Q: Do you ever think there will be a time where Tony George and his henchmen shut out NASCAR from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and return it as a shrine for open-wheel racing only? I figure they could run a second Indy event in the configuration of the F1 track to replace the tin-tops. It would make good headlines for IndyCar. "Indy shuts out NASCAR." Not only is it bad press for NASCAR, it gives Indy something the stock cars can't touch, the greatest track on earth. Furthermore my off season wish would be for Chip Ganassi to pull the plug on his Cup program and run a four-car Indy team with Montoya and Allmendinger jumping ship. I'll start looking for the genie lamp tomorrow.

Lucas Wurfel, Hinton, Alberta, Canada

RM: As long as it's a moneymaker, I can't imagine TGeorge pulling the plug on the Brickyard. But there were thousands of empty seats last month and a lot of unhappy ticket buyers so I suppose if the crowd ever fell under 100,000 and it wasn't profitable (Tony pays the second largest purse in NASCAR), it could bite the dust. If it ever happened, I think you are right, it could restore some of the Indy 500's appeal.

Q: With Brian Barnhart's announcement that IndyCar will be switching to turbochargers in 2011, combined with the call from both you an fans for standing starts, push to pass and “red” tires, compounded with the fan outcry over Champ Car favorite venues such as Cleveland, Road America and Surfer's left off the 2009 schedule, isn't it clear to everyone now that the wrong series folded?

Don Davis

RM: I addressed this earlier so I'll just say that we all know the IRL's original mantra failed on every level and it had to adopt some of CART's main philosophies. But CART, then Champ Car had nothing resembling a business plan, pathetic leadership (except for Dick Eidswick and Tony Cotman) and it bled money profusely. It also had no Indy 500 and no chance unless Forsythe decided to spend $30 million a year. If we can get back to a few more places like Cleveland and Elkhart Lake with new turbocharged cars and a few new engine manufacturers, maybe this thing can turn around. Of course the split was costly on every level and set open wheel back tremendously and the IRL lacks many things but at least there's one series again. It's far from being a well-oiled machine but at least there's a ray of hope it can mend itself in time.

Q: For those fans who don't know Versus is on DirecTV and Dish Network as well as cable. If you don't receive Versus at home get a bunch of friends and go to your favorite sports bar to watch the race. When a bar knows people are coming in regularly to see IRL races they will make sure they receive Versus and have the race on for their patrons to enjoy.

Mike Aldea, Hawthorne, NJ

RM: I'm also told that the DirecTV package is cheaper than Dish (by about $20) at the moment. I'm going to try and find out the packages for the cities that IndyCar races in and I'll try to print them in the off-season.

Q: I was wondering how much do you think Bruno Junqueira's latest outbreak after being knocked out of qualifying affects his chances of signing with another team or even re-igned with Dale Coyne if nothing materializes, and do you think he can land that Ganassi seat? I think he has been getting the best out of his car which I feel is the best Dale can give him but in reality it just doesn't seem to be enough for him. I think his frustrations might be due to his first years in America being with the top teams of Ganassi and Newman/Haas and he saw how and what makes the great teams great and what makes Dale Coyne's usually a mid or back of the field team.

Justin in New Jersey

RM: I have the utmost respect for Bruno's talent as well as his passion. He's not making anything driving for Coyne these past two years yet he's driven so hard and so well without really getting many results. Of course he's frustrated at times with Coyne's operation because he knows what it takes to win and be successful and they were very close to victory lane twice in 2007 with the new Panoz. I think Ganassi is going to re-sign Wheldon and I don't think there's anything else out there for Bruno next year.

Q: I've heard you mention that USAC needs to market to a younger crowd and I couldn't agree more. I'm 23 and when I go to these races I'm usually the youngest person there aside from kids. So I had an idea. Why not try and get midget racing into the X-Games? It may sound like a strange idea but I don't think it's that far of a leap. They already have rally racing, supermoto and motocross. On top of it there was at the PRA big car race in December of 2006 and Travis Pastrana was there driving a big car which were nothing more than the old USAC Silver Crown cars. So it's logical to think he would drive a midget given the chance and then all USAC would need to do is provide him a car and send 20 or so other drivers there to race. Suddenly, midget racing and USAC are "extreme" and you've just introduced an entire market to the best racing in the world.

Zach in Florida

RM: I think it's a very good idea, although not sure how the logistics would work for television since those motorcycles races are made for television's timing. But it's certainly a great way to get kids to pay attention and we both know they would be greatly entertained -- providing it wasn't a typical six hour USAC show. I will forward your suggestion to USAC's Kevin Miller, who is always talking about a younger demographic and how to reach it.

Q: Mario Andretti was interviewed by Dave Coffin from the Monterey Historics. He says Tony George and Laguna Seca GM Gill Campbell are talking regularly. There is still an opening at Laguna to be paired with Grand Am in mid-May. You have often said the I500 should be a two week event instead of the entire month of May. What do you think? Also, I have come to really enjoy the NASCAR road course races. Could Nationwide or Craftsman Trucks be a good fit for this May weekend at Laguna Seca?

Paul, Carmel, Calif.

RM: Like I said earlier in this mailbag, if we could get Laguna to widen the track and make a braking zone or two, hell yes, let's go back. But the last few years the racing was dreadful (much like last Sunday at Sonoma) as were the crowds. I'd much rather see a doubleheader with ALMS and NO TRUCKS on road courses except to clean up crashes.

Q: The guy who wrote you about RA must not understand the track, and I am not saying that to insult him but I have been going there for the past 20 years and even in the hey days of CART most of the scoreboards weren't working. And 20 years ago the seating was almost non-existent minus the stands on the front strait. They made a huge upgrade last year I believe, and quite a few minor ones before that (more stands, bridges, tunnels, paddock revisions, etc) but not too much for the fans other than a few extra restrooms (including some nice ones in the paddock) and more seating. Although the one bad thing they did was take away the best breakfast spot ever from the paddock. RA is like a family owned track or at least it feels that way. You know (or should
know) when you go there that it is simple and that's what makes it so appealing in a way. And I hope they don't cut down one single tree, because it adds to the character of the track.

Erik Steinbrecher

RM: I think you pretty much summed up the feelings of most of the fans I've met at Elkhart Lake during the past 30 years. They appreciate the scene and the bravado required to master the best road course in the USA. They don't show up to be wined and dined, a brat and a brew is just fine along with a seat by Canada Corner or The Kink. I hope IndyCar is back there in 2010 with ALMS.

Q: To fix Indy Car racing you only need to look at MotoGP. Those guys are the best drivers in the world! (yes, I know they call them "riders"). Over 200hp transferred through one skinny tire, no aero aids. Braking, overtaking and cornering are also awesome. Some classes are using traction control, but they are corning on the ragged edge. They have to manage all that horsepower or they go down. Bike builders also have freedom of design, tire choices, etc. just like real racing ought to be. You can see where I'm going with this: put Indy cars on 4-inch rims, take away the wings and ground effects, and everything else is unlimited.

Joe Meyer, Twinsburg, Ohio

RM: Gee, Joe, if we did that we might have to go out and hire some real racers from USAC. But I hear you and agree, those guys hang it out and put on a tremendous show. Just like the AMA always did at the Fairgrounds (and they're coming back next month, I can't wait) but I think most of us old schoolers would love to see IndyCar return to some of its roots.

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