The RACER Mailbag, January 18

Welcome to the RACER Mailbag. Questions for any of RACER’s writers can be sent to mailbag@racer.com. Due to the high volume of questions received, we can’t guarantee that every letter will be published, but we’ll answer as many as we can. Published questions may be edited for length and clarity. Questions received after 3pm ET each Monday will appear the following week.

Q: I know this is not a new idea but IndyCar and Super Formula could look to align car specifications with the support of Honda and Dallara. This would potentially bring Toyota to the IndyCar series and GM to Super Formula. It might attract another engine manufacturer. It could reduce costs in terms of equipment. They would keep their own separate championships and maybe have a collective off-season championship or shoot-out.

This would be a number of years down the road, but feel it would have legs and be an attractive proposition for all concerned.

Oliver Wells

MARSHALL PRUETT: To recap what I’ve written when the same "just-copy-SuperFormula" suggestion was made in the last Mailbag, and the one before that: No, it’s a terrible idea.

IndyCar needs to be IndyCar, not a lame copy of somebody else’s series. And it needs to come up with better and more compelling reasons for more manufacturers to join and more teams, drivers, and sponsors to join in the coming years. Copying another formula is the same as giving up, and I’ll push back on any belief that says giving up on having its own identity is what’s best for IndyCar.

Q: I don't want to be the harbinger of doom for IndyCar, but I want to relate a small bit of info how much IndyCar has slipped from the U.S. sports scene. My wife (a fan of both Jeopardy and IndyCar) mentioned that on today's Jeopardy show, one of the questions related to "the Borg Warner Trophy is awarded to the winner of this Memorial Day event."

No one got it.

To make matters worse, even the commentator on the Jeopardy Fan Club website had to stick in a zinger, copied below from the website:

"The fact that SPORTS TROPHIES $400 was a Triple Stumper (about the Borg-Warner Trophy and the Indianapolis 500) just points to the increasing irrelevance of IndyCar and the Indianapolis 500 in the American consciousness. And, no, IndyCar’s recent exclusive partnership with the Russian company Motorsports Games -- at the expense of iRacing, to the extreme anger of many in the auto racing community -- is not going to help with IndyCar’s future relevance."

Heavy sigh,

John Becker, Downers Grove, IL

MP: Sure, but it’s been that way for at least 20 years, brother. “NASCAR” has been the average person’s default answer for everything since it overtook CART/IRL/Champ Car many moons ago, and if there’s been a recent change, it’s in seeing more folks in America default to "F1" as their main point of reference for anything related to auto racing. I asked my wife quite some time ago to avoid telling people what I do (unless they ask) because there’s only so many times in life you can say “I work in IndyCar” or “I report on IndyCar” and have the person stare back at me in a confused state like I misspoke, and say, “NASCAR?”

Having IndyCar drivers with a little Super Formula DNA definitely isn't a bad thing -- case in point, Alex Palou here -- but a common chassis is probably a step too far. Yasushi Ishihara/Motorsport Images

Q: A few observations from a 60-something race fan who lives for IndyCar and the 500 each year, but has watched F1 for years because Jim Clark and Dan Gurney were early heroes.

1. Hooray for Andretti and Cadillac, and as Marshall said in his commentary, to staid GM for taking a chance and joining the big leagues. I hope it works out, but my oh my, the dislike for Americans in F1 seems to remain strong as the reactions to the announcement seems mostly negative from current F1 teams. Obviously the Haas team is a U.S. player, but so far is about as successful as Minardi was.

2. Ford, via Cosworth, ruled F1 for a long time, so one would think F1 would be more open to a U.S. manufacturer being involved, but maybe it's just the perception of Cadillac being so American. Maybe if GM still had European brands, like Opel of Vauxhall, it could enter using that name to placate the European F1 establishment. But, those brands have sailed!

3. As pointed out in various RACER stories and columns it appears F1, IMSA, and NASCAR, and maybe electric racing, are the dominant players attracting the major car manufacturers to invest in them and support the series. IndyCar is on the outs and unable to garner any attention or traction with the big boys, now even infuriating its iRacing crowd. I thought Penske and crew were going to be able to help, but so far, no.

All that said, I appreciate that Penske bought IMS (and made huge investments) and the series, and I still hope for great things. I love IndyCar racing as it's close, and I never know who will be fastest at any track or who will win. But please find a series sponsor who will pump money into marketing IndyCar as the exciting, competitive series that it is.

I know others have said similar things, but each week I feel a bit more desperate about IndyCar. Now, I see Andretti and Cadillac (GM) moving on to F1 with no doubt enough money that combined they could buy the IndyCar series and boost it in whatever way they see fit.

My overarching question is, can IndyCar survive without a miracle of some sort?

Mark in Milwaukee

MP: It is surviving and will continue to survive as auto manufacturers and small business owners -- the team owners -- find value in IndyCar, either from a profit standpoint or a marketing and promotions standpoint.

When CART was a raging success, it had four or five manufacturers involved (and lots of giant corporations), but if we stick to the auto companies, they loved the formula, loved the exposure, and spent zillions on advertising, buying and handing out free tickets, etc. They were the ultimate marketing and PR outlets for CART; they helped make the country aware of the series and were instrumental in creating its explosion in popularity. This is all well-known to older IndyCar fans, so I mention it for the simple point of illustration that with more manufacturers involved, today’s IndyCar series would reap similar benefits.

Look, we’re never going back to the time where tobacco, beer, and big box stores flooded CART and the country with its IndyCar messaging, so if I’m looking at the best way to make IndyCar less of a best-kept-secret-in-racing situation, I’m focusing most of my energies on coming up with a new or revised engine formula ASAP that makes manufacturers want to jump in just like we’re seeing the new formulas do in F1 and IMSA GTP. No miracles needed. Just give undeniable reasons for more manufacturers to join IndyCar.

Q: With F1 looking to introduce its new engine formula in 2026, I think IndyCar can now, after hybridizing the current formula, announce the same engine formula as F1 will be using for 2026, but for use in 2027 or 2028. This could entice new OEMs to consider IndyCar. Honda would have that engine in some form due to its involvement in F1, and GM could have an engine of that kind by 2028. Since it would be the same engine formula, this could entice other F1 manufacturers to participate in IndyCar. This would almost be a no-brainer, but it would need IndyCar to have that vision and announce this as a strategy.

Shyam

MP: Starting to feel like a broken record here, but no, IndyCar announcing it’s going to copy F1’s (then-former) engine formula isn’t the answer. Maybe I’m losing my mind, but I swear IndyCar is its own sovereign series and has been for 100-plus years, and along the way, sure it’s had crappy formulas (the post WWII "junk formula" is the first to come to mind), and it’s fractured and had two series with different formulas, and gone spec, and done all kinds of things that have ranged from amazing to seriously lame, but other than in the first few years of the Indy 500 where its formula wasn’t full formed as uniquely its own, we’ve been our own thing.

It's also possible that I take more pride in IndyCar being ours, and of our own making, than others who don’t seem to care about such things. But like the let’s-just-copy-SuperFormula suggestions, if the best IndyCar can do is copy F1’s old engine formula, there’s no need for IndyCar.

Q: Last year I suggested that IndyCar move to a "race what you build" concept. Now I have another idea. Instead of putting research efforts and money into a new engine and attracting a third OEM engine supplier, move to an engine concept that allows any engine used in any other series -- IMSA GTP, DTM, whatever. If it is proven in another series, you can race it in ours.  se the time and effort to develop a new chassis with the flexibility to allow for multiple engines. OEMs would love not having to develop a new engine. They just ramp up production of what they know works.

IndyCar might have to implement a BoP procedure to even things out. It can also specify hybrid systems etc, but let a proven engine be used in the series.

Steven Brewer

MP: If only IndyCar had a big old engine bay to fit all kinds of options. In the world of racing motors, IndyCar’s DW12 is designed to accept the equivalent of a Size 7 shoe, and nothing else. Modifying it to fit a Size 10 is possible, but a ton of things -- costly things -- would also need to change.

Only way this works in a reasonable way is for IndyCar to have a new chassis commissioned that can receive a wider range of sizes instead of only one size.

Q: As an Indy resident and a long-time lover of all things motorsports, IndyCar must reconsider how it approaches reaching (and keeping) fans. During the off-season, I like to consume old races from endurance to F1 to IndyCar, and the most glaring thing stuck out to me... IndyCar's broadcasting style has not evolved in almost 20 years. It's the same pre-race mini stories and short interviews, none of which I'm sure belong in the main broadcast.

Also, almost every single series that I watch is commercial-free. To the casual viewer, I believe this isn't a huge issue, but to the younger crowd (the demographic IndyCar needs most right now) this is a big deal. We would gladly pay more for an interruption-free race. I always feel cheated coming back from break only to learn something happened while we were away. If I'm paying a premium subscription to Peacock, why am I watching more commercials than live? Not even side by side?

I've been saying since NBC started covering the 500, they need to offer a pay-per-view option for people wanting a commercial-free experience. I'm very frustrated at these insane glass cage interviews with Dale, Danica and whoever else while the most exciting race on the planet is happening beside them. In F1, when they do these interviews with people on the pit walls, they don't cut from the action. Where is all the exciting data? All the graphics explaining this complex sport of fuel numbers, strategy, tire wear, engine performance? I have no idea what NTT Data does, but data is right there in the name and they sponsor the series so, "Here's some NTT data fuel strategies for today"; "Here is the probability of a two-stop winning versus a three-stop without a yellow." The best thing NBC did was add Hinch to the booth, but there needs to be more.

They need to understand (just as F1 has) there are several ways to consume this product. There is not enough marketing on all the social platform and media outlets about the amazing people who are involved in this series. I truly believe most American F1 fans have no idea when or where to consume IndyCar because it isn't right in their face like F1 is. They need convinced this is a great open-wheel series in their backyard.

They have to right this sinking ship and the easiest way to do that with the iRacing, engine, and old chassis debacles, is to change what they can right here and now. The racing is great; how it's covered, broadcasted, distributed, marketed and consumed right now, is not on par with everyone else in the world. It’s currently not a 21st century product and it absolutely deserves to be. World class drivers and racing that, sadly, floats under the radar.

Chris Glenn

MP: FWIW, NTT Data did sponsor a race strategy prediction graphic/segment at each race, so at least that part’s fixed.

On the rest, I like what 60-plus-year-old RACER founder Paul Pfanner recently said, and I’m paraphrasing: “IndyCar has way too many people in charge who were born in the previous century. It needs to think about that and start bringing in more people who were born in this century if it’s going to reach a younger audience.”

Here's one young fan that has the right idea, but is there a broader strategy to help IndyCar reach a younger audience? Karl Zemlin/Penske Entertainment

Q: Has Penske Entertainment upped the 2022 prize for Linus Lindqvist to $850,000?

Oliver Wells

MP: Nope, still rideless.

Q: The last I heard was that Alex Zanardi had returned home after his hand-cycle accident. That was some time ago.  How is he doing and what, if anything, can you tell me of his recovery effort?

Dale, Chesterfield, VA

MP: Such info is guarded by the family, Dale. They release updates when they want to, and while I know who to ring to get answers, this is a topic that’s best left to his wife to control.

Q: Your story on Kyle Larson signing with McLaren for 2024 Indianapolis 500 lists the McLaren lineup for that race as Rossi, O'Ward, Palou and Larson. What about Rosenqvist? Was this an announcement he won't be with McLaren in 2024? Was it an assumption? Or was it just an oversight?

Stephen Terrell

MP: Having written a dozen times in recent months about Rosenqvist being expected to make way for Palou in 2024, re-re-re-re-re-hashing the same topic didn’t feel necessary. The Ganassi team is actively eyeing new drivers for Palou’s car in 2024 and Arrow McLaren is not known to have a fourth full-time car in the works for 2024. Also, had lawsuits and what-not played out in Palou’s favor last summer, he’d be replacing Rosenqvist in 2023. Definitely not an oversight.

Q: My question is inspired by the passing of a hero of mine by the name of Robbie Knievel, son of the great daredevil Evel Knievel. I heard that during Evel’s life he attended many races, and even worked on A.J. Foyt’s racing team! Robbie was just as successful as his father and even broke a lot of his dad’s records. As a tribute to these daredevils (I consider IndyCar drivers daredevils as well) we as fans would love to see one of these upcoming motocross professionals jump 33 IndyCars! Imagine that on the front stretch of the world’s most famous straightaway!

Maybe Mr. Boles will catch this and consider it, but regardless I’m grateful for the Month of May and all the memories.

Hisham Bate

MP: This would be incredible. Unless, of course, as often happened to Evel and Robbie, the jump is a failure and we have somebody wiping out the last few rows of starters...

Q: Given the recent lack of confidence in the IndyCar road map combined with the fact that EVs are the future for all manufacturers, is there any consideration for Formula E to hold a race on the hallowed ground, maybe a road course variant? Indianapolis was first envisioned as a proving ground and would certainly fit with that idea. I realize they don’t make noise but they are the future of automobiles for the world. That is certainly very important for IndyCar to stay relevant. Does this have a snowball’s chance in hell?

Bruce

MP: I’m sure Penske Entertainment would be open to hosting a wide array of series at the Brickyard, including Formula E, if the series pays an exceptional amount of money for the honor. If we’re talking about IMS courting a FE race and paying for it, not a chance in hell. No doubt about IMS being conceived and used as a technological proving ground for more than half of its existence, but FE cars -- even the brand-new Gen 3 models -- are mostly spec, just like our Dallara DW12 IndyCars, so… there’s not much to prove.

Q: Help me out. Many years ago I went to an IMSA GTP race at Watkins Glen. This was before they added the Bus Stop (Inner Loop). That weekend IMSA was sharing the track with the NASCAR Busch series, so GTP cars raced on the short circuit. During qualifying a Joest Racing Porsche 962 set a world record for the fastest single lap of any race car on any closed circuit track. Do you recall anything from that lap, and does that record still stand?

Mark, Buffalo, NY

PS: Where's Oliver Askew?

MP: I’m struggling to recall the Joest Porsche 962 record, but do remember Davy Jones’ insane Glen lap from 1992 in TWR Jaguar’s famed "F1 car with fenders" XJR-14.

Askew is doing driver coaching and debuted as a commentator last weekend as a FE driver analyst/commentator in Mexico.

Q: As a lifelong IndyCar fan, I am intrigued by the IMSA GTP and WEC HyperCar classes. I have not seen anybody mention a possibility of an endurance race with only those classes. With a possibility of 11 or 12 manufactures in 2024 between both classes, this would be fantastic. Sebring with the WEC and IMSA racing on the same weekend is possible; also IMS or Daytona. What say you?

Rich Schutte

MP: Those are great classes to follow, Rich. I grew up in the days when it was common to have only prototypes racing at Le Mans and to see IMSA split some of its events where GTP/GTP Lights and GTO/GTU raced separately on the same weekend. I’d LOVE to see all GTP and Hypercar entries come together for a prototype-fest. But if we’re going to do it, it needs to be at a crazy venue like Lime Rock or VIR. I mean, if the world’s fastest prototypes are going to dance, let’s do it somewhere that we’ll never forget.

Q: With all the flooding in Monterey County, how is Laguna Seca holding out? With the amount of rain they've received up there, I could easily see lots of erosion occurring around the Corkscrew. Was the pedestrian bridge finished before the rains came?

Jonathan and Cleide Morris, Ventura, CA

MP: Quick check with the track says it’s soggy but no major issues. The bridge isn’t planned for completion until late January/early February.

You'd probably get pretty muddy if you tried to hike up past the Corkscrew sign at the moment, but Laguna Seca hasn't reported any damage from the recent downpours. Richard Dole/Motorsport Images

Q: What is your sense of how F1 team principals feel about the Andretti/Cadillac announcement? I know what I’ve seen in Forbes and from the FIA, but do the team principals genuinely think the entry, will be another HRT -- or even worse, a USF1? I understand if they don’t want to give up a slice of the pie. I like pie and I don’t like sharing. I don’t understand the sentiment that nobody else can like pie like I do.

Ryan in West Michigan

CHRIS MEDLAND: Oh, it's all about the pie, Ryan! I think the teams are impressed with the GM interest (although wary of it solely being a badging exercise, which Michael insists it wouldn't be but it certainly wasn't a commitment like the one Audi made...) and the team principals I've spoken to are fully open to another team coming in if it guarantees growth and doesn't cost them anything themselves.

There's a little trepidation around the announcement it would be HQ'd in the USA just because, as USF1 showed, it's tough to even get it off the ground with the right personnel, let alone be competitive, but the expectation there is Andretti would quickly lean on the shop it has in the UK if it struggled, so it has a back-up.

I haven't heard anyone say they believe Andretti Cadillac would be that far off the pace -- especially under prescriptive rules and with power units that are closely matched -- but that it is underestimating the challenge of building an F1 team and car by talking about being in any earlier than 2026, and that's why the only way the latest new team -- Haas -- could be competitive was aligning closely with Ferrari and setting up in Europe. But one senior team member told me they want Andretti to be allowed in so it can be seen just how hard it is, or if it manages to be immediately strong while based mainly in the U.S. then it could buck the trend.

All of that said, the main feeling I've got from team principals (and I haven't spoken to all of them, I must add) is that it doesn't matter if it's Andretti, Panthera, Porsche or Hyundai -- $200m is nowhere near a high-enough fee for a new team to enter given F1's position right now, and accepting any team at that fee would massively devalue the existing teams, when as a minimum it shouldn't impact their value.

There are only 10 F1 teams in the world, and they've committed and invested huge sums to be where they are today, so I can understand why they won't let anyone profit off that at their expense. But if they feel the entry fee is fair (and agreed at the time of entry rather than what was put in the mid-pandemic Concorde Agreement), then I get the impression the majority of the teams are open to Andretti Cadillac coming in.

THE FINAL WORD

From Robin Miller's Mailbag, January 22, 2014

Q: Will this credit mess at Target affect funding for IndyCar teams? I agree with you IndyCar needs to promote the series. Take show cars to malls in small towns around the venues let people see and touch the cars. It is sad when you see a NASCAR product being promoted during an IndyCar race.

Terry Vantine, Elkhart, IN 

ROBIN MILLER: I haven’t heard any problems regarding the racing programs sponsored by Target but I did hear that some of the technical data from Ganassi’s stock car team was hacked and then returned because nobody wanted to buy it.