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IndyCar
INDYCAR: Miller’s Mailbag, 12.21
Always genuine, never lite: It's Miller time. Here's the latest Q&A from SPEED.com's IndyCar guru.
One Mailbag reader asks if Will Power leading the last test of 2012 is an indicator of what's to come next season. (Photo: IndyCar Series)
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: I read Marshall’s interview with Mark Miles a little while ago. He sounds like a pure businessman so maybe that’s a good thing. I did find it very interesting that he talked about having a chase. Didn't Randy float the same idea, which resulted in huge fan backlash? I guess from a publicity standpoint it might make sense, but the IndyCar points race is always so tight that it isn't necessary... how about some more effective marketing? But Mr. Miles did make a good point they need to appeal to the casual fan, not the hard cores like me. While I hate the chase, I would love it if it helped the sport grow.
John, Dayton, Ohio
RM: I don’t recall Randy proposing a chase format and, as you pointed out, the past five IndyCar championships have come down to the last race which is all you could ever want. No need to manufacture drama when you’ve already got it.
Q: I just read Pruett's interview with Mark Miles. I know it's still early but he seems like he has his head screwed on properly. He's seems focused on results and is willing to go outside of tradition and the hardcore fans to find success. NASCAR seems to have followed similar ideas, and overall has worked for them. What are your thoughts on him? Do you think he can make a positive impact?
Kirk Riley
RM: Going outside of tradition is going to cost money and unless he gets a helluva lot more of a budget than Bernard had, it will be very difficult. I have no thoughts on him yet.
Q: I like a forward thinker when it comes to life. If you stand still, you get passed by. However, I'm not sure I like the following quote from Mark Miles in MP's story: "I just don't have much patience to hear a lot about how it used to be." I realize that is a broad statement that could cover many areas (there are some things/people that need to go away). I hope that isn't taken to mean every facet of IndyCar. One of the reasons it's struggling on some levels (there are positives, too) is because people have not looked to the past to see what made it successful. Watching several guys in the 500 that you could watch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights "locally" is what made the sport what it is. I know times have changed and I get that. RB tried to bring that back some. I just hope Mark isn't going to freeze that out again (or not help it). I go to probably 30-40 dirt shows (3-4 IndyCar shows) a year. I know a TON of fans that go to local tracks that could care less about IndyCar because "their guy" isn't there and they "don't know those bunch of foreigners." Right or wrong, that's how it's seen. They aren't going to take time to sample the product. Those same people aren't NASCAR fans, but they check it out from time to time because "their guy" races there. To me, that's low hanging fruit for a fan base if you just give those people a few of "their guys" in May. I hope Mark sees that.
KT, Noblesville, IN
RM: The first time I took Randy Bernard to a sprint race he was blown away by the loyalty factor and I explained to him that none of those people at the USAC race in Kokomo would watch a second of the next IndyCar race because they had nobody to cheer for. He vowed to try and get a USAC champion back to Indy and he did with Bryan Clauson. But I truly don’t know if there’s enough USAC fans left to make a difference.
Q: When Dario Franchitti, a four-time IndyCar and 3-time Indy 500 Champion takes to Twitter and says that the firing of Steve Shunck was another bad move by IndyCar, do the higher ups take note of that or are they just too oblivious to the comment?
Randy Hall, Sussex, NB
RM: Parnelli Jones and Bobby Unser wrote letters as well as journalists from around North America so the hope is that Mark Miles understands Shunck is vital to IndyCar and the Indy 500 and needs to be reinstated.
Q: Hey. I was wondering your opinion about Will Power leading the Sebring session? And how about the rookies Tristan Vautier and Conor Daly? Do you think Power can get Penske its first championship in 2013? Will Tristan and Daly win an Indy race in 2013?
Marshall
RM: No surprise Power was fastest and, yes, I do think he can finally get that first title but I’ve said the past three years so I’m due. As for those two talented kids, I just hope they have rides for 2013.
Q: If there were the Robin Miller "Genuine Awards" for the 2012 Indy car season, who would you select to win in these categories and why:
1. The Hard Charger Award: The driver who may not have won a lot of races, but consistently showed great ability to pass.
2. The Unsung Hero Award: Doesn't have to be a driver. Anyone who didn't get recognition for doing good work for our sport.
3. Doing More With Less Award: The underfunded race team that performed beyond expectations.
4. The Fan Friendly Track Award: Not just putting on a good race, but tasty food, low prices, sight lines, support races, other attractions.
5. Best Interview of 2012: That you conducted.
Best Wishes to you Robin and all the race fans during the Holiday season!
Gerry Courtney
RM: 1. Simon Pagenaud. 2. Steve Shunck, RACER’s David Malsher and SPEED’s Marshall Pruett. 3. Sam Schmidt Motorsports and the Friendly Frog. 4. Iowa Speedway. 5. Rubens Barrichello all the time.
Q: In the last mail bag you said you have read "almost every book on auto racing". So what are the top 5 or 10 "must reads" for race fans? And when are you going to start writing some books?
Jamie A. Carr, Lebanon, Ohio
RM: In no particular order, “Fast Company” by Jerry Miller, “The Stainless Steel Carrot” by Sylvia Wilkinson, “Against Death and Time” by Brock Yates, “Hurtubise, Vukovich and California Gold” by Bob Gates, “Lone Wolf” by Dave Argabright, “Rick Mears” by Gordon Kirby, “Fast Lines” by Pete Lyons, “Dan Gurney’s Eagle Racing Cars” by John Zimmerman, “The Lost Generation” by David Tremayne and the “American Dirt Track Racer” by Joe Scalzo are my favorites. The new Parnelli Jones book by Bones Bourcier (As a matter of fact “I Am Parnelli Jones” is the title) just came out and it’s fantastic. No book plans for me until I get thrown off of television (which could be any minute).
Q: Do the folks currently at 16th and George know why people come to races?
Chad Larson
RM: Of course, for the concert on Carb Day.
Q: I've read some on line articles that the new CEO at Hulman & Co made a comment about lights at the Speedway. I've always thought a night race there would be a ratings boost for the 500 and also the Brickyard 400. If they go this route, they have to make sure Montoya is available for both. He really spiced up the night race at Daytona, just think what he could do for the 500.....
Jim Petro
RM: It makes a helluva lot more sense for the Brickyard than Indy but regardless of what time they run, stock cars at IMS is not a good show.
~Robin Miller
Q: I read Marshall’s interview with Mark Miles a little while ago. He sounds like a pure businessman so maybe that’s a good thing. I did find it very interesting that he talked about having a chase. Didn't Randy float the same idea, which resulted in huge fan backlash? I guess from a publicity standpoint it might make sense, but the IndyCar points race is always so tight that it isn't necessary... how about some more effective marketing? But Mr. Miles did make a good point they need to appeal to the casual fan, not the hard cores like me. While I hate the chase, I would love it if it helped the sport grow.
John, Dayton, Ohio
RM: I don’t recall Randy proposing a chase format and, as you pointed out, the past five IndyCar championships have come down to the last race which is all you could ever want. No need to manufacture drama when you’ve already got it.
Q: I just read Pruett's interview with Mark Miles. I know it's still early but he seems like he has his head screwed on properly. He's seems focused on results and is willing to go outside of tradition and the hardcore fans to find success. NASCAR seems to have followed similar ideas, and overall has worked for them. What are your thoughts on him? Do you think he can make a positive impact?
Kirk Riley
RM: Going outside of tradition is going to cost money and unless he gets a helluva lot more of a budget than Bernard had, it will be very difficult. I have no thoughts on him yet.
Q: I like a forward thinker when it comes to life. If you stand still, you get passed by. However, I'm not sure I like the following quote from Mark Miles in MP's story: "I just don't have much patience to hear a lot about how it used to be." I realize that is a broad statement that could cover many areas (there are some things/people that need to go away). I hope that isn't taken to mean every facet of IndyCar. One of the reasons it's struggling on some levels (there are positives, too) is because people have not looked to the past to see what made it successful. Watching several guys in the 500 that you could watch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights "locally" is what made the sport what it is. I know times have changed and I get that. RB tried to bring that back some. I just hope Mark isn't going to freeze that out again (or not help it). I go to probably 30-40 dirt shows (3-4 IndyCar shows) a year. I know a TON of fans that go to local tracks that could care less about IndyCar because "their guy" isn't there and they "don't know those bunch of foreigners." Right or wrong, that's how it's seen. They aren't going to take time to sample the product. Those same people aren't NASCAR fans, but they check it out from time to time because "their guy" races there. To me, that's low hanging fruit for a fan base if you just give those people a few of "their guys" in May. I hope Mark sees that.
KT, Noblesville, IN
RM: The first time I took Randy Bernard to a sprint race he was blown away by the loyalty factor and I explained to him that none of those people at the USAC race in Kokomo would watch a second of the next IndyCar race because they had nobody to cheer for. He vowed to try and get a USAC champion back to Indy and he did with Bryan Clauson. But I truly don’t know if there’s enough USAC fans left to make a difference.
Q: When Dario Franchitti, a four-time IndyCar and 3-time Indy 500 Champion takes to Twitter and says that the firing of Steve Shunck was another bad move by IndyCar, do the higher ups take note of that or are they just too oblivious to the comment?
Randy Hall, Sussex, NB
RM: Parnelli Jones and Bobby Unser wrote letters as well as journalists from around North America so the hope is that Mark Miles understands Shunck is vital to IndyCar and the Indy 500 and needs to be reinstated.
Q: Hey. I was wondering your opinion about Will Power leading the Sebring session? And how about the rookies Tristan Vautier and Conor Daly? Do you think Power can get Penske its first championship in 2013? Will Tristan and Daly win an Indy race in 2013?
Marshall
RM: No surprise Power was fastest and, yes, I do think he can finally get that first title but I’ve said the past three years so I’m due. As for those two talented kids, I just hope they have rides for 2013.
Q: If there were the Robin Miller "Genuine Awards" for the 2012 Indy car season, who would you select to win in these categories and why:
1. The Hard Charger Award: The driver who may not have won a lot of races, but consistently showed great ability to pass.
2. The Unsung Hero Award: Doesn't have to be a driver. Anyone who didn't get recognition for doing good work for our sport.
3. Doing More With Less Award: The underfunded race team that performed beyond expectations.
4. The Fan Friendly Track Award: Not just putting on a good race, but tasty food, low prices, sight lines, support races, other attractions.
5. Best Interview of 2012: That you conducted.
Best Wishes to you Robin and all the race fans during the Holiday season!
Gerry Courtney
RM: 1. Simon Pagenaud. 2. Steve Shunck, RACER’s David Malsher and SPEED’s Marshall Pruett. 3. Sam Schmidt Motorsports and the Friendly Frog. 4. Iowa Speedway. 5. Rubens Barrichello all the time.
Q: In the last mail bag you said you have read "almost every book on auto racing". So what are the top 5 or 10 "must reads" for race fans? And when are you going to start writing some books?
Jamie A. Carr, Lebanon, Ohio
RM: In no particular order, “Fast Company” by Jerry Miller, “The Stainless Steel Carrot” by Sylvia Wilkinson, “Against Death and Time” by Brock Yates, “Hurtubise, Vukovich and California Gold” by Bob Gates, “Lone Wolf” by Dave Argabright, “Rick Mears” by Gordon Kirby, “Fast Lines” by Pete Lyons, “Dan Gurney’s Eagle Racing Cars” by John Zimmerman, “The Lost Generation” by David Tremayne and the “American Dirt Track Racer” by Joe Scalzo are my favorites. The new Parnelli Jones book by Bones Bourcier (As a matter of fact “I Am Parnelli Jones” is the title) just came out and it’s fantastic. No book plans for me until I get thrown off of television (which could be any minute).
Q: Do the folks currently at 16th and George know why people come to races?
Chad Larson
RM: Of course, for the concert on Carb Day.
Q: I've read some on line articles that the new CEO at Hulman & Co made a comment about lights at the Speedway. I've always thought a night race there would be a ratings boost for the 500 and also the Brickyard 400. If they go this route, they have to make sure Montoya is available for both. He really spiced up the night race at Daytona, just think what he could do for the 500.....
Jim Petro
RM: It makes a helluva lot more sense for the Brickyard than Indy but regardless of what time they run, stock cars at IMS is not a good show.
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