Q: There is no doubt that there is a very real possibility that we could see a four-time Indy 500 champ this year. I feel that as far as the state of the race goes, especially without having Randy Bernard anymore to promote the series, we need to see a younger winner that engages the fans and can market the prestige of that race to a younger generation of race fans. Which drivers do you feel would be the best example of beating the Penske/Ganassi domination at Indy and perhaps give the younger fans in this country someone to stand behind?

Alan Bandi

RM: Graham Rahal, James Hinchcliffe, Marco Andretti, Josef Newgarden, J.R, Hildebrand and Simon Pagenaud fit that demographic and I’d throw Ryan Hunter-Reay in there as well. And don’t forget A.J. Allmendinger if he runs for Team Penske.

Q: It’s been a while since I've written to you and figured I'd wait until some good news came around. Best news so far is that Beaux is not only still around but making some good positive changes to the rules this year - dig that teams can choose their tire and how much fuel to start a race with. Great news that there will be two fast n friendly frogs racing for Schmidt and RLL will be fielding two cars as well, very cool for James Jakes (great last name that kid has). Finally broke down and bought my Indy 500 tickets. Very cool if the Aero Kits come through next year though the racing was so damn good last year it's not high on my list but would be nice. So here is my question - who gets their fourth first? Helio or Dario?

Jake Murray

RM: Helio usually shines at IMS but not lately while Dario has been The Man to beat and Indianapolis just fits his style so I’ll say it will be Franchitti.

Q: Read an article about Hinch being beside himself because he lost Tino Belli, his race engineer. Now he's much happier because he's been reunited with his old engineer Craig Hampson. It got me thinking about that chemistry between the chief engineer or in earlier years the chief mechanic, and the driver: A.J. and George Bignotti, Larry Curry and Scott Brayton, Mo Nunn and everybody. Who do you think had that magic chemistry between driver and engineer/mechanic?

Gerry Courtney

RM: Rodger Ward and A.J. Watson, Foyt and Little Jack Starnes, Mario and Clint Brawner/Jim McGee/Adrian Newey/Tony Cicale, Al Unser and Bignotti, Bobby Unser and Wayne Leary, Gordon Johncock and Duane Glasgow, Johnny Rutherford and Tyler Alexander, Danny Ongais and Phil Casey, Tom Sneva and Bignotti, Michael Andretti and Peter Gibbons, Bob Rahal and Jim Prescott, Zanardi/Montoya and Nunn and Scott Dixon and Ricky Davis.

Q: I just read Marshall's article on aero kits and it seems the owners continue to be a stumbling block. Please tell me how a $65k aero kit can be too expensive compared to the rest of an average $5 million budget? That's .0013% of their annual budget! Yes there will be costs associated with spares, but do they not already have to buy spares for the current Dallara bodywork? The owners resisted the new cars on cost issues and the result is we now have good racing again. The aero kits can add to the show through diversity, sexier cars, and yes one kit may have an advantage over another. The owners resisting for cost issues should think about how the kits can keep the momentum of the series going forward and help bring back fans.

Brian, Chantilly, VA

RM: I have no clue how car owners think (and I am grateful for that) and aero kits would likely put more interest back into May and separate the tightest racing we’ve seen lately. Would it help TV ratings? Or attendance? To some degree it might but can’t see it having a huge impact.

Q: Tony George has been out of the news for a while now. Does this mean that he has abandoned his buyout bid? Also, does he (or did he) have any involvement or business interest in Ed Carpenter’s team? And one question for you specifically: I’ve never run across anyone who was, simultaneously, so well liked by some and so despised by others. So, the question is, how does it feel to be a Lightning Rod?

Don Hopings, Corning, NY

RM: TG is a co-owner of ECR and I still think he’s re-loading on his plan to buy the series. I was the most hated man in Indianapolis when I dared to criticize TG for ruining the Indy 500 and driving a stake into open-wheel racing in 1996 but I quit caring if anybody liked me when I was 20. Nobody has written more positive or negative stories about Indy car racing in the past 45 years than I have and I don’t think anybody cares more about it than I do but it’s getting harder and harder to give a $%@&. If you try and tell the truth, you alienate people but that’s my job and my satisfaction is hearing from the fans who get it.

Q: First, do not get me wrong; I am a F1 fan through and through. But, like a lot of others I have gotten sick of the Euro-Environmental push that is slowly ruining F1. For instance: 3.0 litres, now 2.4 litres, next 1.6 litres, all with goofy “innovative” homage to the new religion of environmental, gas-saving, politically correct Europeans. I believe that F1 should be at least 3.0 litres with no rev limits and no limit on the configuration of the engine; bring V6s, V8s, V10s, V12s, flat 8s, etc. In short, F1 should be the loudest, fastest most raucous racing on the planet. If not, why should I be committed to it? What is the ultimate end? Electric handicap kart racing? This presents an opportunity for IndyCar to close the gap with F1 or, who knows, even to surpass it in terms of viewer acceptance. IndyCar should adopt a large, unrestricted engine formula with no limit to the revs. I could be wrong, but I believe that fast, loud cars are what the American public (at least) want to see. I recommend 3.5 litres, unlimited revs, and though it is not likely, manufacturer choice of engine configurations In short: Build it and they will come! They should consider it. What do you think?

Jerry Krouse

RM: I think it sounds great but who is going to pay for it? There’s hardly a stampede of engine manufacturers to IndyCar even though it’s an affordable product compared to F1. Would louder, faster engines ramp up the TV ratings? I seriously doubt it. No doubt innovation and an open rule book could bring back some life to Indy in practice and qualifying as well as attract some more players. But not sure this is the right economy or right time.

Q: I have been reading about F1's V-6 for 2014. Mercedes already has one built and wants to test it. Let’s face it. In a way, it rivals IndyCar's engine. Any news on future regulations for the Honda and Chevy engine for 2014 in IndyCar? My point is: when the V6 debuts in F1, something tells me is it going to be more powerful and sound a lot more "bad ass" than IndyCar's engines. I think IndyCar needs to aim high and get more horsepower than the pace car. I am afraid of the engine formula getting stale already. I know it is only the second year but the series needs to keep progressing. I will speak for fans here; I want some more noise and some more power I don't want to see F1 just blow IndyCar away with their new V6.

Dan, Louisville, KY

RM: Last year’s Indy 500 and the series itself had more passing than any time in recent memory so is the fact people aren’t watching it on television really because of the engines and their lack of power? I get it that Indy cars need to be beasts and take your breath away like the Novi used to and I miss the Eagle, McLaren, Penske, Wildcat, Catfish, Lola, Huffaker, Gerhardt days but how many people really care and how many would either come back or start watching? If we suddenly had Ford, Mercedes, Dodge and Audi considering building Indy engines, hell yes, change the rules to entice them and damn the costs. But with only two bullets (Honda and GM) and neither claim to be making a profit, I’d be real careful.

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.