It will be run again, I can promise you that.

Q: Hi Robin. How much cheating is happening in today's IndyCar world? I know that teams have spec cars, but are they pushing the limits on any parts and pieces? "Black Noon" by Art Garner talked about Mickey Thompson's team trying to qualify the same car twice as multiple entries in 1964, and it would be very interesting to hear what kind of shenanigans are happening today.

Hope you are doing well,

Nolan Porter

RM: You can't compare this to the 1960s -- unfortunately, this is spec racing. You have to go through technical inspection so many times each weekend that you can't get away with anything -- they even tell you what wing angles to run.

Q: Imagine if Alex Zanardi and Juan Pablo Montoya were teammates together at Chip Ganassi Racing during the 1996-99 CART golden era of the Reynard-Honda-Firestone combination and both in their prime. Who comes out on top in your opinion, and why?

Giuseppe Vullo,

London, UK 

RM: Montoya. JPM just had that attitude and desire to kick your ass no matter the conditions or whether it was an oval, road course or street course. He had the fastest hands I've ever seen. He'd do whatever it took to win.

Q: Hello Robin. First off, so happy to have you back! As a Daly fan, I feel like he’s running out of opportunities. He’s been clearly outpaced by Rinus VeeKay this year. I feel like he needed to at least compete for podiums, if not win to cement a full-time ride for 2022. What’s your take?

Thanks,

Matt K, Niles, MI

RM: Ed Carpenter has given Conor the opportunity to be full-time and yes you are right, he needs some results. But I think Ed's pretty patient and sees the potential, and it just takes one win to turn around your career. I think Conor has a lot of people pulling for him because he's got a good personality and talent.

Q: Great to have you and the Mailbag back. Is it just a rumor that Team Penske is talking to Romain Grosjean about possibly taking over Simon Pagenaud’s seat if Simon isn’t re-signed? If Grosjean signs with Andretti Autosport, as is possible, and Simon leaves Penske, then who would be an option for Penske?

Mike

RM: I'm saying Pagenaud is joining Meyer Shank Racing as the only other full-time driver with Helio in 2022 (Sato will be at Indy in a third car). I think Grosjean is in demand but it seems like it's too early for Penske pull the trigger (which means R.P. has already signed somebody). But I'm not convinced Penske wants to run four full-time cars.

Q: Do you think Marco Andretti will ever return to IndyCar full-time?

Pat G

RM: He seems happier now then he's ever been, running just the 500, sports cars with his cousin and winning a race in the SRX series.

Q: Hey Robin. I'm so excited to find out that the Mailbag is back, and I hope that you're doing better. Let's say you're starting a two-car team to run the Indy 500 for next year. Which two current drivers would you choose? One driver from IndyCar and one from outside. My personal picks would be Rossi and Larson.

Thanks for doing this, and I wish you good health.

Alexander, from Pittsburgh

RM: Kyle Larson and Colton Herta.

That would have been a pretty cool pairing. Motorsport Images

Q: So glad you are back! Stay strong! Who will win the title next year?  And give us the new driver next year that will create the biggest pre-season chatter. Hulkenburg? Formula E? Female driver?  One of the Busch brothers?

Pedro

RM: We don't even know who the hell is gonna win the title this year? Next year??? Way too early to make any predictions for next year. Get back with me in a few months....

Q: Amid all the talk about next year, there's not one mention about Ryan Hunter-Reay. He has had two very sub-par years. Does that mean that he is through? Also, what do you think's going to happen to Simon Pagenaud? I'm thrilled that you're back; been praying for you. 

Harvey Payson, Arizona

RM: Pagenaud to Meyer Shank Racing and RHR likely to IMSA. I understand DHL is out.

Q: I see IndyCar is now referring to drivers as "athletes," which I  think is pure B.S. and pandering to the stick and ball people. Drivers are racers, which is a much higher calling than a mere athlete -- an athlete could be a tennis player or a bowler for God’s sake. No way should racers be put in the category of athlete. They are so much more. Shame on IndyCar. What are they thinking? Do not lower us to the level of the stick and ball people. As Stroker Ace would say, tell them to kiss our ass. The highest compliment anyone can receive is to be called a RACER!

Tom, Michigan

RM: Best letter of the year. I couldn't agree more. When IndyCar put out that B.S. release that they are athletes and no longer drivers I nearly puked. We are trying to get people to watch racers at high speeds taking big chances, and you wanna dumb things down and make people think they're like some person playing a stick and ball sport?