Welcome to the RACER Mailbag. Questions for any of RACER’s writers will be despatched to mailbag@racer.com. We love listening to your feedback and opinions, however letters that embrace a query usually tend to be revealed. Questions obtained after 3pm ET every Monday will probably be saved for the next week.
Q: Do you suppose Honda will grasp round although they gained the Indy 500, with all of the unfavourable headlines that Roger Penske is producing?
The opposite is with Dodge saying it should enter NASCAR Truck Sequence in 2026.Everyone knows that’s only a badge, all of them run Ilmor engines. With TV rankings being up – and I hope they proceed by way of the remainder of the season – hopefully that may entice Honda to hold round and perhaps draw some curiosity for another manufactures now that IndyCar has put a agency date on it.
AE, Danville
MARSHALL PRUETT: May be semantics, however Roger isn’t producing the headlines. Actions by his groups are the causes of the headlines. Yep, that’s the hope.
Q: I am not pissed off however genuinely mad. Pitwall fencing alongside the straightaways ought to be necessary for all IndyCar venues. Do we want a loss of life or horrific damage on dwell TV earlier than this occurs? Robin Miller had been speaking about this for years. It is time for IndyCar to finaly act. Make this two issues in IndyCar I by no means need to see once more.
Rob, Rochester, NY
MP: Some went up, for a quick interval, on the Indy GP when the massive crash despatched flying components over the wall within the mid-2010s. Apart from that, I’m OK with out them being put in, however I may be within the minority.
Q: What’s incorrect with RLL, particularly Graham Rahal at Gateway? Slowest finisher behind the rookie Abel in a Coyne machine. As a fellow Buckeye and lifelong Rahal fan, I am simply glad everyone seems to be having enjoyable. The gang seemed actually good, we must always positively do extra quick ovals in prime time.
Talking of, let’s by no means run St. Louis in some other time slot than after darkish.
Hope you and Shabral are doing properly. If it is all proper, I might like to re-share the hyperlink to donate her battle.
Convey again Watkins Glen.
Phil, Chattanooga, TN
MP: Candy of you, Phil. The battle continues, seven years on. RLL’s going by way of pretty typical rising pains, however the issue right here is it appears to be like and appears like a continuation of the issues they’ve had for various years. In actuality, the workforce’s engineering group has gotten greater and stronger, however it’s nonetheless a newish factor, with new members added or others moved to totally different vehicles or totally different roles. When that occurs, you are likely to get a variety of hit-or-miss weekends, which is what we’re seeing with Juncos Hollinger Racing as properly, and JHR has gone by way of an almost equivalent engineering change and progress part through the offseason.
Graham’s output on the Indy GP was the height for the workforce to date, however I’d level to rookie Louis Foster as the true through-line of potential for RLL. He’s a rookie, however he’s normally the quickest in qualifying or the strongest performer on race days. If he might simply get to the top of some races with out cartoon anvils raining down on his automotive, RLL’s fortunes could be vastly totally different.
Q: I can not assist however suppose that the entire controversy surrounding Group Penske over the past two years is beginning to have an impact. With the entire personnel shake-ups, is a few of the Penske magic disappearing? It seemed to me like Newgarden’s spotter missed the decision to inform him to remain excessive. I might actually be incorrect about that, although.
Doug Mayer, Revelstoke, BC, Canada
MP: It doesn’t take a lot for a championship-winning group to lose its edge. Consider Alex Palou’s contractual dramas in 2022 and the way that took his sharpness away whereas making an attempt to defend his title. Will Energy took the crown in 2022 after which had his spouse’s life-threatening well being points that made it exhausting for him to focus and repeat in 2023.
After which think about what it have to be prefer to take care of repeated imbroglios among the many workforce as a complete and the way that would make life tougher to keep up the identical supreme stage of execution. Then see the three senior-most leaders fired, with at the very least one among them rating as beloved by all, and that’s an emotional storm to try to survive. Group Penske’s had a eternally status of being chilly and robotic, however in case you spend any time with the crew on pit lane, or within the garages, you understand the newer and youthful model of the workforce is something however that. That stated, they’ve additionally signed as much as work for a workforce that expects perfection, and that takes a special persona – one which comes with psychological fortitude and self-discipline.
Of those that stay, they’re extremely sturdy, and proficient, and that’s why the workforce was capable of present up and present out at WWTR till the myriad issues and misfortunes took the trio out of the race. Arduous to say how the month-long mess has affected the workforce as a complete, and it might be unusual to suppose it’s had no influence, however after I consider all that’s gone incorrect for Penske from Indy onward, most of it’s a torrent of unhealthy luck or driving errors.
Street America, the place Energy gained and Newgarden completed second final yr, appears like the proper place for the workforce to place an finish to this maddening streak and get again to the place they belong.
Can Street America spark one other reset for Group Penske? Joe Skibinski/IMS
Q: Regardless of the state of IndyCar administration or controversy, I’m nonetheless optimistic about IndyCar’s future for one motive that all of us noticed Sunday night time: IndyCar racing is unbelievable! This race had every part. That stated, I’m just too jazzed as much as sleep proper now and I’ve bought work tomorrow. Possibly Sunday night time racing is perfect for FOX’s schedule, however not mine. Is that this race going to be again to Saturday night time for subsequent yr’s occasion?
Additionally, typically I really feel like we curmudgeonly IndyCar followers get too caught up within the milieu to easily benefit from the sport. I’ve been responsible of this. Sunday night time made me bear in mind why I really like this sport.
Bruiser from KY
MP: Stated it many instances final yr and let’s say it once more: IndyCar’s short-oval hybrid package deal is superior. The hybrid weight stays a problem on street and road programs, however it’s superb on the non-speedway ovals. The Indy 500 was fairly good, don’t get me incorrect, however WWTR, Milwaukee, and Nashville had been actually particular final yr and WWTR did it once more on Sunday. Assuming the tires match the observe and vehicles at Iowa, we are able to hopefully add it to the checklist as properly.
No clue the place it falls subsequent yr, however the prime time slot was a gem. The 2026 schedule is alleged to be imminent; I used to be instructed confirming Mexico Metropolis after NASCAR’s race was the request, so we’re on the clock to search out out the place WWTR lands and whether or not IndyCar and FOX can convert a number of extra races to prime time slots.
Q: With how the commentary workforce introduced it up, I am positive you are going to get a variety of complaints in regards to the “delay” between Foster hitting the wall and the warning being thrown. I wish to toss in not my two cents, however a barely extra invaluable 5 cents about what I seen as soon as full-speed replays had been proven.
It’s troublesome to time precisely from my couch at dwelling, however finest I can determine there was lower than 5 seconds between Foster hitting the wall and Newgarden hitting Foster, and yellow lights began flashing a couple of second earlier than Newgarden hit. That is a three-four second response time by race management – except they had been wanting immediately at Foster when he hit the wall, as was clearly the case later with Malukas, they weren’t going to be a lot sooner.
So I do not suppose race management ought to be criticized for that delay. Frankly if that was the worst we ever noticed from them, I might be fairly pleased.
As for the race general, I think about Gateway the worst oval on the schedule… however that very properly might find yourself being one of the best oval race of the season. And hey, appears to be like like we’d truly get a title battle this yr!
FormulaFox
MP: Kirkwood left Indy down an unattainable 150 factors to Palou. Then Palou will get wrecked by Malukas after which the Ganassi workforce has its first vital miss of the season on setup with Palou. Then Kirk goes on a two-fer and slices that 150-point lead in half to 75 leaving WWTR. We do certainly have a title battle.
I hear you on the massive crash warning. It did appear to take a very long time to seem; my stopwatch had it at 4.75s and the collision itself at 5.25s after first contact by Foster. The place this response time is odd is discovered within the first and primarily equivalent crash in Flip 4 with Will Energy, and my casual time-to-caution was 2.5s.
Then close to the top of the race, Malukas has a repeat of the Energy and Foster impacts at Flip 4, albeit a lot lighter, and the time-to-caution was roughly 1.3s. It was almost instantaneous. Why, then, the center crash for Foster took between two and 4 instances as lengthy for the yellow lights to be activated on the steering wheels and lights encircling the observe, is past me.
Q: The penalties for Malukas and McLaughlin each felt crucial and unavoidable. The very subsequent cease for Malukas beneath inexperienced required the very same launch. It is simply the quick lane was empty. How had been drivers imagined to get out of the field into the transition lane with out hitting crew or tools for the automotive forward?
IndyCar sort of has to name the penalty, however ouch.
Ryan in West Michigan
MP: I at all times default to the query that isn’t being requested: How, then, did the opposite 20-plus drivers get out of the field with out hitting tools and go to the gradual lane as a substitute of the quick lane? If it was such an unattainable job, we’d have seen dozens of mixed penalties all through the race.
Not a lot to debate with regards to Malukas’s penalty. Chris Jones/IMS Picture
Q: Loved Sunday night time’s race very a lot, however the Newgarden crash actually panicked me for a quick second after I thought that his cockpit may be weak had it been a little bit nearer to the pit lane.
I watched a number of replays and need to know if, in truth, the motive force’s head is weak to intrusion from one thing like a slender wall or pole if the worst attainable state of affairs happens? Had been you capable of discuss to him after the crash?
Tom Patrick, Baja California
MP: I didn’t converse with him. Sure, regardless of the aeroscreen and halo, these are open-wheel and open-top vehicles, so a pole might go into the cockpit from the highest down. Apart from that, the higher halo ring is what acts as a barrier for partitions and whatnot from coming throughout a driver’s helmet.
Q: What occurs to an IndyCar tub after it has been broken past restore? I am considering of extra extreme wrecks than those who would possibly change into present vehicles or rollers for pit cease follow. Does the entire thing find yourself in a landfill, or are there any parts which are capable of be salvaged and grafted onto different vehicles?
Pete, Rochester, NY
MP: Depends upon the state of affairs. If it’s not damaged aside, sure, a present automotive or pit cease automotive is the widespread route. If it’s worse, or a fatality was skilled, being destroyed and despatched to a landfill had been achieved. There’s nothing vital that I can consider to graft from a DW12 tub onto others.
Q: I do not absolutely perceive my love for IndyCar. I’ve accepted this and I suppose these round me have as properly. Like a romantic relationship, particularly early on, there are nervous butterflies, jealousy, embarrassment, a heightened concern for one’s bodily look, pure pleasure after which later, deep belief, unconditional love and a bunch of different stuff that isn’t absolutely understood.
Sunday’s race at WWTR was superior. Hopefully, a primary date with IndyCar for a lot of. Sure, I used to be embarrassed for Jack Harvey when he was a little bit too late for the grid stroll, nervous he made a foul impression with hopefully hundreds of thousands watching. Yeah, a community cameraman fell over a driver whereas chasing him, touchdown on the bottom together with his digital camera pointed again at his personal face. I had nervous butterflies through the formation laps when drivers had been anticipated to vary from three extensive to 2 hoping they might get the beginning proper. I skilled pure pleasure when it seemed like 10 55-gallon drums of Shell race gas exploded concurrently alongside the straight.
Later, watching drivers race wheel to wheel two or extra extensive, Conor Daly working the high-line sans some silly NASCAR racing glue identical to everybody needs drivers to, and all of this with the very best stage of deep belief and perhaps just a bit unconditional love? I relied on Hinch and Townsend to assist me perceive, and finally simply settle for unconditionally, gas mileage and pit methods, together with Will Buxton. As a lot as I wished Conor to win after which a number of different drivers who had been rotating by way of the winners circle in my head, I bought to see a celebration that for a few years has been saved secret on tv, the champagne podium celebration.
It is good to know that IndyCar will at all times be there for me, identical to my beautiful spouse who liked Belle Isle and tolerates the Detroit GP. I personally liked it. Now begins the arduous technique of determining the best way to make WWTR a worthy tenting journey?
Jeff, Eaton Rapids, MI
MP: Favourite letter shortly, Jeff. Thanks.
Q: Hi there! I’ve two objects:
First, the commentators within the FOX sales space, largely Will Buxton. appeared to suppose IndyCar ought to have punched the yellow button a lot sooner for the crash involving Foster and Newgarden. Will appeared extra-critical. Was it actually a mistake?
Second, I by no means thought I might miss the Mailbag as a lot as I did final week. Simply so you understand, I really like me some Mailbag.
John, Downers Grove
MP: Form of you to say, John. Typically the commentators get tremendous grumpy about one thing after which half of the questions for the Mailbag are in regards to the tremendous grumpy factor, and I usually disagree with their take. This isn’t one among them.
Possibly the button must be greater. And yellower. Michael Levitt/Honda
Q: I normally spend my time writing to you about IndyCar’s failure to vary course with their hybrid determination that has actually confirmed to be whole dud. Costly for groups, and provides nothing to the on-track product.
On Sunday I discovered myself with a pit in my abdomen after watching the crash between Josef Newgarden and Louis Foster. Whereas the crash was unfolding, I instantly flashed again to the horrible day of 9/15/01. Louis and Joseph had been lucky; it might have been a lot worse.
Can IndyCar clarify what took so lengthy for the observe to go yellow after Foster hit the wall? Will Buxton on the FOX broadcast commented that it took at the very least 5 seconds for the yellow to be displayed. Later within the race, when Malukas contacted the wall, the observe instantly went yellow. Was race management asleep on the swap? What was Newgarden’s spotter was relaying to him as Foster was bouncing off the wall?
Michigan Matt
MP: I’m positive they may, however would formal explanations change something? As famous, two of the three Flip 4 crashes had warning lights on in 2.5s or much less. The large one was round 4.75s, which is a very long time when 1.3s and a couple of.5s had been seen within the different two.
Would a sooner yellow have prevented the massive one? We don’t know. Possibly. Presumably. What was or wasn’t being stated to Newgarden from above or pit lane to warn him of the crash? We don’t know.
Utilizing the top outcomes, it feels secure to say Foster’s crash wasn’t detected because it was occurring, and if it was, you’d anticipate the particular person accountable for switching the warning lights on to hit that swap ASAP. So it both wasn’t seen instantly, or there was a problem with the swap or the system from being activated.
And if Josef’s spotter noticed it occur when it occurred, or it was seen by his strategist on pit lane, you possibly can assume they’d have stated so with zero delay. So it both wasn’t seen instantly, or somebody was on the radio on the time and the message couldn’t be delivered, or there was one other challenge.
Overstating the plain, but when race management noticed it occur, there’s no motive for them to not hit the swap as a result of they did it early within the race when Energy had the identical crash. So, it wasn’t seen on the time of influence or there was a technical challenge. Similar together with his spotter/pit lane. In any other case, the sunshine’s on in 2.5s or much less, or he’s instructed to take avoiding motion properly earlier than he’s out of Flip 4.
Q: It is good to see that the date change (I assume due to NASCAR) did not seem to have an effect on the attendance at Gateway.
The final time I went to Gateway in 2021, was a really last-minute determination however I used to be capable of buy tickets at round 3pm on race day, and go and have an honest race to look at. This yr was the primary time I might go since then, however I solely came upon on race day that it might be attainable. Nonetheless ticket gross sales had already ended regardless of the grandstands not being full. I assume that the observe would somewhat have had my cash than not. Are you aware if there may be any specific motive why ticket gross sales ended on race day?
Ian, St Louis
MP: I don’t, and that’s weird. It was an honest crowd, however there have been empty seats. Possibly the seats had been offered and the potential for poor climate or another motive saved of us from sitting in them.
Q: Referencing again to the ICONIC undertaking earlier than the DW12/V6 period, has IndyCar engaged with followers, universities, and companies for enter on setting targets for the 2028 engine, chassis and advertising and marketing?
Craig, Newport Seaside, CA
MP: To not my information.
Q: Are you able to clarify how Dixon bought the lead, then pitted and saved the lead at WWTR? I used to be confused and have talked to a number of who don’t perceive how that labored.
Brian Hartman
MP: All about timing of the lap 195 warning for Malukas stepping into Flip 4. Dixon was 12th on lap 188, then had the ten automotive, the 76 automotive, then the 4, 21, 26, 5, and eight pitted from in entrance of him by lap 191, then the three pitted on lap 192, and he was as much as fifth. Then the 27, 66, and 14 pitted on lap 193 and he was promoted to second.
Then the 18 pitted on lap 194, one lap earlier than the warning, and when it went yellow, he was main and each driver was at the very least one lap all the way down to him… No one close by wanted to pit beneath the warning, so Dixon went in, bought gas and tires, got here out, and was nonetheless within the lead because of having that one-lap benefit when he went in on lap 200.
He misplaced the one-lap benefit by pitting, however was nonetheless in first place, and took the lap 207 restart in first. Simply wild.
The timing of the warning for Malukas performed proper into Dixon’s palms. James Black/IMS Picture
Q: I’ve heard that Honda (most likely Chevy/Ilmor too) offers away a number of free engine leases to their favourite/prime groups or drivers. Is that true?
Tyler, Milwaukee
MP: Sure. For many years. And by most producers in prime racing sequence.
Q: How lengthy earlier than Roger Penske or Chip Ganassi begin taking a look at Kyle Kirkwood, assuming they’re not already? He appears the true deal, however I think he’s locked in at Andretti for the foreseeable future?
Gareth Holt, London, UK
MP: He’s signed by way of at the very least 2026, so I’m positive he’ll be a scorching commodity if he doesn’t signal an extension with Andretti.
Q: How is it attainable that Kyle Kirkwood’s automotive went by way of tech inspection after he gained the race in Detroit? His entrance wing was broken (by his personal motion) and this might result in a harmful state of affairs on observe. Apart from that, the entrance wing didn’t meet the mandatory measurements. What makes this totally different from the Indy 500 the place vehicles bought fined after technical inspection?
Barend Blom, Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
MP: I genuinely don’t perceive how it is a thriller. The wing was damaged. And never damaged in a approach that gives a bonus, however created an obstacle. So it’s not topic to the identical guidelines of inspection. It’s been that approach in racing eternally. Two NASCAR Cup drivers tangle with one another, have broken bodywork that not conforms to the bodywork template, and people drivers aren’t penalized on post-race tech. Similar factor right here.
Q: Do you’ve gotten an replace on Linus Lundqvist’s 2025 race yr actions? Any chance that he would possibly return to IndyCar in 2026? He positive appeared to have an excellent rookie yr at CGR in 2024 to return up empty in IndyCar for 2025.
Tom Fitzgerald, CPA, Las Vegas, NV
MP: Apart from listening to he’s suing Ganassi, no, I’m not conscious of any race dates on his calendar.
Q: I’ve a number of questions relating to Indy Automotive. First, what’s the small shark fin on the highest of the proper sidepod for?
Additionally, whereas watching qualifying on TV for the five hundred, the announcers spoke of Jacob Abel’s crew making an attempt to chill his heat-soaked engine after a too-slow qualifying run. I get what warmth soaking is. They had been working cooling followers into the radiators. and many others., and even had him exit and run a gradual lap or two to chill it down. So is there a approach the crew circulates the coolant whereas the followers are blowing the air into the radiators? Additionally, why not simply run the engines at excessive idle once they are available in and spray the radiators with water, which might cool them down in a couple of minute or two? Is that in opposition to the principles, or wouldn’t it perhaps trigger injury to the engine?
Gary Stanton, Mondovi, WI
MP: Communications antenna. In opposition to the principles. Groups might do all types of sensible and fast issues to convey engine temperatures down in the event that they had been allowed.
Q: Does Dennis Hauger have an IndyCar seat promised to him subsequent yr? Going from F2 to Indy NXT would not make sense from a profession improvement perspective.
Will, Indy
MP: It is sensible for a driver like Hauger who did three seasons in F2, was going nowhere after a finest results of eighth within the championship, and determined it was higher to cease losing time making an attempt to get to F1 and to present the U.S. a attempt.
As most IndyCar workforce homeowners have instructed me, a F2 driver who was by no means inside the highest 5 goes to be higher and extra developed than virtually any front-running Indy NXT driver, which checks out (see C. Lundgaard, two seasons of F2, finest championship end of seventh).
Sensible transfer by Hauger, who’s making the opposite NXT rookies and veterans look underwhelming.
Q: In a response to the query about Honda’s involvement within the final Mailbag you cited discount in price as one among their main considerations.
It is an previous matter and I’ve learn a number of instances that the prices are too excessive for producing extra engines. (I consider this made engine leases considerably scarce some years in the past.) Is that also the case? If that’s the case, this has at all times appeared backward to me. I can perceive that R&D drives prices up, however is not the payback in leasing as many engines as you probably can?
I at all times figured that any engine producer’s main funding was in R&D (excessive danger/reward trade-off) which pays again once they promote/lease extra models, which drives the typical price down. Undecided how a lot R&D goes right into a spec engine, besides why would producing fewer engines be less expensive for Honda?
Additional, if IndyCar engines are low sophistication spec engines (i.e. R&D comparatively low in comparison with most motorsports) why cannot Honda, whose core competence is manufacturing effectivity generate income? Do not they have a break-even variety of engines they should lease, and something above that’s revenue?
The one affordable rationalization I can consider is that they do not have the infrastructure to supply extra engines and must put money into extra manufacturing unit capability or re-allocate it from one other race program.
Mike
MP: Pretty simple solutions right here. Chevy is given a hard and fast annual finances to work from with its IndyCar engine program. Similar with Honda. If that wasn’t the case, and each might spend freely, they’d have services which are 5 instances as huge, have a thousand-plus staff apiece, and make 1200hp engines which are junk after every session.
However since that’s not that case, sadly, they’ve to produce and assist what they’ll with the budgets they’re given. And as we’ve seen, that’s masking 13-16 full-time entries every and some one-offs at Indy. Has nothing to do with effectivity or manufacturing capabilities. It’s managing a restricted finances.
As we’ve documented for the reason that present method debuted in 2012, each lease comes at a loss. I might by no means get Chevy or Honda to say what the precise quantity was, however after I requested, “Is it beneath a half-million per lease?” I bought amusing from former HRC technical director Roger Griffiths, who stated, “I want.” So making extra engines and signing extra leases isn’t a cash maker; it’s a cash loser.
That’s a part of their budgets, which will be thought of a advertising and marketing expense since each are identified to spend eight figures per season for all that’s concerned to produce engines.
IndyCar engine provide is a numbers recreation in additional methods than one. Chris Jones/IMS Picture
Q: I’ve been amused by the current discovery of vehicles being caught out of spec.
I really like the previous NASCAR tales about how groups bent the principles – (innovation till caught). The creativity of the Smokey Yunicks of the world is fascinating.
I do know the significance of picture for IndyCar workforce sponsors makes the influence of getting caught troublesome to justify for the groups. My query is in two components. First, how a lot dishonest goes on in IndyCar at the moment? With a spec automotive, a small improve in efficiency can have a major influence on the workforce’s efficiency.
Second, along with your expertise as a mechanic and workforce supervisor, do you’ve gotten any dishonest tales the place the statute of limitations is over, and you may share?
Wally, Eden Prairie, MN
MP: Arduous to reply how a lot dishonest goes on at the moment as a result of if it was identified, these are the sorts of issues that might get talked about to IndyCar.
My profession was fairly boring from that perspective. We deliberately modified the rev restrict on our Oldsmobile engine in qualifying at Charlotte in 1997 (I feel it was Charlotte) to 500rpm above what was allowed (I feel it was 11,000 and may have been 10,500) once we had been satisfied the Menard workforce was blowing approach handed the ten,500 restrict – it was fairly apparent to our ears – and had alerted officers to our suspicion.
They instructed us the Menard ECUs had been checked and so they had been all authorized at 10,500. We couldn’t determine how that was true, so we set ours to 11,000 to see in the event that they had been truly wanting. We didn’t change our gearing, so there was no considerations about revving the motor above 10,500, and positive sufficient, they checked, noticed we weren’t authorized, but in addition checked out our RPM traces and noticed the motor stayed beneath 10,500, and we had been instructed to appropriate it and weren’t penalized.
Years later, the story of Menard modifying their wiring harnesses to hook up with a hidden second ECU with the non-10,500 rev restrict made the rounds… Our little stunt was to examine whether or not the inspectors had been doing what they stated they had been doing, which they had been, however when a workforce allegedly installs a second ECU to cover its high-revving capabilities and all of the inspectors see is the pretend 10,500 restrict in what they suppose is the one and solely ECU, you’ve gotten an issue.
Q: In response to John from Ann Arbor’s message about volunteers cleansing up the Speedway: The volunteer teams receives a commission by IMS for the work. The teams use the Speedway cleanup job as an annual fundraiser.
Rocky, Indianapolis
MP: Nice to listen to!
Q: Within the 6/4 Mailbag you talked about Andretti International being higher with out Michael there. This surprises me. With out asking for specifics, is that this because of efficiency or interpersonal dynamics, cough, Cadillac F1, between he and the moneybags Towriss and Walter? Most of us consider IndyCar, and Andretti International, is worse off with out Michael there.
Additionally, because it nonetheless is Andretti International, can we assume the examine Michael obtained had a variety of zeroes on it?
Mike DeQuardo, Elkhart Lake and Sheboygan
MP: I’ve requested lots of people there in regards to the change and sure, all have stated the workforce is best after the change, in order that’s the interior take. A higher funding on the engineering facet was made as properly, I’m instructed, which possible accounts for the workforce being a menace from the beginning of the season.
I agree – I don’t consider IndyCar is best with out Michael, however the workforce itself does appear to be extra aggressive after the change. I can’t think about Michael left with out many new zeroes.
Q: Had a dialogue with my brothers whereas at IMS for eight days of follow/racing this Could. We have eaten at Charlie Brown’s, Lengthy’s, Workingman’s Buddy, and the Mug. Not all in the identical day and even the identical journey, however it bought us considering. What was Robin Miller’s each day trifecta/decide three? Charlie Brown’s for breakfast? Workingman’s lunch? Mug dinner? Field of Lengthy’s on the desk? Did you ever full one among these with him?
Group Stache
MP: I knew you didn’t eat in any respect in the identical day as a result of lifeless individuals don’t write letters.
He swore off Mug within the later years. Had all with him besides Charlie Brown’s. He’d convey Lengthy’s in regularly. There’s a Mexican restaurant that was a favourite, however extra for the conversations with associates than the meals itself. His palate was in contrast to something I’ve seen with a human grownup. Fixed barrage of sugary sodas and sweet. Donuts. Burgers. Plain potato chips. Chilly fried rooster. No greens. And so forth. If this appears like every part a toddler needs, you’re appropriate. What a life.
What a life certainly. IMS Picture
Q: If IndyCar drops again to a single engine provider, how about going again to a number of tire producers as a differentiator? Seeing the entire Goodyear advertising and marketing across the 500 this yr made me yearn for the times when tires had been made to optimize each efficiency and sturdiness. (And when Massive Al and Bobby drove for opposing groups.) That ought to make for higher racing, and one thing for Hinch and Townsend to speak about apart from tire deg throughout street and road programs.
Fred, St. Louis suburbs
MP: Not a lot. What makes tender tires get even softer and gripper and create much more deg? Competitors between tire producers. I’d like to have a number of tire suppliers, no matter what number of engine suppliers are within the sequence. However you additionally get grip battles on street and road programs and quick ovals, so there will probably be downsides for one of many manufacturers and fields of spent rubber lining the tracks.
Q: After all of the hoopla, have not seen the Driver’s Eye view helmet cam lately. Technical points? Value points? Groups/driver complaints?
Greg Lepore, Charlottesville, VA
MP: We did a narrative early within the season that talked about it was scheduled to be used at 4 occasions.
Q: How good was Palou’s automotive at Indy? I watched a variety of the practices and it seemed to me like he was completely equal to Newgarden in tempo and in site visitors. It appeared to me he was taking part in possum and telling everybody he was not in Newgarden’s league. Everybody, particularly the FOX crew fell for it. Was he pretty much as good and quick as I assumed?
SS
MP: For sure. But when anyone didn’t know Palou was due for a win at Indy, they weren’t paying consideration when he arrived as a rookie in 2020 with Dale Coyne and certified seventh and returned with Ganassi and completed second in 2021. He was fourth in 2023 and fifth in 2024. I can’t consider anybody who was extra prepared than Palou to get his first 500 victory.
Q: With a little bit time handed for the reason that 500 and the flood of suggestions and dialogue sort of dying down, one factor caught out to me that I hope IndyCar is conscious of (and if not, this entry raises). I do know you do not work for FOX so I will save most of my criticism or not about their broadcast for an additional venue.
My grievance that I hope IndyCar will pay attention to is the shortly deteriorating state of the post-race traditions. For a number of years now the profitable driver has stopped on the beginning/end line, which was effective at first for Helio to climb the fence, however now with the elevator experience to the rostrum, and particularly with TV bringing the NASCAR-style post-race out to the observe, the post-race traditions virtually did not make it on air this yr earlier than the TV window closed.
Hopefully IndyCar leaders will remind drivers of the significance of the post-race traditions, and can strongly encourage them to return straight to victory lane, ask the TV accomplice to not convey the interview out to the observe, and I dare say perhaps even eliminate the elevator experience as much as the rostrum.
Joseph, Atlanta, GA
MP: Undecided in case you’ve caught any of the Cup races on Amazon Prime, however these have been superb, and a variety of it’s as a result of significance positioned on pre- and post-race protection. I notice there’s an enormous distinction between free time to talk in a good community TV window and the countless free time on a streamer like Prime. But when staying on FOX isn’t an choice, perhaps making it customary to kick to a FS1 or FS2 could be a worthy workaround. I’m watching the NBA Finals and also you get a stable spherical of interviews on ABC after which it’s straight to ESPN for extra post-game interviews and evaluation.
F1 does a superb job of this as properly, the place the top of the race is simply the top of the race, not the near-end of the printed. You get a ton of insights, evaluation, and driver/workforce principal interviews. With FOX, to date, the top of the race is dang close to the top of the printed, and that simply makes it exhausting to get new followers to sink their tooth into the sequence and in addition leaves the longstanding followers wanting greater than what they’re getting.
The race ends on the checkered flag, however the protection would not should. James Black/IMS Picture
Q: Watching a few Le Mans documentaries from the Nineteen Eighties, I seen what appears to be like like rows of chain hyperlink fences in a few of the runoff areas, notably on the backside of the hill after the Dunlop Bridge earlier than the Esses and within the Ford Chicane. I might have thought a gravel lure would have been enough sufficient to gradual an out-of-control automotive down. It seemed fairly harmful ought to any of the open-cockpit vehicles hits one of many fence posts the incorrect approach, and will significantly harm the motive force. I am glad we have come a good distance by way of observe security.
Had chain hyperlink fencing ever achieved extra hurt than good when slowing a automotive down? Whereas on the topic, what’s been the sketchiest observe security measures you’ve gotten seen in your profession?
Brandon Karsten
MP: Chain-link fences… positively not good. First thought is Toronto by way of 1996 the place the fencing was behind exhausting objects just like the uncovered tree that Jeff Krosnoff struck and died from. Texas had gentle poles in entrance of the fences, which Davey Hamilton hit and suffered brutal injury to his legs and ft. I feel it was Toronto in 2013, on the brink of shoot the beginning in Flip 1, the place I seen I might freely transfer the fencing positioned atop the limitations. There was nothing that really linked the fencing to the limitations, which meant we’d have been strained by way of the mesh if a automotive bought into it.
Q: Whereas not Rush, to paraphrase Baz Luhrmann’s “All people’s Free (To Put on Sunscreen),” we have to settle for sure inalienable truths: Cleveland, Texas, Michigan, Nazarath, Indy NXT on the huge observe won’t ever return, profitable IndyCar drivers will at all times generate F1 rumors (most won’t ever go), driving an lively F1 observe is a horrible concept, drivers will at all times complain, groups will at all times attempt to skirt the principles, and as we become old, racing was at all times higher prior to now.
Additionally, random and unhappy truth – the DW 12 has contested roughly 12% of all IndyCar races within the historical past of the game. Now I’ve depressed you, since I could also be scripting this after having a number of Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’s, two questions:
As his profession winds down, have we collectively minimized the greatness of Will Energy? Everybody talks in regards to the greatness of Scott Dixon, and he actually is among the greats. However Will Energy… he’s fourth on the all-time wins checklist, has two championships, and an Indy 500 win. Additionally, essentially the most poles within the historical past of the game. But I fear some individuals view him as a much less flamable Paul Tracy. Possibly of us ought to view PT as a much less profitable model of Quick Willy P?
Subsequent query: With the Canadian GP conflicting with the Indy 500, any likelihood there are some modifications in begin instances for each occasions? For example, would FOX be open to a 12 midday ET / 11 am CT begin for the five hundred, with F1 beginning round 3pm (vs 2pm), and then you definitely roll proper into NASCAR round 5:30? I do know there may be fear about race overlap, but when all TV networks (together with Amazon right here) work collectively, it will probably nonetheless work.
I can not think about F1 would need to begin Canada at 2pm (regular time) with a projected end at 3:45(ish)pm, that would battle with the end of the five hundred. I might assume that may be a win for IndyCar, particularly in yr one among a brand new guidelines package deal when a workforce will most actually have a large benefit and a driver could be out in entrance by 10-15 seconds. [ED: This letter arrived before the Canadian GP/Indy clash was confirmed].
John Tabasco
MP: Little question on Energy. However Dixon has six championships. Totally different league to everybody. Will is an all-time nice. Full cease. I simply hope he can retire with both a 3rd championship, which might be large, or a second Indy win. Alex Palou’s solely been right here for the reason that begin of the last decade and has three championships, an Indy 500, and could possibly be on his option to a fourth title. Newgarden has two and two since 2012. I’d guess most followers would put Josef atop Alex and Will since he has the 2 Indy wins.
Of the 27 full-time IndyCar drivers, solely 4 are champions. Will’s a type of 4, clearly, which is an enormous deal. He’s tied for third on the checklist amongst these 4 with Newgarden, and solely Newgarden has a number of 500 wins. Shifting up on both checklist would definitely make it simpler to place him even larger in that pool of all-timers.
I hope Roger Penske, Doug Boles and Eric Shanks from FOX Sports activities maintain the rattling line and do completely nothing totally different with begin instances and broadcast plans for subsequent yr’s Indy 500. The day IndyCar adjusts the Indy 500 for the Canadian Grand Prix, they might as properly wave the white flag.
Subsequent yr’s Canadian GP/Indy 500 conflict is unlucky (and dumb), however the two races should not anticipated to overlap yearly. Kym Illman/Getty Pictures
Q: Assist a fan be taught extra please – my analysis got here up quick.
1. What was the IndyCar yr with peak energy? I do know increase loss and rev beneficial properties most likely evened out, however which yr was prime? 2000?
2. When did the blokes cease rev matching on downshifts?
3. When would you say was CART closest to F1 by way of street/road course tempo?
Udo Schueller, Germany
MP: 1972-75. When paddle-shifting was launched. Doubtless within the latter half of 1994 and 1995 when F1 sought to lose energy and velocity within the wake of 1994’s crashes and deaths.
Q: Zak Brown acknowledged that his F1 drivers should not focused on doing the five hundred. He did say there could possibly be a shock from the F1 workforce. What’s the shock? I’m considering perhaps they’ve curiosity taking part within the Indy street course race? What are your ideas?
Chris, Cincinnati, OH
MP: I used to be on that decision with Zak and he talked about it in context of the Indy 500. Zak loves Little Al and owns one or two of his CART vehicles. I maintain ready to see posts of Al at PitFit preparing for a 500 return with Arrow McLaren.
Q: Why was Santino Ferrucci not DQed after his automotive was discovered to be unlawful at Detroit? Plainly the Indy 500 penalties set the bar for what would occur. It simply looks as if totally different outcomes for comparable violations.
Paul, Indianapolis
MP: As a result of we don’t dwell in a world the place each infraction comes with the loss of life penalty. Doing 55.1mph in a 55mph zone is totally different than doing 100 in a 55. Or ought to a dashing ticket for 55.1 price simply as a lot because the 100mph effective?
The automotive wasn’t under minimal weight. If it was, it might have been DQd. It was above minimal weight, however the workforce bought the quantity of driver ballast incorrect. There was nothing prefer it at Indy.
Q: I’ve a number of random issues.
1. I doubt there was ever a day when F1 and IndyCar raced so shut to one another geographically on the identical day as Barber/Miami this yr.
2. I do know Roger Penske has his causes however it will probably’t assist the Detroit attendance with NASCAR racing in Michigan the next weekend.
3. Prime’s protection of NASCAR has a gas mileage graphic to allow them to inform who’s saving kind of. It will be nice to adapt that to IndyCar with all of the speak about “hitting their gas quantity.”
4. I feel I agree with Zak Brown speaking about rising budgets not essentially being unhealthy for IndyCar and hunting down the underside groups. Take into consideration an IndyCar finances vs NASCAR within the early 2000s in comparison with at the moment. Similar with F1 (pre finances cap). I do not suppose the relative price is an excessive amount of, simply the general public perceived worth of the sequence is not excessive sufficient and wishes to vary. Increase the profile to match the finances as a substitute of making an attempt to decrease a finances to suit the present worth.
Andy Brumbaugh
MP: OK, however so we’re clear, you possibly can “weed out” at the moment’s backside groups, after which what do now we have? New backside groups. After which you possibly can weed them out. And then you definitely’d have new backside groups. Simply the best way it’s in sports activities the place they maintain rating. There’ll at all times be backside groups. What that is actually about is eliminating groups that aren’t tremendous rich, which appears like essentially the most un-American factor attainable. Kick out the individuals who’ve been right here, for a superb whereas, and who assist develop drivers and engineers and crew that get snapped up by the larger groups, for what motive, precisely?
Enjoyable be aware: Pato O’Ward made his IndyCar debut driving for Mike Harding. Then Carlin Racing. Then Arrow McLaren. Nolan Siegel? Dale Coyne, then Juncos Hollinger Racing. Then Arrow McLaren.
I completely perceive the place Zak’s coming from with eager to create extra exclusivity to drive worth up, however the place do you set the factors? Is the primary tier of security reserved for groups which have gained championships? If that’s the case, AJ Foyt Racing, Andretti International, Chip Ganassi Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and Group Penske are the one 5 who’re locked in.
If the second tier is groups who’ve gained Indy 500s, it’s these 5 plus Meyer Shank Racing. In order that’s six out of the 11 groups.
That leaves 5 to contemplate for booting out of the sequence. Wish to know what Arrow McLaren has in widespread with Dale Coyne Racing, Ed Carpenter Racing, Juncos Hollinger Racing and PREMA Racing? Zero championships and 0 Indy 500 wins.
Ouch. Karl Zemlin/IMS Picture
Q: The Indy 500 is the one race with a number of days of on-track follow, and I might assume the remainder of the tracks do not have sufficient. Based mostly in your expertise, the present automotive, and obtainable knowledge to assemble/analyze, what is the minimal quantity of on-track follow time a workforce wants for a full race weekend? Let’s assume it is a one-car workforce, there are not any gremlins, and race-representative observe circumstances. Is there a direct relationship between the variety of vehicles and time wanted, does this stand for every observe kind (IMS, quick oval, street course, and road course), and the way a lot can the DIL-simulator compensate?
Atilla Veyssal, Madison, WI
MP: The quick reply is IndyCar might do one-day occasions at each venue, however promoters need at the very least two or three days of revenue-generating alternatives to cowl their prices. Until IndyCar cuts its sanctioning charges to regulate to single-day occasions the place tracks can earn sufficient to pay the charges and make a revenue, which isn’t possible, the three-day customary is right here to remain. WWTR’s two-day deal is nice, however it’s a rarity. One lengthy opening follow session for groups to be taught the tires and deg profiles, gas mileage, and long-run setups, then qualify, after which race.
It will make for higher racing as a result of fewer groups could be absolutely educated earlier than the beginning of the race. No in a single day simulator knowledge, DIL assist, and many others. It will make for much less excellent vehicles, and that’s the place the enjoyable is available in. When virtually everyone is closely ready for the massive take a look at, the scores are excessive. When extra groups are having to make extra guesses than they need, you get extra risers and fallers, and that’s the place drama is made.
Q: I noticed an image of a GTP automotive with the fenders off. I might simply see how it might look with a wing on the nostril and all I might suppose was, “Why aren’t we doing this?”
If a brand new IndyCar goes to price the groups an excessive amount of, simply go together with established tech. Then, convey alongside all these producers. I do know the IMSA engines don’t slot in an IndyCar chassis. Fantastic.
In enterprise, “Maintain It Easy, Silly” is a well-regarded technique I’m positive Mr. Penske can recognize it. Fenderless GTP vehicles. It actually doesn’t must be greater than that.
So, what do you suppose?
SJK
MP: These Penske Porsche 963s go for $3.9 million apiece. Prices about $1.2 million for a brand new Dallara DW12. Tech assist for a yr in GTP isn’t too removed from the price of an annual IndyCar engine lease, so sure, there’s a steep distinction in automobile costs. Fenderless GTPs are simply fenderless IMSA vehicles, not Indy vehicles. I’d somewhat persist with true open-wheelers.
Q: So, it’s time to at the very least begin speaking in regards to the new automotive and engine.
Even when the sequence retains a 2.2-liter engine with an ERS (or not an ERS) or a brand new engine method, should not they construct the brand new automotive with a fairly common set of fitments so {that a} broader engine method could possibly be utilized given the uncertainty of the racing engine market? In different phrases, a variety of totally different engines ought to be capable to be fitted to this automotive. If, for nothing else, choices, proper?
A lighter, sleeker, extra nimble, whole change within the view of the automotive is required. This automotive is previous and has a nostril that appears like that of a mosquito. The sequence must keep away from 15 years of “that they had an opportunity to make it look trendy and so they solely went midway.” Have you ever heard something new on the automotive design?
We’re a few years now from the Boston Consulting Group findings. Are you aware of some other implies that Penske is making an attempt to realize info to handle the ever-changing panorama of motor racing and leisure generally?
I used to be all-in on driving to Gateway, however on a Sunday night time with work the subsequent day… horrible scheduling, proper?
Tim Gleason, Chicago, IL
MP: Arduous to make a automotive lighter, sleeker, and extra nimble if the engine bay wants to hold a wider array of engines which could possibly be wider, taller, and heavier, FWIW. I don’t consider Roger or his executives lack info to handle the altering panorama of racing and leisure. The query that’s lacking is what do you suppose they need to do with that info?
What are we going to be left to speak about once we truly do have a brand new automotive? Karl Zemlin/IMS Picture
Q: All of the current tech violations and the penalties doled out to IndyCar groups make it appear to be someone awoke to those penalties when this will likely have been occurring all alongside.
However, it appears foolish to make each little piece just like the molding across the gearbox, some objects across the hybrid unit within the vehicles, to want to abide a sure default customary. My view is the alternative. Whereas IndyCar could make the advised customary for mounting any of those components to be a sure approach, they need to make these things to be open for groups to discover one of the simplest ways to do these mountings and becoming offered it meets the bottom specs by way of hundreds, Drive, weight, rigidity and no matter applies.
It is unbelievable to suppose that IndyCar has gone full 180 levels from what it was 20 years by way of being spec. Their purpose ought to at all times be to make it extra open for groups to discover one of the simplest ways to do issues
Shyam
MP: I don’t completely disagree, however I positive as hell wouldn’t embrace security parts in that freedom. Doug Boles repeatedly talked about within the penalty press convention for the 2 Penske vehicles that the attenuator, like each different security merchandise, isn’t free for groups to mess with as they see match. There’s a motive why Penske’s modifications had been unlawful, and that’s as a result of it concerned a security machine. These objects are IndyCar’s forbidden fruit. They had been lengthy earlier than Could 18, 2025, and can stay that approach lengthy after. As for the remaining, sure, I hate the concept of mechanics being terrified to make the tiniest meeting error, and never for the sake of velocity or security, however as a result of it isn’t 100-percent spec. However that’s additionally nothing new.
Have we misplaced the plot with the hyper-perfection-only method that’s taken root since Pole Day? Sure. However that’s what IndyCar has chosen to embrace.
Q: I’ve two premature questions, as they need to have been requested earlier within the IndyCar season:
I consider Barber was the race the place everybody was pressured onto a three-stop technique by needing to run two units of every tire. Why was this achieved and never repeated to date (I do not watch practices)? For my part I might have somewhat seen any tire mandate dropped to open the technique.
When the increase is turned up for Quick Friday and Indy 500 qualifying, about how a lot life is taken away from that engine (p.c or miles)? I consider this increase is the same as non-oval spec increase, so do oval engines are likely to have an extended life?
Atilla Veyssal
MP: Indy GP, not Barber. It was achieved for the explanations I and others wrote in our tales in regards to the rule change. The identical engines use three ranges of increase at totally different tracks and modify as wanted, so no, there isn’t a boost-to-life equation. They blow up or survive in all three increase ranges. Failures are likely to occur most frequently once they’re near the 2500-mile change-out.
Q: I finished for fuel and a espresso the opposite day at a Sunoco station in rural Pennsylvania and was amazed in any respect the signage there was for Sunoco’s partnership with the Stake F1 Kick Sauber workforce. On the flipside, I used to be at my native Honda dealership for service the subsequent day and never a single point out of Honda being in IndyCar and having simply gained the Indy 500. I don’t get it.
Dave from JC
MP: Does the Daytona 500-winning producer have a nationwide dealership promotional marketing campaign created, accepted, mass produced, shipped, and put in from coast to coast inside three weeks of the victory? If that’s the case, Honda is lagging. If not, perhaps Honda, or Chevy the final two years, and many others., is engaged on one thing that gained’t occur in a single day inside a large company. And if Honda isn’t, then perhaps there’s another excuse. Possibly give it a number of extra weeks after which let’s sound the alarm?
Q: Does the drivers’ championship must be bigger than a sequence’ largest race for the sequence to be wholesome?
This query has lingered in my thoughts main into this yr’s Indy 500. I began following IndyCar in 2019 and was born after the break up, so I’ve zero pulse on IndyCar’s heyday and if this has at all times been its case.
I might guess that the F1 drivers’ and constructors’ championships have at all times been greater than Monaco, and for NASCAR I might guess that at present their crown jewel races are bigger, however pre-“post-season” they weren’t.
I consider the reply to my query is “sure” however each IMSA and the WEC break this. Is it because of their method, advertising and marketing, or one thing else?
Atilla Veyssal
MP: Undecided I absolutely perceive the inspiration for the query. Most sports activities followers bear in mind the winners of the most important occasions in no matter they observe, and that huge occasion is integral within the well being of these sports activities. However there are outliers, after all. Monaco is F1’s largest, however victories there appear to have misplaced the identical internationally acknowledged significance. In the meantime most F1 championships this decade, with final yr’s as an exception, have been dreadfully boring, however F1’s recognition has solely risen.
Final yr’s Indy 500 was a thriller and the championship was fairly sturdy and entertaining. The yr prior, Indy was additionally sturdy however Palou had the title in hand early. All indicators level to IndyCar’s well being rising in 2025, however it hasn’t been notably thrilling by way of Detroit. WWTR was one of the best race of the yr.
WWTR placed on a superb present. Matt Fraver/IMS Picture
Q: Marshall, you and Ron notice that the Coca-Cola 600 (or “World 600″because it was identified pre-sponsor days) used to run on separate days? That is what allowed Bobby and Donnie Allison, Cale Yarborough and LeeRoy Yarbrough to race each on the identical weekend. There have been instances the races had been virtually every week aside!
Additionally, about that “final Sunday of Could.” The five hundred was on Memorial Day (Could 30) correct by way of 1970, then moved round till deciding on the Sunday of the three-day vacation weekend in 1974, which can also be the primary yr each races had been held on the identical date.
Jim Thurman, Mojave Desert, CA
MP: Thanks, Jim.
Q: I recall an article across the time of Malukas Wristgate. I consider you talked about that one of many points McLaren was having was that Chevrolet didn’t need to assist them with Malukas’s contract as a result of they did not view him as a tier 1 driver… Does Honda have the identical driver rating system as Chevy? Do you’ve gotten any perception as to who is taken into account tier 1 drivers and so forth? With Will Energy’s 2026 location floating round, is he somebody that Chevy would step in and say “grasp on a sec, he’s one among ours” and assist maintain him in a now-tie? I’d think about Palou is a Honda untouchable, in addition to Dixon and perhaps Herta/Kirkwood?
Tim, Connecticut
MP: As I perceive, Honda/HRC was closely into driver offers till a number of years in the past when nearly the entire private companies contracts throughout no matter sequence it was in weren’t renewed. In IndyCar, sure, I consider Alex and Scott are a part of the household. I don’t know if Colton or Kirk fall into that favored standing. Arduous to say if Chevy would come out of pocket, however I do know that Verizon loves Will, and I reckon that’s extra necessary proper now.
Q: I need to drop my fully unsolicited two cents on oval race attendance. I will begin by saying I’ve attended few prior to now; and would like to go to extra. Nonetheless, here is my stumbling block.
First, I dwell in Baltimore. For me to attend any IndyCar race, a lot much less an oval, requires hours to days and hundreds of {dollars}’ price of journey. When you get there, tracks aren’t at all times within the best cities or components of cities, and typically not even in a city.
Conveniences and companies can typically be missing. On-site parking, foods and drinks will be a problem. Then there’s the sightlines. At Pocono, you possibly can solely actually see a tiny open-wheel automotive for like 300 yards of that big observe. Additionally, the place I get caught up is that at the very least half the races I am going to are considerably interrupted by climate (NASCAR, too). Regardless of claims I learn on the web, nobody can management the climate, it’s what it’s. However after some time it begins to take a toll. Second, the previous few seasons have not actually produced nice oval racing.
Regardless of what the earlier paragraph would possibly say, I need to go to ovals. I need to go to many. But it is exhausting when in my climate-controlled basement there is a large HD TV with a personal rest room and fridge filled with cheap meals and beer. But in all of life, when someone needs one thing sufficient, they’ll make the sacrifice. What can IndyCar do about my inertia of not eager to spend treasured money and time to go perhaps watch a boring race, perhaps watch it rain? I do not know. There’s most likely not a solution. The onus is on me. I suppose if I actually appreciated oval racing as a lot as I declare; I might do what it takes. I simply wished it was a little bit simpler.
Shawn, deep in my very own head
MP: Apart from Iowa, final yr’s oval races had been a few of the finest I’ve seen in many years. Typically we purchase tickets to far-away video games and concert events and people video games and concert events fall wanting expectations. So that you both surrender hope and keep inside for the remainder of your life or permit your self to have hope and for that hope to not at all times be fulfilled. Undecided what IndyCar can do to ensure something right here.
Q: Giving an errant driver a drive-through penalty for ending one other driver’s day because of avoidable contact will not be sufficient. It offers no compensation to the sufferer. 5 or 10 championship factors ought to be deducted from the errant driver and awarded to the sufferer. Your ideas?
RLE
MP: Massive believer within the punishment becoming the crime. Hit somebody and their race is over on lap 33? Your race ends on lap 33. Knock somebody into the wall and so they lose two laps getting pulled again by the security workforce and looking for repairs within the pits, you lose two laps. If a participant commits a flagrant foul that takes a rival participant off the courtroom for medical help or out of the sport altogether, the penalty shouldn’t be giving up some free throws and getting to remain on the courtroom. No matter your actions convey to the opposite participant are the actions visited upon you. Name it the Shared Destiny rule.
The error by Malukas at Detroit when he nerfed Palou from behind is the very best profile instance of this in current races. Malukas isn’t a grimy driver; I don’t consider for a second that it was intentional in any approach. However intent doesn’t change the truth that Palou’s race was ended by the actions of Malukas. Palou was out on lap 72, positioned 25th, bought 5 factors, and the sponsors on his automotive had been not able to being seen by followers on the observe or on the FOX broadcast, which is what they pay for.
Malukas bought a drive-through penalty, accomplished 100 laps, completed 14th, bought 16 factors, and his sponsors had been seen for your entire race. The “Shared Destiny” plan would have the offending driver parked, given the ending place one spot decrease than whoever they took out, and the identical factors.
The “Shared Destiny Rule” sounds sort of ominous. James Black/IMS Picture
Q: After studying in regards to the particulars about McLaren’s new Hypercar program I noticed it is also linked to Zak Brown’s sports activities automotive program. I do know I am carrying my aluminum hat for this one, however is it attainable that McLaren purposely employed Nolan Siegel for the intent of hiring him for its Hypercar program? Possibly Nolan’s time in IndyCar is getting used to present him some extra expertise and to form him up for Hypercar. Nolan in any case did win his class on Zak Brown’s workforce. Let’s even be sincere, although Nolan had his moments in IndyCar, he does have much more success in sports activities vehicles. Are you able to see one thing like this occurring, or is Wisconsin cheddar attending to my mind?
Ukyo Tachibana
MP: No. This wasn’t a case of Nolan being employed. This was a funding made by the Siegels to position Nolan within the third automotive.
Q: Joint query for Marshall and Kelly:
The time period “battle of curiosity” has been thrown round so much this yr in each sequence. Even Denny Hamlin has stated on his podcast he had an issue with Jim France funding a automotive by way of Spire. Is not the truth that Mr. Hamlin drives for one workforce and owns one other its personal “battle of curiosity”? Gamers in different sports activities should not allowed to personal any a part of groups of their sport, why ought to they be allowed in NASCAR and IndyCar?
Mark, Milford, OH
MP: Effectively, in IndyCar, Roger Penske isn’t a participant. He owns the sport. And competes with a workforce he owns within the recreation he owns. And makes use of engines within the vehicles he owns, within the workforce he owns, within the recreation he owns, made by an organization he bankrolled to discovered and co-owns.
This is able to be Robert Kraft proudly owning the NFL, proudly owning the New England Patriots, and proudly owning the corporate that makes the footballs his workforce makes use of.
Denny Hamlin proudly owning a workforce whereas driving for an additional is nothing like these conflicts, proper? It will solely change into a battle if he drove in a fashion for Joe Gibbs that allowed the drivers on the 23IX workforce he owns to learn. And if that had been to occur, I’m assured he will get fired by Gibbs and suspended by NASCAR.
KELLY CRANDALL: In the event you look exhausting sufficient, there could possibly be loads of issues seen as a battle of curiosity. Jeff Burton being a broadcaster of races his son Harrison competes in. Dale Earnhardt Jr. being a broadcaster and calling Xfinity Sequence races when he owns groups within the sequence (though he not does that). Denny Hamlin driving for one workforce and proudly owning one other. Once more, you can maintain wanting and discover an increasing number of, and actually it’s subjective as to what somebody views as a battle of curiosity. I’m unsure I might need to get into having guidelines in place dictating {that a} driver can not personal groups. But it surely’s going to be out within the open and depart these drivers as much as questions and skepticism over conflicts and selections, and so long as they know these questions are going to be there and reply them, I’m OK with it.
Q: After watching Saturday’s Xfinity Sequence race, it jogged my memory of an previous racing phrase from years passed by… “The Name.”
One race that I used to be actually wanting ahead to watching was the Cup race in Mexico Metropolis. To not sound just like the grumpy previous man, however solely having cable TV, I didn’t get to see it. Simply questioning how NASCAR rankings are since switching some races to streaming companies?
Mark
KC: The numbers have been as anticipated: down general however up in key demographics (the youthful viewers). NASCAR anticipated that, and actually it follows the pattern that the NFL noticed in its first season placing video games on Prime Video. The important thing right here is the lengthy recreation. NASCAR has a seven-year take care of Prime Video, so going ahead they anticipate, and hope, to construct on these numbers and see them develop over time.
Q: Gas mileage at all times appears to be a problem at Michigan, most likely as a result of it is actually 2.04 miles and never 2 miles as marketed. In truth, within the Seventies, NASCAR ran a number of 197-lap races to regulate for this. IndyCar measured Texas Motor Speedway as considerably shorter than 1.5 miles, a lot in order that it might take 344 (as a substitute of 334) laps to run a 500-mile race there utilizing the 1.455-mile size IndyCar used at one level. Supposedly, Las Vegas is longer than Atlanta!
To me, it might be higher for NASCAR to get these extra correct numbers so as to add character to every race as a result of it might give every observe a definite allure. Extra importantly, are the NASCAR crew chiefs conscious of those actual numbers for crunching gas mileage numbers?
Alex
KC: So, like many issues within the sport, gas mileage has advanced. We at the moment are within the days the place groups don’t at all times fill the automotive filled with gas, even to start out the races. They’re making these selections primarily based on how they’re strategizing the race and the way it will have an effect on the automotive steadiness. All through the race, groups at all times weight the gas cans to find out how a lot they really bought within the automotive throughout runs, and so they know the way a lot they’re anticipated to burn throughout a run at every observe. So, it is all the way down to a science of what these numbers are and the way they’re approaching the race.
There’s a variety of math in all that gas mileage. Chris Graythen/Getty Pictures
Q: We’ve bought Zandvoort dropping off the F1 calendar subsequent yr and Barcelona’s contract coming to an finish. Is there an opportunity now we have fewer than 24 races for 2027? The rumors of recent races in Africa, Thailand and South Korea has gone quiet these days. What tracks may be in rivalry for the rotation with Spa? Possibly Barcelona? Pink Bull Ring when its contract ends?
What have you ever heard in regards to the competitiveness of the facility models for 2026? There continues to be whispers {that a} Mercedes is the engine to have for 2026. We heard this identical in 2013, which proved to be proper. What are these rumors primarily based on if nobody is aware of the place anybody is?
Paul, Glasgow
CHRIS MEDLAND: I’ve achieved you soiled right here a bit with the timing Paul, however no I don’t suppose we’ll have any fewer races in 2027 or past. You might need seen on Tuesday that Thailand has taken an enormous step ahead to doubtlessly be a part of from 2028 onwards, and there may be loads of curiosity from elsewhere.
Madrid becoming a member of negates shedding Zandvoort in 2027, after which as you say Spa will nonetheless be there that yr too, with its “off” years being 2028 and 2030. Imola needs to return again if a slot will be discovered, however as I perceive it there’s not the industrial weight behind it at this stage to muscle its approach in till a niche seems, or rotation with Spa. Barcelona is one other one which I’m instructed might rotate, too.
There’s ongoing curiosity from Turkey and Malaysia as properly – at Istanbul Park and Sepang respectively, so current tracks – and nonetheless work happening with South Africa or Rwanda, however you’re proper that these really feel a good distance off nonetheless. Between all that, although, I don’t see it dropping under 24 races. If it did, it wouldn’t be for lengthy.
For energy unit competitiveness, it’s actually sounding like Mercedes is more likely to be the frontrunner once more by way of efficiency. Personnel do discuss a little bit to one another making an attempt to get a really feel for the place the competitors is at, however you do additionally get motion between producers, who can decide the place one was in comparison with one other on the identical level in improvement (even when it was from months earlier).
Common consensus is that Pink Bull and Audi would possibly discover it hardest early on, however there are extra unknowns about Ferrari and Honda’s potential.
Q: Canadian Grand Prix clashing with Indy 500? No downside. No conflict. Indy 500 is sacred. The Canadian Grand Prix will not be. I’ll search for Montreal outcomes on RACER.com.
Brian Bristo, London, Canada
CM: Glad you’ll examine the positioning at the very least! And I agree about which race will lose out extra within the conflict. Thankfully the brand new settlement Montreal simply introduced additionally appears to return with an intent to keep away from that conflict as usually as attainable. I’m instructed it ought to occur solely as soon as in each 4 or 5 years.
Q: With Cadillac F1 ramping up ops for a 2026 debut, at some level driver signings will want to change into public. As Palou is seemingly off the desk, and with the necessity for expertise e.g. Bottas, Perez, and many others. ,matched with (hopefully) an American, why not think about one of the best runner-up in IndyCar this yr, particularly Kyle Kirkwood? His efforts have outshone Colton Herta and he actually enjoys the optimistic backing of his workforce possession, particularly Dan Towriss and the TWG Group. Plus, on this facet of the pond, he actually has extra title recognition and star energy than Jak Crawford, though he lacks the Euro expertise and Tremendous License factors.
Todd Owen Krill
CM: I feel you’ve answered your personal query there, Todd – he doesn’t have the expertise of the tracks, the personnel or the Pirelli tires, however they wouldn’t take him fully off the desk. Not having the Tremendous License factors, although, does. He’d have to win the championship, which clearly doesn’t look fairly the impossibility it did a number of races in the past, however Cadillac can also’t actually wait on that when it’s so extremely unlikely.
I do get the title recognition level, however Cadillac has stated it should solely decide an American on benefit, not title, and if Crawford was extra possible to achieve success given his path by way of the European ladder and F1 workforce applications, then I feel he’d get the nod over Kirkwood.
Given Crawford nonetheless wants to keep up his top-five place in F2 to get his Tremendous License, although, I don’t suppose the second seat will probably be firmed up all that shortly, so all Kirkwood can do is maintain profitable.
If Cadillac does really feel compelled to rent an American, it would properly think about Crawford to be on a greater trajectory in direction of turning into that American than anybody within the IndyCar paddock. Sam Bloxham/Getty Pictures
Q: So do we expect George Russell braked so aggressively behind the security automotive to bait Max Verstappen into passing him to get a penalty level? Let’s cook dinner up some beef, as a result of I actually suppose that is what occurred.
Ryan in West Michigan
CM: I don’t suppose it was solely to get the penalty level, however it positively felt like a little bit of gamesmanship, making an attempt to indicate Verstappen he had management.
Given their run-ins, I agree with you within the sense that I feel Russell wouldn’t have been upset if it had earned Verstappen a penalty, however I feel he was additionally having fun with being the lead automotive and understanding Verstappen needed to maintain it clear.
If the race had restarted for a one-lap shootout, then George had fired a little bit of a warning that reiterated the precarious place Max was in. And in braking as he did, it might need made Max barely extra cautious of the best way to method any restart.
There’s a lot underlying rigidity there, although, that I additionally suppose Russell would have had an enormous smile on his face if it had led to Verstappen getting a penalty.
Q: I am an previous man who simply would not get some issues. Probably the most intriguing points is why the F1 prima donnas proceed to whine about soiled air and the disruption to the aero package deal of their automotive. And but, IndyCar run inside inches of one another going into corners the place optimum downforce is important to maintain from plowing right into a barrier. Assist me out, please. What’s up?
Craig Nelson
CM: For the very simplified reply, IndyCar aero packages are spec – the identical throughout all vehicles – in comparison with F1 vehicles which are developed individually by every workforce. That enables IndyCar to have an answer that’s nonetheless excessive efficiency however much less impactful on the next automotive, to scale back the influence of soiled air, as a result of they’ll management the aerodynamics of each the main and following automotive.
The opposite facet is just how a lot sooner an F1 automotive goes. Round Circuit of The Americas (the one observe each sequence have raced on prior to now seven years), the evolution of each sequence’ vehicles would have an estimated lap time distinction of across the 12-second mark at the moment. Given there was simply over 14 seconds between an F1 and F2 automotive in qualifying in Bahrain this yr – a observe additionally round a 90s lap for F1, like COTA – it exhibits you the efficiency distinction.
To get that efficiency distinction comes at a value, with extra subtle and delicate aerodynamics that find yourself being extra simply affected by turbulent air from a automotive forward. Plus the sector is so shut nowadays (0.8s coated your entire discipline in Q1 in Canada), the smallest element like that has a major influence.
In the event you’re the quickest automotive arising behind the slowest automotive in Montreal, and it prices you 0.2s over a lap being behind one other automotive, that’s 25% in case your tempo benefit gone. When the sector unfold was greater, that very same lap time loss is much less of your tempo benefit, so you can discover it simpler to remain nearer.
THE FINAL WORD
From Robin Miller’ Mailbag, June 18, 2014
Q: I simply completed studying “Black Midday: The Yr They Stopped the Indy 500,” a racing ebook by Artwork Garner that the Mailbag has praised. I used to be a reporter for The Indianapolis Information stationed on the inside wall out of the fourth flip in 1964. I noticed MacDonald’s pink Mickey Thompson racer spinning into the wall in entrance of me, triggering the seven-car inferno. I respect creator Garner’s trivia (race winner A.J. Foyt consuming his post-victory dinner at a White Fort; a Lola F1 suspension knowledgeable employed by Thompson “at (a) $2.60 hourly wage, almost twice what he was making in F1” ) however the level of the ebook was Thompson had created radical, extraordinarily low “pancake” vehicles that many drivers and homeowners thought had been unsafe as they shred physique panels and repeatedly spun and crashed. But the ebook by no means exhibits a photograph of a 1964 Mickey Thompson race automotive. It is like writing in regards to the Hindenburg with no photograph of the fuel bag. Who stopped Garner from together with such a photograph? It may’t be simply an oversight on the creator’s half. What occurred?
David Mannweiler
ROBIN MILLER: I despatched Artwork an e-mail final night time about your query and here is his response: “Mr. Mannweiler is correct, there are not any photos of the Thompson automotive apart from the close-ups with Dave in it. Went with pictures of the individuals as a substitute. Looking back, perhaps ought to have included a broader shot of the automotive, particularly contemplating it was so controversial.”
I feel the well-known shot of the automotive from the facet, displaying how excessive the experience top was with out the low-profile tires, illustrated the priority. So I feel Artwork agrees with you, David, however I instructed him it actually did not spoil his effective job of reporting on one of many pivotal months in American motorsports. By the best way, I appreciated you higher as a humorist and columnist than a racing reporter however the truth you had been a founding father of the Final Row Social gathering makes you eternally a Corridor of Famer. Tom Bigelow and Eldon Rasmussen say whats up.
