Rate this article:
"NASCAR Legends"
“NASCAR Legends” by Don Hunter and Ben White belongs on the shelf of every true NASCAR fan...
Our Price: $19.98
"Hot Rod Pinups II"
A Sequel to his 2005 bestseller Hot Rod Pin-ups, ace photographer David Perry offers an all-new collection of images.
Our Price: $35.00
Mickey Thompson: The Fast Life and Tragic Death of a Racing Legend
The complete story of this true American legend is one worth slowing down for.
Our Price: $25.00
Written by:
Robin Miller
07/30/2008 - 07:49 AM
Indianapolis, Ind.
Tracy stirred the Edmonton fans, but will his drive be enough to land him a full-time ride for '09? (LAT Photo) ยป More Photos
Hello open wheelo types and thanks for all your questions. I intend to answer your questions every week during the season, so just e-mail them to openwheelmailbag@gmail.com. Don’t feel left out if I didn’t directly respond. I appreciate your interest and passion.
~Robin Miller
Q: I've generally not been one to bash the telecast, but there really is a lot of room for improvement. I'd go as far as to say the Edmonton telecast was unacceptable. Street courses CAN be entertaining, even to “oval racing” fans, but you have to show all the racing that goes on back in the pack. There were good, popular drivers back in the back involved in close battles, but all ESPN showed was the top three running around by themselves, and PT occasionally. And the guys in the booth NEVER show any excitement about anything. We don't need "boogity boogity boogiy", but when something big happens show some excitement guys. The pit reporters are good though, especially when they tell us about what the AGR drivers are saying about each other on their radios!
Shell Shocked
RM: The fact Bob Jenkins and Scott Goodyear were back in Indianapolis watching one monitor and not at the track had a lot to do with their lack of awareness since they only saw what you did at home. It was a good race with quite a bit of passing and hard racing so it's a shame to hear so many people (I've received 50 emails about this) felt exactly like you did.
Q: With all the drama reaching a fever pitch at AGR – could you see TK more seriously shopping the slurpee-mobile to someone like Derrick Walker for ’09, and do you think the Andrettis are learning that the Rahals might be onto something by a little separation? Secondly, there seems to be a movement to blame the IMS for Tiregate 2 – I know they did the diamond grinding several years ago, but could you confirm that there have not been any modifications since? I think it is funny that the taxi cabs have blowouts after 10 laps at 180 and during the glory years, Emmo, Arie and the boys were running 230 for 30 laps with only some minor blistering.
Andy, Nashville, Tenn.
RM: I think Walker would welcome TK or PT, or both, and I'm not sure if 7-Eleven is tied long-term to AGR or would follow TK wherever he went. Little Rahal not driving for his father is the best possible way to start out. As for the Brickyard, no modifications for at least four years so the Goodyear guy who said "nobody is to blame" is of course wrong. NASCAR and Goodyear shoulder the blame.
Q: Earlier this year, Paul Tracy said that he had sponsorship money from Monster Energy, but did not want to take their money to a low-quality team. Also, Paul does not feel he should have to prove himself, so only wants to be with a worthy team. It needed to be worth it for both him and Monster, presumably to have a chance at winning. The Walker Racing boys showed that they still have abilities, why not work a full time ride with them for next year? What about going with Luczo-Dragon Racing? They proved they can put a quality package together with a good driver. Yes, someone with the name Penske (Jay) owns the team, but it is not Roger. And this year they are not receiving any (reported) support from Team Penske. As far as I know, Paul doesn't have a hatchet to bury with Jay. Either opportunity seems they can easily be in the top ten each race. And if no doors in the IRL open up, would Paul be interested in taking the money to race in the ALMS or Grand-Am? He and Dario would make a great team.
Kevin in Boise
RM: Monster likes P.T. and budgets are coming up for 2009 so there's a chance they could be the impetus to land him a good ride for 2009. Maybe Subway as well, they had to like last Sunday's debut. Not sure if Jay Penske is going to run the full season but it's certainly worth looking at if you're P.T. because they have a nice little team.
Q: Paul Tracy is simply a badass! He is still one of the best drivers even
Steve Sporer, Chicago
RM: I think PT's performance all weekend (in addition to Derrick Walker's team) was one of the more inspiring drives I've seen in the past few years. He drove smart, made great passes in tricky spots and never even used the Chrome Horn. He's got nothing yet but hopefully he earned a good one for 2009 with last Sunday's showing. T.K. is the glue that holds AGR together and, if they lose him, it won't be pretty. Danica worked her way from Europe into Indy cars so I don't classify her in the same sentence with somebody who has been given everything and handed a great opportunity.
Q: The problem with AGR is Michael!! No leadership!!!! First, he needs to put his spoiled son in his place and teach him how to drive respectfully without crashing the field, (this pedal on the left is a brake pedal, use it!!!), Second, acknowledge Danica is only around for bringing in sponsor $$$$ and has no hope to legitimately win a race on TALENT. Third, let Kanaan out of his contract and this circus so he can move onto a real racing team which puts winning first. Lastly, leave Mutoh alone like you have and he'll probably be the most successful one on the AGR so called team because he just races hard and is happy for the opportunity!
Mike Becker, Shawnee, Okla.
RM: Michael always knew how to lead when he drove but having your son driving for you taints your judgement (like last year at Sonoma when he put Franchitti's title in serious jeopardy and tried to steal a win for his kid). I think Danica does have talent and she's good for open wheel but she also needs an attitude adjustment. T.K. doesn't have a lot of options because of his salary but if I was Tony George, I'd snap him up. Mutoh appears to be the best Japanese driver Honda has brought here.
Q: There is a tremendous gap between the big three teams and the single car, former Champ Car teams. That gap is money. The big three have the big sponsors, the most equipment and the most amount of money. In this economy, I don't see how the lower end teams in the IRL can afford $4 per gallon of Diesel and hotel fees for every race. I know they will get paid $1.2 million for running the full schedule, but is that even enough? This is a problem in many other kinds of motorsports, and I don't know if it can be fixed. I almost think the IRL needs to tax the big three and redistribute the money throughout the other IRL teams. What do you think?
Lance, Bedford, Texas
RM: That might be a bit severe and I'm sure it wouldn't fly with the Big 3 or the IRL. But the gap is more than money, it's five years of experience with this Dallara and all the testing, data, trick parts, etc. Sure, good budgets are key but there are several teams in the IRL just holding on right now. A title sponsor plus Tony's team plan would certainly help the little guys, not to mention a tightening of the rule book. HVM and Walker won races in 2007 with the Panoz because the rules were so restrictive, money could not dictate performance. Hell, Bruno should have won twice for Dale Coyne. The smaller teams in the IRL have a chance on road courses, street circuits and short ovals but are hopelessly out-classed on the bigger ovals.
Page 1 of 4
View All Comments
