Welcome to the RACER Mailbag. Questions for any of RACER’s writers may be despatched to mailbag@racer.com. We love listening to your feedback and opinions, however letters that embody a query usually tend to be printed. Questions acquired after 3pm ET every Monday shall be saved for the next week.
ED’s notice: Chris Medland is taking a number of days off this week, however we have saved the F1 questions for him to reply subsequent week.
Q: When and why did observe classes turn out to be ‘free’ observe? FP1, FP2. and many others? How come I do not see free observe classes on the occasion calendars?
Simply in case you missed it, a significant milestone was reached. After one in every of your current articles, the feedback part made all of it the best way to the fourth remark earlier than it turned unfavourable. This beats the outdated report of three feedback earlier than it turned unfavourable. Wonderful how the ‘followers’ can complain about every thing.
DA, Chicago
MARSHALL PRUETT: February 29, 1999. Love your self extra and don’t learn the feedback.
Q: Now that Malukas has left Foyt, I’m questioning if the technical alliance between Foyt and Penske remains to be in place? If nonetheless in place, is James Schnabel nonetheless at Foyt and can he be again on the 14 automotive? Perhaps the engineering shuffles will not be full, with the season so distant. Right here’s hoping the 14 automotive has a prime engineer. Perhaps that’s Armbrester, nevertheless 2025 means that Santino benefited extra in 2024 from Schnabel than from Armbrester in 2025.
I’ve a quite unfavourable view on Foyt in 2026 based mostly on the technical relationship now not being in place and in flip high quality engineers leaving, and a brand new pay driver arriving. It’s a recipe for Foyt to return to the rear of the grid. Add into the combination the rumor of Daly rejoining the workforce and all that will entail between the drivers, and I see little to be enthusiastic about. Right here is hoping my creativeness is taking part in methods on me.
Oliver Wells
MP: I requested Group Penske president Jonathan Diuguid concerning the continuation of the technical alliance final month and he declined to supply a solution. That doesn’t imply the reply is a no, but when it was a sure, I can’t consider a purpose to obscure that truth.
Schnabel and Ferrucci have been magic in 2024 and Schnabel had the identical impact on Malukas in 2025. I’ve talked about of late that I count on to see one in every of Penske’s veteran race engineers being promoted to the next function – coming off the timing stand – and for Schnabel to step onto that stand as race engineer. Is that with Malukas on the No. 12? With McLaughlin on the No. 3?
Ferrucci actually preferred the shift to Adam Kolsar as his race engineer when Armbrester was promoted to technical director, so give that a while to develop since Kolesar was new to the function as of June. To your level, with out the Penske involvement, sure, the workforce would go backwards. Let’s hope the technical alliance continues.
Q: Ten years in the past I went to my first IndyCar race at Iowa Speedway with my now-husband. My husband’s first race was the inaugural yr on the monitor after getting free tickets from his school buddy. I used to be hooked as quickly as I noticed the automobiles flying round throughout qualifying, and I’ll always remember seeing how completely satisfied our buddy Invoice was when Ryan Hunter-Reay received the race. Since then we’ve made journeys to Street America, St. Louis, Nashville and the five hundred. Whereas all these occasions have been particular in their very own method, I’ll miss our hometown race (we stay about 45 minutes from Newton).
Though there was all the time a good quantity of warmth exhaustion, we all the time had the KOA pool and for a few years the racing was improbable! It has been painful to observe all the unfavourable feedback concerning the monitor over the previous few years, from hatred of the live performance years to the ultimate partial paving of the monitor. With it being gone, I really feel like we have now put an aged canine out of its distress.
When coping with the ache, it’s useful to recollect the great occasions, proper? Certainly one of my favourite reminiscences was watching Newgarden destroy the sphere in 2016 with a plate in his clavicle and a damaged hand. What a present! What was your favourite reminiscence of IndyCar at Iowa Speedway?
Liz, Proud Iowa Transplant
MP: I really like your perspective right here, Liz. You’re proper, and the longer you’re a fan, the bigger the graveyard will get with beloved occasions and tracks that left us. Ryan Hunter-Reay owned Iowa and amongst his victories there, the true thriller was in 2014 when Tony Kanaan dominated a lot of the race however RHR and some others rolled the cube by pitting on a late warning and used their new tires to tear by the sphere. RHR took the lead off of TK with two laps to go, which was wild.
It additionally cemented the transfer because the go-to choice to observe in any respect future short-ovals when confronted with an analogous scenario. Christian Rasmussen’s win final month in Milwaukee was the Iowa 2014 playbook executed to perfection.
Q: I’m very inspired by the cooperation between NASCAR and IndyCar on the Phoenix double header race subsequent March. That received me considering of different attainable doubleheaders that may bolster the IndyCar schedule.
I imagine IndyCar may revive the Iowa Speedway race by doing a doubleheader with NASCAR there.
A geographical space IndyCar may enhance upon is within the Northeast, the place it presently has no presence. May both Watkins Glen and/or New Hampshire be attainable if IndyCar teamed with NASCAR on these weekends?
In your opinion, what was it that FOX did or stated that abruptly opened the door to NASCAR’s cooperation with IndyCar?
Kevin P., Los Angeles, CA
MP: FOX is vitally necessary to NASCAR. Hosts the primary 16 occasions of the season (12 races plus qualifiers and all stars), together with the Daytona 500, so it has a robust voice of affect.
I proceed to listen to the Phoenix mashup received’t closely intrude on NASCAR’s weekend, and if what I’m informed is right and the Saturday IndyCar race isn’t the function however the warmup earlier than the Xfinity race (which is renamed the O’Reilly Auto Components Sequence in 2026), it may need the feel and appear of USF Professional 2000 working earlier than Indy NXT earlier than IndyCar. And if that’s the case, IndyCar shall be out and in shortly, which shall be an attention-grabbing expertise for a sequence that isn’t accustomed to being the opening act.
NBC broadcasts the Iowa NASCAR occasion, so I can’t consider how that will work.
Let’s hope the Phoenix doubleheader is the beginning of one thing good. Chris Graythen/Getty Photographs
Q: Am I incorrect to suppose that David Malukas may find yourself being Kevin Cogan 2.0 at Penske? No disrespect meant, however they appear to have a number of similarities.
Vincent Michael, Richmond, VA
MP: We’d must go full AJ on the pronunciation of Malooooooooooookas like he did with Coooooooooooooogan.
Davey may very well be a winless experiment like Cogan at Penske in 1982, however I don’t suppose the separation between Malukas and Newgarden/McLaughlin shall be something like what was seen between Rick Mears (Penske’s champion with 4 wins from 11 races) and Cogan (sixth place with one pole and two podiums).
On the identical time, with the what-the-hell-was-that season from Newgarden/McLaughlin, I can’t consider a greater time to introduce a wildcard like Malukas to presumably disrupt the workforce and assist it discover its method out of the wilderness. If this was the late 2010s when Newgarden and Pagenaud and Energy have been mollywhopping everybody, Malukas would have been eaten alive.
However whereas the workforce, which looks as if it misplaced a few of its identification in 2025, searches for a brand new identification with new management? Excellent time to check out a streaky new expertise and see if he can add one thing new and dynamic. And if he goes the Coooooooooooooooooogan route, properly, Lord, there’s some heavy hitters coming into free company in 2027 and past.
Q: As somebody who has adopted racing for many of my life, and who by no means received to see him race, why was Dr Jack Miller so unhealthy in the early years of what we now name the NTT IndyCar Sequence?
Kurt Perleberg
MP: He was a high-achieving mortal in a type of racing the place mortals normally aren’t discovered. I raced for a number of years in junior open-wheel and touring automobiles once I was in my early 20s, and might say with full confidence that Dr. Jack would destroy me and nearly everyone else on the planet in a motor race.
However amongst purebred racers in Indy Lights and IndyCar, he stood out as human amongst most who have been elite abilities. He took half in three Indy 500s. Ponder that one for a second. For all that Dr. Jack ‘The Racing Dentist’ was missing, it wasn’t balls.
Additionally contemplate that he had a full-time job. And a household. And there was no iRacing. Or simulators. Or PitFit. Take all the issues that at present’s mortals use to turn out to be the very best IndyCar drivers with continuous coaching and information to evaluate and countless onboards to evaluate and dwelling on the sim with their engineers between races, and it merely didn’t exist in Dr. Jack’s time.
The older I get, the extra I respect what he was capable of obtain. We simply didn’t have many like Miller again then, so he was eviscerated by followers, the media, and the opposite drivers. With the rise of pro-am racing – in sports activities automobiles, primarily – at present’s Dr. Jacks aren’t completely unusual to the racing world. However in his period, Miller was a misfit. (ED: If you would like to listen to The Racing Dentist’s personal tackle his profession, try our interview with him from a number of years in the past.)
Q: Simply hopping on right here to say that my spouse and our three boys shall be making the journey to Arizona in March for the IndyCar race. We’ll make it a week-long journey. I simply purchased all 5 of our tickets and they’re very moderately priced. So for all of the followers within the Phoenix space, get your a**es in these seats in order that we are able to hold Phoenix on the schedule! I’ve little doubt the race shall be nice with the brief oval package deal. Wanting ahead to seeing my first race at Phoenix.
Paul, Lake In The Hills, IL
MP: IndyCar’s short-oval races have been a few of the greatest every year, so I can’t wait to see what we have now in retailer at Phoenix. Ought to have some low season testing there to set the aero and tire spec to refine the package deal earlier than race weekend arrives. The occasion will mark my fifth decade of visiting Phoenix Raceway for IndyCar occasions. Undecided if that’s cool or miserable…
Q: Couple of questions after the IndyCar 2026 schedule received launched.
Will the Mexico race get one other shot? What are the percentages of it taking place in 2027?
Is Iowa undoubtedly useless and gone for IndyCar? Or do you see it coming again, similar to it did in 2022?
Reversely, is Phoenix right here to remain, this time? How sturdy is the deal between IndyCar and NASCAR for the shared race weekend at this explicit venue? Additionally, since it can host the second race of the 2026 schedule, have you ever heard of any take a look at days taking place anytime quickly?
Is ending the IndyCar season earlier than the NFL season begins nonetheless a requirement? In that case, I keep in mind there was once talks a number of years in the past about beginning the season earlier within the yr to keep away from having a six-month lengthy offseason. Is that this now not thought-about? I imply, what’s stopping IndyCar from scheduling the St Pete race mid- and even early February after which unfold the opposite races accordingly?
Lastly, may IndyCar contemplate, sooner or later, arranging its schedule to try to decrease journey distances between races (and due to this fact prices, too), like F1 does? If the brand new 2028 automotive goes to be dearer than the present DW12, wouldn’t this be a sensible approach to have groups avoid wasting cash for it? That is simply an instance however let’s take a look on the first 5 2026 races: St Pete, Phoenix, Arlington, Barber and Lengthy Seaside. Wouldn’t it’s theoretically attainable to modify Phoenix and Barber?
Xavier
MP: Mexico will get one other shot. (There’s a 43.7-percent probability of it taking place… how would I do know the percentages, brother?)
Iowa is useless. (Until or till a brand new grocery story chain named Vy-Hee comes alongside and pays foolish cash to sponsor the factor.)
Phoenix is right here to remain. (For at the least one race in 2026. Kinda’ want for the wedding to be consummated earlier than predicting how lengthy the union will final.)
Check days will occur. (Have to ask when.)
Sure, nonetheless a requirement. (However not if you’d like no one to observe.)
The issue for a few years, together with 2025, was the primary race adopted by an extended anticipate the following. (Which was simply solved for 2026 with three straight weekends to open the season, so return to spreading issues out?)
Sure, IndyCar may set its schedule to attenuate journey distances. (However NASCAR isn’t altering its Phoenix weekend for this, so sure, however no.)
Additionally, if IndyCar groups want to save lots of diesel gas to afford new automobiles in 2028, the sequence is doomed. (No, significantly.)
Iowa was enjoyable whereas it lasted. Travis Hinkle/IMS
Q: 1. Why does not IMSA have native yellows? (I used to be at Watkins Glen and three hours of the race was FCY).
2. It appears to me that Penske Porsches cannot go anybody with out hitting one other automotive ( ask Grosjean)
3. Does anybody else discover ‘Mr Zoomy’ and his handheld pit lane digicam bouncing off crew members and many others annoying?
David, PA
MP: 1: IMSA does have native yellows. 2: It does appear that method, doesn’t it? 3: Seven individuals discover it annoying, however Mrs. Zoomy loves it.
Q: I simply reviewed the article on the brand new schedule and marvel why IndyCar’s occasions will not be in demand. One of many feedback acknowledged that the Indy 500 was the one worthwhile race on the schedule.
Are weekend occasions like Lengthy Seaside or Street America, each of which draw large crowds, not worthwhile? Is that sentiment concerning the sequence being unable to demand sufficient to indicate up, or can the promoters being unable to make a buck?
As a lot as I hate shedding a brief oval like Iowa, that was by no means a venue that sponsors different than native Hy-Vee received enthusiastic about. I went to Baltimore for the grand prix there years in the past and it felt like Lengthy Seaside with an excellent crowd. I used to be shocked that occasion was scrapped.
On a last notice, I learn some reference {that a} Washington DC race would examine a field off to cowl the Northeast. Can anybody learn a map anymore? A race in that space could be nice, however I discover it troubling that IndyCar can’t draw a good crowd at Watkins Glen, one in every of our most legendary venues.
Wildman, Missouri
MP: You imagine my mother and father had me, raised me, despatched me out into the world to seek out my method, all with the hope I’d come right here and touch upon the accuracy of a remark left beneath an article? Kill me now.
Q: When the 2026 IndyCar schedule got here out, there have been clearly vital social media feedback. One which caught out to me was a number of individuals dogging on Detroit. Now, I overtly admit I wasn’t a fan of the primary downtown road race. However I’ve since modified my opinion.
Detroit, to me, is an attention-grabbing race. It is a road race, however not like St. Pete or Lengthy Seaside. It actually appears that for Detroit, the drivers will not be racing different drivers as a lot as they’re racing the monitor. Principally, survive the monitor, then race others for place when attainable. It is like 50% race the monitor, 30-40% race different drivers, and 10-20% Mario Kart.
What are the drivers’ emotions on Detroit?
John Balestrieri, Waukesha, WI
MP: That’s an excellent perspective, John. The drivers I take pleasure in watching probably the most are inclined to thrive there. I’ve beloved the city since my first go to within the Nineties. I’ve additionally spent years dwelling in actually tough elements of San Francisco, very nice elements of SF, and in tough/good elements of Oakland, so I’m comfy in each environments.
Grateful for these experiences. However that’s not one thing loads of IndyCar drivers have skilled, so I perceive why some don’t see the appeal in Detroit. I point out all of that as a result of one’s emotions concerning the location can definitely affect one’s view on the race and occasion. I haven’t heard a bunch of flowery feedback from the bulk.
Q: Any probability of DRR doing extra IndyCar races apart from the five hundred? They all the time appear to be posting tidbits that make you marvel.
Kasey
MP: Requested DRR a number of months in the past and there was the acquainted expression of curiosity, however there’s no wise path to take action as a non-guaranteed entry. With the 27-car grid cap, DRR would wish to out-qualify somebody to make the race, and that’s rattling laborious to do with out being on monitor on a regular basis.
Q: With the hoped-for Mexico Metropolis race being left off the 2026 schedule, I used to be questioning if there ever has been consideration given to different places in Mexico? I am all for IndyCar increasing its fanbase, however the plan to carry this occasion at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez falls somewhat flat with me as a result of it is doing the identical factor that F1 does yearly, and that NASCAR beat us to the punch on this yr. I would desire to see IndyCar differentiate itself quite than observe within the wake of different sequence.
I perceive the perks of the AHR circuit – I am assuming it’s the highest-quality venue within the nation and it is situated within the largest inhabitants middle. I do not low cost the significance of those elements. However are there different official venues that may help an IndyCar race?
I’m admittedly unfamiliar with what different choices might exist. Pato is from Monterrey, and I imagine CART/Champ Automotive used to do a road race there within the early 2000s. I am certain the principle aim of this is not to draw American vacationers, however doing a road circuit in a vacationer space like Cancun or Puerto Vallerta may need some enchantment. Are there any ovals there with sufficient amenities? That is the place I believe IndyCar may actually introduce itself to a brand new inhabitants as one thing completely different.
Tom, Lemont, IL
MP: I’m certain different venues have been mentioned, however I’ve solely recognized Mexico Metropolis to be the first focus. Until there’s a sudden change of tone, IndyCar desires a turnkey occasion in Mexico, and that’s Autodromo Hermans Rodriguez. It hosts F1, Components E, NASCAR this yr, and desires nothing apart from a racing sequence to indicate up and race. Each different location requires loads of heavy lifting, and I don’t see the sequence pouring itself into making a brand new and large manufacturing someplace in Mexico on their very own.
The Autodromo is like an Airbnb for IndyCar. Step into a stunning rental for 3 days and two nights in Mexico Metropolis, then head dwelling.
Airbnb evaluate: Bit noisy and no non-public bogs, however nonetheless extremely advocate. Would undoubtedly keep right here once more, 5 stars. Zak Mauger/Getty Photographs
Q: I get the will to race in Mexico Metropolis, with it being probably the most populous metropolis in Mexico, however has there been any consideration of returning to Monterrey the place CART and Champ Automotive had competed?
For starters, that’s Pato’s hometown so the group would most likely be much more wild, cheering on the hometown boy. However on prime of that, it is one thing that will be completely different to easily working on an F1 monitor the place you already know you are prone to see individuals evaluating lap occasions between IndyCar and F1.
Alan Bandi, Sarver, PA
MP: See above.
Q: I’m not understanding the dearth of a Northeast race. If IndyCar can accomplice with NASCAR (enemy No.1), then why cannot they accomplice with IMSA at The Glen and have a Saturday race the day earlier than the Six Hour?
And this entire avoiding the NFL factor is a joke. The sporting world does not simply cease as a result of the NFL is on. It’s simply plain silly. NASCAR, NHRA, and IMSA proceed by October. IndyCar appears like scared little children on this. Thanks, Boston Consulting.
Derek, Rochester, NY
MP: All of the verified information that exhibits IndyCar will get murdered on TV scores when it goes up in opposition to the NFL… faux information? NASCAR places up strong-ish numbers as a result of it’s many occasions extra common than IndyCar. It’s an exception. It has sufficient followers to lose some to the NFL with out taking a giant scores dive. Not so for IndyCar. IMSA will get hammered when it goes in opposition to the NFL. Similar for the NHRA. If the argument being made is that IndyCar ought to ignore what’s greatest for its groups and sponsors and cost into September and October whereas soccer owns the airwaves, that’s a good way to hurt the sequence.
We’ve additionally ignored the truth that FOX devotes its Saturdays to varsity soccer and its Sundays to the NFL as soon as we get into September. I’m penning this on a Saturday morning and it was pre-game exhibits all morning earlier than 4 or 5 straight school video games that run till 11pm. On large FOX. Comparable is going on on Sunday, besides it’s all morning and all afternoon earlier than transferring to The Simpsons and the remainder of the night’s non-sports programming. However sure, if we ignore the overall lack of obtainable weekend house on FOX throughout soccer season…
IMSA doesn’t need an IndyCar race on one in every of its marquee endurance weekends with the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen. Its Michelin Pilot Problem sequence is the function Saturday race.
Q: One factor that tends to grind my gears about racing throughout the board today is that we’re consistently searching for the groups and sequence to seek out extra methods to enhance racing, however we hardly ever see basic modifications to the tracks themselves outdoors of re-paving, or the occasional reprofiling of a nook.
With all the developments in information and analytics, the groups present up understanding precisely how you can navigate every circuit until it is a model new monitor, or one which hasn’t been utilized in years.
My query is, outdoors of the prices, why will we hardly ever see modifications to circuit layouts, particularly on tracks which have a number of attainable configurations? I perceive it is costly, however the automobiles race on the tracks and if the tracks do not change, it tends to make the racing extra predictable. I am not saying to do that yearly, however I believe we must be demanding that circuits sustain with the automobiles to maintain issues recent and current new challenges to the groups and drivers. NASCAR appears to be the one main sequence that tends to lean into this philosophy (COTA brief course, Bristol on filth, and many others.).
Would like to get your ideas on this.
Paul, NYC
MP: You answered your query with the “I perceive it’s costly” acknowledgment.
It’s additionally value sharing that tracks don’t dictate to the racing sequence; if the brief course or lengthy course at wherever goes for use, it’s the sequence and the monitor making that decision, with the sequence being the one with the ability to veto something it doesn’t like since an IndyCar or NASCAR or IMSA is the one bringing the product.
Overarching thought right here is the tracks, the fields, and the courts are the fastened environments for the automobiles or athletes to carry out. The gamers and machines are those who evolve, which is why predictability—at the least within the three sequence I discussed—isn’t a difficulty yr after yr.
Iowa Speedway, 2024. Group Penske is the dominant power at that monitor. Scott McLaughlin wins the primary race and Will Energy wins the second. This yr, with the identical monitor, no new paving, and many others.? Pato O’Ward wins the primary and Alex Palou wins the second. Wild issues occur within the two races in a hard and fast atmosphere.
Q: After the announcement of the IndyCar schedule, Lengthy Seaside despatched out its yearly electronic mail concerning ticket renewals and basic sale. Usually, they have already got a full rundown of the help sequence that shall be current, however this yr it simply stated, “with help sequence to be introduced shortly.” Seeing as their schedule is not posted but, are we lastly getting an NXT return to Lengthy Seaside?
Jacob, Southern California
MP: Heard it may be 2027.
Q: Time for an low season query for you. Enthusiastic about the brand new automotive and the aim of shedding weight, growing horsepower, whereas remaining secure. Would there be any considered eradicating the in-car pneumatic jack system from the automotive? That system, though most likely a low CG system, can’t be that mild – 20-30lbs perhaps? Most single-seater sequence simply use guide jacks fore and aft to lift the automotive. Pitstops may be slower, however it will be the identical for everybody. Ideas?
Andy R., Detroit
MP: Attention-grabbing thought. The pneumatic cylinders aren’t heavy so there isn’t a lot of a weight financial savings. The issue right here is pit stops. F1 automobiles pit solo, with tons of house entrance and rear for guide jacks for use. IndyCar normally has a number of automobiles, if not a lot of the discipline, all pitting on the identical time, nostril to tail, with barely sufficient room to get out and in with out lengthy lever-based guide jacks in the best way. I do know the jack operators in F1 angle themselves again and out of the best way, however they’ve extra open house to step again into and likewise don’t have a pit wall blocking them. For now, it’s a lot simpler to only persist with what works.
Q: One of many gadgets tossed out from the Might Penske debacle was the institution of an unbiased sanctioning physique. Perhaps I’ve missed it, however I haven’t heard something extra on this since. Any updates that you just’re conscious of?
Larry Miller, Key West
MP: Simply what I’ve written about on RACER.com.
Q: Why on the planet does Rinus announce he’s leaving DCR until he has secured a touchdown spot?
Gary from the street
MP: Sure.
Q: Easy query: Why do not you have got an app? Or am I an fool?
Tom
MARK GLENDENNING: In case you imply, ‘why does not RACER.com have an app’, the reply is that we do – form of. The RACER+ app (available here) is primarily supposed for streaming RACER Community content material, however it does take a information feed from RACER.com. In the mean time that content material is just accessible in a reasonably rudimentary kind, however there are ongoing discussions about constructing out a extra fully-featured information factor.
THE FINAL WORD
From Robin Miller’s Mailbag, 23 September, 2014
Q: Keep in mind when Senna was undecided whether or not to drive for McLaren in 1992 and he examined one in every of Penske’s Indy automobiles at Firebird? Simply speculating, how do you suppose Senna would have achieved at Indy?
Late Apex
ROBIN MILLER: Emerson Fittipaldi was attempting to persuade him to come back race in CART, at the least the Indy 500, and he appeared eager on the concept after the take a look at. Driving for Penske along with his expertise, I believe he’d have achieved simply advantageous. Are you able to think about having Mansell, Senna and Fittipaldi at Indy that Might?
