Welcome to the RACER Mailbag. Questions for any of RACER’s writers could be despatched to mailbag@racer.com. We love listening to your feedback and opinions, however letters that embody a query usually tend to be revealed. Questions obtained after 3pm ET every Monday might be saved for the next week.
Q: The racing at Iowa was higher than anticipated, and crowds had been far worse. Can we return subsequent 12 months for a Wednesday/Thursday evening double-header that follows the MLB All-Star sport and is held below the lights with a community viewers?
Dan, Brownsburg, INtwo
MARSHALL PRUETT: Subject of IndyCar Goals. I’m all-in on this. And let’s simply do a single day, single race and make it particular. If that doesn’t work, nothing will.
Q: Are engine replacements reported someplace followers can see? Could be attention-grabbing to see when groups selected or needed to change an engine.
Are you aware if Will Energy needed to get a brand new engine for Iowa? I watched Chevy guys actually taking a look at his engine within the storage after he was out of the Mid-Ohio race.
Craig
MP: Chevy and Honda provide IndyCar with lists of obtainable engines as they’re constructed/rebuilt and prepared for use, and IndyCar picks them at random and tells Chevy/Honda to ship that motor to the workforce in want. IndyCar then does a serial quantity affirmation to make sure what’s within the automobile matches what they mentioned to place within the automobile.
Energy bought a recent engine for Iowa, sure.
Q: I consider Scott McLaughlin has what it takes to be an IndyCar collection champion. Ought to it occur, it’d make him the champion of two totally different prime tier collection. How many individuals – and who – have been capable of pull that off?
Shawn, MD
MP: Unusual to see so many unforced errors in his fifth season. He was my pre-season choose for the title. Of those that come instantly to thoughts in current instances, Simon Pagenaud received the 2010 ALMS Prototype championship and the 2016 IndyCar title. Juan Pablo Montoya received the 1999 CART IndyCar championship and the 2019 IMSA DPi championship as nicely. I am positive there are others.
Q: Simply heard in direction of the top of Saturday’s Iowa race that Chevy messaged all Chevy groups telling them to not use the assault mode setting anymore. I assume Chevy may have nothing to say about this. Do you assume they noticed some information that made them fear in regards to the engine giving out?
Craig
MP: Right on Chevy having a constant coverage on not speaking about such issues. With out realizing what was or wasn’t messaged, sure, if a producer asks groups to not do one thing, there’s often a purpose for it.
Q: I simply watched Iowa Race 1. A number of attention-grabbing storylines (Penske’s resurgence, O’Ward’s first win of 2025, Chevy operating up entrance), however the empty grandstands are a complete embarrassment.
The threatening climate was actually an element, however how did they go from sellout crowds to this debacle so rapidly? Was Hy-Vee making a gift of tickets a number of years again? Did the ridiculous ticket costs with the concert events drive individuals away for good? Has the single-lane racing prompted mass disinterest? I assume some mixture of these, however that is unacceptable humiliation.
There should be an answer for this nice facility and terrific followers there. Possibly one race, and on Saturday or Sunday evening (not late afternoon)? There are races at Knoxville this weekend, that may probably have higher attendance. Possibly Penske Leisure may benefit from a title sponsor that may market the open-wheel weekend at each tracks? Clearly, they will go together with whoever presents cash to sponsor the race, however IndyCar clearly failed badly as a promoter right here. One thing labored nicely within the current previous.
Tom Pate, Macomb, MI
MP: Ever seen the place a well-liked band loses its recording cope with a significant label and returns on a smaller one — or they begin their very own label — and so they shed all the basic curiosity followers and are left with simply the diehards? That’s what everybody simply noticed at Iowa Speedway after Hy-Vee left as co-promoter, sponsor, advertising drive, and bringer of massive musical acts.
With Penske Leisure as the only real promoter, and minus the huge attain and sources Hy-Vee was prepared to commit, there was at all times going to be a decline in attendance. Then issue within the brutally unhealthy racing final 12 months when attendance was barely down — even with the large nation acts and no matter crossover class that befits Submit Malone — on not one, however two 275-lap events, and you’ve got the recipe that creates a whole lot of empty stands final weekend.
Saturday’s race wasn’t a sustained thriller, nevertheless it bought higher because it went on and the second lane was revealed to quite a few drivers as one thing that may very well be used to move. Sunday was higher — not just like the crazy-great Iowas of the previous — and confirmed some life for many of the contest.
If Sunday’s Iowa race may very well be barely improved upon, it’s nicely price going again, however the sparse crowd is what nothing however diehards appear to be. I don’t know if one driver main 242 laps on Saturday with Newgarden and Palou main 194 of 275 on Sunday would soar out as wonderful to informal followers and get them to return — assuming they watched the races on FOX – and with these visuals of the occasion being unworthy of widespread attendance, that’s one other merchandise to contemplate.
I consider final 12 months’s doubleheader like a musical act as nicely, and it placed on two unhealthy concert events. Until I used to be a complete devotee to the band and didn’t care if the concert events had been horrible, how would the common individual react in the event that they heard the identical band was returning for 2 extra concert events? I feel most individuals would move, which probably explains the abundance of shiny and empty aluminum seats.
If an IndyCar drives previous and no one is within the grandstand to listen to it, does it nonetheless make a sound? Joe Skibinski/IMS
Q: It’s no secret that IndyCar has little or no curiosity exterior of principally 4 occasions: the five hundred, Street America, Lengthy Seaside and Mid-Ohio. The remainder of the races have little to no attendance. Persons are clamoring for extra ovals, however but no one exhibits up. I’m all for doubling the Street America and Mid-Ohio rounds, the place individuals present up in droves, to maintain the schedule up within the mid-teens. How does the collection survive with out individuals within the stands?
Involved in Colorado
MP: Can’t agree with the primary assertion, however there’s no arguing the larger level you make. I’ve run out of recent methods to say that IndyCar can not proceed to race at locations the place individuals barely present up – not whereas it’s in a long-term rebuilding course of – nevertheless it additionally faces the problem of not having sufficient new tracks to go to that may resolve the low-attendance drawback. Which makes your concept one to contemplate, supplied the Street Americas and Mid-Ohios are assured they may draw two huge crowds twice a 12 months.
Q: Simply completed watching Race 1 from Iowa. It was an entertaining race that confirmed the standard of racing the collection offers. The group, nevertheless, was past disappointing. Embarrassing, truly. Undecided what the reply is, however ovals apart from Indy simply don’t promote for the collection. Design a brand new automobile that may safely race on the present highway programs like Street Atlanta, Mosport, VIR, hopefully discover a number of extra avenue circuits, and go away the ovals to Indy.
Michael Veretta, Ilderton, Ontario, Canada
MP: Milwaukee had a formidable crowd on its return final 12 months. Nashville additionally did higher than anticipated after a very lengthy absence by IndyCar. Gateway (WWTR) has been good — with good being totally different from nice — regardless of some shrinkage from the early years of its return.
I didn’t develop up with brief ovals, however have come to like them nearly greater than highway and avenue programs, which is my pre-IndyCar background. I’d welcome all of the highway programs you point out, however I’d by no means wish to shed the non-Indy ovals.
Q: What a humiliation, seeing all of the hundreds of racing followers disguised as empty seats each days at Iowa. How are you going to have 350,000 individuals at Indy and 350 individuals at Iowa? Possibly subsequent 12 months – if there’s a race – they need to give away all tickets totally free and attempt to make up the misplaced income in parking and concessions. By the best way, each races had been nice and really thrilling.
Don, Grand Rapids
MP: Catch-22 right here. If IndyCar wants to keep up its oval selection and keep between 16-18 races, Iowa Speedway is a good location to contemplate. If IndyCar (Penske Leisure) must become profitable, nicely, free tickets isn’t the best way to prop up a scarcity of demand except somebody believes it’s a advertising funding that may get Huge Firm X to spend a ton on turning into a Hy-Vee-level sponsor for 2027 and produce individuals again by means of immense promotions and points of interest past the racing.
Q: Josef Newgarden fired everybody seemingly on his workforce apart from his household after 2023. Undecided who was in his ear (or if he was simply in his personal head), however apart from a second 500 win, he looks like a depressing individual. Does he assume that alone was price it? He’s perceived as a cheater, a liar, and unhealthy man – by me and lots of others. It’s additionally clear to me that no less than one in all his teammates seems like me. Is that this ‘makeover’ all Josef’s doing? If that’s the case, like somebody who represents himself in court docket, he has a idiot for a shopper. If not, I’d submit he fired the fallacious individual/individuals.
Mike DeQuardo, Elkhart Lake
MP: Actually arduous to reply, Mike. Josef retains his interior circle small, however two issues stand out from the periphery: He’s bought a crew on the No. 2 Chevy who’re as ride-or-die as I’ve come throughout. From his crew chief to the remainder of the mechanics to the engineers on the timing stand, that’s a tight-knit group proper there. I do know what it’s wish to detest an disagreeable driver from my time as an IndyCar crew member, and I don’t see that on the two automobile.
He’s gone from being a wide-open individual, a good friend to the paddock, with a number of free time for individuals, to somebody who exhibits up on a mission to deal with his work, simply with the members of his Penske tribe, and isn’t attempting to be the wide-open man of previous. And I respect that. He’s been looking to search out one thing that’s been lacking for the reason that finish of 2019 when his final championship was received, and that’s concerned some personnel adjustments that haven’t at all times been dealt with the proper manner, from what I’ve been advised.
I’d love to satisfy the one who thinks they will inform Penske what to do, however sure, because the workforce’s most profitable driver since he arrived there in 2017, you’d assume that comes with a degree of affect that’s actual and important.
He’s additionally been in a rolling kick to the crotch for nearly two straight months beginning with Pole Day on Could 18. Even the second-place in Iowa Race 1 had a draw back after being the quickest all day, and it occurred once more in Race 2, however got here with a tenth-place outcome.
If he was successful, I’d wager there wouldn’t be a lot to speak about. However since he isn’t, and has come tantalizingly shut and misplaced once more – twice in below 24 hours in Iowa – it’s a narrative that continues to construct in a detrimental course. There can be one thing fallacious with him is he wasn’t feeling depressing since Could.
Newgarden’s public persona has modified through the years, however the truth that these closest to him on the workforce aspect are nonetheless all-in counts for many. Joe Skibinski/IMS
Q: I’m very pleased with FOX. However I’ve one criticism. Evidently FOX retains engine sounds cranked up, overlaying the announcers’ voices. It makes it very arduous to look at and hear.
I am positive that I’m alone. Please move this alongside to your mates at FOX. FYI, after the Iowa race, I switched backwards and forwards between the IMSA and the NASCAR Cup Collection races. Neither community over amplified the automobile sounds and that made a greater viewing expertise
Final weekend’s races show how nice ovals are for IndyCar. We want extra ovals, brief or lengthy, on the schedule. The disgrace is how empty the stands had been on each days
Mike, Cincinnati
MP: Message inbound, FOX. Are you able to hear me now?
Q: Do media personalities, similar to you, who’re assigned to interview Newgarden (or attempt to) when he does not win a race, routinely get an additional day without work? If not, they need to.
He is gone from one in all my favorites to my least.
Pink
MP: ‘Media personalities’ is an attention-grabbing flip of phrase. ‘Dip**** who asks questions’ is extra correct.
Q: I empathize with the challenges that may emerge throughout a tricky season, very similar to these skilled by Josef Newgarden and the Penske workforce this 12 months. Nonetheless, Josef’s reactions seem considerably immature, particularly given his monitor file of success, which might usually point out a extra composed response to setbacks.
In distinction, Scott Dixon exemplifies a extra resilient perspective in related circumstances, not storming off. Whereas it is comprehensible to really feel disappointment and frustration, Josef’s inclination to withdraw and skip interviews, in my view, doesn’t solid him in a good mild. This habits shouldn’t be remoted; it appears to be turning into a recurring theme. What do you assume?
Andrew Heid
MP: The wave of Josef questions proper after Iowa wasn’t on my radar.
Some individuals care about how they’re perceived. Josef appeared to fall into that class for the primary 10 years of his IndyCar profession, after which that appeared to develop into of much less significance and he leaned closely right into a DGAF strategy. He’s among the many most self-aware and clever drivers I do know, so he’d know his reactions of late can be obtained in a detrimental method.
Stated one other manner, if he cared about public notion, I’m positive he’d keep and watch for cameras and microphones to seem when no matter issues go fallacious to make sure his ideas are shared and his view is known. And since he isn’t ready to be seen and heard most instances, and since he’s extraordinarily deliberate in his actions, I’d take what you see for what it’s.
I’d additionally shut by saying that if this was new-guy-at-Penske Josef, I don’t assume he walks away a single time. That was additionally the before-Penske-owned-everything instances when Roger was on a timing stand – not essentially Josef’s, however there on somebody’s Penske entry – in any respect the races and also you don’t pull that type of stuff with The Captain close by. With Cindric gone and with Roger not on pit lane along with his workforce, I can see how this has develop into a factor.
Are you able to think about it turning into a factor at Ganassi, although? Or Arrow McLaren? Chip would apply ‘corrective habits’ straight away. You’d hear the shouting contained in the transporter from a mile away, and it will by no means occur once more. Identical with Zak or TK. However totally different groups and totally different cultures right here…
Q: What a distinction between Race 1 and Race 2 in Iowa. The best way the yellows fell in Race 1 had little impact on the result. Not the identical story in Race 2. Luck reared its ugly head within the type of yellow warning flags.
Groups have complained about cautions in IndyCar for a very long time. Extra informal followers of the collection develop into pissed off with how the races unfold. IndyCar by no means appears to have an appropriate resolution. With IndyCar on the cusp of actual scores success, adjustments should be made. We now have reached an inflection level within the collection.
I’ve heard it mentioned, “it’s solely an issue if in case you have an answer”. Effectively, I want to suggest an answer. Pitting below yellow wouldn’t be permitted. All vehicles should pit below inexperienced to make sure all pit stops happen below related circumstances.
If a automobile can not probably full the length of a warning as a result of operating out of gasoline, then that automobile can pit for a ‘splash and go’ solely and rejoin the sphere in the identical place it occupied initially of that yellow. Nonetheless, to make sure that no workforce would try and do a ‘splash and go’ to get to the checkered flag with out stopping once more, that automobile can be required to pit inside two laps of the inexperienced flag and tackle a full load of gasoline whatever the remaining distance of the race… 275 laps or three laps, irrespective of.
Whereas I could also be lacking some extent or two, I consider we should begin someplace and start developing with some cheap options. It’s important for the way forward for IndyCar to at all times do every thing doable to maximise talent and reduce luck.
St. Louis Spencer
MP: I get your level, however title a sport the place talent isn’t maximized and luck isn’t an affect within the end result in each sport or race? Closing the pits has been executed earlier than, and you then take away the dumpster divers who had poor qualifying runs from hitting pit lane early below warning, simply as Scott Dixon did at Mid-Ohio, and bringing enjoyable and attention-grabbing methods into play among the many majority who persist with the favored technique.
Generally the pitcher loses management of the ball and hits the batter who goes on to attain the successful run who wouldn’t be on base if it wasn’t for the pitcher’s unhealthy luck. Generally the receiver can’t grasp the ball and it will get tipped straight to the security who takes the interception to the home and scores the game-winning landing. Can we rewrite the principles to say a struck batter can’t rating due to the ill-timed oops? Interceptions can’t be returned to the top zone if the receiver touched the ball? Simply questioning how far we go to strip premature or undesirable happenings from a sport to make sure the result hasn’t been influenced by good or unhealthy luck.
And if we stop all pit stops that aren’t executed below inexperienced to safeguard in opposition to likelihood and selection, will we additionally mandate what tire compounds groups can use and when as to forestall luck and selection there? Possibly we add two or three breaks through the race– nearly at totally different levels – as nicely?
Unhealthy issues occur. It’s a part of each single sporting occasion and it alters the rating or ending order in some capability. Undecided how taking selections away and eradicating choices and creativity improves the video games.
Q: All three Andretti vehicles had a proper entrance tire failure on the Iowa Speedway. Does Firestone present the groups and the collection with most static camber suggestions and minimal beginning chilly inflation stress suggestions for every race? If the reply is sure, does the collection verify the camber settings in tech inspection, and does the collection monitor tire inflation stress by way of telemetry?
Dave, Ohio
MP: Suggestions, sure. ‘Suggestions’ being totally different from technical rules. Firestone is extraordinarily lively in monitoring pressures and going straight to groups when it sees one thing that’s out of bounds.
Firestone presents pointers for what a tire would possibly like on any given weekend, however groups are free to do their very own factor. Joe Skibinski/IMS
Q: Nice races in Iowa. I’m questioning how Honda is ready to have such a gasoline benefit over Chevy? Is it only a extra environment friendly engine? Is there one thing particular that Chevy can attempt to match? Has it at all times been a bonus for Honda?
Rob, Tampa
MP: Chevy’s been often known as the mid-range and top-end king with this motor method and Honda’s been often known as the bottom-end and fuel-mileage king. The 2 have been impossibly shut in all these areas at instances since 2012, traded these strengths and weaknesses, and snapped again as nicely. In terms of mileage, it has been a Honda 12 months.
Q: Two questions. First, how can or not it’s that McLaren does not have a reserve driver? They could not carry one in? They did it earlier than with Theo Pourchaire when Rossi broke his thumb in Toronto in 2024. Their sponsors can’t be joyful about having the No.6 parked. [ED: This letter arrived before Arrow McLaren put Linus Lundqvist on standby ahead of Toronto]. Secondly, it seems that Toronto is perhaps on the chopping block and Watkins Glen is perhaps within the combine for coming again? Assist me out right here as a result of I have not heard any chatter regionally about this.
Rob, Rochester, NY
MP: Most IndyCar groups shouldn’t have reserve drivers, in order that’s the norm. I’d assume the sponsors of a automobile can be sympathetic to the plight of a younger man who bought harm and are with a workforce that has the sources to rent a driver on brief discover to signify them at a excessive degree. Not like that is the primary time a injured driver has been a query mark for the subsequent race.
IndyCar president Doug Boles advised us final week that he expects Toronto to return. Watkins has been a topic of hypothesis for no purpose in any way. Being there through the aero package period and seeing the max-downforce Indy vehicles fly by means of the corners at mind-bending pace was like a spiritual expertise. However there aren’t any plans for a return subsequent 12 months.
Q: I assumed the double-header at Iowa Speedway was an awesome weekend for IndyCar. There was implausible racing, a number of passing, technique, stiff competitors, and shock endings (Chevy lastly will get a win, Palou proves the Indy 500 was not a fluke).
The group for each races was very mild, in all probability 25% capability or much less. Given the small crowds this 12 months, is Iowa prone to stay a double-header in 2026?
The yellow flag laps had been truly fairly useful at Iowa, as a result of the sweepers properly used the time to wash the monitor, opening the excessive lane for 10 or extra laps. How can NASCAR run at Texas, WWTR and Iowa side-by-side all day lengthy, however IndyCar, on the identical tracks in the identical circumstances, solely will get 10-15 clear laps earlier than the marbles construct up, making the high-lane treacherous? Clearly NASCAR tires shed rubber, so why aren’t they coping with the identical drawback?
This is what we all know: NASCAR has heavier vehicles, completely totally different aerodynamics, runs at slower speeds, with totally different masses, a unique tire producer with a unique tire compound, totally different tire sizes, and responds favorably to PJ-1 and repaved tracks. So which of these variations is the major issue that permits NASCAR to run the high-lane on these ovals, however IndyCar successfully can not for greater than 10 laps?
Kevin P., Los Angeles, CA
MP: NASCAR: Sluggish in corners, quick on straights. Tires aren’t grinding away on straights. IndyCar: Quick in corners, quick on straights. Tires are grinding within the corners. Marbles.
Q: Lundgaard bought lapped no less than twice and completed sixth. VeeKay bought lapped in all probability 4 instances and completed eighth. Abel was a shifting chicane and bought lapped who is aware of what number of instances and completed fifteenth. None of these guys needed to earn any of these laps again, they simply bought handed them with the additional benefit of pitting a lap later than the leaders. Consequently, they end forward of vehicles that lapped them a number of instances. What’s the reason for IndyCar’s wave-around rule the place lapped vehicles get their lap again after which additionally get to pit a lap after the leaders? At the least NASCAR forces you to forgo your pit cease if you would like the wave-around (apart from the fortunate canine).
Additionally, why doesn’t Firestone get any criticism for the tires this 12 months? Zero tire deg at Iowa, and we’ve seen fairly a number of races this 12 months the place one tire has been completely ineffective to the purpose we could as nicely have solely had one tire possibility. I get the hybrid provides a problem, nevertheless it’s been greater than a 12 months since they’ve been applied, to not point out all of the testing that was executed previous to that.
Brent
MP: The reason is IndyCar permits every thing you talked about and NASCAR doesn’t? Hate to be Captain Apparent right here (probably not), nevertheless it’s what IndyCar needs to do, so that they do it. It doesn’t base its guidelines on what one other collection does or doesn’t do.
Undecided how to answer the Firestone remark as a result of they’ve been closely criticized when it’s been warranted. I do know as a result of I’ve listened to the complaints and written these tales, or included these complaints in race stories. And written optimistic issues when positives have been spoken. I assume different reporters do the identical.
Q: Congratulations to Miles Rowe on his historic victory at Iowa. IndyCar wants him to succeed, and hopefully he’ll get a trip subsequent 12 months.
In the meantime right here’s an concept that might preserve oval racing together with Iowa: The IndyCar Collection ought to supply low cost/journey packages to Indy 500 attendees at different IndyCar oval racing occasions. Some have proven a willingness to journey to different ovals based mostly on the situation within the Midwest like WWTR, Iowa and Milwaukee.
I feel it may possibly enhance attendance on the different ovals by emailing a proposal of cheaper tickets, and maybe a journey packages to the opposite ovals that IndyCar is at present selling. Years in the past NHRA did one thing related by providing reductions to their fan base and a cope with Motel 6.
If 10% of 500 attendees had been intrigued by the deal, all our different ovals would look full and we wouldn’t need to wring our palms about the way forward for the collection each time we go to a non-street/highway course. To me I feel this might assist Iowa and maybe add different ovals races like Michigan, Richmond, New Hampshire and Homestead.
Alistair, Springfield, MO
MP: Penske Journey, a brand new subsidiary of Penske Company. I fairly like that concept, Alistair.
And if you wish to make Penske Journey actually attention-grabbing… Donald Miralle/Getty Photographs
Q: I am positive you will get a whole lot of questions on this concern, however I needed to ask from a world perspective.
I like watching an oval race, nevertheless it appears individuals aren’t turning up. My query is why, and the way will we enhance these numbers? Are ovals more durable to get to than the highway programs, or is it a scarcity of presence in video games a hindrance?
The opposite factor that strikes me is the dearth of motion on the schedule for ovals. I do know there aren’t many collection that race on ovals, however why not contemplate the US Professional Collection (perhaps carry again the Street to Indy) or some off-track motion? Loopy Carts have been successful within the BTCC on Saturday; perhaps IndyCar ought to do this. Broaden to incorporate extra fan zones and Q&A classes, amongst different issues.
Now, since I am UK-based, I would have to speculate some huge cash to journey and watch an IndyCar race in individual. Nonetheless, I would get higher worth for my cash at Lengthy Seaside (because it doubles up IMSA) or a visit to Street America. So I am extra prone to go to these than an oval. Look, I like watching oval racing, and it makes IndyCar stand out, however except we modify this, it will not be lengthy earlier than we’re again to a late Champ Automobile collection with the Indy 500.
Additionally, whereas I’ve you, what do now we have to do to get the GTP class at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park? (And so as to add, sensible to see Staff Jota win with the Caddy).
Dan Mayhew
MP: Newton, Iowa, is 20-Half-hour from wherever, so it entails a drive. However that’s additionally true for Laguna Seca, Mid-Ohio, Street America, Barber, WWTR to a lesser diploma, and Nashville. A few of these tracks are packed whereas others are empty, so it’s not the driving or proximity to main cities.
A few of these locations have IndyCar races hosted whereas it’s broiling scorching, but when there’s bushes or prepared shade, people present up. After I consider Iowa, it’s simply scorching, with no shade, with no sense of neighborhood like among the others the place people camp and fellowship and make their very own events over the weekend. It’s a sit-in-the-stands-and-watch-racing occasion now that the large concert events are gone, and as soon as upon a time, that was greater than sufficient to draw an viewers.
Your concept of packing every day with different stuff is an efficient one, nevertheless it’s a reasonably sparse venue with restricted choices for individuals who wish to have an even bigger hand in creating their very own expertise at a motor race. Lengthy Seaside is the final word instance of selection the place you’ll be able to sit within the stands, go down and see the vehicles, go contained in the conference middle and see and purchase extra cool stuff, eat at a variety of eating places, and by no means undergo from boredom.
At among the others, you’ll be able to carry all of the enjoyable and selection in your automobile or truck, put up a tent, and camp with like-minded people round you. At an Iowa, or a Nashville, or a WWTR, there’s nothing there to entertain you past the vehicles, and no tenting, and no shade. For many who need greater than the sit-in-the-stands expertise, which appears to be a rising phase, it does current a priority for the collection.
Q: Is there any suggestion from IndyCar medical doctors to drivers about what place to carry when they will crash? I am asking as a result of when Nolan Siegel spun he moved his head ahead lots. That regarded painful.
I do not know if different drivers do the identical. However would not or not it’s higher to maintain your head resting at the back of the cockpit?
William Mazeo
MP: Haven’t heard of a collection or its medical workers telling drivers the best way to place themselves in a crash, however sure, minimizing the space between one’s helmet and the cushioning impact created by the pinnacle encompass would appear like the proper transfer each time in an impression.
Q: Will all of the stakeholders within the Iowa races be capable of save its place on the IndyCar schedule? It seems like nobody is prepared to compromise and followers find yourself being provided a product that may be a poor worth. The shortage of 2025 attendance displays the poor worth being provided to followers. What number of followers could be anticipated to pay a number of hundred {dollars} to attend 2026 race(s) given the next?
Each 2024 races had been horrible.
Drivers had been unanimously predicting boring racing after the 2025 check.
Saturday’s race was boring.
Sunday’s race was fairly entertaining.
Races are utterly run through the day in July (at a monitor with lights that has beforehand held evening races).
Bleachers supply zero shade.
The homepage of the monitor web site actually doesn’t point out the race.
Many tickets are dearer than seats on the Indy 500 for races that take half the time.
Followers will not be allowed to herald meals.
Followers are solely allowed to herald two unopened water bottles.
Kyle
MP: I consider the stakeholder is IndyCar, which placed on this 12 months’s occasion. If IndyCar needs to return, I’d assume Iowa Speedway will take its cash.
Q: I hear there are some issues with Iowa. Promotion, attendance, time of day and so forth. I hope all of it will get labored out as a result of apart from one 12 months when it was a one-lane monitor, the racing there’s actually good. Bravery and expertise on full show. Malukas and Palou battling and Newgarden’s in-car exhibiting a few of his killer laps come to thoughts, however there was heaps extra. And that was simply Race 2.
There was additionally good motion in NXT when Myles Rowe made a race-winning exterior move on the hotshoe rookie Hauger after working him a bit. Seeing as that is Rowe’s second 12 months and he has good assist, are there plans to maneuver him up? Additionally do we all know the place Hauger goes?
Chris, Colorado
MP: I do know of 1 workforce that continues to inform me they’re concerned with Hauger. However there aren’t many paying seats for 2026, and except there’s a giant monetary bundle to supply, the opposite seats aren’t an possibility. I have to get an replace from Penske Leisure on Myles. There was the hope he’d be prepared for IndyCar subsequent 12 months, however one NXT win isn’t sufficient to say he’s actually ready to leap into the collection. With one other win or two, that may change.
With a greater than 50% win price in NXT this 12 months, Hauger’s positively doing his bit to get onto the IndyCar radar. Matt Fraver/IMS
Q: I used to be not capable of watch the IndyCar Iowa races reside, so I watched the brief highlights model on the IndyCar web site. I significantly thought I watched Race 1 twice – each had Josef Newgarden taken out of competition by ill-timed pit stops as a result of cautions… by the identical two drivers inflicting the cautions?
And what in regards to the tire blow-ups? Was it the tire compounds, chassis settings, air stress?
John, Downers Grove
MP: That may be the identical two totally different drivers in Ericsson and Herta. It wasn’t the compounds as a result of each workforce had the identical compounds and solely the Andretti drivers skilled failures. One out of 27 vehicles in Race 1 and two out of 27 in Race 2.
No person would look to likelihood as being the trigger for all three vehicles from a single workforce being the one ones to have failures, so sure, chassis settings can be the pure place to look. If the three right-front tires had been over or below inflated, or overheating, the workforce ought to have seen it every time on telemetry.
Q: Through the second race, a remark was heard on the radio that “the Honda guys” are all blocking. Who mentioned that? I’ve seen a number of conspiracy theorists say that Andretti purposely sacrificed their vehicles for well timed yellow to make sure Honda the win. Was it well worth the hundred thousand {dollars} in injury? (chuckle)
Dino, New Hanover, PA
MP: Hundred grand? Let’s begin at a half-million and preserve counting. Please use the mute or block or unfriend buttons with pleasure and take away the idiots out of your timelines.
Q: Do you consider IndyCar’s in-caution procedures must be tweaked or overhauled? The primary Iowa race had two cautions that irked me (see beneath) and I’ve felt for years there are enchancment alternatives.
Warning 1: Herta’s spin initially. The warning was eight laps, which felt too lengthy. Race Management was pleased with the order by lap 5, there was no monitor cleanup or sweeping wanted*, and nobody wanted to pit.
Warning 2: Siegel’s spin, which was ultimately red-flagged. It was as a result of time wanted to make monitor repairs. I requested if it was stunning when it did not occur at WWTR, which is related for me as I consider when monitor integrity is compromised there must be a purple flag.
Philosophically I do not like sweepers popping out throughout cautions since I really feel it is a partial monitor/race reset as a substitute of race neutralization. I would respect your opinion on this, too.
Atilla Veyssal, West Allis, WI
MP: I’m advantageous with the oval procedures we noticed. Doesn’t imply my view is correct, however I wasn’t irked. Folks use towels to mop up sweat across the painted space at basketball video games after free throws are shot. It’s executed for security so gamers don’t return to the paint and slip and harm themselves, and in addition retains the paint open for play so it isn’t averted as a result of extreme and unsafe nature of the moisture on the bottom.
If the sport has been paused for an extended length that permits IndyCar to make use of its model of mopping up the paint so safer play and extra widespread use of the court docket is feasible, I’m all for it.
Q: Are you able to clarify why Newgarden misplaced all these locations by pitting earlier than the yellow flags? I am a bit confused with the pit stops and yellow flags – or did he get lapped whereas within the pits?
Invoice, Elk Grove
MP: Lapped whereas within the pits. Tremendous brief lap of 18-19 seconds. Whole time out and in of pit lane is round 36 seconds. Pitting proper when it goes yellow there, specifically, is the kiss of aggressive dying if it’s late within the race. Not a lot if it’s earlier, which additionally occurred to him, however he raced his manner again to the lead, solely to have it occur once more.
Q: Has Rasmussen executed sufficient just lately to safe one other 12 months at ECR? He is handed Rossi within the standings over the previous few weeks.
Bob
MP: From the Indy 500 by means of Iowa, he has 4 prime 10 finishes, together with a podium at WWTR and a sixth on the Speedway. Rossi has a single prime 10 over that very same span. There are causes each drivers shouldn’t have higher finishes, as at all times, however in a chilly have a look at the numbers, sure, Rasmussen is a worthy driver to obtain a return invitation. Credit score Rossi for serving to him to be taught extra this 12 months than he did all of 2024 as a rookie.
And Rasmussen has additionally pissed off a whole lot of veterans along with his unpredictable strikes on ovals, which he wants to wash up. Final thing he wants is to be handled in a hostile method – the identical manner a rising variety of vets really feel about him as a hostile presence on monitor – as a result of these robust oval finishes can simply flip into conferences with the wall if the vets develop uninterested in his egocentric strategy.
Rasmussen’s making himself identified. Chris Jones/IMS
Q: I’m a lifelong fan of Roger Penske, and was so excited when he purchased IMS and the IndyCar Collection from the Hulmans. Now, I consider, Roger should replicate on what’s greatest for the collection general, as regardless that the five hundred itself seems to be on stable floor, the collection shouldn’t be. The Iowa weekend, pretty much as good because it was, was a humiliation attendance-wise, and a complete reflection on Penske’s advertising program – or the dearth thereof. Now I examine Toronto considering a change to Method E!
I agree with Michael Andretti and Zak Brown that the collection has a lot potential however would require some substantial funding. Has the thought of constructing the collection a separate public company inviting important exterior funding been mentioned?
I do not assume one may have a 500 in its present kind with out a collection and I’d hate to see the day when the Indy 500 is a NASCAR race.
Denny Jones, Ft Scott, KS
MP: Haven’t heard of a separate public corp, however that seems like one thing to ask Zak about after I see him.
Q: I am at present listening to The Invoice Simmons podcast on a Monday morning within the depths of the July sports activities lull. The main phase for this explicit episode is lauding how nice the F1 film is and the way it has Invoice and his guess itching to look at F1.
They had been mesmerized by the glitz, glamour, danger, and intercourse enchantment that F1 has to supply. They routinely referred to the film as “attractive”. Invoice even referred to as it “The most effective sports activities film of the twenty first century” and implored his listeners to go see the film in theaters.
That is implausible and well-earned mainstream sports activities reward that may probably attain thousands and thousands of listeners. There is a first rate likelihood {that a} portion of the viewers will even head to theaters and begin to tune into grand prix. Fairly a simple win for the game.
Juxtapose that with IndyCar this weekend racing in the course of Iowa (not attempting to hate, nevertheless it is not precisely Miami) in entrance of empty bleachers and, probably, TVs. Nice racing, as at all times, nevertheless it’s turning into a little bit of a tree falling within the woods state of affairs.
That brings me to my final level which is that IndyCar wants a whole picture makeover.
IndyCar was feared. The races had been scary. Folks went to and watched races as a result of they knew they had been watching guys danger dying to win. The groups and drivers pushed pace limits and made particular moments as a result of the drivers had been principally seen as superheroes. This is not to argue in opposition to present security requirements, however I feel a whole lot of the joys is gone from IndyCar. It is a sport that hardly tries to alter itself. Take a look at what occurred this weekend with out Hy-Vee bringing in some big-name nation music stars. In the meantime, F1 has individuals spending their life financial savings to purchase Paddock Membership tickets.
The worst half about all of this isn’t that folks do not wish to watch IndyCar. I am not solely positive they even know what IndyCar is. There’s simply merely no visibility on the game.
I hope the brand new automobile works out. I hope being on FOX attracts new viewers. I am simply not seeing the imaginative and prescient.
I like IndyCar, nevertheless it’s not going to be round for for much longer if some fairly drastic adjustments aren’t made quickly.
Paul, New York
MP: That’s nice to listen to on Simmons. He gave zero farts about racing at ESPN and once more when he began Grantland and now The Ringer. Like to see the change from complete disinterest, due to the film.
Agree within the picture makeover. FOX is IndyCar’s new promotional arm, or no less than that’s what it seems to be like, and so they’ve been going arduous at promoting the collection on its channels as quick and attention-grabbing and funky, and doing so with some drive and quirk and testosterone. It suits the sports activities viewers they’ve cultivated and know. However is that quick/cool/and so forth. strategy the proper one for the place youthful and newer followers are immediately?
The collection tells me it’s seeing enormous development in 18-34 viewers, so the reply seems to be a sure. However what’s the imaginative and prescient? We proceed to attend and hope to listen to such issues.
Q: I am sufficiently old to recollect when it was frequent for a half dozen engines to go up in smoke throughout a typical IndyCar race, however in immediately’s spec world it is extraordinarily uncommon to see an engine failure. Taking a look at Will Energy’s two failures in three races, it is tempting responsible it on the present dysfunction at Staff Penske, however I do not assume the groups can actually do a lot of something with tuning the powerplants as of late. Is that an correct assumption and what have you ever heard about the reason for these two engine failures?
Alan, Orlando, FL
MP: No phrase on the trigger (that may occur one out of 100 instances), and Chevy’s IndyCar engine boss mentioned it was on them, not the workforce, within the quote supplied to us by Chevy.
Not a lot Penske – or Energy – may have executed in regards to the No.12’s current kerblammos. (That is the technical time period). Travis Hinkle/IMS
Q: Loving the IndyCar season up to now.As you rightly say, what Alex Palou is doing in a race automobile proper now may be very particular. What comes shut? The one related type of dominance that I can recall was just for the second half of the season, and that was Zanardi the 12 months that Vasser received the championship at Ganassi. I am positive there are others, however I positive cannot recall a season like this one.
One other remark was concerning the formation initially for Mid-Ohio. Good begin! Is IndyCar engaged on getting higher two-by-two on the inexperienced, or is it extra a perform of the tracks they’re at?
Andy R., Detroit
MP: Good name on the second half of 1996. Zanardi made it clear that whereas he wasn’t capable of overtake Jimmy within the standings, he’d be returning and unleashing a beating on CART in ‘97. Dixon operating the desk in 2020, successful the opener and main the championship from begin to end. Pagenaud in 2016 was simply on a unique planet within the highest-downforce-ever season with 5 wins and a 127-point championship victory over Energy.
The Indy Racing League doesn’t get as a lot respect or love as CART/Champ Automobile, and there have been some years the place it deserved to be panned, however that doesn’t apply to what Sam Hornish and Panther Racing achieved in 2001 once they had been on a unique wave and ran away with the title. Dan Wheldon’s six win and 80-point championship in 2005 additionally stands out.
I’d say the loooong runway to achieve the starter’s stand at Mid-Ohio is the magic ingredient right here
Q: In answering Invoice Baily in final week’s Mailbag, and after consulting his tequila bottle final evening, Huge Possum does keep in mind that there have been rear-engine dash vehicles that reared their ugly heads within the early 70s. Tom Senva drove one to a number of wins, in addition to George Snyder. USAC fortunately banned them to protect the custom and badassness of dash automobile racing (along with preserving automobile counts and never forcing automobile house owners to spend cash to go rear-engine).
Understand that it will not be arduous to place starters on sprints aidgets however push truck begins are a part of the present and the custom – and present it’s – a really passionate fan base, wholesome and rising a part of motorsports. The four-wide salute to the followers on the parade lap is what you prevent lunch cash for!
And sure, Mark Donahue drove a rear-engine pavement midget to victory at Lime Rock again within the day.
Huge Possum may be very dissatisfied that FOX doesn’t present the Nationwide Anthem previous to races, however joyful that Bobby Rahal did give the command to start out engines at Mid-Ohio within the respectful method of Tony Hulman – no screaming like some WWF wrestling announcer. Huge Possum nonetheless prefers ‘gents’ quite than ‘drivers’ when no females are within the subject. Until it has been decided that Santino shouldn’t be a gentleman. However he’s Huge Possum’s favourite driver – reminds huge Possum barely of Marlon Brando. Huge Possum doesn’t have a query as a result of he is aware of most issues.
Huge Possum
MP: Is that this the proper time to say Huge Possum (and Little Possum) gave me a possum shirt in Could on the Indy 500? I hung it up within the workplace and my spouse walked in, checked out me like I’d misplaced my thoughts, and requested why I purchased a possum shirt. I then bought to elucidate the existence of Huge Possum and Little Possum, their connection to the Mailbag, and so forth., and she or he shook her head and left after saying she was involved about me…
Q: You realize Sebastien Bourdais in addition to anybody. What made him select to race within the WEC over IMSA? Was he not thought-about for a Cadillac trip right here within the U.S., or did he simply wish to transfer again to Europe along with his household?
Gary, Anza, CA
MP: With WTR taking on this system, it already had pairs of lead drivers for each vehicles, there was a hope that Ganassi might need a alternative program, and the opposite workforce, AXR, wanted a solution whereas he was holding the door open for CGR. GM needed him to stay a pacesetter throughout the program, so it grew to become WEC with the brand new JOTA Cadillac marketing campaign and a secondary season of LMP2 in IMSA.
Q: What is the largest impediment to IndyCar increasing its schedule? Clearly cash, however is it TV cash, discovering sufficient sponsors, added prices, worthwhile occasions, and so forth? I’d like to see the collection add a number of dates within the spring. That is such a lifeless interval.
Jim, Milwaukee
MP: Venues. If we ignore all the opposite elements, there simply aren’t sufficient tracks which are pining to carry an IndyCar race in the mean time. There are loads that might, in fact. It’s not a case of there being a scarcity of potential tracks. It’s a scarcity of tracks that need IndyCar, will pay for IndyCar, and, critically, have the proper native fan base to ship a powerful crowd.
It’s straightforward to give you tracks so as to add, however they lack a number of of the issues which are must-haves. Thermal is the proper instance. Excited proprietor. Able to spend. Fascinating facility. No crowd. They might return, and have the county greenlight a capability of 20,000, and it simply received’t matter. Not as a result of IndyCar isn’t superior or doesn’t deserve it, however as a result of there’s no demand for IndyCar in that space.
That’s why we see Mexico Metropolis being thought-about as a monitor rental the place IndyCar would take the monetary danger. That’s what Iowa has develop into with out Hy-Vee as the large spender; it’s IndyCar renting and selling and hoping it may possibly make it work with out the large concert events and large promotional spend introduced forth by its former sponsor/occasion accomplice.
That’s additionally why the wonderful curiosity and dedication from the oldsters behind the upcoming Grand Prix of Arlington is the objective for IndyCar to develop with different new venues. Arlington is what curiosity in IndyCar seems to be like. Simply want much more of it.
Q: Any intel on what three-pedal automobile Alex Palou is pedaling on this FOX ‘That is Alex Palou…’ promo? I appear to recall Townsend throwing a little bit of shade at Palou’s heel/toe work throughout a broadcast not too way back. Screenshot for proof:
West Coast Mike
MP: No clue. Seems to be like a GT automobile of some kind, which makes me assume it’s generic footage.
Q: For practically 50 years, American open-wheel racing has wrestled with the best way to stability the gravity of the Indianapolis 500 with the broader pursuit of a season-long championship.
CART got here the closest to resolving this pressure — constructing a compelling narrative across the complete championship path post-Indy — till the fracture of 1996.
Since reunification, nevertheless, the fashionable IndyCar Collection has struggled to outline its philosophical objective past the five hundred. To followers and sponsors alike, that ‘why’ stays elusive. Final Sunday’s 750,000-viewer quantity for Mid-Ohio solely underscores the problem.
We’re all conscious that IndyCar’s biggest advertising failure since 1995 has been a failure to reply one basic query: What’s the level?
Effectively, I feel I’ve discovered it.
The aim of IndyCar – past even the Indianapolis 500 – is to crown the Nationwide Driving Champion.
This isn’t some hole title. It’s a lineage that predates the five hundred itself. Solely IndyCar – or quite, Champ Automobile – has the proper to put declare to this legacy: a 120-year custom that stretches again to the Gilded Age.
An IndyCar Champion doesn’t simply win a trophy. They develop into a part of a narrative constructed by the likes of the Vanderbilts, Carnegies, and Fishers. Titans who constructed not simply American motorsport, however America itself.
That is the story that must be advised.
That is why individuals ought to care.
That is what makes IndyCar particular.
We don’t simply crown a race winner. We crown probably the most full driver on the planet. The Nationwide Champion. A title that carries the load of historical past, endurance, versatility, and legacy.
Let the Indy 500 stay what it’s: our excessive vacation, our crown jewel.
To the newer followers of racing – these introduced in by the Netflix-era growth of Method 1 – a lot of IndyCar’s inside historical past is a thriller. The cut up, the reunification, the politics… it’s a tangled legacy that’s arduous to elucidate.
However what would possibly resonate with these followers isn’t only one race on a Sunday afternoon in Indiana-it’s the concept that IndyCar is the continuation of the Nationwide Championship, a lineage that dates again to 1905, older than F1 itself.
Whereas oval racing – particularly 500 miles of it – could be an acquired style, the broader narrative of crowning not solely the Nationwide Champion but additionally probably the most well-rounded, adaptable driver on this planet could also be what captures the creativeness of the fashionable, world motorsport fan. There’s status in that, legacy in that – and maybe, lastly, a solution to why IndyCar issues.
Jah, ATL
MP: Generally it’s enjoyable to make up an issue after which resolve it.
Q: There is no such thing as a doubt that apart from St. Pete and the five hundred, IndyCar’s TV scores have been largely underwhelming. it seems FOX is actually attempting to advertise and develop the collection, however what’s missing to raise the collection? What do you assume can, and will, be executed otherwise? Additionally, do now we have any concept what the viewership numbers are for apply, qualifying, NXT races or IndyCar race replays?
I’m simply searching for a silver lining and questioning if perhaps individuals who can not watch the race watch the replay or different content material? Additionally, to maintain a optimistic theme, no less than race attendance seems to be fairly robust this 12 months. I’m penning this earlier than Iowa, and as I purchased my tickets, I can see that Iowa might be an exception to my final remark.
Brian Joliet, Illinois
MP: We’re a bit over midway by means of the primary season on FOX. Everybody hoped it will be million-plus numbers at each race however that hasn’t been the case, as you famous. My important takeaway is we’re seeing the true place the place IndyCar lives when it comes to nationwide consciousness and curiosity.
That’s what the shift to FOX has executed – introduced a clear slate to gauge what number of present followers would comply with the collection over to its new dwelling and to see what number of new followers would emerge from the position on FOX.
The dream was to have the all-network deal on FOX ship a giant uptick in common community viewers – someway, by buying and selling NBC for FOX, a giant new wave of followers would seem on the onset – however if you return and have a look at what numbers IndyCar put up on huge NBC final 12 months, FOX is down in 4 of the seven community vs community comparisons main into Iowa.
Being on FOX hasn’t been the automated every-race raise that was desired, however there are some encouraging numbers that seem when there’s no main competitors from different sports activities and racing collection which are extra well-liked.
I feel that’s the reply, which is difficult to make occur for each race. If FOX can work with IndyCar to maneuver races round to locations the place it received’t make life for the ticket-buying viewers a ache by shifting begin instances too early or late, and may keep away from going in opposition to NASCAR/F1/NBA/MLB/PGA/NCAA occasions, it has an awesome likelihood of hitting that million-plus mark regularly.
IndyCar does stable numbers when it isn’t the second or third sporting possibility. And it isn’t robust sufficient, but, to win these head-to-head viewers battles with different collection and sports activities. However that may change in a number of years if the FOX relationship continues to development in the proper course.
Q: What engine is utilized by the IndyCar two-seater?
David, Waxhaw, NC
MP: One has a Ilmor/Honda V8 I consider, and the opposite seems like some type of Buick turbo.
Q: Marshall, to reply the query… USAC banned rear (mid) engine Dash Automobiles after the 1973 season, which noticed them dominate on the paved ovals. om Sneva, who might need not even pushed a front-engined automobile till he bought to the Midwest, was one of many huge winners. USAC Dash Automobile house owners had been involved in regards to the obsoleting of their gear, or of needing a dust automobile and a pavement automobile.
To the opposite half, Mark Donohue drove a rear (mid) engine midget at Lime Rock in 1963. Not a Dash Automobile (they’re totally different!) and never USAC. The assembly featured a midget race sanctioned by ARDC, a very long time Northeastern midget affiliation, a Method Libre race and a mixed function race. Mario Andretti received the midget race, whereas Donohue received the mixed function race within the transformed Cooper Method Junior automobile fitted with an Offenhauser engine.
Jim Thurman, Mojave Desert, CA
MP: Thanks, Jim.
Q: Any likelihood we see a Richmond oval race anytime quickly?
Earlier than I get the canned “positive, if you’re prepared to put-up the sanctioning price/put it up for sale” reply, Richmond is totally different.
The race was all set for 2020 or 2021; then COVID hit. Can’t the identical events, blueprint, and so forth. be used? With such a powerful need for each extra ovals and an Japanese/Mid-Atlantic race, it looks like getting all that recreated can be a prime precedence and comparatively straightforward. With COVID shutdowns within the rearview mirror, why isn’t that race getting recreated?
Ron, Baltimore
MP: No. An settlement between Jay Frye and the monitor president was struck. COVID occurred. The monitor president modified. The brand new president wasn’t . No race.
What if we ship the brand new president some candies? Streeter Lecka/Getty Photographs
Q: I learn your story about IndyCar not desirous to do a gimmicky ‘playoff’ [yay], however the concept of an All-Star/Problem race was introduced up. Additionally, a whole lot of different collection’ codecs had been mentioned.
One instance I feel can be distinctive can be to do a relay race. Three-car relay groups, house owners with much less gang up. Run a three-segment race. On the finish of the phase, automobile one pits proper behind a prepared automobile two, which takes off as quickly as automobile one hits their marks. Identical between segments two and three. First automobile to the checkers wins the large verify for his or her group. [Lots of details needed, but you get the picture.]
I am positive different readers are going to ship you a piece of concepts this week, and the advertising/prize elements are in all probability extra necessary than the format. So right here is my query: How a lot would a really distinctive concept assist enhance curiosity in IndyCar from potential followers, and perhaps how vital is it that the format be a singular one for that objective?
Not Abel Or Sullivan, Louisville, KY
MP: I like this. It strikes me as one thing a promoter would wish to do – a Scott Borchetta sort with a watch for the distinctive – and fewer like one thing IndyCar would conceive. Or an Eric Shanks at FOX Sports activities. Aside from the Indy 500 qualifying process, immediately’s IndyCar shouldn’t be a fan of extremely complicated procedures and this concept is one that may make its eyes roll into the again of their heads.
Q: First, let me begin by saying that Santino Ferrucci’s fiery ‘satan could care’ character is nice for IndyCar. We want extra drivers who communicate candidly and voice their displeasure when different drivers impede them on monitor and inform individuals precisely what they assume.
Whereas Ferrucci has tons of expertise and is knocking on the door for a win, he lacks emotional maturity. He appears to assume that operating opponents off the monitor is regular and could be justified.
The incident the place he intentionally pushed Conor Daly off-track is much from an remoted incident. He has pulled this crap beforehand with Romain Grosjean and his former F2 teammate Arjun Maini. Santino was benched for 2 races by his F2 workforce, Trident Motorsports, ultimately main them to launch him from his contract.
Whereas Santino needed to give again three positions at Mid-Ohio, I feel extra ought to have been executed by race management, from yanking championship factors to suspending Ferrucci for a race to get throughout the lesson he must study not utilizing a automobile that may attain 185mph on avenue and highway programs or in extra of 230mph on ovals as a weapon.
Paul Tracy, who’s infamous for giving drivers the chrome horn, was just lately suspended by SRX for the rest of its 2023 season for his on-track conduct and inflicting a significant wreck.
Through the 1998 CART season, Tracy prompted 10 on-track accidents, had a pitlane altercation with workforce proprietor, Barry Inexperienced, and was suspended from the primary race of the 1999 season for intentionally rear-ending Michael Andretti for blocking him at Surfer’s Paradise.
Whereas Tracy exhibited related habits to Ferrucci’s race, the CART collection took higher motion than IndyCar does now. Why is not IndyCar doing the identical factor CART did with Ferrucci and any driver who displays the sort of conduct? Santino and his fellow opponents for that matter want to know that it’s not the wild, wild west on the market.
David Colquitt
MP: Very totally different instances. We haven’t had a fair-but-rules-with-an-iron-fist sort for the reason that days of CART with Wally Dallenbach Sr after which his CART/Champ Automobile protégé and successor Chris Kneifel. Beaux Barfield tried to be that man however didn’t wield the ability and autonomy to control like Wally or Knife.
A tradition of leaving such issues as much as the drivers to police amongst themselves has been allowed to go on for too lengthy. It’s simply not going to work as a result of there isn’t a united entrance among the many drivers, neither is there a group-appointed dad to council those that get out of pocket or an enforcer to go and produce them again in step with worry or intimidation.
Leaving it as much as the drivers is like leaving the selection of dinner as much as your children. You envision plates loaded with grilled rooster and inexperienced greens and glasses of purified water, however what you get are plates with foot-tall chocolate muffins, appetizers of Gummi Bears and Flamin’ Sizzling Cheetos, and gallon jugs of Mug n Bun root beer to clean it down.
That’s what the Dallenbachs and Kneifels knew, which is why they dealt with the collection with a the constant and expectation-setting fashion of policing. Possibly it can return in no matter the brand new unbiased governing board turns into.
Q: I used to be just lately watching an IndyCar information YouTube video and one thing caught my consideration. There might be a twenty eighth automobile entered at a race this season (my guess, RLL throwing in Sowery or Vips, if he nonetheless works with them).
Nonetheless, this bought me considering. What if IndyCar had a type of MotoGP-esque concessions system for struggling groups? I’m positive that RLL, Coyne, PREMA, and so forth. would readily welcome the possibility to enter a 3rd/fourth automobile at a given race monitor with a view to acquire extra information and consider potential new drivers (learn: drivers who can afford one or two IndyCar races however can’t afford an entire season).
This, in fact, must be restricted to a sure variety of races and never embody tracks that may’t match greater than the common 27, like Toronto and Mid-Ohio. You would possibly even add an additional incentive for placing in an NXT driver. Is that this one thing IndyCar administration have evaluated? Too costly?
Taylor, KY
MP: The whole lot you’re considering of is precisely what the constitution system has killed. The groups you point out wouldn’t get a lot from an information standpoint, however you’re spot on with the necessity for analysis entries and money-making entries.
If Staff X is pretty sure it isn’t going to earn a $1 million Leaders Circle contract, hell sure, I’d like to see them have the power to enter an additional automobile with a paying driver/sponsor and attempt to reduce that loss with out worry of that entry failing to make the 27-car lower.
What if a workforce needs to get a have a look at a brand new/younger driver in a racing atmosphere? That is the primary season in reminiscence the place it isn’t doable with out that danger of failing to qualify. If Juncos Hollinger needs to place NXT championship chief Dennis Hauger in a automobile at Portland to see if he is perhaps the man to rent subsequent 12 months, it should not contain dangers.
There is no such thing as a draft system. There is no such thing as a formal construction stopping a workforce from desirous to pattern a participant in a giant league atmosphere earlier than they go professional. However there are new strictures in place with the constitution system that conspire in opposition to enterprise improvement and driver improvement that I don’t consider are wholesome. Not when the offseason testing limitations are so extreme that you simply would possibly get two or three days complete with the individual in a non-racing atmosphere and base your selections on really feel and hope.
Possibly IndyCar simply wants to duplicate the Chris Griffis Memorial USF Championships/Indy NXT check that will get run over a number of days within the offseason – a mix, successfully – the place groups routinely run a number of drivers by means of their vehicles. I’d quite see some seem in 28th and 29th vehicles at choose closing races, and each choices are doable to create if Penske Leisure needs to take action.
Do not inform Marshall we mentioned this, however an IndyCar model of the Chris Griffis Memorial Check is definitely a very cool concept. IMS Photograph
Q: So is it too early to be speaking about F1 or IndyCar’s ‘foolish season’? It at present seems to be fairly gradual rumor-wise.
Dave from JC
MP: Been a nothing burger this 12 months, however I’ve been including notes to a primary replace that might be out ASAP.
CHRIS MEDLAND: F1 was at all times set for a quieter one this 12 months anyway with so many groups having confirmed their line-ups for 2026 already. That’s due to the brand new rules coming subsequent 12 months, resulting in some groups wanting continuity on the driving aspect so there’s no new integration wanted and so they’re working with identified portions. Other than the beneath, solely Alpine has a present emptiness.
However I don’t assume we will name it quiet if you’ve bought the Max Verstappen state of affairs that has been rumbling on for the previous month or so, and George Russell nonetheless ready on a brand new contract, too.
Each Mercedes drivers are ready on new offers (or affirmation of an extension, in Kimi Antonelli’s case) and it’s Russell and Mercedes that I really feel actually maintain the important thing to mad season, so on that entrance it’s already began. If he stays, count on little important motion elsewhere. If Verstappen is signed, then that opens up the potential of different groups shifting for Russell, and Pink Bull perhaps needing an entire new line-up.
On prime of that we’ve bought Cadillac to think about, with loads of deal with who may get these seats. Whereas the brand new American workforce initially felt it was out of the cycle for driver contracts and will choose from a selected group with out an excessive amount of time stress, within the occasion of a Verstappen change it may see larger motion available in the market that may probably make extra drivers obtainable, however take others out of the equation.
Q: I’m curious what the attain of Apple is when it comes to subscriber rely in comparison with ESPN/ABC. I’m a die-hard racing fan and I would possibly subscribe to Apple if it will get the F1 TV rights, however I additionally won’t. In a market that F1 has made a excessive precedence for rising its viewers, Apple looks like an odd alternative. I think about each Netflix and Amazon have significantly extra attain?
Ryan
CM: A report from The Info again in March positioned the variety of Apple TV+ subscribers at round 45 million, whereas Entrance Workplace Sports activities had the ESPN+ streaming service at 25 million subscribers initially of this 12 months, on prime of the roughly 70 million who’ve entry to ESPN by way of pay TV.
In keeping with Statista, Apple TV+ has an 8% market share with regards to streaming video on demand (SVOD) platforms, and ranks seventh general, whereas you’re proper that Amazon (22%) and Netflix (21%) are the highest two. However that’s precisely why Apple will need it – as a result of it needs to shut that hole.
The streaming platforms are turning to sports activities as a result of dedicated fanbases that may subscribe to have the ability to watch, and all three have some type of reside sports activities providing already. What F1 has to weigh up is the stability between the very best variety of potential viewers over the interval of the contract, and the arduous money worth of that contract for its revenues.
Q: I’ve not heard this talked about apart from a bit murmur. When is Pink Bull going to start out constructing a automobile that somebody apart from Max can drive rapidly? Or publicly admit they’re extra the issue than Max’s perceived brilliance? Possibly with Horner gone it will change? I’m not suggesting Max isn’t implausible, clearly he’s, however the automobile appears to be designed round his fashion sufficient that he can deal with it. Each different driver that will get in that automobile sucks? Actually? Pink Bull is a damaged wrist away from being the eighth and even ninth quickest automobile as a result of their design flaw. Return over the past 30 years of varied groups dominating and we’ll discover it’s solely Pink Bull that has had this concern to such a level.
Eric Z, Lancaster, NY
CM: I’m unsure if that may ever occur to be sincere, Eric! However you’re proper that it’s clearly a automobile drawback, due to the variety of drivers who’ve failed to achieve wherever close to Verstappen’s heights, regardless of proving in different equipment that they’re high quality drivers. The larger the pattern set – assume Gasly, Albon, Perez, Lawson and Tsunoda – the extra conviction you’ll be able to have that the automobile and atmosphere want addressing.
If something, I really feel prefer it accentuates Verstappen’s talents much more. I’d like to see him within the Racing Bull for a weekend to reveal if it’s simply that the Pink Bull is so difficult to drive that solely he can do it, or if he’s simply extracting way more out of any F1 automobile than most others can.
If it’s the previous, he wouldn’t take the Racing Bulls automobile that a lot additional than it at present will get. If it’s the latter, he’d nonetheless be within the combine on the entrance in that, too (and maybe be much more aggressive than within the Pink Bull given the truth that each Racing Bulls drivers frequently outperform the second Pink Bull driver, whoever they’re).
However Pink Bull doesn’t design the automobile round Max’s fashion – no workforce instantly does that. All of them construct the quickest doable automobile they will, and attempt to make it as drivable as doable, nevertheless it’s solely as fast as the driving force can drive it. Verstappen finds methods of extracting efficiency regardless of the automobile’s challenges, however that was one of many causes he was getting pissed off final 12 months – as a result of Pink Bull was giving him a tricky automobile to drive after which he felt his performances had been nearly being taken as a right.
THE FINAL WORD
From Robin Miller’s Mailbag, 17 July, 2019
Q: The MLB performed its Mid-Summer time Traditional final evening, which implies tonight is baseball free! How superior would it not be to have a Wednesday or Thursday evening race for IndyCar with nothing else within the nation operating in opposition to it? Image a someday present at Richmond or Kentucky or wherever with some afternoon practices, a dinnertime qualifying and seven:00pm inexperienced flag. The networks have solely to take care of the World Collection of Poker and a few Regulation and Order reruns.
Somebody must put this deal collectively and supply the loyal followers a midweek race. If you happen to can’t cajole any of the bigwigs to repeat Tony Stewart and run a Wednesday race, then simply remind them New Hampshire’s Fall NASCAR race was misplaced to Las Vegas and now there’s room for a race. It could be a pleasant weekend of racing now that there’s a flat monitor in Loudon. And for what it’s price, I miss watching you and Despain reside on Wind Tunnel.
Richard from Dudley Massachusetts
ROBIN MILLER: NBC’s Kevin Lee instructed this a number of years in the past and I like the thought, however getting a promoter to race in mid-week can be a problem. Nonetheless, if you happen to bought a large enough title sponsor to assist with the underside line and IndyCar waived the sanction price, it would work. It actually would have a captive TV viewers. Thanks, I miss working with Dave and W.T. – greatest motorsports present ever.
