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IndyCar
INDYCAR: Miller’s Mailbag, 12.8
Always genuine, never lite: It's Miller time. Here's the latest Q&A from SPEED.com's IndyCar guru.
It appears to some that Roger Penske is doing little more than peeling sponsor logos (and dollars) off of Michael Andretti's cars and transferring them to his own Dallara-Hondas. (IndyCar Series)
(Thanks to Mailbag faithful Jon Schulz for Miller's intro!)
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: WTF?!?!?!?!?! IZOD can’t sponsor RHR, but can sponsor a Penske car? Really? That’s what The Captain needs, more money! Give me a break! RHR, great, young American driver... Oh, screw him! Let’s throw money at an Aussie! Yikes!
Chris, B-town
RM: You've got to give IZOD props for keeping RHR in a full-time ride last year and you really can't blame them for wanting to hitch their wagon to Team Penske. We were told on the presser yesterday it was a great B-to-B opportunity with Verizon and Philip Van-Heusen and I don't doubt it.
Q: Is there a reason Meijer left Andretti? I suspect it has something to do with Marco being a not so great spokesman. Is Marco aware what his behavior is doing? He was tweeting this week about hanging out with Paris Hilton and dating Brooke Mueller who is Charlie Sheen's ex and who just got of rehab. Why in the world would a sponsor want to continue to support someone who is surrounding himself with these losers? His grandfather must be mortified. Can't he do anything?
Marti
RM: Like my response above, I think Meijer's decision had more to do with joining Roger Penske than dumping the Andrettis. I don't think there's any doubt that Marco is more of a party boy than a racer but with no races or testing for six months, I guess a young man has to have hobbies.
Q: What's up with exit parade better known as Andretti Autosport? First, losing valued engineers (previous years), then Tony Kanaan, then AFS leaving, and now the IZOD announcement on sponsorship of Briscoe? I thought they just told Andretti that they weren't into sponsoring an entire car, and it was never their intention anyway....?? Interesting. BTW, I actually talked with Mario a few months ago and asked him when Marco would get his talent working for him, and his comment to me was that it wasn't a Marco problem, but rather he felt it was the equipment Marco was getting.... Is there trouble in Andretti-land, or as an diehard Andretti fan, am I worried for no reason?
Have they made a bobblehead of you yet? If not, can we start a 'production petition'?
Randy Mizelle
RM: Well, let's not forget they showed TK the door and Gary Anderson wants to start his own IndyCar team. As for IZOD, I think their attitude about sponsoring a team changed overnight when Roger Penske came calling. Mario is right, Marco's cars aren't as good as Chip's or RP's but then, his chassis savvy isn't as good as Dario's or Dixon's or the Penske boys either. No bobblehead plans for me, but thanks for the interest.
Q: So, we hear this past week that one of the reasons two paid full time spots were eliminated from the 2011 TEAM program and the decision to tie its eligibility to the 2010 points list was to force drivers like Milka Duno and the Conquest "drivers go-round" out of the series. Also, we are told that if any 2010 entrant from the top 22 does not answer the bell in 2011, entrants who placed 23rd or below in 2010 could move back up into the full time TEAM program. So, if Andretti shelves the #11 and Coyne cuts down to one car by running only the #18, Milka's spot (and her CITGO money) would miraculously be back in TEAM for 2011 with no hint yet of an official minimum speed rule to keep her out again. If I could figure out this simple math since early October, how come Randy Bernard couldn't? After enduring the last four seasons of Milka and going even farther back with Marty Roth, is there really a good reason why IndyCar doesn't have an official minimum speed rule right now? As fans, we deserve something better than watching Bernard, TGBB and the IndyCar media hurling public insults at Milka or Dracone while IndyCar hastily duct tapes a minimum speed "probation standard" into the back of the rule book mid-season, don't we?
Buck, Akron, OH
RM: To my knowledge, there is nothing set in stone about Andretti's TEAM money if he cuts back to three cars so maybe Randy Bernard would use that money to help Tony Kanaan or JR Hildebrand or James Hinchliffe secure a ride. I agree, a minimum speed like CART use to have would be ideal and I think if Tony Cotman has his way, we'll see that, standing starts on road/street courses and a return a true "flying start" at the ovals.
Q: I just finished reading your article on SPEED.com about the TEAM money in the IICS. I agree with Randy Bernard that there needs to be credibility in the series and eliminating milk & donuts from the equation is a positive thing, but I kinda agree with Bachelart's point about him and Coyne being loyal to AOWR. There also needs to be COMPETITION in the series and all this decision will do is make those teams less competitive. The IICS is partly responsible for teams having difficulty finding sponsorship cash because of this shitty Versus TV deal so why cut the money? Where does Bernard plan to spend the extra cash now? I would start with marketing and promotion.
Scott St. Clair, Erie, PA
RM: First off, there's no denying that Coyne and Bachelart are loyal racers and IndyCar needs them. But the old IRL system of giving away money, combined with the rest of the poor business decisions and lack of interest, has made IndyCar a tough sell to promoters. The ideal situation would be to get rid of all the TEAM money and just have $2 million purses so teams, mechanics and drivers could exist off that. But IndyCar is a long way from that and Bernard is trying to reduce the budget, restore credibility and grow the business. I'm sure he's got some good ideas on what to do with the money.
Q: I read your article about the TEAM money. If someone other than Milka Duno were driving one of these cars, would this even be an issue? Or was this a pre-planned decision to save the series money and she was a handy excuse? Seems unfair to the owners that they would make the change effective now rather than make the change starting in 2012, using 2011 results. Had Eric Bachelart known over a million dollars was at stake, he may have done things differently this past year.
Evan, Tonawanda, NY
RM: She certainly influenced the decision but she should have been banned by TGBB a long time ago like Mad Dog Marty Roth. It shouldn't have been up to Randy Bernard but he's got a fiscal responsibility to the Hulman-George family and inherited a staggering debt, not to mention a series that had lost its way. I'd say that Bernard's perspective is that this was a painful but necessary cut for a product that bleeds money.
Q: When Sam Hornish was at Panther I was a big fan, while at Penske not so much but always thought he was a very good oval track driver in these cars. But am I the only one that is not all that thrilled if he comes back and races Indy next year? Sorry, but he chose to leave IndyCar and race NASCAR and it was a TOTAL FLOP. So he has no options and may come back to race Indy? Sam please stay away -- I strongly prefer to root for drivers that choose to be in Indycar, not treat THE 500 as something to fall back on. Also so is it true Panther did not pay Wheldon this past year? If so how can they possibly do that? Don't they have a contract in place? I would also be surprised if Indycar doesn't monitor that and if not THEY SHOULD. Randy should make it his business that the owners/teams in the sport that get TEAM money need to honor their contracts or they should not be in the league.
Mike Nicholas, Aurora, CO
RM: I always figured Sam had done everything he ever dreamed in open wheel and when The Captain asks you to try something, it's usually a good idea. I think he flopped in NASCAR because he drove mostly wide open, under-powered IRL cars and while he did master the 1.5-mile ovals in those conditions, it's a whole new world in stock cars. But AJ Allmendinger has adapted nicely, is it because he drove 900 HP Champ Cars? I think there's something to that theory. I can see Sam getting a ride for Indy, but that's about it. As for Wheldon, last time I looked, his law suit against John Barnes was still active. One of several suits, I might add.
Q: With Red Bull letting Scott Speed go, any chance we'll see him turn up
driving an Indy Car? He did pretty well in OW until he got to Formula 1.
Devin (Dryden, NY)
RM: I would think an IndyCar team like KV would snap up Speed because he obviously has talent and he's got more of a name than 80 percent of the IndyCar roster.
Q: Just saw that Scott Speed got let go from Red Bull’s Nascar Program. Someone in INDY CAR has to give him a chance. Might be a way to bring some RED BULL money & colors if he still has a good relationship with them. Also might be a way to have RED BULL be a aero kit Provider with Adrian Newey’s assistance. To fetch further maybe have Renault as an engine provider? Oh by the way in case anyone doesn’t know…..HE’S AMERICAN
Scott, St. Louis, MO
RM: It would be a nice opportunity for Red Bull to get back into Indy car racing after it's less-than-satisfying time with Eddie Cheever. Speed would be a good addition and so would Renault, although I think it might be backing Ho Tin Ping with the Alex Tagliani's team.
Q: I am more excited about open wheel racing than I have been in years. I went out to Turkey Night at Irwindale to watch the USAC Midgets and saw Bryan Clauson put on a show. I swear he did not put a wheel wrong all night and made his A-Main win look easy. Do you think his hard earned Firestone Indy Lights Scholarship will result in Indy car owners truly taking notice of his skills and therefore more open wheel opportunities, or will he be viewed as just another USAC driver without a huge corporate sponsor?
Ron Fariss, Huntington Beach, Calif.
RM: I'm afraid other than Ganassi (who ran Clauson in ARCA and Nationwide), most of the IndyCar owners have no knowledge of him. Since he's not a road racer, nobody would likely go after him no matter how he fares on ovals in Indy Lights. But he's a helluva racer and deserves a chance to be part of the Indianapolis 500, just like Levi Jones, Tracy Hines, Dave Darland, Jerry Coons, etc. Maybe this new opportunity will open the door for the USAC stars to run in May, like the good old days.
Q: Nice to see the CEO of Indy Car in a sweatshirt at an oval track, enjoying the experience and handing that big check to Clauson. Be great to see one of the USAC drivers make it to Indy. It was great growing up watching Pancho Carter race here in the east and then make it to the Indy 500. Sarah Fisher is still my favorite female Indy Car driver. I wish she could have had better rides. Any chance we get Randy to the Chili Bowl for a couple beers with the fans?
Curt A. Cyliax, Doylestown, Pa.
RM: First off, Randy Bernard was hooked on USAC sprints the first time he saw them and he enjoyed going to Eldora, Bloomington, Kokomo and Irwindale. He was also impressed with the driver's skills and their loyal following and he correctly wondered out loud why they weren't part of the Indy 500? So he's trying to make it happen. And he'll be at the Chili Bowl.
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: WTF?!?!?!?!?! IZOD can’t sponsor RHR, but can sponsor a Penske car? Really? That’s what The Captain needs, more money! Give me a break! RHR, great, young American driver... Oh, screw him! Let’s throw money at an Aussie! Yikes!
Chris, B-town
RM: You've got to give IZOD props for keeping RHR in a full-time ride last year and you really can't blame them for wanting to hitch their wagon to Team Penske. We were told on the presser yesterday it was a great B-to-B opportunity with Verizon and Philip Van-Heusen and I don't doubt it.
Q: Is there a reason Meijer left Andretti? I suspect it has something to do with Marco being a not so great spokesman. Is Marco aware what his behavior is doing? He was tweeting this week about hanging out with Paris Hilton and dating Brooke Mueller who is Charlie Sheen's ex and who just got of rehab. Why in the world would a sponsor want to continue to support someone who is surrounding himself with these losers? His grandfather must be mortified. Can't he do anything?
Marti
RM: Like my response above, I think Meijer's decision had more to do with joining Roger Penske than dumping the Andrettis. I don't think there's any doubt that Marco is more of a party boy than a racer but with no races or testing for six months, I guess a young man has to have hobbies.
Q: What's up with exit parade better known as Andretti Autosport? First, losing valued engineers (previous years), then Tony Kanaan, then AFS leaving, and now the IZOD announcement on sponsorship of Briscoe? I thought they just told Andretti that they weren't into sponsoring an entire car, and it was never their intention anyway....?? Interesting. BTW, I actually talked with Mario a few months ago and asked him when Marco would get his talent working for him, and his comment to me was that it wasn't a Marco problem, but rather he felt it was the equipment Marco was getting.... Is there trouble in Andretti-land, or as an diehard Andretti fan, am I worried for no reason?
Have they made a bobblehead of you yet? If not, can we start a 'production petition'?
Randy Mizelle
RM: Well, let's not forget they showed TK the door and Gary Anderson wants to start his own IndyCar team. As for IZOD, I think their attitude about sponsoring a team changed overnight when Roger Penske came calling. Mario is right, Marco's cars aren't as good as Chip's or RP's but then, his chassis savvy isn't as good as Dario's or Dixon's or the Penske boys either. No bobblehead plans for me, but thanks for the interest.
Q: So, we hear this past week that one of the reasons two paid full time spots were eliminated from the 2011 TEAM program and the decision to tie its eligibility to the 2010 points list was to force drivers like Milka Duno and the Conquest "drivers go-round" out of the series. Also, we are told that if any 2010 entrant from the top 22 does not answer the bell in 2011, entrants who placed 23rd or below in 2010 could move back up into the full time TEAM program. So, if Andretti shelves the #11 and Coyne cuts down to one car by running only the #18, Milka's spot (and her CITGO money) would miraculously be back in TEAM for 2011 with no hint yet of an official minimum speed rule to keep her out again. If I could figure out this simple math since early October, how come Randy Bernard couldn't? After enduring the last four seasons of Milka and going even farther back with Marty Roth, is there really a good reason why IndyCar doesn't have an official minimum speed rule right now? As fans, we deserve something better than watching Bernard, TGBB and the IndyCar media hurling public insults at Milka or Dracone while IndyCar hastily duct tapes a minimum speed "probation standard" into the back of the rule book mid-season, don't we?
Buck, Akron, OH
RM: To my knowledge, there is nothing set in stone about Andretti's TEAM money if he cuts back to three cars so maybe Randy Bernard would use that money to help Tony Kanaan or JR Hildebrand or James Hinchliffe secure a ride. I agree, a minimum speed like CART use to have would be ideal and I think if Tony Cotman has his way, we'll see that, standing starts on road/street courses and a return a true "flying start" at the ovals.
Q: I just finished reading your article on SPEED.com about the TEAM money in the IICS. I agree with Randy Bernard that there needs to be credibility in the series and eliminating milk & donuts from the equation is a positive thing, but I kinda agree with Bachelart's point about him and Coyne being loyal to AOWR. There also needs to be COMPETITION in the series and all this decision will do is make those teams less competitive. The IICS is partly responsible for teams having difficulty finding sponsorship cash because of this shitty Versus TV deal so why cut the money? Where does Bernard plan to spend the extra cash now? I would start with marketing and promotion.
Scott St. Clair, Erie, PA
RM: First off, there's no denying that Coyne and Bachelart are loyal racers and IndyCar needs them. But the old IRL system of giving away money, combined with the rest of the poor business decisions and lack of interest, has made IndyCar a tough sell to promoters. The ideal situation would be to get rid of all the TEAM money and just have $2 million purses so teams, mechanics and drivers could exist off that. But IndyCar is a long way from that and Bernard is trying to reduce the budget, restore credibility and grow the business. I'm sure he's got some good ideas on what to do with the money.
Q: I read your article about the TEAM money. If someone other than Milka Duno were driving one of these cars, would this even be an issue? Or was this a pre-planned decision to save the series money and she was a handy excuse? Seems unfair to the owners that they would make the change effective now rather than make the change starting in 2012, using 2011 results. Had Eric Bachelart known over a million dollars was at stake, he may have done things differently this past year.
Evan, Tonawanda, NY
RM: She certainly influenced the decision but she should have been banned by TGBB a long time ago like Mad Dog Marty Roth. It shouldn't have been up to Randy Bernard but he's got a fiscal responsibility to the Hulman-George family and inherited a staggering debt, not to mention a series that had lost its way. I'd say that Bernard's perspective is that this was a painful but necessary cut for a product that bleeds money.
Q: When Sam Hornish was at Panther I was a big fan, while at Penske not so much but always thought he was a very good oval track driver in these cars. But am I the only one that is not all that thrilled if he comes back and races Indy next year? Sorry, but he chose to leave IndyCar and race NASCAR and it was a TOTAL FLOP. So he has no options and may come back to race Indy? Sam please stay away -- I strongly prefer to root for drivers that choose to be in Indycar, not treat THE 500 as something to fall back on. Also so is it true Panther did not pay Wheldon this past year? If so how can they possibly do that? Don't they have a contract in place? I would also be surprised if Indycar doesn't monitor that and if not THEY SHOULD. Randy should make it his business that the owners/teams in the sport that get TEAM money need to honor their contracts or they should not be in the league.
Mike Nicholas, Aurora, CO
RM: I always figured Sam had done everything he ever dreamed in open wheel and when The Captain asks you to try something, it's usually a good idea. I think he flopped in NASCAR because he drove mostly wide open, under-powered IRL cars and while he did master the 1.5-mile ovals in those conditions, it's a whole new world in stock cars. But AJ Allmendinger has adapted nicely, is it because he drove 900 HP Champ Cars? I think there's something to that theory. I can see Sam getting a ride for Indy, but that's about it. As for Wheldon, last time I looked, his law suit against John Barnes was still active. One of several suits, I might add.
Q: With Red Bull letting Scott Speed go, any chance we'll see him turn up
driving an Indy Car? He did pretty well in OW until he got to Formula 1.
Devin (Dryden, NY)
RM: I would think an IndyCar team like KV would snap up Speed because he obviously has talent and he's got more of a name than 80 percent of the IndyCar roster.
Q: Just saw that Scott Speed got let go from Red Bull’s Nascar Program. Someone in INDY CAR has to give him a chance. Might be a way to bring some RED BULL money & colors if he still has a good relationship with them. Also might be a way to have RED BULL be a aero kit Provider with Adrian Newey’s assistance. To fetch further maybe have Renault as an engine provider? Oh by the way in case anyone doesn’t know…..HE’S AMERICAN
Scott, St. Louis, MO
RM: It would be a nice opportunity for Red Bull to get back into Indy car racing after it's less-than-satisfying time with Eddie Cheever. Speed would be a good addition and so would Renault, although I think it might be backing Ho Tin Ping with the Alex Tagliani's team.
Q: I am more excited about open wheel racing than I have been in years. I went out to Turkey Night at Irwindale to watch the USAC Midgets and saw Bryan Clauson put on a show. I swear he did not put a wheel wrong all night and made his A-Main win look easy. Do you think his hard earned Firestone Indy Lights Scholarship will result in Indy car owners truly taking notice of his skills and therefore more open wheel opportunities, or will he be viewed as just another USAC driver without a huge corporate sponsor?
Ron Fariss, Huntington Beach, Calif.
RM: I'm afraid other than Ganassi (who ran Clauson in ARCA and Nationwide), most of the IndyCar owners have no knowledge of him. Since he's not a road racer, nobody would likely go after him no matter how he fares on ovals in Indy Lights. But he's a helluva racer and deserves a chance to be part of the Indianapolis 500, just like Levi Jones, Tracy Hines, Dave Darland, Jerry Coons, etc. Maybe this new opportunity will open the door for the USAC stars to run in May, like the good old days.
Q: Nice to see the CEO of Indy Car in a sweatshirt at an oval track, enjoying the experience and handing that big check to Clauson. Be great to see one of the USAC drivers make it to Indy. It was great growing up watching Pancho Carter race here in the east and then make it to the Indy 500. Sarah Fisher is still my favorite female Indy Car driver. I wish she could have had better rides. Any chance we get Randy to the Chili Bowl for a couple beers with the fans?
Curt A. Cyliax, Doylestown, Pa.
RM: First off, Randy Bernard was hooked on USAC sprints the first time he saw them and he enjoyed going to Eldora, Bloomington, Kokomo and Irwindale. He was also impressed with the driver's skills and their loyal following and he correctly wondered out loud why they weren't part of the Indy 500? So he's trying to make it happen. And he'll be at the Chili Bowl.
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