Welcome to the RACER Mailbag. Questions for any of RACER’s writers may be despatched to mailbag@racer.com. We love listening to your feedback and opinions, however letters that embody a query usually tend to be revealed. Questions acquired after 3pm ET every Monday can be saved for the next week.
Q: Any phrase on when the Dan Gurney books can be obtainable? I’ve heard it was two volumes, and that Dan’s widow, Evi, completed writing years in the past. It is getting near the vacations; looks as if time.
Ray Schmudde
MARSHALL PRUETT: The hope is by subsequent July’s All American Racers Reunion at Highway America. It’s being held on the identical date on the Nashville IndyCar occasion, and I really feel like there’s no want to clarify the place you’ll discover me that weekend.
Q: So 23XII needs to get Roger Penske and Rick Hendrick underneath oath about no matter subject they like within the NASCAR lawsuit. [ED: And it looks like they will.] What are some questions you want to Penske to be requested and for him to reply underneath oath? For me, I begin with the finishes of 2002 and 2023 within the Indy 500, after which go full Tom Cruise on him about the entire P2P scandal.
Mark, Milford, OH
MP: First, my thoughts went straight to Chappelle Present with Roger going full Tron Carter and pleading the ‘FiF.’
So, with the Fifth Modification as an possibility, I doubt a lot would get answered, however I’d like to know the sale worth of IndyCar and IMS, why the Will Energy relationship resulted in such an unlucky manner, and why the Jay Frye relationship resulted in such an unlucky manner.
The 2002 and 2023 Indy 500s don’t curiosity me as a lot.
Doesn’t imply I agree with the 2002 ruling; that win has all the time belonged to Barry Inexperienced and Paul Tracy, however I don’t take umbrage with Penske for doing the whole lot in his energy to get the end result he searched for his group and driver. Large-time racing is all about partisan pursuits, waged by enormous firms and the rich group homeowners they’re related to, to win at any value. Selections like 2002 violate my sense of truthful play, however I’m not a child who’s shocked by such issues.
On 2023, I’ve by no means believed that was a Penske-related deal.
Q: What occurred to Beth Paretta’s plan to begin a group, or no less than associate with somebody? Simona De Silvestro was some of the in style drivers within the sequence however she by no means appears to seek out the best scenario. Do you assume she’s going to resume her racing profession, maybe in Europe, after her Olympic journey is over?
Patrick, Brownsburg, IN
MP: Simona had factor going with HVM Racing till the group was unable to get a Chevy or Honda lease in 2012 and had to make use of a season-killing Lotus engine. The Keith Wiggins- and Shane Seneviratne-led group punched properly above their weight via 2011, died after 2012, after which she did an amazing job at KV Racing in 2013, taking 13th within the standings whereas teammate and 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan positioned 11th.
On her future, except a group or producer needs to revive her professional profession, no, I don’t see it. Careers for veterans like Simona require consistency and momentum, and along with her flip to bobsledding, her title hasn’t been known as a lot in recent times for four-wheel obligation.
On Beth, her final co-entry was with Ed Carpenter Racing in 2022 and I don’t recall why plans to return in 2023 with ECR or one other group fell via. We spoke on the season finale and she or he was bullish about returning with one other part-time deal. With few exceptions, she was handled poorly by too many individuals whereas attempting to get a foothold within the sequence. [ED: Paretta’s day job as VP of Sporting at Formula E might not leave much spare time to field a team right now].
Paretta Autosport final fielded Simona de Silvestro for six races in 2022. James Black/Penske Leisure
Q: Loved watching a number of the HSR Traditional 24 at Daytona this weekend, and couldn’t assist noticing that just a few vehicles had some fairly heavy hitters onboard as second drivers.
Are the Le Mans winners and former IMSA champions simply on the market for the enjoyable of it, or can they nonetheless command an honest payday at occasions like this?
Brad
MP: The outdated professionals undoubtedly receives a commission. Driving classic vehicles on take a look at days, serving to groups with chassis setup, teaching non-pros/automotive homeowners, and racing in HSR occasions is how these you’ve referenced help themselves.
Q: Another excuse for Kyle Kirkwood to signal an extension with Andretti could possibly be that he would change into the primary selection when Cadillac F1 is able to have two American drivers. What do you assume?
Ray Schumin
MP: Kirkwood’s all about IndyCar. As I wrote just a few months in the past, if TWG Motorsports wished to carry its finest American to F1, primarily based off of Andretti International’s 2025 IndyCar outcomes, it will have accomplished so with Kirkwood. If it was 2024, Colton was the clear No. 1 American within the group. The choice to go together with Colton says so much, particularly that if that is one thing Kyle wished they usually wished, it will already be occurring with an F2 seat and chasing Tremendous License factors.
I’d additionally prefer to imagine the TWG of us are too clever to repeatedly strip the IndyCar group and take its finest expertise for the F1 program.
Q: Why not contemplate outdated American V8 for IndyCar? The NASCAR guys have loads of motors. Chevy, Ford, Toyota and now Dodge. These engines sound nice. Should be manner cheaper than the turbo V6 presently getting used and we all know they’ll simply do 750 hp for 600 miles.
Sure, I do know the chassis would want some redesign however in the long term it will be far cheaper with 4 engine producers. Plus, an amazing buy-in to Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge vs Toyota wars. The parity within the motors is already there so no worries in regards to the steadiness of efficiency. The extra engines that Roush, Hendrick, Childress, TRD and Penske construct the cheaper for everybody.
NASCAR appears to be doing nice with out the expense of a hybrid system. In all honesty, does any race fan actually care a few hybrid system in a race automotive? The added weight of the V8 could be offset by deletion of the hybrid system. NASCAR makes use of Sunoco gasoline/ethanol whereas IndyCar use a Shell renewable, however I can’t see that being any form of a technical roadblock. Are you able to think about 33 vehicles with non-turbo V8s from 4 totally different producers thundering down the entrance stretch at Indy?
Gary, Anza, CA
MP: It was two or three as a substitute of 4, however sure, we had 33 naturally-aspirated V8s at Indy from 1997 (35, really, that yr) via 2011, so sure, been there, seen it, heard it. And no less than through the early Indy Racing League V8 days the place the vehicles have been deafening like Cup V8s, no one cared and nearly no one confirmed up exterior of Indy. As soon as the change to flat-plane crankshafts occurred for 2001 (I feel it was 2001), the pitch rose and the sound was much less throaty and conventional circle monitor, for positive.
Previous to that change, historical past proved the romanticism behind making Indy vehicles sound like Cup vehicles was a industrial failure and a loser within the sport of recognition. (The flat-plane change didn’t carry the crowds, both, however the timing was coincidental with many of the finest CART IndyCar Collection groups leaping over to the IRL beginning in 2001.)
Quick ahead to immediately, and with NASCAR persevering with to be much more in style than IndyCar, why would these producers spend the cash to race the identical engines in a sequence with a smaller fan base and TV viewers? They’re already on the prime with the vehicles and engines they use in Cup.
I’d quite see IndyCar develop a cool V8 of its personal to make use of than simply copying and borrowing NASCAR’s defining merchandise.
Q: When will IndyCars be at Sebring for testing earlier than St Petersburg?
Rob
MP: February, particular dates TBD.
Q: Now that Caio Collet has been introduced because the second driver at A.J. Foyt Racing, what are your ideas on Collet as a driver, and what does his addition imply for the group? Is he extra Malukas or Kirkwood, or is he extra a Pedersen or Sting Ray Robb?
Tom Knisely, Blaine, MN
MP: He’s a unicorn within the sense that he’s capable of finding important sponsors to pay for the seat and he’s a rocket. If Collet was in an Andretti NXT automotive final season, I don’t know if Hauger romps to the championship. Undoubtedly a quick and polished driver popping out of NXT. He’s bought a heck of an oval tutor in Ferrucci and may greater than maintain his personal in every single place else. He’ll do dumb issues like each rookie, however I do anticipate him to face out extra usually than most would anticipate to see from somebody with no profile.
Quick cash. James Black/Penske Leisure
Q: Glad to see RLL keep in IMSA. Who do you assume the drivers can be? Any probability we see Graham get within the automotive for Daytona? Do assume that this partnership will result in RLL again within the prime class sooner or later?
For enjoyable, how a few second automotive at Daytona with Paul Tracy, Robby Gordon, Max Papis and Helio? I guess they win.
David
MP: Undecided if Graham would match. He’s 6’3” and that automotive’s roof comes as much as his hip. I perceive the one-car GTD Professional effort for 2026 might change into two in 2027, so that may be cool. Offered McLaren does add IMSA GTP to its applications, you’d hope RLL would get an opportunity, however Zak Brown owns United Autosports which is working the WEC Hypercar effort, which makes me surprise if anybody apart from Zak’s UA USA outfit would get the American deal.
I’d like to see the outdated timers you point out, however they’d get destroyed. The 24-hours-of-maximum-attack that Daytona has change into within the professional courses is a distinct factor.
Q: Absent from the announcement of Collet to Foyt was any point out of whether or not the alliance with Penske continues. Was {that a} one-year Malukas particular collaboration? Or does that proceed?
Fred, Indiana native residing in Missouri
MP: Tried connecting with Workforce Penske president Jonathan Diuguid final week however he was within the air to the Bahrain WEC finale. I’ll attempt once more when he’s again in North Carolina.
Q: Since IndyCar and NASCAR appear to be getting nearer and nearer, like each being on Fox, how lengthy do you assume it will likely be earlier than NASCAR races at Lengthy Seashore?
Mike Latino
MP: I can’t see it. They’ve shared broadcasters many occasions earlier than…like final yr when each have been on NBC. Roger Penske and Penske Leisure personal the Lengthy Seashore GP the place Roger’s IndyCar Collection is the marquee race and IMSA is the co-headliner with a vastly decreased grid with a purpose to slot in a secondary paddock.
NASCAR would want to kick IndyCar out of the primary paddock to suit its 36-40 vehicles, and that ain’t occurring. Solely manner NASCAR hits the LBC is that if Roger and town determine to carry a second occasion only for NASCAR, and I don’t know why Roger would do this except he wished to make the IndyCar race much less particular and fewer worthwhile.
Q: The primary few turns of the Mexico Metropolis F1 race kinda stunk. Fingers have been pointed in every single place. Max Verstappen knew what he did wouldn’t be overruled. Good for him.
However… A driver who’s taking manner too loopy an opportunity ought to have a worth to pay. If bollards have been positioned in these run-off areas, the penalty could be served – on the spot. No stewards’ intervention. Why not?
BoxsterBob, Monterey, CA
CHRIS MEDLAND: I do not assume bollards could be a nasty factor in any respect Bob, however I additionally do not assume they essentially repair the issue. We have seen them utilized in run-off areas in various locations, and generally drivers cannot get throughout to go spherical them, or do not actually get penalized both (I am pondering Sochi as an analogous nook prior to now, and even Barcelona now).
I feel it is clear one thing needs to be accomplished at Flip 1 in Mexico simply because it is a problem that happens usually, however I do not see why a gravel entice wouldn’t be a good suggestion there – it is going to sluggish a automotive way more than grass would. And I feel that may nonetheless meet your standards of serving the penalty there after which.
Verstappen was one of some drivers who discovered detours via the primary corners in Mexico. Mark Thompson/Getty Photographs
Q: In Brazil, Max Verstappen had three enhancements between qualifying and the race – setup adjustments, a recent PU, and plenty of new unused tires. What proportion of enchancment would you attribute to every?
Ken
CM: The set-up was clearly an enormous enchancment given how dangerous the automotive was previous to the race, however so too was the facility unit. At altitude (second highest behind Mexico Metropolis) and on a monitor that basically requires sturdy efficiency on the run to Flip 1, to have the ability to run the facility unit aggressively can have paid off, so I’d go 90% throughout these two facets (maybe 60% set-up, 30% PU).
The one new set of tires he used within the race that he may not have had have been the softs within the ultimate stint, and if he hadn’t had the early puncture on the hards then I feel he may not have used these anyway. He nonetheless theoretically might have completed in the identical spot with out that final pit cease (though I feel he was pushing so exhausting all race the drop-off would have been actually huge), so I would even be being beneficiant saying 10% is all the way down to the tires.
THE FINAL WORD
From Robin Miller’s Mailbag, 13 November, 2013
Q: You confuse the heck outta me generally. It looks as if nearly each week a fan writes in to the Mailbag asking for extra innovation, velocity, new aero kits, and new engine producers. But, you retain saying “I do not assume these adjustments would make a distinction in TV viewers figures.” Effectively, I fully disagree. IndyCar must be listening and embracing what the followers are eager to see of their sport.
I do know, I do know, “hearken to the followers and you will find yourself being one”, proper? Sorry, however on this case, I feel it is time the IMS board listens to the followers as a substitute of a advertising and marketing agency who recommend a street course originally of Might! We desperately want innovation. I like when the Chipster bought Ben Bowlby to design the Delta Wing. And kudos to Ben, he was revolutionary, however he forgot the automotive wanted to be open-wheeled automotive in an open-wheel racing sequence. Whoops!
As for velocity. I noticed Sneva hit 200mph and it was a BIG deal. That was 36 years in the past. As a child, I assumed for positive I would see the 250mph mark by the point I used to be an outdated man. Effectively, I am 48, and the very best we are able to do is a 237 in 1996? Why are we going backwards? Pitiful!
This is the deal… we’d like a game-changer, shortly. Pace, innovation and know-how are COOL! It is what IndyCar ought to be about one year a yr! Heck, I am extra excited in regards to the FIA Components E developments happening, and that makes me mad! I would like IndyCar to be on the forefront in racing! Why aren’t we the premier sequence? I’ve watched extra F1 races this yr…and I do not like street/avenue programs. However these vehicles are badass, they usually’re enjoyable to observe.
So… what do you REALLY assume will transfer the needle? The one factor I’ve seen you write about is to open up the rulebook. Are you able to and Marshall Pruett put your heads collectively and provides us your prime 5 concepts to enhance IndyCar?
Mike Mammoser
ROBIN MILLER: Folks cannot inform the distinction between 200 and 220 on the monitor, not to mention on tv, and I am simply attempting to take a look at this as a non-fan. What would make me drive to a monitor? The velocity would possibly, adopted by totally different vehicles, however I need to watch passing and exhausting driving and IndyCar has that, but it surely would not make any distinction.
Folks maintain assuming monitor data and 6 totally different sorts of vehicles will immediately have individuals flocking to races or their TV units, and I am saying the one individuals who appear to care about this stuff are already watching IndyCar. Positive, if the principles opened up and also you had Ford, Audi and Dodge coming to city, it will generate extra advertising and marketing and extra curiosity. And if the Indy 500 purse paid $1 million to begin and $10 million to win, possibly McLaren or Pink Bull would construct a automotive. I liked the outdated days and I stooged for the final roadster to make the present with my hero Herk, however these days are gone. No person needs to construct a automotive except they’re assured there will not be any competitors. It is unhappy and it sucks however I am afraid that is the truth. No less than for now.
