Q: Why doesn’t IndyCar have road races at tracks such as Indianapolis that have road courses? These courses offer the fans the chance to see the whole race from their seats rather than just seeing the action at one corner. I took three friends to their one and only race at Portland in 2004 and they were bored seeing the same maneuvers for two hours from their grandstand seats, and like most other folks at the race, they did not want to hike around the track to catch the action. I believe IndyCar would pick up many new fans if they made road racing more accessible to the public.

Terry Zontek

RM: Oval tracks promote fast, close, dangerous competition and not many would be willing to try and convince their fan base that a road race through the infield would provide the same excitement. A road race at IMS, for example, would be a disaster in my mind. Indy’s legacy is based on ONE fabulous race a year. ON THE OVAL.

Q: Given the unknowns that were left unanswered with his death, what do you feel the state of the series would have been had Greg Moore not died too young? We all know that he would have probably had a few championships and Indy 500s but given his personality, what do you feel the fan base would be like? Do you think Penske may have stayed in CART or that race attendance wouldn't have spiraled downward at the ovals, or the Champ Car/IRL merger would have had a different look? The possibilities were endless but I figured I'd like to ask the opinion of somebody who had seen the way Greg was on and off the track.

Alan Bandi

RM: Not sure one guy, as brilliant as Greg was, could have prevented The Captain from jumping to the IRL and the parade that followed. Max Papis said Greg would have won Indy three or four times and been in NASCAR by now and maybe he would have been Brad Keselowski for RP.

Q: There was a small rumor that Formula One Management (FOM) was looking into forming an American (i.e. North and South) support or feeder series a la GP2. Do you think this would be much of a threat to IndyCar? Certainly it can't be more of a threat than they are to themselves; unless the USGP is getting more attention than it seems. Also what are your thoughts on the Circuit of the Americas in general?

Justin Woolwine
RM: Considering 90 percent of the Lights grid is foreign drivers with money I’d say, hell yes, a GP2 type series would be a major threat to Lights but not so much IndyCar. The Texas track looked awesome, had a huge crowd and a racy track.
Q: Considering the constant upheaval in IndyCar management and the sorry business practices with respect to the Hulman group and Jeff Belskus, what is the possibility that an organization like IMSA, or some other motorsport organization take over IndyCar? There seems to be too much politics concerning IMS, Hulman & Co. board, and IndyCar and using the 500 as some kind of leveraging tool, not to mention a conflict of interest. It seems to me IndyCar would be better served by a company completing independent from the owners and the Belskus/Hulman group.

Jerry Wilt, Katy, TX

RM: I’m sure Bruton Smith might have been interested at one time, providing he could have purchased IMS, but that’s not going to happen so why would anyone want to own IndyCar if they didn’t control the Indy 500?

Q: Thanks to Marshall Pruett for his recent articles which helped to shed some light on the issues going on behind the scenes that lead to Randy Bernard's departure. Like many other fans, I was extremely disappointed about his termination, but all I want to say now is settle down everyone - it's not the end of the world. The quality of racing in IndyCar last season was great, and I have no doubt it will be great again next year. As far as I am concerned - that's all that counts. As long as the on-track product is entertaining, then let's just sit back, enjoy the racing and not get too worried about what is going on behind the scenes. On a separate note - kudos to the organizers of the Honda Indy Toronto. I've been attending the race since 1995 and a few weeks ago they circulated a questionnaire to get some feedback from the regular ticket holders. I responded citing my main concern that the ticket prices were too high, and I was concerned they would go even higher with the double header now planned. My renewal offer came in this week and I was presently surprised to see that their prices have actually dropped since last year. So, with the two races it's now great value for the money. Glad to see they were listening and hopefully it means more bums in the seats come next July.

Scott Brumwell, Barrie, Ontario

RM: IndyCar racing should never be about the CEO, board of directors, chief steward or the owners – it should always be about the drivers and races like it was in the ‘60s and ‘70s. But it’s impossible to ignore the dysfunctional manner of how IndyCar choses to operate and it has been the biggest story, sadly. As for Toronto, glad to hear Green & Savoree are giving the paying customer a break.

Q: What do you think are realistic expectations for Simona next year? I'll say consistently in the Top 10 ten with maybe a couple top fives. Hoping for more but I would be satisfied with that.

Pat, Brownsburg IN

RM: I would agree, but we’ll have to wait and see what the personnel looks like on her side. But TK should be a huge help.

Q: Robin, just my thoughts , but I think the best thing to happen to IndyCar in the last few weeks with all the bad news etc., is Roger Penske and Brad Keselowski winning the Sprint Cup title. Yeah were talking about two different series, but any TRUE motorsports fan can appreciate what Team Penske accomplished this year. I think the crossover potential could be huge. Maybe someday, we’ll see Brad in a one off ride at Indianapolis in May…..I also think Mark Donohue is smiling right now!

Steve Piontek, Merrillville, Indiana

RM: Well, The Captain got a lot of airtime along with his success at Indianapolis but not really sure that equates to stock car fans ever caring about open wheel. Keselowski might be up for running Indy someday but we better hurry before he gets married.

Q: Based on what I read on fan forums/comments I must be the only person in the world that likes the new-look IndyCar. From some angles the car does look strange (like from above), but other views look great. I know there is room for improvement, but when I went to St. Pete this year I was really pleased with the new look. I think it looks 'modern' and I like it better than the previous style. I know what most fans think of the look, but what do you and the owners/drivers/team members, etc. think of the new look? Seems everyone likes how it drives, but I really haven't heard much about the design. Also, I wasn't happy with firing of RB either, but that won't stop me from going to races next year. It's sad to hear people say they aren't going to races anymore 'cause all they are doing is hurting some local vendor or some blue-collar-type person, etc. ... the very wealthy will not truly be affected the same way as the local/family business and the hard working people involved who are trying to make ends meet.

Bob in Orlando

RM: The car looks better in oval-track trim, for sure, but it turned out to be racy as hell and that’s what counts. Not sure it’s very popular in the IndyCar paddock but the drivers seemed to enjoy driving it. As for Randy, fans are angry right now but many will forgive and forget.