MILLER: 33 For Bronco

IndyCar

MILLER: 33 For Bronco

I’ve decided to welcome new IndyCar CEO 'Bronco' Randy Bernard with 33 suggestions/warnings/facts about his new job. Hope he has a sense of humor...

Robin Miller | Posted February 04, 2010 Indianapolis, IN

If you count the security guards and an occasional raccoon, the Homestead finale could have as many as 12,002 fans in the stands, Bronco. We suspect you get more people at a PBRA event, right? (LAT)

Instead of a house warming gift or treating him to lunch at the Mug ‘N Bun, I’ve decided the best way to welcome new IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard to Indianapolis is to give him 33 suggestions/warnings/facts about his new job.

1. A couple times in your first press conference you used the term “vision” and, frankly, that word didn’t work real well for the last guy in your position so I think I’d avoid it if possible.
2. When you start meeting the car owners try to remember that lying comes naturally to many of them.
3. A.J. Foyt is the closest thing to a bronco buster in the IndyCar paddock and he calls everybody “cowboy” but I’m not sure he can saddle a horse.
4. Don’t be alarmed by all the empty seats at the oval tracks, it’s just tradition.
5. It’s a month before the season opener and your best young American driver (Graham Rahal) doesn’t have a ride so you might want to make finding him a sponsor a priority.
6. Terry Angstadt performed a minor miracle and got IZOD as your title sponsor for big bucks so I’d make sure to save him a good parking space.
7. If some guy named Reif calls you looking for a job, hang up.
8. If you replace the I Am Indy ballad with Rawhide, no one will mind.
9. You aren’t the first CEO that didn’t know anything about auto racing, just the latest.
10. Don’t be alarmed by the lack of American drivers, it’s just tradition.
11. Besides Danica, Paul Tracy is the most popular and recognizable driver in your series but he’s only got a ride for Indy and the two Canadian races so you won’t meet him until May.
12. Speaking of May, don’t be alarmed by the lack of attendance at practice and qualifying, it’s just tradition.
13. But the race day crowd made a nice comeback last year and it will take your breath away.
14. You should ask around about Tony Cotman, he’s now a consultant and officiates your Indy Lights races but everybody knows he should be running the racing side.
15. Try to avoid using IRL in interviews, it conjures up too many bad memories.

With Randy Bernard's hiring, most of the ties to the original IRL management have been severed. The former PBRA leader has a daunting task in front of him, and willingly accepted the challenge. (IndyCar.com)

16. Since you have a good relationship with VERSUS, might be a good idea to get them to make peace with DIRECTV before March 14.
17. Regardless of what Brian Barnhart says, the Indy 500 should NEVER start with the front row single file by Turn 1. It’s like bull riding with a Shetland pony.
18. You might want to condense future schedules because right now you’re all but invisible come football season.
19. Don’t feel bad if you aren’t exactly sure what Helio Castroneves is saying, nobody else has a clue either.
20. I’d try to stay on the good side of the Hulman-George girls.
21. Don’t get mad that Danica is driving stock cars, embrace it. She’s always identified as an IndyCar driver and she’s generated more press in the off-season than you can buy.
22. Get some footage of the 2007 Champ Car season and notice how clean and racy those standing starts were on street circuits and road courses. That was Cotman’s idea and you need to adopt it.
23. Don’t be alarmed that Barnhart is quoted more than any drivers by the local newspaper, it’s just tradition.
24. It's OK to have your season finale in a warm climate, just don't make it Homestead. It's embarassing to clinch a championship in front of 12,000 people.
25. Don’t be alarmed that the same two teams win every race, it’s just tradition.
26. You should be at the Chicago Auto Show next Wednesday to see the Delta Wing project and listen to Ben Bowlby’s proposal because it may be your future.
27. Try not to stare at Dan Wheldon’s teeth.
28. You need cheaper cars and engines, larger purses, smaller budgets and new rules for more participation.
29. Embrace Parnelli, A.J., Mario, Gordy, J.R. and the Unsers because your history is as valuable as anything you have.
30. Don’t be alarmed at the lack of legitimate media in your press rooms, it’s just tradition.
31. Start watching SPEED on Sunday nights because SPEED REPORT and WIND TUNNEL are the ONLY national TV shows that feature IndyCar on a weekly basis.
32. Its a little over a month from your season opener and you still don’t have a director of public relations. Steve Shunck, supposedly one of the finalists, is a no-brainer. He’s worked at CART, NASCAR, IMS, ABC and has a great relationship with all the drivers, knows television, the media and has more knowledge, passion and good ideas than anybody you’ll ever meet. Do the series a favor and hire him.
33. This is a number used to determine the starting lineup at Indy. But it’s only a number.

Robin Miller became an Indy-car junkie in late 1950s and stooged for his hero, Jim Hurtubise, at the 1968 Indy 500. He went on to work as a vent man and board man on Indy pit crews from 1971-77. Miller bought a Formula Ford from Andy Granatelli in 1972 and raced it in SCCA until 1974 when he purchased a midget from Gary Bettenhausen, competing in the USAC midget series from 1975-82.

Robin flunked out of Ball State College in 1968 and began working at The Indianapolis Star sports department in 1969, covered motorsports there from 1969-2000.

In addition to his broadcast work. Miller's also covered IndyCar racing for Autoweek, Autosport, Car & Driver and On Track magazines over the past 35 years.

Tunnelheads, Pick Your Starters! Win Weekly! Win Monthly! Win The Championship!

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robin Miller

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