Q: I'm a big fan of both F1 and Indy. I also appreciate your commentary and knowledge of motor racing. Why haven't we heard news about IndyCar scheduling a race at COTA? What an incredible opportunity to compare data of the two formulas in the same race track??

Sunny

RM: Randy Bernard met with the COTA folks a couple times but that would give IndyCar three races in Texas so it might be better to wait a couple years. With all the other events already scheduled, Austin may be over-saturating its market. I think you want to keep F1 exclusive.

Q: I have been a racing fan (open wheel, stocks and sports cars) since the early 1960’s. Hell, I even remember Pete Folse and Johnny White in IMCA Sprint Cars. I attended every Indy 500 for 23 consecutive years starting in 1963, and usually about 10 to 12 other races a year (and two or three times a week at local dirt tracks like Knoxville). I used to love the USAC stocks at Milwaukee; Foyt, Jones, McClusky, Nelson, White, and Bowser were a great show there and on the dirt at Springfield, DuQuoin and Indianapolis. Perhaps the greatest racing shows, for pure bare knuckles competition, were the Trans-Am cars from 1967 to 1971. Parnelli Jones in a Bud Moore Cougar / Mustang was a perfect blend of man and machine (actually, Parnelli in about anything anywhere – Pikes Peak to Indy and all the stops in between – was an amazing sight to behold). Over the years I think NASCAR outgrew me, lost its character and became a cookie cutter series and IndyCar began its self-destruction. And there really wasn’t any sports car racing with a US interest to watch. I started attending fewer and fewer races (except for the local dirt tracks) and watching more on TV. I even used to plan my weekend schedule around some races. Then I started watching races when I didn’t have anything else scheduled to do. There a still a few I do try not to miss –Indy 500, Daytona 500, Charlotte 600, Darlington 500 and the Daytona and Le Mans 24 hour races. And that is about it. IndyCar was starting to win me back with the quality of the product they put on the track this year (even though I think street courses are an abomination to man and God). I even planned on going back to Indy in 2013. After what has happened over the past few weeks I have decided to spend that money on the Knoxville Nationals and Charlotte’s Dirt Weekend. Those races and the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (the most exciting racing in America today) are the only races I would pay to see. If a race comes on TV, I might watch it if there was nothing else to do. Bottom line, IndyCar tried to seduce me back to the fold, but its true colors came though just in time to keep from making a big mistake. At least NASCAR makes no effort to pretend to be something that it isn’t so I’m never tempted. I don’t think either NASCAR or IndyCar really care about the racing fan anymore. Both have become more about the spectacle than the substance of the sport. The current economy is only a factor that exacerbates the fundamental problems in both organizations and provides a convenient excuse to hide the truth.

Greg Myers (aka “Iowa Dirt Tracker” on Speed), Conyers, GA

RM: It infuriates me up to hear Jeff Belskus rave about how energized he is about IndyCar in 2013 and what a great schedule, doubleheaders, Pocono, etc. There’s a pretty good plan in place because of the guy he ran out of town and there is no logical reason for what happened.

Q: I was not at all a fan of the split, and it has set the bar for open-wheel racing in the U.S by killing off the fan base. Like the sport of boxing, racing itself, save the rise of NASCAR for a period of time, has fallen off. So, as an IndyCar fan I have a question. Though this seems like blasphemy, I have a proposed solution that would enhance IndyCar viewership, open-wheel racing and owner's revenue. Racing is somewhat like boxing, it has taken a back seat to other sports. Thus, IndyCar is a lesser event, given the TV ratings on the "card" of racing. Would it make sense for both IndyCar and NASCAR to join forces with IndyCar being bought by NASCAR. Here is why (some theoretical scenarios):
1) IndyCar could then open for events where NASCAR is now struggling. (Saturday IndyCar with Sunday Spring Cup)
- Say in Michigan 1 if not 2 times per year, IndyCar would enhance that overall card as it appears viewership in Michigan is lower, but open wheel fans would come.
- Other declining fans at venues for NASCAR would also get a bump for IndyCar (AutoClub, Phoenix ... etc.) on the card.
2) IndyCar could enhance the weekends for road course racing including the weekend the Nationwide series is at Road America (and could go to Montreal).
3) IndyCar could enhance the weekend for certain ALMS and Grand Am cards.
4) With this, the remaining Long Beach, Baltimore's, Mid-Ohio's and Sonoma's could also remain as the business plan's see fit.
5) Other similar scenarios …

Thus, NASCAR does not compete with IndyCar, but has a vested interest in its success and enhances the overall brand (NASCAR ... with racing under many hats including IndyCar). The Indy 500 is sustained. Open-wheel owners can create natural contracting with sponsors/business deals with NASCAR teams with much more guaranteed fan support (many open wheel fans and NASCAR fans buying weekend tickets to these events). Tracks, where NASCAR is declining, can have traditional open-wheel types buying tickets. Open-wheel fans and owners can have a sustained revenue stream and fan base. One other nugget. Get B. France to hire Randy to run the marketing for IndyCar, ALMS and Grand Am, if not the whole series (including Sprint Cup and Nation Wide). That would put Randy's skills back into the venue he excels in without him squabbling with car owners on parts costs. Would love to hear your thoughts in the mailbag,

Tim Gleason, Chicago

RM: I suppose that’s an option but you’re assuming that NASCAR would be willing to help IndyCar and I just don’t think that’s ever going to happen.

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED.

Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.