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 embody a query usually tend to be printed. Questions acquired after 3pm ET every Monday can 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 yr for a Wednesday/Thursday night time 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 Goals. I’m all-in on this. And let’s simply do a single day, single race and make it particular. If that doesn’t work, nothing will.
Q: Are engine replacements reported someplace followers can see? Could be attention-grabbing to see when groups selected or needed to 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 obtainable engines as they’re constructed/rebuilt and prepared for use, and IndyCar picks them at random and tells Chevy/Honda to ship that motor to the staff in want. IndyCar then does a serial quantity affirmation to make sure what’s within the automotive matches what they mentioned to place within the automotive.
Energy acquired a recent 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 totally 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 choose for the title. Of those that come instantly to thoughts in current occasions, 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 nicely. 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 suppose they noticed some knowledge that made them fear in regards to the engine giving out?
Craig
MP: Appropriate 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 normally a purpose for it.
Q: I simply watched Iowa Race 1. Just a few attention-grabbing storylines (Penske’s resurgence, O’Ward’s first win of 2025, Chevy operating up entrance), however the empty grandstands are a complete embarrassment.
The threatening climate was actually an element, however how did they go from sellout crowds to this debacle so rapidly? Was Hy-Vee giving freely tickets just a few years again? Did the ridiculous ticket costs with the concert events drive individuals away for good? Has the single-lane racing brought on 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. Perhaps one race, and on Saturday or Sunday night time (not late afternoon)? There are races at Knoxville this weekend, that can doubtless have higher attendance. Perhaps Penske Leisure may benefit from a title sponsor that may market the open-wheel weekend at each tracks? Clearly, they’re going to go along with whoever provides cash to sponsor the race, however IndyCar clearly failed badly as a promoter right here. One thing labored nicely within the current previous.
Tom Pate, Macomb, MI
MP: Ever seen the place a well-liked band loses its recording take care of a significant label and returns on a smaller one — or they begin their very own label — and so they shed the entire common 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 huge musical acts.
With Penske Leisure as the only promoter, and minus the huge attain and assets Hy-Vee was keen to commit, there was all the time going to be a decline in attendance. Then issue within the brutally dangerous racing final yr when attendance was barely down — even with the enormous nation acts and no matter crossover class that befits Put up Malone — on not one, however two 275-lap events, and you’ve got the recipe that creates lots of empty stands final weekend.
Saturday’s race wasn’t a sustained thriller, however it acquired higher because it went on and the second lane was revealed to plenty of drivers as one thing that could possibly be used to move. Sunday was higher — not just like the crazy-great Iowas of the previous — and confirmed some life for a lot of the contest.
If Sunday’s Iowa race could possibly be barely improved upon, it’s nicely 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 yr’s doubleheader like a musical act as nicely, and it placed on two dangerous concert events. Except I used to be a complete devotee to the band and didn’t care if the concert events have been horrible, how would the typical particular person react in the event that they heard the identical band was returning for 2 extra concert events? I feel most individuals would move, 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 mainly 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 exhibits 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 will remedy the low-attendance downside. Which makes your thought one to contemplate, supplied the Highway Americas and Mid-Ohios are assured they may draw two huge crowds twice a yr.
Q: Simply completed watching Race 1 from Iowa. It was an entertaining race that confirmed the standard of racing the collection gives. The gang, nonetheless, was past disappointing. Embarrassing, really. Unsure what the reply is, however ovals aside from Indy simply don’t promote for the collection. Design a brand new automotive that may safely race on the present highway programs like Highway Atlanta, Mosport, VIR, hopefully discover just a few extra road circuits, and go away the ovals to Indy.
Michael Veretta, Ilderton, Ontario, Canada
MP: Milwaukee had a formidable crowd on its return final yr. Nashville additionally did higher than anticipated after a very lengthy absence by IndyCar. Gateway (WWTR) has been good — with good being totally different from nice — regardless of some shrinkage from the early years of its return.
I didn’t develop up with quick ovals, however have come to like them nearly greater than highway and road programs, which is my pre-IndyCar background. I’d welcome all of the highway programs you point out, however I’d by no means wish to shed the non-Indy ovals.
Q: What a humiliation, seeing all of the hundreds of racing followers disguised as empty seats each days at Iowa. How are you going to have 350,000 individuals at Indy and 350 individuals at Iowa? Perhaps subsequent yr – if there’s a race – they need to give away all tickets without cost and attempt to make up the misplaced income in parking and concessions. By the best way, each races have been nice and really thrilling.
Don, Grand Rapids
MP: Catch-22 right here. If IndyCar wants to keep up its oval selection and keep between 16-18 races, Iowa Speedway is a good location to contemplate. If IndyCar (Penske Leisure) must earn a living, nicely, free tickets isn’t the best way to prop up a scarcity of demand except somebody believes it’s a advertising funding which may get Large Firm X to spend a ton on turning into a Hy-Vee-level sponsor for 2027 and produce individuals again by means of immense promotions and sights past the racing.
Q: Josef Newgarden fired everybody seemingly on his staff aside from his household after 2023. Unsure 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 particular person. Does he suppose that alone was value it? He’s perceived as a cheater, a liar, and dangerous man – by me and lots of others. It’s additionally clear to me that at the very least certainly one of his teammates appears like me. Is that this ‘makeover’ all Josef’s doing? If that’s the case, like somebody who represents himself in court docket, he has a idiot for a shopper. If not, I’d submit he fired the incorrect particular person/individuals.
Mike DeQuardo, Elkhart Lake
MP: Actually exhausting to reply, Mike. Josef retains his inside circle small, however two issues stand out from the periphery: He’s acquired 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 automotive.
He’s gone from being a wide-open particular person, a buddy to the paddock, with plenty of free time for individuals, to somebody who exhibits 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 for the reason that finish of 2019 when his final championship was gained, and that’s concerned some personnel modifications that haven’t all the time been dealt with the appropriate method, from what I’ve been advised.
I’d love to fulfill the one that thinks they will inform Penske what to do, however sure, because the staff’s most profitable driver since he arrived there in 2017, you’d assume that comes with a degree 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 wager there wouldn’t be a lot to speak about. However since he isn’t, and has come tantalizingly shut and misplaced once more – twice in beneath 24 hours in Iowa – it’s a narrative that continues to construct in a detrimental course. There can be one thing incorrect with him is he wasn’t feeling depressing since Might.
Newgarden’s public persona has modified over time, however the truth that these closest to him on the staff aspect 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, overlaying the announcers’ voices. It makes it very exhausting to look at and hear.
I am positive that I’m alone. Please move this alongside to your folks at FOX. FYI, after the Iowa race, I switched backwards and forwards between the IMSA and the NASCAR Cup Sequence races. Neither community over amplified the automotive 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, corresponding to you, who’re assigned to interview Newgarden (or attempt to) when he does not win a race, mechanically get an additional day without work? If not, they need to.
He is gone from certainly one of 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 similar to these skilled by Josef Newgarden and the Penske staff this yr. Nevertheless, Josef’s reactions seem considerably immature, particularly given his monitor document of success, which might sometimes point out a extra composed response to setbacks.
In distinction, Scott Dixon exemplifies a extra resilient perspective in related circumstances, not storming off. Whereas it is comprehensible to really feel disappointment and frustration, Josef’s inclination to withdraw and skip interviews, for my part, doesn’t solid him in a positive mild. This conduct will not be remoted; it appears to be turning into a recurring theme. What do you suppose?
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 change into of much less significance and he leaned closely right into a DGAF method. He’s among the many most self-aware and clever drivers I do know, so he’d know his reactions of late can be acquired in a detrimental method.
Stated one other method, if he cared about public notion, I’m positive he’d keep and anticipate cameras and microphones to seem when no matter issues go incorrect to make sure his ideas are shared and his view is known. And since he isn’t ready to be seen and heard most occasions, 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 suppose he walks away a single time. That was additionally the before-Penske-owned-everything occasions 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 not on pit lane together with his staff, I can see how this has change into a factor.
Are you able to think about it turning into a factor at Ganassi, although? Or Arrow McLaren? Chip would apply ‘corrective conduct’ instantly. You’d hear the shouting contained in the transporter from a mile away, and it might by no means occur once more. Similar with Zak or TK. However totally different groups and totally different cultures right here…
Q: What a distinction between Race 1 and Race 2 in Iowa. The way in which the yellows fell in Race 1 had little impact on the end 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 change 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, modifications should be made. We’ve got reached an inflection level within the collection.
I’ve heard it mentioned, “it’s solely an issue if in case you have an answer”. Effectively, I wish to suggest an answer. Pitting beneath yellow wouldn’t be permitted. All automobiles should pit beneath inexperienced to make sure all pit stops happen beneath related situations.
If a automotive can’t probably full the period of a warning because of operating out of gas, then that automotive can pit for a ‘splash and go’ solely and rejoin the sector in the identical place it occupied at the beginning of that yellow. Nevertheless, to make sure that no staff would try to do a ‘splash and go’ to get to the checkered flag with out stopping once more, that automotive can be required to pit inside two laps of the inexperienced flag and tackle a full load of gas whatever the remaining distance of the race… 275 laps or three laps, irrespective of.
Whereas I could also be lacking a degree or two, I imagine we should begin someplace and start arising with some affordable options. It’s important for the way forward for IndyCar to all the time do all the pieces doable to maximise ability and decrease luck.
St. Louis Spencer
MP: I get your level, however title a sport the place ability isn’t maximized and luck isn’t an affect within the consequence in each sport or race? Closing the pits has been performed earlier than, and then you definitely 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 persist with the favored technique.
Generally 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 dangerous luck. Generally the receiver can’t grasp the ball and it will get tipped straight to the security who takes the interception to the home and scores the game-winning landing. Will 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 end result hasn’t been influenced by good or dangerous luck.
And if we stop all pit stops that aren’t performed beneath inexperienced to safeguard in opposition to likelihood and selection, can we additionally mandate what tire compounds groups can use and when as to stop luck and selection there? Perhaps we add two or three breaks in the course of the race– nearly at totally different levels – as nicely?
Dangerous issues occur. It’s a part of each single sporting occasion and it alters the rating or ending order in some capability. Unsure how taking decisions away and eradicating choices and creativity improves the video games.
Q: All three Andretti automobiles had a proper entrance tire failure on the Iowa Speedway. Does Firestone present the groups and the collection with most static camber suggestions and minimal beginning chilly inflation stress suggestions for every race? If the reply is sure, does the collection verify the camber settings in tech inspection, and does the collection monitor tire inflation stress through telemetry?
Dave, Ohio
MP: Suggestions, sure. ‘Suggestions’ being totally different from technical rules. Firestone is extraordinarily lively in monitoring pressures and going straight to groups when it sees one thing that’s out of bounds.
Firestone provides pointers for what a tire may 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 gas benefit over Chevy? Is it only a extra environment friendly engine? Is there one thing particular that Chevy can attempt to match? Has it all the time been a bonus for Honda?
Rob, Tampa
MP: Chevy’s been referred to as the mid-range and top-end king with this motor method and Honda’s been referred to as the bottom-end and fuel-mileage king. The 2 have been impossibly shut in all these areas at occasions since 2012, traded these strengths and weaknesses, and snapped again as nicely. In relation to mileage, it has been a Honda yr.
Q: Two questions. First, how can it’s that McLaren does not have a reserve driver? They could not carry one in? They did it earlier than with Theo Pourchaire when Rossi broke his thumb in Toronto in 2024. Their sponsors can’t be completely satisfied about having the No.6 parked. [ED: This letter arrived before Arrow McLaren put Linus Lundqvist on standby ahead of Toronto]. Secondly, it seems that Toronto is perhaps on the chopping block and Watkins Glen is perhaps within the combine for coming again? Assist me out right here as a result of I have not heard any chatter regionally about this.
Rob, Rochester, NY
MP: Most IndyCar groups should not have reserve drivers, in order that’s the norm. I’d suppose the sponsors of a automotive can be sympathetic to the plight of a younger man who acquired harm and are with a staff that has the assets to rent a driver on quick discover to characterize them at a excessive degree. Not like that is the primary time a injured driver has been a query mark for the following race.
IndyCar president Doug Boles advised us final week that he expects Toronto to return. Watkins has been a topic of hypothesis. Once I was there just a few weeks in the past for the IMSA race, I didn’t hear IndyCar talked about among the many future plans. If it occurs, it might be superior. Being there in the course of the aero equipment period and seeing the max-downforce IndyCars fly by means of the corners at mind-bending velocity was like a spiritual expertise.
Q: I assumed the double-header at Iowa Speedway was an amazing weekend for IndyCar. There was unbelievable 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, most likely 25% capability or much less. Given the small crowds this yr, is Iowa more likely to stay a double-header in 2026?
The yellow flag laps have been really fairly useful at Iowa, as a result of the sweepers correctly used the time to scrub the monitor, opening the excessive lane for 10 or extra laps. How can NASCAR run at Texas, WWTR and Iowa side-by-side all day lengthy, however IndyCar, on the identical tracks in the identical 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 downside?
Here is what we all know: NASCAR has heavier automobiles, completely totally different aerodynamics, runs at slower speeds, with totally different hundreds, a distinct tire producer with a distinct tire compound, totally different tire sizes, and responds favorably to PJ-1 and repaved tracks. So which of these variations is the main issue that permits 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 acquired lapped at the very least twice and completed sixth. VeeKay acquired lapped most likely 4 occasions and completed eighth. Abel was a transferring chicane and acquired lapped who is aware of what number of occasions and completed fifteenth. None of these guys needed to earn any of these laps again, they only acquired handed them with the additional advantage of pitting a lap later than the leaders. In consequence, they end forward of automobiles that lapped them a number of occasions. What’s the reason for IndyCar’s wave-around rule the place lapped automobiles 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’d like the wave-around (in addition to the fortunate canine).
Additionally, why doesn’t Firestone get any criticism for the tires this yr? Zero tire deg at Iowa, and we’ve seen fairly just a few races this yr the place one tire has been completely ineffective to the purpose we could as nicely have solely had one tire possibility. I get the hybrid provides a problem, however it’s been greater than a yr since they’ve been applied, to not point out all of the testing that was performed previous to that.
Brent
MP: The reason is IndyCar permits all the pieces you talked about and NASCAR doesn’t? Hate to be Captain Apparent right here (not likely), however it’s what IndyCar needs to do, so that they do it. It doesn’t base its guidelines on what one other collection does or doesn’t do.
Unsure 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 constructive 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 journey subsequent yr.
In the meantime right here’s an thought that might hold oval racing together with Iowa: The IndyCar Sequence 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 placement within the Midwest like WWTR, Iowa and Milwaukee.
I feel it may 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 at the moment 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 should wring our palms about the way forward for the collection each time we go to a non-street/highway course. To me I feel this might assist Iowa and maybe add different ovals races like Michigan, Richmond, New Hampshire and Homestead.
Alistair, Springfield, MO
MP: Penske Journey, a brand new subsidiary of Penske Company. I fairly like that concept, Alistair.
And if you wish to make Penske Journey actually attention-grabbing… Donald Miralle/Getty Photographs
Q: I am positive you will get lots of questions on this situation, 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 can we enhance these numbers? Are ovals more durable to get to than the highway programs, or is it a scarcity of presence in video games a hindrance?
The opposite factor that strikes me is the dearth of motion on the schedule for ovals. I do know there aren’t many collection that race on ovals, however why not think about the US Professional Sequence (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 do this. Broaden 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 particular person. 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 more likely to go to these than an oval. Look, I really like watching oval racing, and it makes IndyCar stand out, however except we modify this, it will not be lengthy earlier than we’re again to a late Champ Automobile collection with the Indy 500.
Additionally, whereas I’ve you, what do we have now to do to get the GTP class at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park? (And so as to add, good to see Crew Jota win with the Caddy).
Dan Mayhew
MP: Newton, Iowa, is 20-Half-hour from anyplace, 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 scorching, but when there’s timber or prepared shade, of us present up. Once I consider Iowa, it’s simply scorching, with no shade, with no sense of group like a number 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 massive concert events are gone, and as soon as upon a time, that was greater than sufficient to draw an viewers.
Your thought of packing every day with different stuff is an effective one, however it’s a reasonably sparse venue with restricted choices for individuals who prefer to have a much 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 automobiles, 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 number of the others, you possibly can carry all of the enjoyable and selection in your automotive 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 automobiles, and no tenting, and no shade. For individuals who need greater than the sit-in-the-stands expertise, which appears to be a rising phase, it does current a priority for the collection.
Q: Is there any suggestion from IndyCar docs to drivers about what place to carry when they’re going to 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 employees telling drivers methods to place themselves in a crash, however sure, minimizing the space between one’s helmet and the cushioning impact created by the pinnacle encompass would appear like the appropriate transfer each time in an impression.
Q: Will all of the stakeholders within the Iowa races be capable of save its place on the IndyCar schedule? It appears like nobody is keen to compromise and followers find yourself being provided a product that could be a poor worth. The dearth of 2025 attendance displays the poor worth being provided to followers. What number of followers will 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 take a look at.
Saturday’s race was boring.
Sunday’s race was fairly entertaining.
Races are fully run in the course of the day in July (at a monitor with lights that has beforehand held night time races).
Bleachers supply zero shade.
The homepage of the monitor web site actually doesn’t point out the race.
Many tickets are dearer than seats on the Indy 500 for races that take half the time.
Followers will not be allowed to 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 yr’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 yr when it was a one-lane monitor, the racing there’s actually good. Bravery and expertise on full show. Malukas and Palou battling and Newgarden’s in-car exhibiting a few of his killer laps come to thoughts, however there was tons extra. And that was simply Race 2.
There was additionally good motion in NXT when Myles Rowe made a race-winning exterior move on the hotshoe rookie Hauger after working him a bit. Seeing as that is Rowe’s second yr and he has good assist, are there plans to maneuver him up? Additionally do we all know the place Hauger goes?
Chris, Colorado
MP: I do know of 1 staff that continues to inform me they’re focused on Hauger. However there aren’t many paying seats for 2026, and except there’s a giant monetary bundle to supply, the opposite seats aren’t an possibility. I must get an replace from Penske Leisure on Myles. There was the hope he’d be prepared for IndyCar subsequent yr, 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 charge in NXT this yr, 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 severely thought I watched Race 1 twice – each had Josef Newgarden taken out of competition by ill-timed pit stops because of cautions… by the identical two drivers inflicting the cautions?
And what in regards to the tire blow-ups? Was it the tire compounds, chassis settings, air stress?
John, Downers Grove
MP: That might be the identical two totally different drivers in Ericsson and Herta. It wasn’t the compounds as a result of each staff had the identical compounds and solely the Andretti drivers skilled failures. One out of 27 automobiles in Race 1 and two out of 27 in Race 2.
No one would look to likelihood as being the trigger for all three automobiles from a single staff being the one ones to have failures, so sure, chassis settings can be the pure place to look. If the three right-front tires have been over or beneath inflated, or overheating, the staff ought to have seen it every time on telemetry.
Q: Through the second race, a remark was heard on the radio that “the Honda guys” are all blocking. Who mentioned that? I’ve seen just a few conspiracy theorists say that Andretti purposely sacrificed their automobiles 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 have to 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 at the beginning. The warning was eight laps, which felt too lengthy. Race Management was pleased with the order by lap 5, there was no monitor cleanup or sweeping wanted*, and nobody wanted to pit.
Warning 2: Siegel’s spin, which was ultimately red-flagged. It was because of the time wanted to make monitor repairs. I requested if it was stunning when it did not occur at WWTR, which is related for me as I imagine when monitor integrity is compromised there must be a purple flag.
Philosophically I do not like sweepers popping out throughout cautions since I really feel it is a partial monitor/race reset as an alternative of race neutralization. I might admire your opinion on this, too.
Atilla Veyssal, West Allis, WI
MP: I’m advantageous with the oval procedures we noticed. Doesn’t imply my view is true, 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 performed for security so gamers don’t return to the paint and slip and harm themselves, and in addition retains the paint open for play so it isn’t averted because of the extreme and unsafe nature of the moisture on the bottom.
If the sport has been paused for an extended period that permits IndyCar to make use of its model of mopping up the paint so safer play and extra widespread use of the court docket is feasible, I’m all for it.
Q: Are you able to clarify why Newgarden misplaced all these locations by pitting earlier than the yellow flags? I am a bit confused with the pit stops and yellow flags – or did he get lapped whereas within the pits?
Invoice, Elk Grove
MP: Lapped whereas within the pits. Tremendous quick lap of 18-19 seconds. Complete time out and in of pit lane is round 36 seconds. Pitting proper when it goes yellow there, particularly, is the kiss of aggressive dying if it’s late within the race. Not a lot if it’s earlier, which additionally occurred to him, however he raced his method again to the lead, solely to have it occur once more.
Q: Has Rasmussen performed sufficient not too long ago to safe one other yr at ECR? He is handed Rossi within the standings over the previous few weeks.
Bob
MP: From the Indy 500 by means of Iowa, he has 4 prime 10 finishes, together with a podium at WWTR and a sixth on the Speedway. Rossi has a single prime 10 over that very same span. There are causes each drivers should not have higher finishes, as all the time, 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 yr than he did all of 2024 as a rookie.
And Rasmussen has additionally pissed off lots of veterans together with his unpredictable strikes on ovals, which he wants to scrub up. Final thing he wants is to be handled in a hostile method – the identical method a rising variety of vets really feel about him as a hostile presence on monitor – as a result of these sturdy oval finishes can simply flip into conferences with the wall if the vets develop uninterested in his egocentric method.
Rasmussen’s making himself identified. Chris Jones/IMS
Q: I’m a lifelong fan of Roger Penske, and was so excited when he purchased IMS and the IndyCar Sequence from the Hulmans. Now, I imagine, Roger should replicate on what’s greatest for the collection general, as regardless that the five hundred itself seems to be on strong floor, the collection will not be. The Iowa weekend, nearly 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 Formulation E!
I agree with Michael Andretti and Zak Brown that the collection has a lot potential however would require some substantial funding. Has the thought of constructing the collection a separate public company inviting vital exterior funding been mentioned?
I do not suppose one may have a 500 in its present kind 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 feels like one thing to ask Zak about after I see him.
Q: I am at the moment listening to The Invoice Simmons podcast on a Monday morning within the depths of the July sports activities lull. The main phase for this explicit episode is lauding how nice the F1 film is and the way it has Invoice and his guess itching to look at F1.
They have been mesmerized by the glitz, glamour, danger, and intercourse enchantment that F1 has to supply. They routinely referred to the film as “horny”. Invoice even referred to as it “The very best sports activities film of the twenty first century” and implored his listeners to go see the film in theaters.
That is unbelievable and well-earned mainstream sports activities reward that can doubtless attain tens of millions of listeners. There is a respectable likelihood {that a} portion of the viewers will even head to theaters and begin to tune into grand prix. Fairly a straightforward win for the game.
Juxtapose that with IndyCar this weekend racing in the course of Iowa (not attempting to hate, however it is not precisely Miami) in entrance of empty bleachers and, doubtless, TVs. Nice racing, as all the time, however it’s turning into a little bit of a tree falling within the woods scenario.
That brings me to my final level which is that IndyCar wants a whole picture makeover.
IndyCar was once feared. The races have been scary. Folks went to and watched races as a result of they knew they have been watching guys danger dying to win. The groups and drivers pushed velocity limits and made particular moments as a result of the drivers have been mainly seen as superheroes. This is not to argue in opposition to present security requirements, however I feel lots of the joys is gone from IndyCar. It is a sport that hardly tries to alter itself. Have 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 wish to watch IndyCar. I am not solely positive they even know what IndyCar is. There’s simply merely no visibility on the game.
I hope the brand new automotive 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 modifications aren’t made quickly.
Paul, New York
MP: That’s nice to listen to on Simmons. He gave zero farts about racing at ESPN and once more when he began Grantland and now The Ringer. Like to see the change from complete disinterest, due to the film.
Agree within the picture makeover. FOX is IndyCar’s new promotional arm, or at the very least that’s what it seems like, and so they’ve been going exhausting 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 matches the sports activities viewers they’ve cultivated and know. However is that quick/cool/and so forth. method the appropriate one for the place youthful and newer followers are immediately?
The collection tells me it’s seeing large 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 widespread for a half dozen engines to go up in smoke throughout a typical IndyCar race, however in immediately’s spec world it is extraordinarily uncommon to see an engine failure. Will Energy’s two failures in three races, it is tempting accountable it on the present dysfunction at Crew Penske, however I do not suppose the groups can actually do a lot of something with tuning the powerplants nowadays. 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 occasions), and Chevy’s IndyCar engine boss mentioned it was on them, not the staff, within the quote supplied to us by Chevy.
Not a lot Penske – or Energy – may have performed in regards to the No.12’s current kerblammos. (That is the technical time period). Travis Hinkle/IMS
Q: Loving the IndyCar season to date.As you rightly say, what Alex Palou is doing in a race automotive 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 yr 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 relating to the formation at the beginning for Mid-Ohio. Excellent 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 operating 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 Automobile, and there have been some years the place it deserved to be panned, however that doesn’t apply to what Sam Hornish and Panther Racing achieved in 2001 after 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 succeed in 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 night time, Large Possum does keep in mind that there have been rear-engine dash automobiles 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 automotive racing (along with preserving automotive counts and never forcing automotive house owners to spend cash to go rear-engine).
Needless to say it might not be exhausting 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 completely satisfied that Bobby Rahal did give the command to begin engines at Mid-Ohio within the respectful method of Tony Hulman – no screaming like some WWF wrestling announcer. Large Possum nonetheless prefers ‘gents’ moderately 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 huge 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 appropriate 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 acquired to clarify 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: Sebastien Bourdais in addition to anybody. What made him select to race within the WEC over IMSA? Was he not thought-about for a Cadillac journey right here within the U.S., or did he simply wish 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 automobiles, there was a hope that Ganassi may need a substitute program, and the opposite staff, AXR, wanted a solution whereas he was preserving the door open for CGR. GM needed him to stay a pacesetter throughout the program, so it grew to become WEC with the brand new JOTA Cadillac marketing campaign and a secondary season of LMP2 in IMSA.
Q: What is the largest impediment to IndyCar increasing its schedule? Clearly cash, however is it TV cash, discovering sufficient sponsors, added prices, worthwhile occasions, and so forth? I might like to see the collection add just a few dates within the spring. That is such a lifeless 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 lots that might, after all. 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 appropriate native fan base to ship a powerful crowd.
It’s straightforward to give you tracks so as to add, however they lack a number of of the issues which can be must-haves. Thermal is the proper instance. Excited proprietor. Able to spend. Fascinating facility. No crowd. They may 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-about as a monitor rental the place IndyCar would take the monetary danger. That’s what Iowa has change into with out Hy-Vee as the massive spender; it’s IndyCar renting and selling and hoping it may possibly make it work with out the massive concert events and large promotional spend introduced forth by its former sponsor/occasion companion.
That’s additionally why the wonderful curiosity and dedication from the oldsters behind the upcoming Grand Prix of Arlington is the purpose 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 automotive 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. Appears to be like like a GT automotive of some type, which makes me suppose it’s generic footage.
Q: For practically 50 years, American open-wheel racing has wrestled with methods to stability the gravity of the Indianapolis 500 with the broader pursuit of a season-long championship.
CART got here the closest to resolving this rigidity — constructing a compelling narrative across the complete championship path post-Indy — till the fracture of 1996.
Since reunification, nonetheless, the fashionable IndyCar Sequence has struggled to outline its philosophical function 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 moderately, Champ Automobile – has the appropriate 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 change into a part of a narrative constructed by the likes of the Vanderbilts, Carnegies, and Fishers. Titans who constructed not simply American motorsport, however America itself.
That is the story that must be advised.
That is why individuals ought to care.
That is what makes IndyCar particular.
We don’t simply crown a race winner. We crown essentially the most full driver on the planet. The Nationwide Champion. A title that carries the load of historical past, endurance, versatility, and legacy.
Let the Indy 500 stay what it’s: our excessive vacation, our crown jewel.
To the newer followers of racing – these introduced in by the Netflix-era increase of Formulation 1 – a lot of IndyCar’s inner historical past is a thriller. The cut up, the reunification, the politics… it’s a tangled legacy that’s exhausting to clarify.
However what may resonate with these followers isn’t only one race on a Sunday afternoon in Indiana-it’s the concept 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 – will be an acquired style, the broader narrative of crowning not solely the Nationwide Champion but additionally essentially the most well-rounded, adaptable driver on the earth could also be what captures the creativeness of the fashionable, world motorsport fan. There’s status in that, legacy in that – and maybe, lastly, a solution to why IndyCar issues.
Jah, ATL
MP: Generally it’s enjoyable to make up an issue after which remedy it.
Q: There isn’t a doubt that except St. Pete and the five hundred, IndyCar’s TV rankings have been principally underwhelming. it seems FOX is actually attempting to advertise and develop the collection, however what’s missing to raise the collection? What do you suppose can, and will, be performed otherwise? Additionally, do we have now any thought what the viewership numbers are for observe, qualifying, NXT races or IndyCar race replays?
I’m simply in search of 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 constructive theme, at the very least race attendance seems to be fairly sturdy this yr. I’m penning this earlier than Iowa, and as I purchased my tickets, I can see that Iowa can be an exception to my final remark.
Brian Joliet, Illinois
MP: We’re a little bit over midway by means of the primary season on FOX. Everybody hoped it might be million-plus numbers at each race however that hasn’t been the case, as you famous. My principal 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 performed – offered a clear slate to gauge what number of current followers would observe the collection over to its new dwelling and to see what number of new followers would emerge from the position on FOX.
The dream was to have the all-network deal on FOX ship a giant uptick in common community viewers – in some way, by buying and selling NBC for FOX, a giant new wave of followers would seem on the onset – however if you return and have a look at what numbers IndyCar put up on huge NBC final yr, 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 carry 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 common.
I feel that’s the reply, which is tough 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 occasions too early or late, and may keep away from going in opposition to NASCAR/F1/NBA/MLB/PGA/NCAA occasions, it has an amazing likelihood of hitting that million-plus mark regularly.
IndyCar does strong 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 just a few years if the FOX relationship continues to pattern in the appropriate course.
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 feels like some type of Buick turbo.
Q: Marshall, to reply the query… USAC banned rear (mid) engine Dash Automobiles after the 1973 season, which noticed them dominate on the paved ovals. om Sneva, who may need not even pushed a front-engined automotive till he acquired to the Midwest, was one of many huge winners. USAC Dash Automobile house owners have been involved in regards to the obsoleting of their gear, or of needing a dust automotive and a pavement automotive.
To the opposite half, Mark Donohue drove a rear (mid) engine midget at Lime Rock in 1963. Not a Dash Automobile (they’re totally different!) and never USAC. The assembly featured a midget race sanctioned by ARDC, a very long time Northeastern midget affiliation, a Formulation Libre race and a mixed function race. Mario Andretti gained the midget race, whereas Donohue gained the mixed function race within the transformed Cooper Formulation Junior automotive fitted with an Offenhauser engine.
Jim Thurman, Mojave Desert, CA
MP: Thanks, Jim.
Q: Any likelihood we see a Richmond oval race anytime quickly?
Earlier than I get the canned “positive, in case you are keen to put-up the sanctioning charge/advertise” reply, Richmond is totally different.
The race was all set for 2020 or 2021; then COVID hit. Can not the identical events, blueprint, and so forth. be used? With such a powerful need for each extra ovals and an Japanese/Mid-Atlantic race, it looks like getting all that recreated can be a prime precedence and comparatively straightforward. With COVID shutdowns within the rearview mirror, why isn’t that race getting recreated?
Ron, Baltimore
MP: No. An settlement between Jay Frye and the monitor president was struck. COVID occurred. The monitor president modified. The brand new president wasn’t . No race.
What if we ship the brand new president some candies? Streeter Lecka/Getty Photographs
Q: I learn your story about IndyCar not eager to do a gimmicky ‘playoff’ [yay], however the thought of an All-Star/Problem race was introduced up. Additionally, lots of different collection’ codecs have been mentioned.
One instance I feel can be distinctive can be to do a relay race. Three-car relay groups, house owners with much less gang up. Run a three-segment race. On the finish of the phase, automotive one pits proper behind a prepared automotive two, which takes off as quickly as automotive one hits their marks. Similar between segments two and three. First automotive to the checkers wins the massive verify for his or her group. [Lots of details needed, but you get the picture.]
I am positive different readers are going to ship you a piece of concepts this week, and the advertising/prize points are most likely extra vital than the format. So right here is my query: How a lot would a very distinctive thought assist enhance curiosity in IndyCar from potential followers, and possibly how important is it that the format be a singular one for that function?
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. Apart from the Indy 500 qualifying process, immediately’s IndyCar will not be a fan of extremely complicated procedures and this concept is one that will make its eyes roll into the again of their heads.
Q: First, let me begin by saying that Santino Ferrucci’s fiery ‘satan could care’ character is nice for IndyCar. We want extra drivers who communicate candidly and voice their displeasure when different drivers impede them on monitor and inform individuals precisely what they suppose.
Whereas Ferrucci has tons of expertise and is knocking on the door for a win, he lacks emotional maturity. He appears to suppose that operating opponents off the monitor is regular and will 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 staff, Trident Motorsports, ultimately main them to launch him from his contract.
Whereas Santino needed to give again three positions at Mid-Ohio, I feel extra ought to have been performed by race management, from yanking championship factors to suspending Ferrucci for a race to get throughout the lesson he must study not utilizing a automotive that may attain 185mph on road and highway programs or in extra of 230mph on ovals as a weapon.
Paul Tracy, who’s infamous for giving drivers the chrome horn, was not too long ago suspended by SRX for the rest of its 2023 season for his on-track conduct and inflicting a significant wreck.
Through the 1998 CART season, Tracy brought on 10 on-track accidents, had a pitlane altercation with staff 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 conduct 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 reveals this sort of conduct? Santino and his fellow opponents for that matter want to know that it’s not the wild, wild west on the market.
David Colquitt
MP: Very totally different occasions. We haven’t had a fair-but-rules-with-an-iron-fist kind for the reason that days of CART with Wally Dallenbach Sr after which his CART/Champ Automobile protégé and successor Chris Kneifel. Beaux Barfield tried to be that man however didn’t wield the ability and autonomy to manipulate like Wally or Knife.
A tradition of leaving such issues as much as the drivers to police amongst themselves has been allowed to go on for too lengthy. It’s simply not going to work as a result of there isn’t a united entrance among the many drivers, neither is there a group-appointed dad to council those that get out of pocket or an enforcer to go and produce them again according to concern or intimidation.
Leaving it as much as the drivers is like leaving the selection of dinner as much as your children. You envision plates loaded with grilled rooster and inexperienced greens and glasses of purified water, however what you get are plates with foot-tall chocolate muffins, appetizers of Gummi Bears and Flamin’ Sizzling Cheetos, and gallon jugs of Mug n Bun root beer to scrub 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. Perhaps it’ll return in no matter the brand new impartial governing board turns into.
Q: I used to be not too long ago watching an IndyCar information YouTube video and one thing caught my consideration. There can be a twenty eighth automotive entered at a race this season (my guess, RLL throwing in Sowery or Vips, if he nonetheless works with them).
Nevertheless, this acquired 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 prospect to enter a 3rd/fourth automotive at a given race monitor to be able to acquire extra knowledge and consider potential new drivers (learn: drivers who can afford one or two IndyCar races however can’t afford a complete season).
This, after all, 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 may even add an additional incentive for placing in an NXT driver. Is that this one thing IndyCar administration have evaluated? Too costly?
Taylor, KY
MP: The whole lot you’re considering of is precisely what the constitution system has killed. The groups you point out wouldn’t get a lot from an information standpoint, however you’re spot on with the necessity for analysis entries and money-making entries.
If Crew 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 automotive with a paying driver/sponsor and attempt to decrease that loss with out concern of that entry failing to make the 27-car lower.
What if a staff needs to get a have a look at a brand new/younger driver in a racing atmosphere? That is the primary season in reminiscence the place it isn’t doable with out that danger of failing to qualify. If Juncos Hollinger needs to place NXT championship chief Dennis Hauger in a automotive at Portland to see if he is perhaps the man to rent subsequent yr, it ought to contain dangers.
There isn’t a draft system. There isn’t a formal construction stopping a staff from eager to pattern a participant in a giant league atmosphere earlier than they go professional. However there are new strictures in place with the constitution system that conspire in opposition to enterprise improvement and driver improvement that I don’t imagine are wholesome. Not when the offseason testing limitations are so extreme that you just may get two or three days complete with the particular person in a non-racing atmosphere and base your selections on really feel and hope.
Perhaps IndyCar simply wants to duplicate the Chris Griffis Memorial USF Championships/Indy NXT take a look at that will get run over a number of days within the offseason – a mix, successfully – the place groups routinely run a number of drivers by means of their automobiles. I’d moderately see some seem in 28th and 29th automobiles at choose closing races, and each choices are doable to create if Penske Leisure needs to take action.
Do not inform Marshall we mentioned this, however an IndyCar model of the Chris Griffis Memorial Take a look at is definitely a very cool thought. IMS Photograph
Q: So is it too early to be speaking about F1 or IndyCar’s ‘foolish season’? It at the moment seems fairly gradual rumor-wise.
Dave from JC
MP: Been a nothing burger this yr, however I’ve been including notes to a primary replace that can be out ASAP.
CHRIS MEDLAND: F1 was all the time set for a quieter one this yr anyway with so many groups having confirmed their line-ups for 2026 already. That’s due to the brand new rules coming subsequent yr, resulting in some groups wanting continuity on the driving aspect so there’s no new integration wanted and so they’re working with identified portions. Apart from the beneath, solely Alpine has a present emptiness.
However I don’t suppose we are able to name it quiet if you’ve acquired the Max Verstappen scenario 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 crazy 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 acquired Cadillac to consider, with loads of concentrate on who may get these seats. Whereas the brand new American staff initially felt it was out of the cycle for driver contracts and will choose from a particular group with out an excessive amount of time stress, within the occasion of a Verstappen change it may see larger motion out there that will probably make extra drivers out there, 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 may 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 alternative. 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 at the beginning of this yr, on prime of the roughly 70 million who’ve entry to ESPN through pay TV.
In keeping with Statista, Apple TV+ has an 8% market share in the case of streaming video on demand (SVOD) platforms, and ranks seventh general, whereas you’re proper that Amazon (22%) and Netflix (21%) are the highest two. However that’s precisely why Apple will need it – as a result of it needs to shut that hole.
The streaming platforms are turning to sports activities because of the 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 stability between the best variety of potential viewers over the interval of the contract, and the exhausting money worth of that contract for its revenues.
Q: I’ve not heard this talked about aside from a little bit murmur. When is Purple Bull going to begin constructing a automotive that somebody in addition to Max can drive rapidly? Or publicly admit they’re extra the issue than Max’s perceived brilliance? Perhaps with Horner gone this may change? I’m not suggesting Max isn’t unbelievable, clearly he’s, however the automotive appears to be designed round his type sufficient that he can deal with it. Each different driver that will get in that automotive sucks? Actually? Purple Bull is a damaged wrist away from being the eighth and even ninth quickest automotive because of their design flaw. Return during the last 30 years of varied groups dominating and we’ll discover it’s solely Purple Bull that has had this situation to such a level.
Eric Z, Lancaster, NY
CM: I’m undecided if that can ever occur to be trustworthy, Eric! However you’re proper that it’s clearly a automotive downside, due to the variety of drivers who’ve failed to succeed in anyplace close to Verstappen’s heights, regardless of proving in different equipment that they’re high quality drivers. The larger the pattern set – suppose Gasly, Albon, Perez, Lawson and Tsunoda – the extra conviction you possibly can have that the automotive and atmosphere 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 difficult to drive that solely he can do it, or if he’s simply extracting way more out of any F1 automotive than most others can.
If it’s the previous, he wouldn’t take the Racing Bulls automotive that a lot additional than it at the moment 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 frequently outperform the second Purple Bull driver, whoever they’re).
However Purple Bull doesn’t design the automotive round Max’s type – no staff immediately does that. All of them construct the quickest doable automotive they will, and attempt to make it as drivable as doable, however it’s solely as fast as the motive force can drive it. Verstappen finds methods of extracting efficiency regardless of the automotive’s challenges, however that was one of many causes he was getting pissed off final yr – as a result of Purple Bull was giving him a tricky automotive to drive after which he felt his performances have been nearly being taken as a right.
THE FINAL WORD
From Robin Miller’s Mailbag, 17 July, 2019
Q: The MLB performed its Mid-Summer season Traditional final night time, which implies tonight is baseball free! How superior wouldn’t it be to have a Wednesday or Thursday night time race for IndyCar with nothing else within the nation operating 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 Sequence of Poker and a few Regulation 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 might be a pleasant weekend of racing now that there’s a flat monitor 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 thought, however getting a promoter to race in mid-week can be a problem. Nevertheless, in the event you acquired a sufficiently big title sponsor to assist with the underside line and IndyCar waived the sanction charge, it would work. It actually would have a captive TV viewers. Thanks, I miss working with Dave and W.T. – greatest motorsports present ever.
