INDYCAR: Miller's Mailbag, 10.13

IndyCar

INDYCAR: Miller’s Mailbag, 10.13

We've got a fever, and the only thing that'll satisfy it is more Mailbag. Here's the latest batch of Q&A items from the best IndyCar scribe on the planet.

Robin Miller | Posted October 13, 2010

Helio's fist dance with Charles Burns and Tim Cindric got all of the headlines at Edmonton, but the pass that took place in the final laps also deserves the spotlight, according to one Mailbag reader. (LAT)

Hello open wheel types and thanks for all your questions. I intend to answer your questions every week during the season, so just email me at . Don’t feel left out if I didn’t directly respond. I appreciate your interest and passion.

~Robin Miller

Q: Now that the season is over and we know that Dario beat Power by five points for the driver's championship, I can't help but flash back to Edmonton. I never recall receiving a decent explanation from TGBB or anybody else from IndyCar as to why Scott Dixon was placed ahead of Will if Dixie only got that spot because of Helio blocking Will. Since placing Will ahead of Dixon would have given Will 10 more points for Edmonton, that would mean TGBB (with a major admitted assist from Al Unser Jr) ultimately cost Will the title. Is there, at the very least, a chance that this rule will quietly go away for next year or will we have to wait for a TGBB-less Race Control box for that to happen? Will this just be another one of those things racing fans have to sweep under the rug in order to be "good fans"?

Buck, Akron, OH

RM: We can always hope and pray TGBB is asked to leave Race Control forever but, as for Edmonton, I guess by the time TGBB decided to call HCN for blocking, Dixon had already passed Power for second (actually it happened in that first turn). Should things have reverted back to when the block occurred? That would probably be best answered by TGBB's rule book, which is written in crayon, as I recall.

Q: I hear Tony Cotman say he hopes to have every car look different. HA! Right now we have Dallara and Lotus making aero kits. So that means we will have 29-30 Dallaras and 3-4 Lotus' at Indy in 2012? I guess Tony can hope in one hand and poo in the other and see which one fills up first. Have you heard anything about engines? Is Honda going with a single or twin turbo? Any competitors for them or will we be back to Dallara-Honda for the most part with a few Lotus-Hondas thrown in?

Andre Good

RM: He said on WIND TUNNEL he hopes to have several different looking cars but he's realistic and if there could 2-4 different bodies that's a good start. He just sent the baseline engine rules to manufacturers a few days ago (Honda will be a twin turbo) and if we have an inline-4 player, then obviously TC will have to work on an equivalency formula. But Randy Bernard had meetings with Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault/Nissan so at least they're listening and if one of them would play, it's a big deal. But Cotman wants diversity as much as you or I, he just can't make people participate.

Q: Is the KISS clown still involved in marketing IndyCar? If so, he should be shaking in his oversized shoes over the departure of 7-Eleven and IZOD as team sponsors. The two corporations are not only cutting off funds to Andretti Autosport, they’re taking away IndyCar’s credibility as the marketing and advertising resource. By leaving the series, they’re sending a message to other major companies that IndyCar doesn’t do the job when it comes to promoting brands and increasing sales. Combine that effect with the series’ dismal television ratings and it’s hard to see how any IndyCar team will be able to attract a significant sponsor for the coming season. Perhaps the sport needs to lower its expectations and go back to the leaner and meaner “good old days.” Do you know if Bowes Seal Fast still might want to part with a few grand to sponsor a car?

Michael Balton, Brooklyn, New York

RM: Your premise is correct, with races on VERSUS and miniscule ratings, it's damn tough to find sponsors for any kind of decent funding. But IZOD never intended to be Ryan Hunter-Reay's car sponsor, it just evolved when it looked like he might be on the sidelines. It was only supposed to be for 3-4 races but when he won at Long Beach, Alan Sirkin and Mike Kelly came to RHR's rescue. But their intent has always been to sponsor the series and they're doing a very nice job so I'm thrilled to have a title sponsor with their clout. 7/11 was around for eight years and that's pretty damn good so I don't see this as an indictment as much as something that's run its course. Does it hurt? Hell yes, and it will be bad if RHR can't keep his ride or TK doesn't find employment but I think they both will.

Q: Regarding your the Question of the Week on WIND TUNNEL, "Who would I pay to see race?" I couldn't get through on the phone line so my driver is Scott Pruett. I've watched him compete and win races and championships in Trans Am, Indy Cars, NASCAR & Rolex Grand Am. The man was beaten up and broke a bunch of bones in a wreck in a very uncompetitive car and his career was thought to be destroyed in Indy Car. Thank goodness he was hired by Firestone and Pat Patrick for a season of testing when Firestone re-entered Indy Car racing. With that team he gave a fantastic and unforgettable race down to the wire to win the Michigan 500 against Al Unser Jr. From there it was on to Tin Top again with a start up NASCAR team. Now he's fighting, banging wheels and winning races and championships for the Chipster in Grand Am prototypes. On another note, is there any news from Randy Bernard or Tony Cotman of any progress regarding engine or body kit commitments?

Tony Piergallini, Steubenville, Oho 43952

RM: Pruett's pass of Junior on the outside of Turn 4 on the last lap at MIS was awesome and he ran trying to run down Scott Goodyear at Indy in '95. Scooter has always been a gasser and it's only in Grand Am he finally had top line equipment. Cotman has presented the engine rules and is working on the car rules but so no commitments just yet.

Q: What is the story on Newman/Haas? In a year they went from being one of the top teams to completely off the radar screen. Is it JUST because Paul Newman passed away? Loss of $$ from Newman's Own? I can't believe Haas wouldn't keep racing as hard as ever, but suddenly they have no drivers and no competitive mojo. Are they winding down for good? I can't find anything in the press about this, and maybe I missed it in one of your columns. My wife and I are particularly interested because we have each volunteered at The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp for more than 15 years, have met Newman and have followed his race team religiously. If you can't get this into your Mailbag for one reason or another, could you at least give us some kind of short private update so we can know what's going on? Or refer us to articles where it was covered?

Tony Carroll, Coatesville, PA

RM: Even with McDonald's on board, Paul and Carl were still spending their own money to keep two cars on track and without a sponsor or PLN, Graham Rahal lost his ride. Mike Lanigan also left after PLN's passing so Bernie Haas has been calling the shots because Carl's health is failing. Newman/Haas was like Ganassi and Penske, it never took money from drivers, it always hired the best available until this year. But I've heard if Bernie hasn't secured a sponsor by Dec. 1, it could be lights out for one of the great teams of the past 30 years.

Q: Maybe I’m just your typical impatient American who can’t wait to see if the policies of the new regime have had time to address the many problems AOWR faces, but the last few weeks seem like things are getting worse. There were what, ten people in the stands at Homestead, with next to one watching on Versus as usual. Barely a blip on the radar of the press about Dario winning his third Championship (the Hybrid Porsche in ALMS had more press, and it came in 18th). By my count three Champions looking for rides (Tracy, Kanaan, and Wheldon), plus a few other top guys who shouldn’t have a problem getting a seat, but don't have the sponsorship. And the scariest sign of the apocalypse, sponsors pulling out left and right in just about every series, let alone IICS. Is Indy Car going to make it much longer? Maybe Delta Wing would have been the way to go, better to go out in a blaze of glory than having to watch this protracted death rattle continue. What would happen if IICS goes belly up? Any other sanctioning bodies who might buy the series in a fire sale (FIA or ALMS)? Could the 500 go back to being a sort of one off race for the fastest 33 cars that show up in May?

Steve J. Sollon

RM: There's no denying it's a shaky situation and I'm hearing massive layoffs for IndyCar teams (mechanics) are starting. I think as long as the Hulman-George family provides TEAM money, IICS can survive but having most of the races on VERSUS is killing the owners' ability to raise sponsorships. It might take buying its way out of that VERSUS deal for IndyCar to have a fighting chance. Could there just be an Indy 500, run whatcha brung? Hate to find out but it could come to that some day.

Q: I love open wheel racing. I started as a NASCAR fan about 15 years ago and have for the better part of the past 8-10 years been focused more on open wheel racing (IRL, CART, Champ Car, F1). Heck, I'd even prefer to watch a sports car race than a NASCAR race most of the time. I feel like it is people like me (and many others who read your Mailbag, (which is probably read by more people who attended the Homestead race) that Randy Bernard needs to contact. We have a long off-season, he should try and travel to a few cities, invite 10 fans for a few focus group sessions, to get their direct opinions. Plus, it'd be cool if he did it every race weekend, too. That, I think, will help him and make the fans feel more loyal and empowered, because I fear open wheel racing is going the way of the dodo bird. Now, the TV package is a joke. Versus pays the IRL a couple of million per year, so with 8 years left, that's probably $15 to $16 million. Why can't Penske, Chip, Andretti, Panther, and KV just fork over part of that and help the IRL buy out the contract? They've got to know they could probably get better ratings on ESPN3 and unless you sports entity is called the NFL or the SEC you are not getting much time on the network. Hell, I'd be fine putting up with Milka for another year if Citgo would buy out the TV contract for us and get us on TNT or CBS or NBC. Also, have you heard anything about Robby Gordon possibly coming into the IndyCar fold in 2012, once again, with the lower prices? He is a personality the series needs as an owner and part-time drive.

Kevin

RM: I'd like to see IndyCar do a barnstorming tour (like baseball use to do) and take 4-5 drivers to an off-season media blitz (use one of the Hulman-George family jets) with Randy Bernard and meet the fans, as well as the press. I'd also love to see a big open house here in Indy at some of the shops (give out hats, t-shirts, schedules) and bring in the drivers to talk to the fans collectively and have a Q&A. As for RGordon, can't see him coming back to open wheel.

Q: I've searched the www but can't find any reporting of the IRL's TV ratings for several months. Does that mean there weren't any? I'm curious to see if they held their own while NASCAR's have fallen.
Hal Raimey, Gainseville, FL

RM: The Cup ratings have definitely dipped from last year and are way behind from several years ago but they still dwarf IndyCar. Sure, VERSUS boasts that IndyCar viewership went up in 2010 and it did but when only 300,000 people are watching, it kinda puts everything into perspective. A bad NASCAR race still draws 2-3 million viewers.

Q: OK, so the VERSUS deal isn't the greatest, but it would be tolerable if we had some competent announcers. All the telecast ever reports is a listing of the drivers shown and their position and then Jon Beekhuis tells Robbie Buhl he disagrees with him. Worse yet are the so-called strategy assumptions. I've been around racing all my life and I've never heard of a driver hanging back to see what happens in front of them... unless of course Sato is involved. Yet it's repeatedly mentioned as a possibility as to why a particular driver isn't passing the guy/girl in front. And if I see another completely pointless Jack Arute telestrator demonstration I'm going start a Facebook page called "Get Jack on SNL but only if he leaves Versus." It seems to be the only way to get things done in this day and age.

Robin, you have a lot of experience here, why not lead a charge to replace these guys in the booth with people who actually give insightful information and call the racing like it is?

Tyler, Chicago

RM: I used this email because it got right to the point that is made by the countless complaints I receive each week about the VERSUS talent. It's probably unfair for me to criticize since I work at SPEED but I've always been critical of the TV announcers (except Uncle Bobby) on ABC, ESPN or VERSUS. Not sure changing the personnel would make a blip on the overall ratings but at least it would appease most of the people who are still watching.

Q: How is Buddy Rice losing his Grand-Am ride? It is sad that an Indy 500 winner not only can't get a seat in IndyCar but can't even keep a seat in NASCAR-ized sports cars. Where will he go from here? Have you mentioned him to Randy Bernard about being one of the Americans that NEED to be at Indy each May and in IndyCar full-time?

Ray Hando

RM: I didn't know that but it definitely sucks because Buddy is still young (especially by sports car standards) and I can't believe nobody ever hires him to run the Indy 500. He's got a big TONY KART team so hopefully that can help sustain him.

Q: Not sure if anyone has mentioned the idea yet but I was wondering something. Given what the tentative schematics will be the new track in Austin, TX (looks theoretically quite good but I'll pass judgment what it looks like once it's actually built and paved), what about the possibility of maybe one of the Indy races on the proposed expanded schedule down there? It might not be a bad place for an early or late season race, climatically. As a mid-season day race, that could be a possible heat-related disaster. But mid-season at night, that could be interesting if they can get lights up around the circuit. Any talk in the indy-car garage about maybe talking to Mr Hellmund about a race down there for 2012 or 2013?

Jim in St Paul, MN

RM: Good suggestion since most tracks can't make it with only one event a year. I imagine the hang-up would be Bernie balking at allowing IndyCar on one of his tracks but I imagine Randy Bernard will at least explore the possibilities.

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