Welcome to the RACER mailbag. Questions for RACER’s writers may be despatched to: mailbag@racer.com. We welcome your feedback and opinions, however letters with questions usually tend to be revealed. Questions acquired after 3:00 PM EST every Monday will likely be saved for the next week.
Q: If the Trans Am Collection can maintain races at Watkins Glen or COTA, why cannot IndyCar?
Additionally, as I seen at this 12 months’s Milwaukee Mile, drivers are now not driving across the paddock on these little Honda bikes. As an alternative, they trip round on stand-up scooters. Pato got here round my blind spot, however he did not wish to let me fall. My guess is that eventually gravity will take over and one of many drivers will doubtless find yourself taking a tough fall and injuring himself. What occurred to the bike?
Steve Sporer, Chicago, Illinois
Marshall Pruett: It is attainable as a result of Trans Am selected to race at WGI and COTA, and WGI and COTA selected to take cash to have it race at their services. IndyCar would certainly come again to WGI and COTA if IndyCar selected to race in each, and each wished to pay IndyCar to race at their services or obtain rental charges from IndyCar to host Penske-promoted occasions.
Scooters are nonetheless utilized by some groups, however most now desire electrical bikes, that are smaller and lighter.
Q: I not too long ago realized that RLL is delivering McLaren vehicles to IMSA. Nonetheless, I am interested in what the logistics course of is when shifting from GTP to GTD. Will the crew simply pack every part up and ship it again to BMW? Does BMW hold all of the race information from the previous few seasons?
Not Stefan Johansson
MP: RLL ran the BMW M Hybrid V8 at IMSA’s annual Preseason Steadiness of Efficiency Check at Daytona final week, and as soon as testing was full, it handed over the car and vehicle-specific help tools to GTP’s new BMW motorsport service supplier, WRT (WRT already runs the M Hybrid V8 for BMW in WEC hypercars).
RLL took every part to Florida to try it out and end all of it off on the monitor. BMW will personal all the info from the primary day of driving at RLL. How the info on the RLL facet is dealt with and what occurs to it is determined by what’s agreed within the contract, however generally the crew will not be shredding information, drilling holes in laborious drives, or scrubbing all the knowledge held on inner/distant/cloud-based servers. After all, there tends to be language that stops data sharing, however most producers are effectively conscious that their groups are usually not forgetting what they know.
Q: I believe the 2025 WWT Raceway Oval was the right IndyCar race. I vote for the month-to-month Saturday night time occasion that takes place there each summer season.
David Monette
MP: I agree together with your vote, David.
Q: It is nice information that Ryan Hunter-Reay has been named the fourth McLaren driver for Indy. A a lot smarter alternative than Larson final 12 months. Ryan is a winner, is aware of his manner round vehicles, and has no issues along with his schedule. Larson had a terrific PR, however his win proportion wasn’t nice. The query is, what different drivers do you anticipate to be nominated as Indy 500 unique drivers? Many gifted persons are ready behind the scenes to show their value.
dave
MP: I do not assume there are any huge surprises. If Connor Daly would not get a full-time seat on the coin, he is in pole place for the very best 500 seat obtainable. Stephen Wilson continues to search for new alternatives. Charlie Kimball likes to say that I overlook to say him as one of many 500 candidates. Like Daly, even when Jacob Abel had been to overlook the season in some unspecified time in the future, he would nonetheless wish to be within the first 500 if a great place is obtainable. Indy NXT veteran James Legislation has his eye on one thing in Indy. Sebastian Saavedra hopes to return for one more month in Might. Katherine Legge continues to be . Then I ran out of names.
Oh, and Valentino Rossi was alleged to be the massive shock Arrow McLaren had in retailer for Might. I requested him about it by means of a colleague who attended the WEC season finale. His reply? “I do not know something about this.”
Q: I simply completed studying “Class of 99” by John Oleovich. This was a terrific learn centered round my favourite period of IndyCar racing. Describing the troublesome occasions for Penske on the time, Oleovich famous that Staff Penske changed the Lola chassis in the course of the 1999 season as a result of aggressive points with the Penske chassis. I do not keep in mind that occurring, however I used to be solely 12 on the time, so I in all probability did not understand it.
What sort of agreements did groups have with engine/tire/chassis producers throughout this period? Would any crew drop a producer from a package deal mid-season, or may Penske swap from their very own chassis so they may run a unique chassis?
Chris, Olney, Maryland
MP: The Penske PC27 seemed nice however wasn’t aggressive, so I switched to the Lola B99/00 a few third of the best way by means of the season. I labored on this piece with the Hogan Racing Staff. I actually appreciated that automotive.
The final query was troublesome to reply as a result of the groups had separate agreements and there have been 15 or 16 groups. Tire and engine provide contracts are typically untenable, and prime groups would have been paid tens of millions of {dollars} by producers. On the chassis facet, they had been a commodity to purchase, so Laura was prepared to promote Penske vehicles for over $500,000 every. If Penske wished to run a Reynard and a Swift, each would have offered vehicles to them as effectively, however because the Reynard was the dominant mannequin and had giant growth offers with prime groups, there should have been some pushback from main groups making an attempt to arm Penske whereas Penske was irrelevant in 1999.
Issues modified in the course of the offseason, and we all know that not solely did Penske purchase the Rayners, however they rebuilt them so closely that they had been nicknamed “The Lenskes” and went on a rampage to win CART titles in 2000 and 2001.
There was Rayners in 2000 or 2001, after which *these* Rayners got here alongside. John Ferry/Getty Photographs
Q: Our grandfather and grandmother lived subsequent door to the Hulman household in Terre Haute after which moved to Indianapolis. Their six kids and the Hulman household subsequent door quickly had a baseball crew. My grandfather constructed the primary scoring pylon in his storage and hauled it to the speedway by horse and wagon. Do any of the unique scoring pylons stay?
phil barrett jr.
MP: If we’re engaged on a hypothetical timeline, the primary huge pylon was in-built 1959, however based on my cellphone name with the nice people on the IMS Museum, they have no stock of that construction. If half or entire exists someplace else, you can begin a enjoyable international search.
Q: I want the latest IndyCar check in Phoenix had been like prior to now with the complete discipline in preparation for January’s season opener in Orlando or Homestead.
Talking of which, bear in mind Dr. Helmut Marko’s temporary flirtation with the Indy Racing League, which lasted simply two races earlier than the late Dave Steele and his F3000 crew left their tails behind and headed again to Europe? I am making an attempt to dredge this up from my deepest reminiscence as a result of Autosport journal’s IRL protection on the time was horrible. Did his automotive even have a BMW engine within the again, or is it simply my creativeness? However BMW was actually on the radar as a possible third provider together with Oldsmobile and Nissan. Does RACER even have pictures of Marco’s automotive?
It makes you marvel what the IndyCar panorama could be like in the present day if the RSM Marco crew had been as profitable within the unique IRL within the late 90s. That was just a few years earlier than Eddie Cheever signed a Pink Bull sponsorship deal. I am certain IndyCar would welcome the model’s involvement once more.
Peter Kerr, Hamilton, Scotland
MP: I used to be on the crew facet with the TKM/Genoa Racing crew on the time and noticed the match happen with RSM and Metal. BMW was not concerned. Being an enormous fan of Steele, I used to be actually wanting ahead to this occasion happening, though there are IndyCar veterans behind this system, with the added angle of a prime F3000 crew taking over the problem. Mike Colliver, who was with Dale Coyne Racing final season, not too long ago jogged my memory of his involvement on this effort.
It might have been nice if RSM was profitable, however I by no means thought it could be one thing that modified IRL. In comparison with CART on the time, IRL was so much like Indy Lights/F3000, and it was simple for a Lights crew like us to go instantly from 1996 Lights to 1997 IRL with the identical employees and be aggressive instantly. That wasn’t attainable with CART.
I had wished to function Marco’s temporary and forgettable run in American open wheel, however Steele handed away in 2017, which sucked, and I misplaced curiosity. After just a few years, I lastly reached out to Marko to see if he could be obtainable for a chat in early 2021. And I acquired the next reply:
Pricey Marshall
Sadly, it was a very long time in the past that I appeared in Phoenix, so I do not bear in mind a lot about it.
thanks
Helmut Marko
Q: The damper program is probably not the largest subject, however IndyCar’s grid is tight sufficient that it may be a deciding consider who’s first and who’s second. So I believe potential OEMs who’re taking a look at which groups they should accomplice with are involved about whether or not they can win a championship. (I doubt Penske and Ganassi promote the identical dampers which might be on their vehicles.) Utilizing spec dampers may assist in that regard. I believed Penske would provide the dampers.
And a torque sensor was additionally used within the check. I do not assume IndyCar can get new OEMs with out them now.
Do these two issues point out that the individuals who handle IndyCar have lastly achieved frequent sense and new OEMs are approaching board (and Honda is staying), or am I studying an excessive amount of into this?
William Mazzeo
MP: If there’s even one automaker on the fence about committing $50 million or extra to a multi-year IndyCar engine provide program, and also you’re taking a look at damper specs to get that producer to say “sure,” hold that crappy producer out of the collection.
Going to spec shock has nothing to do with frequent sense. No matter is left for growth will likely be the place the crew spends essentially the most cash. For the reason that shock was left open, it is a excessive R&D price. As soon as the shock is eliminated, groups can spend their cash within the subsequent finest space. And as soon as all of the unresolved gadgets are eliminated, groups find yourself spending much more cash as a result of they’ve few differentiators and are practically unimaginable to seek out. A complete recreation of Whack-A-Mole is being performed.
Producers routinely use torque sensors throughout testing and even some apply periods. In the future in Might, I seen Marco Andretti loading them into his automotive at Indy. Nonetheless, I’m hopeful that the following car could have commonplace fare.
Q: F1 is certainly on an enormous upward trajectory in North America. Up till just a few years in the past it was IndyCar, then NASCAR, then F1 in the US. IndyCar discovered its option to No. 3, however I do not know if it’s going to cease there. What are the long-term implications for the Indy 500?The press and younger folks (these excited about motorsport) are actually obsessive about F1, which ought to scare the IndyCar powerhouses.
Jim Riddle, Highlands, North Carolina
MP: The Indy 500, in 2024-2025, has two of the very best attendance occasions I’ve seen in a long time, and TV viewership has additionally elevated dramatically over the previous two years. So, when you go by the numbers and traits, I’ve a superb feeling concerning the 500 and its future.
One other factor that offers me confidence is that the identical younger individuals who have been studying about F1 and supporting F1 wholeheartedly over the previous 5 years are additionally studying about IndyCar and supporting F1 in the identical manner. IndyCar’s “rejuvenation” (not a phrase, however I adore it so I take advantage of it so much) is among the largest and most vital achievements of the collection past 2024. That is how this collection will maintain itself in the long term.
IndyCar is reaching younger followers and hopefully changing them into lifelong followers. Joe Skibinski/Penske Leisure
Q: Only for amusing, I Googled Burke Lakefront Airport and IndyCar and came upon that Cleveland officers are contemplating bringing again the race and are in all probability already in talks with IndyCar. Though it’s going to in all probability be a public street race relatively than on the airport grounds. I believe this could possibly be big, maybe with some live shows, ticket offers, help races, and a partnership with the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame. This has the potential to change into a spectacle for Lengthy Seaside on Lake Erie.
Additionally take into account latest collaborations with Mayer Shank/Sirius XM, Bon Jovi, Creed, Ozzy Osbourne, and Metallica. It looks like a pure marriage to actively pursue. And… Willie P performs the drums. What else do I want?
Are there any rumors you possibly can reveal? are they speaking?
Jeff, Colorado
MP: I’ve solely heard of it as a road race. Nolan Siegel is enjoying guitar. Joseph Newgarden performs the jazz flute, as does Ron Burgundy (he would not play it, however I like the thought).
I like the Corridor of Fame, but it surely’s slightly too outdated for what’s wanted right here. If Penske Leisure/FOX goes to place collectively a collection of recent road racing festivals throughout the nation, it must be geared in direction of a youthful viewers. IndyCar already has an older fan base, and utilizing the museum will cater to that demographic. A lot of the MSR/SiriusXM automotive bands had been cool, however in addition they appealed virtually solely to older followers. By the best way, I occur to like a few of these bands, however I additionally know that I am now not the goal demographic that IndyCar is meant to appease.
The motive for road festivals is to enchantment to new audiences, realizing that your base could also be as effectively.
Q: Contemplating how good Ferrari’s tempo was in 2024, how a lot of an influence did the change from pushrod to pullrod suspension have on the 2025 automotive? I bear in mind throughout pre-season testing there was dialogue that this was a serious change in idea and design.
Tifosi Beau, Edmonton, British Columbia
Chris Medland: To be sincere, it is a huge deal, however I might admire it extra as a ripple impact. Ferrari adopted McLaren and Pink Bull with its idea and adjusted the entrance suspension from pushrods to pullrods. That is designed to enhance the automotive’s efficiency in high-speed corners, permitting airflow and permitting the automotive to drive nearer to the bottom to get extra efficiency from the ground.
In actuality, it did not work. As turned clear very early on, there was a associated impact of truly not with the ability to run the automotive as little as Ferrari would really like (a part of the explanation it received a double DSQ in China earlier this 12 months), as there was a threat of an excessive amount of plate put on. We have seen different situations the place a good quantity of raise and coasting is required late within the race, and the idea is that as gas drops and nook speeds improve, the ground may as soon as once more change into a legality challenge.
In a way, Ferrari did the suitable factor by altering its strategy in pursuit of additional efficiency enhancements, realizing that McLaren wouldn’t stand nonetheless. Nonetheless, the related points with this transformation had been by no means addressed, which additional slowed Ferrari down.
The glimmer of hope is that the modifications come after a 12 months of ache forward of a whole overhaul of laws subsequent 12 months.
Q: I am an enormous fan of Brad Keselowski, and I noticed an article the place he stated that. I’m excited about main an IMSA crew.. Is there any likelihood he’ll characterize the crew in races, or will he strictly run the races as an proprietor? Personally, I might like to see Brad race in a minimum of one occasion.
Additionally, is there any likelihood that Brad may return RFK to Xfinity or the Truck Collection and drive just a few races?
Zack
RJ O’Connell: I will defer to Kelly Crandall’s opinion on RFK’s future plans past the Cup Collection. However, as Keselowski stated, he wasn’t seeking to IMSA as an off-ramp from NASCAR, was by no means eager on including street and road course races to the Cup Collection, and by no means stood out as one of many elite street course racers even throughout his heyday with Staff Penske. can by no means say by no means Nonetheless, on the subject of Rolex 24 drives. Brad stated on Twitter (now X) in 2012 that he even stated he wished to race sooner or later, however the timing was by no means proper. Maybe it could be attainable to drive a GTD PRO or GTD in a Ford Mustang GT3. I do not assume he is very certified to drive a present technology GTP automotive…though I am all the time open to being incorrect.
Kelly Crandall: Something is feasible, however there was no indication from Brad Keselowski or anybody at RFK Racing that there’s any curiosity in shifting into the Xfinity (quickly to be O’Reilly Auto Components) collection or monitor. Including a 3rd automotive to the Cup Collection is an enormous deal and has been a serious precedence for the previous couple of years, and the main target appears to be on the Cup Collection facet.
The group has undoubtedly improved since Keselowski arrived just a few seasons in the past, however everybody will let you know there’s nonetheless lots of work to do and extra to perform, particularly contemplating the historical past of the place. So, once more, I am not saying by no means, however there isn’t any motion towards that but. So far as I can bear in mind, the final time Keselowski particularly talked about the Xfinity collection was in 2023, when he was excited about how the CW deal would work for the collection.
final phrase
From Robin Miller’s Mailbag, November 20, 2013
Q: Like in all probability many followers, I had lots of alternatives to speak to Dario Franchitti. Dario and I talked about what it was wish to drive Jim Clark’s Indy 500 Lotus and his latest nice race in Baltimore. Each time we spoke he handled me as if I had been his Scottish neighbor. However greater than that, I cherished how he frolicked with the youngsters asking for pictures and autographs. Dario will retire as one of many best IndyCar drivers of all time. And profitable the Indy 500 3 times makes him immortal. So, whereas I do know firsthand what an enchanting man he’s and have been fortunate sufficient to see all of his 500 wins, I do know that you just guys are nearer to him and know extra about what occurred to his success as a driver. What do you bear in mind about Dario?
Jerry Courtney, San Francisco, California
Robin Miller: I seen how rapidly he tailored to the 900 horsepower and CART tracks, however primarily how immediately aggressive he was towards a terrific group of drivers. He was neither frightened nor awed by his new environment, however stepped into them as if he belonged. And I like discussing vehicles, circuits, TGBB and racing generally with him. However his character, humorousness, intelligence, and sense of historical past made him simply pretty much as good off the course as on it.
