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 revealed. Questions acquired after 3pm ET every Monday will likely be saved for the next week.
Q: The racing at Iowa was higher than anticipated, and crowds have 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 beneath the lights with a community viewers?
Dan, Brownsburg, IN
MARSHALL PRUETT: Subject of IndyCar Desires. 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 exchange an engine.
Are you aware if Will Energy needed to get a brand new engine for Iowa? I watched Chevy guys actually his engine within the storage after he was out of the Mid-Ohio race.
Craig
MP: Chevy and Honda provide IndyCar with lists of accessible 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 group 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 contemporary engine for Iowa, sure.
Q: I imagine Scott McLaughlin has what it takes to be an IndyCar collection champion. Ought to it occur, it’d make him the champion of two completely different prime tier collection. How many individuals – and who – have been in a position to pull that off?
Shawn, MD
MP: Unusual to see so many unforced errors in his fifth season. He was my pre-season decide for the title. Of those that come instantly to thoughts in current instances, Simon Pagenaud gained the 2010 ALMS Prototype championship and the 2016 IndyCar title. Juan Pablo Montoya gained the 1999 CART IndyCar championship and the 2019 IMSA DPi championship as effectively. I am positive there are others.
Q: Simply heard in direction of the tip of Saturday’s Iowa race that Chevy messaged all Chevy groups telling them to not use the assault mode setting anymore. I assume Chevy can have nothing to say about this. Do you assume they noticed some information that made them fear concerning the engine giving out?
Craig
MP: Right on Chevy having a constant coverage on not speaking about such issues. With out understanding 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 couple of attention-grabbing storylines (Penske’s resurgence, O’Ward’s first win of 2025, Chevy working 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 shortly? Was Hy-Vee giving freely tickets a couple of years again? Did the ridiculous ticket costs with the live shows drive individuals away for good? Has the single-lane racing triggered 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 can doubtless have higher attendance. Possibly Penske Leisure may gain advantage from a title sponsor that may market the open-wheel weekend at each tracks? Clearly, they’re going to go along with whoever presents cash to sponsor the race, however IndyCar clearly failed badly as a promoter right here. One thing labored effectively within the current previous.
Tom Pate, Macomb, MI
MP: Ever seen the place a well-liked band loses its recording take care of a serious label and returns on a smaller one — or they begin their very own label — and so they shed all the normal 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 power, and bringer of massive musical acts.
With Penske Leisure as the only promoter, and minus the huge attain and assets Hy-Vee was keen 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 loads of empty stands final weekend.
Saturday’s race wasn’t a sustained thriller, however it bought higher because it went on and the second lane was revealed to numerous drivers as one thing that could possibly be used to go. 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 could possibly be barely improved upon, it’s effectively value going again, however the sparse crowd is what nothing however diehards appear like. I don’t know if one driver main 242 laps on Saturday with Newgarden and Palou main 194 of 275 on Sunday would bounce 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 effectively, and it placed on two unhealthy live shows. Except I used to be a complete devotee to the band and didn’t care if the live shows have been horrible, how would the typical individual react in the event that they heard the identical band was returning for 2 extra live shows? I feel most individuals would go, which doubtless explains the abundance of shiny and empty aluminum seats.
If an IndyCar drives previous and no person 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, Highway 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 person reveals up. I’m all for doubling the Highway 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’t proceed to race at locations the place individuals barely present up – not whereas it’s in a long-term rebuilding course of – however it additionally faces the difficulty of not having sufficient new tracks to go to that might remedy the low-attendance drawback. Which makes your concept one to contemplate, supplied the Highway Americas and Mid-Ohios are assured they may draw two large 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 supplies. The gang, nevertheless, was past disappointing. Embarrassing, really. 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 street programs like Highway Atlanta, Mosport, VIR, hopefully discover a couple of extra avenue circuits, and go away the ovals to Indy.
Michael Veretta, Ilderton, Ontario, Canada
MP: Milwaukee had a powerful 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 completely different from nice — regardless of some shrinkage from the early years of its return.
I didn’t develop up with quick ovals, however have come to like them virtually greater than street and avenue programs, which is my pre-IndyCar background. I’d welcome all of the street programs you point out, however I’d by no means need to shed the non-Indy ovals.
Q: What a humiliation, seeing all of the 1000’s of racing followers disguised as empty seats each days at Iowa. How will you 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 free of charge and attempt to make up the misplaced income in parking and concessions. By the way in which, each races have been nice and really thrilling.
Don, Grand Rapids
MP: Catch-22 right here. If IndyCar wants to take care of its oval selection and keep between 16-18 races, Iowa Speedway is a good location to contemplate. If IndyCar (Penske Leisure) must generate income, effectively, free tickets isn’t the way in which to prop up a scarcity of demand until somebody believes it’s a advertising funding which may get Large Firm X to spend a ton on changing into a Hy-Vee-level sponsor for 2027 and produce individuals again by way of immense promotions and points of interest past the racing.
Q: Josef Newgarden fired everybody seemingly on his group aside 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 value 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 not less than one in all his teammates looks like me. Is that this ‘makeover’ all Josef’s doing? In that case, like somebody who represents himself in court docket, he has a idiot for a consumer. If not, I’d submit he fired the unsuitable individual/individuals.
Mike DeQuardo, Elkhart Lake
MP: Actually laborious to reply, Mike. Josef retains his inside 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 prefer 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 plenty of free time for individuals, to somebody who reveals up on a mission to concentrate on his work, simply with the members of his Penske tribe, and isn’t attempting to be the wide-open man of outdated. And I respect that. He’s been looking to search out one thing that’s been lacking because the finish of 2019 when his final championship was gained, and that’s concerned some personnel adjustments that haven’t at all times been dealt with the best means, from what I’ve been informed.
I’d love to satisfy the one who thinks they’ll inform Penske what to do, however sure, because the group’s most profitable driver since he arrived there in 2017, you’d assume that comes with a stage of affect that’s actual and vital.
He’s additionally been in a rolling kick to the crotch for nearly two straight months beginning with Pole Day on Might 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 profitable, I’d guess 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 beneath 24 hours in Iowa – it’s a narrative that continues to construct in a damaging route. There could be one thing unsuitable with him is he wasn’t feeling depressing since Might.
Newgarden’s public persona has modified through the years, however the truth that these closest to him on the group facet are nonetheless all-in counts for lots. Joe Skibinski/IMS
Q: I’m very pleased with FOX. However I’ve one criticism. Evidently FOX retains engine sounds cranked up, protecting the announcers’ voices. It makes it very laborious to observe and hear.
I am positive that I’m alone. Please go this alongside to your pals 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, quick or lengthy, on the schedule. The disgrace is how empty the stands have been on each days
Mike, Cincinnati
MP: Message inbound, FOX. Are you able to hear me now?
Q: Do media personalities, equivalent to you, who’re assigned to interview Newgarden (or attempt to) when he would not win a race, robotically get an additional time without work? If not, they need to.
He is gone from one in all my favorites to my least.
Purple
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 like these skilled by Josef Newgarden and the Penske group this 12 months. Nevertheless, Josef’s reactions seem considerably immature, particularly given his observe report of success, which might sometimes point out a extra composed response to setbacks.
In distinction, Scott Dixon exemplifies a extra resilient angle 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 forged him in a positive mild. This habits will not be remoted; it appears to be changing 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 could be acquired in a damaging method.
Stated one other means, if he cared about public notion, I’m positive he’d keep and anticipate cameras and microphones to look when no matter issues go unsuitable 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 sort of stuff with The Captain close by. With Cindric gone and with Roger now not on pit lane together with his group, I can see how this has develop into a factor.
Are you able to think about it changing into a factor at Ganassi, although? Or Arrow McLaren? Chip would apply ‘corrective habits’ immediately. You’d hear the shouting contained in the transporter from a mile away, and it could by no means occur once more. Identical with Zak or TK. However completely different groups and completely different cultures right here…
Q: What a distinction between Race 1 and Race 2 in Iowa. The way in which 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 a suitable answer. With IndyCar on the cusp of actual rankings 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 in case you have an answer”. Effectively, I want to suggest an answer. Pitting beneath yellow wouldn’t be permitted. All vehicles should pit beneath inexperienced to make sure all pit stops happen beneath related situations.
If a automobile can’t doubtlessly full the period of a warning as a consequence of working out of gasoline, then that automobile can pit for a ‘splash and go’ solely and rejoin the sector in the identical place it occupied firstly of that yellow. Nevertheless, to make sure that no group would try and do a ‘splash and go’ to get to the checkered flag with out stopping once more, that automobile could 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 imagine we should begin someplace and start developing with some affordable options. It’s important for the way forward for IndyCar to at all times do every part attainable to maximise talent and reduce luck.
St. Louis Spencer
MP: I get your level, however identify 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 completed earlier than, and then you definately take away the dumpster divers who had poor qualifying runs from hitting pit lane early beneath warning, simply as Scott Dixon did at Mid-Ohio, and bringing enjoyable and attention-grabbing methods into play among the many majority who follow the favored technique.
Typically the pitcher loses management of the ball and hits the batter who goes on to attain the profitable run who wouldn’t be on base if it wasn’t for the pitcher’s unhealthy luck. Typically 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 tip 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 completed beneath inexperienced to safeguard in opposition to probability and selection, will we additionally mandate what tire compounds groups can use and when as to stop luck and selection there? Possibly we add two or three breaks through the race– virtually at completely different levels – as effectively?
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 strain 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 strain through telemetry?
Dave, Ohio
MP: Suggestions, sure. ‘Suggestions’ being completely 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 tips 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 generally known as the mid-range and top-end king with this motor components and Honda’s been generally 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 effectively. In the case of mileage, it has been a Honda 12 months.
Q: Two questions. First, how can it’s that McLaren would 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 may be on the chopping block and Watkins Glen may be 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 wouldn’t have reserve drivers, in order that’s the norm. I’d assume the sponsors of a automobile could be sympathetic to the plight of a younger man who bought harm and are with a group that has the assets to rent a driver on quick discover to symbolize them at a excessive stage. Not like that is the primary time a injured driver has been a query mark for the subsequent race.
IndyCar president Doug Boles informed us final week that he expects Toronto to return. Watkins has been a topic of hypothesis. After I was there a couple of weeks in the past for the IMSA race, I didn’t hear IndyCar talked about among the many future plans. If it occurs, it could be superior. Being there through the aero package period and seeing the max-downforce IndyCars fly by way of the corners at mind-bending pace was like a non secular expertise.
Q: I assumed the double-header at Iowa Speedway was a fantastic weekend for IndyCar. There was implausible racing, plenty of passing, technique, stiff competitors, and shock endings (Chevy lastly will get a win, Palou proves the Indy 500 was not a fluke).
The gang 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 have been really fairly useful at Iowa, as a result of the sweepers properly used the time to scrub the observe, 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 situations, 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?
Here is what we all know: NASCAR has heavier vehicles, completely completely different aerodynamics, runs at slower speeds, with completely different masses, a distinct tire producer with a distinct tire compound, completely different tire sizes, and responds favorably to PJ-1 and repaved tracks. So which of these variations is the main issue that enables NASCAR to run the high-lane on these ovals, however IndyCar successfully can’t 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 not less than twice and completed sixth. VeeKay bought lapped in all probability 4 instances and completed eighth. Abel was a transferring 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 only bought handed them with the additional advantage 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? A minimum of NASCAR forces you to forgo your pit cease if you would like the wave-around (in addition to 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 couple of races this 12 months the place one tire has been completely ineffective to the purpose we might as effectively have solely had one tire possibility. I get the hybrid provides a problem, however it’s been greater than a 12 months since they’ve been applied, to not point out all of the testing that was completed previous to that.
Brent
MP: The reason is IndyCar permits every part you talked about and NASCAR doesn’t? Hate to be Captain Apparent right here (probably not), however it’s what IndyCar needs to do, in order that they do it. It doesn’t base its guidelines on what one other collection does or doesn’t do.
Undecided how to reply to 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 studies. 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 hold 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 will possibly increase attendance on the different ovals by emailing a suggestion of cheaper tickets, and maybe a journey packages to the opposite ovals that IndyCar is presently selling. Years in the past NHRA did one thing related by providing reductions to their fan base and a take care of Motel 6.
If 10% of 500 attendees have been intrigued by the deal, all our different ovals would look full and we wouldn’t need to wring our fingers about the way forward for the collection each time we go to a non-street/street 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 Pictures
Q: I am positive you will get loads of questions on this challenge, however I needed to ask from a world perspective.
I really like watching an oval race, however it appears individuals aren’t turning up. My query is why, and the way will we enhance these numbers? Are ovals tougher to get to than the street 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 (possibly carry again the Highway to Indy) or some off-track motion? Loopy Carts have been a success within the BTCC on Saturday; possibly IndyCar ought to try this. Increase to incorporate extra fan zones and Q&A periods, amongst different issues.
Now, since I am UK-based, I might have to take a position some huge cash to journey and watch an IndyCar race in individual. Nevertheless, I might get higher worth for my cash at Lengthy Seaside (because it doubles up IMSA) or a visit to Highway America. So I am extra prone to go to these than an oval. Look, I really like watching oval racing, and it makes IndyCar stand out, however until we alter this, it will not be lengthy earlier than we’re again to a late Champ Automotive collection with the Indy 500.
Additionally, whereas I’ve you, what do we now have to do to get the GTP class at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park? (And so as to add, sensible to see Workforce 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, Highway 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 sizzling, but when there’s bushes or prepared shade, of us present up. After I consider Iowa, it’s simply sizzling, with no shade, with no sense of group like a few of the others the place of us 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 live shows 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, however it’s a reasonably sparse venue with restricted choices for many who prefer to have an even bigger hand in creating their very own expertise at a motor race. Lengthy Seaside is the last word instance of selection the place you possibly can sit within the stands, go down and see the vehicles, go contained in the conference heart and see and purchase extra cool stuff, eat at a variety of eating places, and by no means undergo from boredom.
At a few of the others, you possibly can carry all of the enjoyable and selection in your automobile or truck, put up a tent, and camp with like-minded of us 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 advice 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 loads. That seemed painful.
I do not know if different drivers do the identical. However would 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 right way to place themselves in a crash, however sure, minimizing the gap between one’s helmet and the cushioning impact created by the top encompass would appear like the best transfer each time in an influence.
Q: Will all of the stakeholders within the Iowa races have the ability to save its place on the IndyCar schedule? It looks like nobody is keen to compromise and followers find yourself being supplied a product that could be a poor worth. The shortage of 2025 attendance displays the poor worth being supplied to followers. What number of followers may be anticipated to pay a number of hundred {dollars} to attend 2026 race(s) given the next?
Each 2024 races have been horrible.
Drivers have been unanimously predicting boring racing after the 2025 check.
Saturday’s race was boring.
Sunday’s race was moderately entertaining.
Races are fully run through the day in July (at a observe with lights that has beforehand held evening races).
Bleachers supply zero shade.
The homepage of the observe web site actually doesn’t point out the race.
Many tickets are costlier than seats on the Indy 500 for races that take half the time.
Followers aren’t allowed to usher in meals.
Followers are solely allowed to usher in two unopened water bottles.
Kyle
MP: I imagine 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 aside from one 12 months when it was a one-lane observe, 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 tons extra. And that was simply Race 2.
There was additionally good motion in NXT when Myles Rowe made a race-winning exterior go on the hotshoe rookie Hauger after working him a bit. Seeing as that is Rowe’s second 12 months and he has good help, are there plans to maneuver him up? Additionally do we all know the place Hauger goes?
Chris, Colorado
MP: I do know of 1 group that continues to inform me they’re involved in Hauger. However there aren’t many paying seats for 2026, and until 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, which may change.
With a greater than 50% win price in NXT this 12 months, Hauger’s undoubtedly doing his bit to get onto the IndyCar radar. Matt Fraver/IMS
Q: I used to be not in a position to watch the IndyCar Iowa races dwell, so I watched the quick highlights model on the IndyCar web site. I significantly thought I watched Race 1 twice – each had Josef Newgarden taken out of rivalry by ill-timed pit stops as a consequence of cautions… by the identical two drivers inflicting the cautions?
And what concerning the tire blow-ups? Was it the tire compounds, chassis settings, air strain?
John, Downers Grove
MP: That may be the identical two completely different drivers in Ericsson and Herta. It wasn’t the compounds as a result of each group 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 one would look to probability as being the trigger for all three vehicles from a single group being the one ones to have failures, so sure, chassis settings could be the pure place to look. If the three right-front tires have been over or beneath inflated, or overheating, the group ought to have seen it every time on telemetry.
Q: Throughout the second race, a remark was heard on the radio that “the Honda guys” are all blocking. Who mentioned that? I’ve seen a couple of conspiracy theorists say that Andretti purposely sacrificed their vehicles for well timed yellow to make sure Honda the win. Was it definitely worth the hundred thousand {dollars} in harm? (chuckle)
Dino, New Hanover, PA
MP: Hundred grand? Let’s begin at a half-million and hold counting. Please use the mute or block or unfriend buttons with pleasure and take away the idiots out of your timelines.
Q: Do you imagine 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 firstly. The warning was eight laps, which felt too lengthy. Race Management was pleased with the order by lap 5, there was no observe cleanup or sweeping wanted*, and nobody wanted to pit.
Warning 2: Siegel’s spin, which was finally red-flagged. It was as a result of time wanted to make observe repairs. I requested if it was shocking when it did not occur at WWTR, which is related for me as I imagine when observe integrity is compromised there must be a crimson flag.
Philosophically I do not like sweepers popping out throughout cautions since I really feel it is a partial observe/race reset as an alternative of race neutralization. I might admire your opinion on this, too.
Atilla Veyssal, West Allis, WI
MP: I’m superb 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 completed 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 prevented as a result of extreme and dangerous nature of the moisture on the bottom.
If the sport has been paused for an extended period that enables 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 quick lap of 18-19 seconds. Whole time out and in of pit lane is round 36 seconds. Pitting proper when it goes yellow there, particularly, is the kiss of aggressive loss of life if it’s late within the race. Not a lot if it’s earlier, which additionally occurred to him, however he raced his means again to the lead, solely to have it occur once more.
Q: Has Rasmussen completed sufficient just lately to safe one other 12 months at ECR? He is handed Rossi within the standings over the previous couple of weeks.
Bob
MP: From the Indy 500 by way 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 wouldn’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 loads of veterans together with his unpredictable strikes on ovals, which he wants to scrub up. Last item he wants is to be handled in a hostile method – the identical means a rising variety of vets really feel about him as a hostile presence on observe – as a result of these sturdy oval finishes can simply flip into conferences with the wall if the vets develop uninterested in his egocentric strategy.
Rasmussen’s making himself recognized. 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 imagine, Roger should mirror on what’s finest for the collection total, as although the five hundred itself seems to be on stable floor, the collection will not 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 Components E!
I agree with Michael Andretti and Zak Brown that the collection has a lot potential however would require some substantial funding. Has the concept of creating the collection a separate public company inviting vital exterior funding been mentioned?
I do not assume one may have a 500 in its present type and not using a collection and I might 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 appears like one thing to ask Zak about after I see him.
Q: I am presently listening to The Invoice Simmons podcast on a Monday morning within the depths of the July sports activities lull. The main phase for this specific episode is lauding how nice the F1 film is and the way it has Invoice and his guess itching to observe F1.
They have been mesmerized by the glitz, glamour, threat, and intercourse attraction that F1 has to supply. They routinely referred to the film as “attractive”. Invoice even known as it “The perfect 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 can doubtless attain hundreds of thousands of listeners. There is a respectable probability {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 midst of Iowa (not attempting to hate, however it is not precisely Miami) in entrance of empty bleachers and, doubtless, TVs. Nice racing, as at all times, however it’s changing 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 complete picture makeover.
IndyCar was feared. The races have been scary. Folks went to and watched races as a result of they knew they have been watching guys threat loss of life to win. The groups and drivers pushed pace limits and made particular moments as a result of the drivers have been principally seen as superheroes. This is not to argue in opposition to present security requirements, however I feel loads of the joys is gone from IndyCar. It is a sport that hardly tries to vary 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 individuals do not need to watch IndyCar. I am not completely 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 really like IndyCar, however 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 whole disinterest, due to the film.
Agree within the picture makeover. FOX is IndyCar’s new promotional arm, or not less than that’s what it seems like, and so they’ve been going laborious at promoting the collection on its channels as quick and attention-grabbing and funky, and doing so with some power 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 best one for the place youthful and newer followers are at this time?
The collection tells me it’s seeing big progress 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 at this time’s spec world it is extraordinarily uncommon to see an engine failure. Will Energy’s two failures in three races, it is tempting guilty it on the present dysfunction at Workforce Penske, however I do not assume the groups can actually do a lot of something with tuning the powerplants today. 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 (which may occur one out of 100 instances), and Chevy’s IndyCar engine boss mentioned it was on them, not the group, within the quote supplied to us by Chevy.
Not a lot Penske – or Energy – may have completed concerning the No.12’s current kerblammos. (That is the technical time period). Travis Hinkle/IMS
Q: Loving the IndyCar season to this point.As you rightly say, what Alex Palou is doing in a race automobile proper now could 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 gained 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 firstly 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 in a position to overtake Jimmy within the standings, he’d be returning and unleashing a beating on CART in ‘97. Dixon working the desk in 2020, profitable the opener and main the championship from begin to end. Pagenaud in 2016 was simply on a distinct 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 Automotive, 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 have been on a distinct 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, Large Possum does bear 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 homeowners to spend cash to go rear-engine).
Understand that it could not be laborious 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.
Large Possum could 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. Large Possum nonetheless prefers ‘gents’ slightly than ‘drivers’ when no females are within the discipline. Except it has been decided that Santino will not be a gentleman. However he’s Large Possum’s favourite driver – reminds large Possum barely of Marlon Brando. Large Possum doesn’t have a query as a result of he is aware of most issues.
Large Possum
MP: Is that this the best time to say Large Possum (and Little Possum) gave me a possum shirt in Might 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 Large Possum and Little Possum, their connection to the Mailbag, and so forth., and he or she 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 of for a Cadillac trip right here within the U.S., or did he simply need to transfer again to Europe together 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 substitute program, and the opposite group, AXR, wanted a solution whereas he was holding the door open for CGR. GM needed him to stay a frontrunner inside 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 greatest impediment to IndyCar increasing its schedule? Clearly cash, however is it TV cash, discovering sufficient sponsors, added prices, worthwhile occasions, and so forth? I might like to see the collection add a couple of dates within the spring. That is such a useless interval.
Jim, Milwaukee
MP: Venues. If we ignore all the opposite points, there simply aren’t sufficient tracks which can be pining to carry an IndyCar race in the meanwhile. 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, pays for IndyCar, and, critically, have the best native fan base to ship a powerful crowd.
It’s straightforward to provide you with tracks so as to add, however they lack a number of of the issues which can be 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 gained’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 of as a observe rental the place IndyCar would take the monetary threat. That’s what Iowa has develop into with out Hy-Vee as the large spender; it’s IndyCar renting and selling and hoping it will possibly make it work with out the large live shows and massive promotional spend introduced forth by its former sponsor/occasion accomplice.
That’s additionally why the wonderful curiosity and dedication from the parents 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 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 type, which makes me assume it’s generic footage.
Q: For almost 50 years, American open-wheel racing has wrestled with the right way to steadiness 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 goal 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 difficulty.
We’re all conscious that IndyCar’s best advertising failure since 1995 has been a failure to reply one elementary 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 slightly, Champ Automotive – has the best 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 informed.
This is the reason 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 burden 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 Components 1 – a lot of IndyCar’s inner historical past is a thriller. The break up, the reunification, the politics… it’s a tangled legacy that’s laborious 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 – may be an acquired style, the broader narrative of crowning not solely the Nationwide Champion but in addition probably the most well-rounded, adaptable driver on the earth could also be what captures the creativeness of the fashionable, international motorsport fan. There’s status in that, legacy in that – and maybe, lastly, a solution to why IndyCar issues.
Jah, ATL
MP: Typically it’s enjoyable to make up an issue after which remedy it.
Q: There isn’t a doubt that apart from St. Pete and the five hundred, IndyCar’s TV rankings 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 may, be completed in another way? Additionally, do we now have any concept what the viewership numbers are for observe, qualifying, NXT races or IndyCar race replays?
I’m simply searching for a silver lining and questioning if possibly individuals who can’t watch the race watch the replay or different content material? Additionally, to maintain a optimistic theme, not less than race attendance seems to be fairly sturdy this 12 months. I’m scripting this earlier than Iowa, and as I purchased my tickets, I can see that Iowa will likely be an exception to my final remark.
Brian Joliet, Illinois
MP: We’re just a little over midway by way of the primary season on FOX. Everybody hoped it could be million-plus numbers at each race however that hasn’t been the case, as you famous. My major takeaway is we’re seeing the actual place the place IndyCar lives by way of nationwide consciousness and curiosity.
That’s what the shift to FOX has completed – offered a clear slate to gauge what number of present followers would comply with the collection over to its new residence 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 – in some way, by buying and selling NBC for FOX, a giant new wave of followers would seem on the onset – however whenever you return and have a look at what numbers IndyCar put up on large 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 elevate 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 can be extra fashionable.
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 gained’t make life for the ticket-buying viewers a ache by shifting begin instances too early or late, and might keep away from going in opposition to NASCAR/F1/NBA/MLB/PGA/NCAA occasions, it has a fantastic probability of hitting that million-plus mark frequently.
IndyCar does stable numbers when it isn’t the second or third sporting possibility. And it isn’t sturdy sufficient, but, to win these head-to-head viewers battles with different collection and sports activities. However which may change in a couple of years if the FOX relationship continues to development in the best route.
Q: What engine is utilized by the IndyCar two-seater?
David, Waxhaw, NC
MP: One has a Ilmor/Honda V8 I imagine, and the opposite appears like some type of Buick turbo.
Q: Marshall, to reply the query… USAC banned rear (mid) engine Dash Vehicles 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 large winners. USAC Dash Automotive homeowners have been involved concerning the obsoleting of their gear, or of needing a mud 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 Automotive (they’re completely different!) and never USAC. The assembly featured a midget race sanctioned by ARDC, a very long time Northeastern midget affiliation, a Components Libre race and a mixed function race. Mario Andretti gained the midget race, whereas Donohue gained the mixed function race within the transformed Cooper Components Junior automobile fitted with an Offenhauser engine.
Jim Thurman, Mojave Desert, CA
MP: Thanks, Jim.
Q: Any probability we see a Richmond oval race anytime quickly?
Earlier than I get the canned “positive, if you’re keen to put-up the sanctioning payment/market it” reply, Richmond is completely 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 could 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 observe president was struck. COVID occurred. The observe president modified. The brand new president wasn’t . No race.
What if we ship the brand new president some goodies? Streeter Lecka/Getty Pictures
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, loads of different collection’ codecs have been mentioned.
One instance I feel could be distinctive could be to do a relay race. Three-car relay groups, homeowners 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 bit of concepts this week, and the advertising/prize points are in all probability extra vital than the format. So right here is my query: How a lot would a really distinctive concept assist improve curiosity in IndyCar from potential followers, and possibly how essential is it that the format be a novel one for that goal?
Not Abel Or Sullivan, Louisville, KY
MP: I really like this. It strikes me as one thing a promoter would wish to do – a Scott Borchetta kind 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, at this time’s IndyCar will not be a fan of extremely advanced procedures and this concept is one that might make its eyes roll into the again of their heads.
Q: First, let me begin by saying that Santino Ferrucci’s fiery ‘satan might care’ persona is nice for IndyCar. We want extra drivers who converse candidly and voice their displeasure when different drivers impede them on observe 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 working rivals off the observe is regular and may 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 group, Trident Motorsports, finally 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 completed 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 street 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 serious wreck.
Throughout the 1998 CART season, Tracy triggered 10 on-track accidents, had a pitlane altercation with group 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 one of these conduct? Santino and his fellow rivals for that matter want to know that it’s not the wild, wild west on the market.
David Colquitt
MP: Very completely different instances. We haven’t had a fair-but-rules-with-an-iron-fist kind because the days of CART with Wally Dallenbach Sr after which his CART/Champ Automotive protégé and successor Chris Kneifel. Beaux Barfield tried to be that man however didn’t wield the facility 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 any 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 youngsters. You envision plates loaded with grilled hen 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’ Scorching 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 type of policing. Possibly it’s going to return in no matter the brand new impartial governing board turns into.
Q: I used to be just lately watching an IndyCar information YouTube video and one thing caught my consideration. There will likely 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).
Nevertheless, this bought me considering. What if IndyCar had a sort 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 observe 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 a complete 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: Every little thing you’re considering of is strictly what the constitution system has killed. The groups you point out wouldn’t get a lot from a knowledge standpoint, however you’re spot on with the necessity for analysis entries and money-making entries.
If Workforce 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 flexibility 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 group needs to get a have a look at a brand new/younger driver in a racing setting? That is the primary season in reminiscence the place it isn’t attainable with out that threat of failing to qualify. If Juncos Hollinger needs to place NXT championship chief Dennis Hauger in a automobile at Portland to see if he may be the man to rent subsequent 12 months, it ought to contain dangers.
There isn’t a draft system. There isn’t a formal construction stopping a group from desirous to pattern a participant in a giant league setting earlier than they go professional. However there are new strictures in place with the constitution system that conspire in opposition to enterprise growth and driver growth that I don’t imagine are wholesome. Not when the offseason testing limitations are so extreme that you simply would possibly get two or three days whole with the individual in a non-racing setting and base your choices on really feel and hope.
Possibly IndyCar simply wants to copy 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 way of their vehicles. I’d slightly see some seem in 28th and 29th vehicles at choose closing races, and each choices are attainable 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 Picture
Q: So is it too early to be speaking about F1 or IndyCar’s ‘foolish season’? It presently seems 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 will likely 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 facet so there’s no new integration wanted and so they’re working with recognized portions. Apart from the beneath, solely Alpine has a present emptiness.
However I don’t assume we are able to name it quiet whenever 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 vital motion elsewhere. If Verstappen is signed, then that opens up the potential of different groups transferring for Russell, and Purple Bull possibly needing a complete new line-up.
On prime of that we’ve bought Cadillac to think about, with loads of concentrate on who may get these seats. Whereas the brand new American group initially felt it was out of the cycle for driver contracts and will decide from a particular group with out an excessive amount of time strain, within the occasion of a Verstappen change it may see greater motion out there that might doubtlessly make extra drivers obtainable, however take others out of the equation.
Q: I’m curious what the attain of Apple is by way of 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 may not. In a market that F1 has made a excessive precedence for rising its viewers, Apple looks like an odd selection. I think about each Netflix and Amazon have significantly extra attain?
Ryan
CM: A report from The Data 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 firstly of this 12 months, on prime of the roughly 70 million who’ve entry to ESPN through pay TV.
Based on Statista, Apple TV+ has an 8% market share with regards to streaming video on demand (SVOD) platforms, and ranks seventh total, 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 can subscribe to have the ability to watch, and all three have some type of dwell sports activities providing already. What F1 has to weigh up is the steadiness between the very best variety of potential viewers over the interval of the contract, and the laborious money worth of that contract for its revenues.
Q: I’ve not heard this talked about apart from just a little murmur. When is Purple Bull going to start out constructing a automobile that somebody in addition to Max can drive shortly? Or publicly admit they’re extra the issue than Max’s perceived brilliance? Possibly with Horner gone this can change? I’m not suggesting Max isn’t implausible, clearly he’s, however the automobile appears to be designed round his type sufficient that he can deal with it. Each different driver that will get in that automobile sucks? Actually? Purple Bull is a damaged wrist away from being the eighth and even ninth quickest automobile as a consequence of their design flaw. Return over the past 30 years of varied groups dominating and we’ll discover it’s solely Purple Bull that has had this challenge to such a level.
Eric Z, Lancaster, NY
CM: I’m undecided if that can 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 possibly can have that the automobile and setting want addressing.
If something, I really feel prefer it accentuates Verstappen’s skills much more. I’d like to see him within the Racing Bull for a weekend to exhibit if it’s simply that the Purple Bull is so tough 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 presently 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 Purple Bull given the truth that each Racing Bulls drivers usually outperform the second Purple Bull driver, whoever they’re).
However Purple Bull doesn’t design the automobile round Max’s type – no group straight does that. All of them construct the quickest attainable automobile they’ll, and attempt to make it as drivable as attainable, however it’s solely as fast as the motive 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 Purple Bull was giving him a tricky automobile to drive after which he felt his performances have been virtually being taken without any consideration.
THE FINAL WORD
From Robin Miller’s Mailbag, 17 July, 2019
Q: The MLB performed its Mid-Summer time Traditional final evening, which suggests 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 working in opposition to it? Image a sooner or later present at Richmond or Kentucky or wherever with some afternoon practices, a dinnertime qualifying and seven:00pm inexperienced flag. The networks have solely to deal with the World Collection of Poker and a few Legislation and Order reruns.
Somebody must put this deal collectively and supply the loyal followers a midweek race. For those who 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 observe in Loudon. And for what it’s value, I miss watching you and Despain dwell on Wind Tunnel.
Richard from Dudley Massachusetts
ROBIN MILLER: NBC’s Kevin Lee steered this a number of years in the past and I really like the concept, however getting a promoter to race in mid-week could be a problem. Nevertheless, for those who bought a sufficiently big title sponsor to assist with the underside line and IndyCar waived the sanction payment, it’d work. It actually would have a captive TV viewers. Thanks, I miss working with Dave and W.T. – finest motorsports present ever.
