Q: I read Marshall’s story that Mike Shank sold his Dallara. That seems like a loss for IndyCar, (hopefully only temporarily). That whole situation seems like a big “Eff You” to anyone trying to break into the club. Considering that this isn't just "some guy," it's an experienced team owner, and race team. It's a guy who is clearly intense and driven as an owner, and yet he's forced to sell to a team who can somehow get a second engine contract. It's exciting that there is another rookie coming up and that he will be paired with Simon Pagenaud, who I think is pretty amazing. Should be a pretty great pair to watch. The question is, why is it so easy for some and next to impossible for others to get engines? Do the manufacturers charge different amounts for different teams based on potential exposure or what? Also, do you have any idea if MSR Indy will ever come back?

Brandon Holmberg

RM: There is no doubt that Honda and GM had a pecking order last year and then it got crazy when Lotus came a cropper. I think if Mike had been able to pay the initial engine deposit he would have had one but by the time he was ready he couldn’t get an engine (except a Lotus and he wisely passed). It sucks that a real racer like Shank couldn’t run Indy or Mid-Ohio and it is bad for IndyCar when a potential longterm participant is stonewalled. Shank embodies everything that’s good about auto racing and IndyCar desperately needs owners like him. He says he still wants to try and put something together for Indianapolis but him selling his car was depressing news.

Q: While the Speedway asking the taxpayer for money rubs me the wrong way (a lot), maybe they will use the money to help the owners with the introduction of aero kits. Then the owners might actually be willing to do it. I have a question too, has anyone in the series talked about modifying the engine regulations a few years down the road so they can make more power (maybe more displacement)?

John, Dayton OH

RM: I wouldn’t count on IMS helping out the owners (the HG family already gives them millions for the Leader’s Circle) and haven’t heard any discussion about new engine regs.

Q: Any thoughts on why Indy car has appeared in the Mugello race calendar?

Aaron Walker

RM: I think these are the same people who announced the race a year ago without a contract. I understand there have been talks about trying to race there in 2014 but nothing for 2013. IMS says it’s a typo and the track has been asked to remove it.

Q: The cynic in me says that Michael bringing E.J. Viso in to Andretti Autosport was a great move. Racing’s cardinal rule, “You don’t take out your teammates,” right? Putting Viso on the team is like an insurance policy! Anyway, it will be interesting to see if talented engineer Michael Cannon can conjure up some magic with Viso which I don’t recall being there the last time they worked together. Maybe having Andretti’s resources and having Craig Hampson and others to bounce ideas off of will spark Viso. This will be a make-or-break year for the well-sponsored Venezuelan. In other news, I’m glad to hear that the Captain has thrown AJ a lifeline. No reason he can’t shine in IndyCar. His one-offs in Grand Am once a year show he can jump in and drive. He was electrifying in 06, so let’s see what the talented kid from Los Gatos can do with the DW12! Lastly, I hear PT will be covering the Indy 500. I doubt if I’m alone in wishing he was driving instead, but I look forward to this chapter of his colorful career!

Trevor Bohay, Kamloops, BC Canada

RM: Viso is difficult to read or judge but he’s much more mature now than the first time he worked with Cannon so we’ll see what happens. He might surprise some people. P.T. covering Indy for Canadian television? That would be cool. P.T. unplugged and unfiltered.

Q: I noticed that Ryan Briscoe's name is nowhere to be found on the list of drivers pre-season testing this week and next. I was wondering if his chances for a full-time ride at this point have all but dwindled or if he is still in the mix. I know Marshall was intrigued a few weeks back about a possible Dragon lead or a formidable Indy 500 one-off. Just curious how you see things going for him at this point as there aren't a lot of rides left anymore.

Geoff Roberts

RM: Foyt wanted Ryan but not for the kind of money he was asking and Bobby Rahal offered Briscoe the deal that Mike Conway took (Long Beach with a possibility of more races later) but he turned that down. It’s sad because Briscoe is fast and deserving and good with fans and media but time is running out of anything fulltime according to the story we put up on Thursday.

Q: I visited the 2013 Washington Auto Show yesterday and while I was extremely let down by the exclusion of the C7 (way to go, Government Motors), I was pleasantly surprised to find a small kiosk for the Baltimore GP. But that started me thinking, where were the Chevy or Honda Indy cars? There was a tremendous cross section of society there and would have been a great opportunity to show off the still semi-new product to a whole bunch of new eyes, regardless of how ugly it is. This was a car show after all. There was a section for motorsports but only a few SCCA cars were there. This is NOT difficult stuff but 16th and G'town just don't ever seem to get it. And I thought Mark Miles and Jeff Belskus were supposed to be smart.

Derek, Sterling, VA

RM: I always think IndyCar should have a presence at the Detroit Auto Show, LA Auto Show and everything from the World of Wheels to the Chili Bowl.

Q: I've been looking for Wind Tunnel for the last couple of weeks and just checked tonight's schedule; still no sign of Dave. This has been one of my favorite programs. What's going on?

Carl C

RM: Fear not, The Old Windbag returns Feb. 24 – the night of the Daytona 500. Wind Tunnel is always shut down from the end of NASCAR season to the beginning.

Q: Rule 14.19.4.3, “For all events, each team may determine the quantity of E85 fuel it has in its car for the start of the race. Previously tanks were required to have 18.5 gallons of fuel at the start of the race.” What is your take on this new adjustment to the start of the races? Do you think it may be determined as to where they line up on Sunday (um … Saturday)? Do you think ovals or only street/road circuits? Man, throw in the combination between blacks and reds as well and I’m gonna need another beer sitting in the grandstands trying to keep my brain from frying following these strategies. I love this sport! What’s the word on the street, have teams given an indication how they may try to implement this new rule? I know they are going to play things like this close to the chest, but they must have a general consensus regarding weight of the fuel and how it might affect the car at the start of a race. Standing starts hmm…? Hopefully the broadcast folks will be able to follow this to provide some indication during the race? You may have to brush up on your interrogation techniques if you are doing that Grid Gauntlet thing to get some intel. Hey, I might know a guy, who knows a guy, whom I hear might be pretty good at that water-boarding thing. (just back from some Caribbean island, I think) let me know.

Dan - LB

RM: Yes, this allows the team the option of committing to an early pit stop by running a lighter fuel load (previously you could not do that for risk of not having enough fuel in the pit lane tank to complete the race) and run balls out to the first caution or go to a 3-stop strategy.