Welcome to the RACER Mailbag. Questions for any of RACER’s writers can be sent to mailbag@racer.com. We love hearing your comments and opinions, but letters that include a question are more likely to be published. Questions received after 3pm ET each Monday will be saved for the following week.
Q: First off, Milwaukee was awesome. Great racing. Nice crowd. Really happy for Conor Daly. Just a really good deal. However… this Mexico stuff is a really bad look for IndyCar. It’s a really bad look for Mark Miles and a really bad look for Penske. Forgot complaining — what I am (and I think others as well) is just plain confused. I don’t understand the plan.
NASCAR and F1 clearly have plans. Like them or not, you understand where they are going. I don’t think IndyCar fans understand where IndyCar wants to go. The biggest (and truest) question — does IndyCar?
Justin Brown
MARSHALL PRUETT: It does, but if IndyCar has learned anything in recent weeks, it’s that relying on Mark Miles to be its primary spokesperson is worthy of reconsideration. As it was recently confirmed to me, Roger Penske has stepped back from speaking to the press on a regular basis and in his place, Miles has been appointed to field questions on Penske Entertainment’s behalf. And how’s that going?
Making matters worse, they won’t let others speak, including on the competition side, on all but the rarest occasions. For example, when I have questions about doing a new chassis or new engine regulations, it’s Miles who speaks, and no disrespect, but he knows absolutely nothing about that side of the sport.
So, if IndyCar wants to help itself and reduce the WTF interview material, the company might rethink its change in communications strategy.
Q: Is there any word on landing spots for Jack Harvey next season? I know there are a lot of naysayers out there about his capabilities, but I am not one of them.
Kasey, Indy
MP: I’m with you, Kasey. Jack found a perfect situation at Dale Coyne’s team this year where he didn’t have much sponsorship to bring, but the team needed a veteran it could rely on, so Dale made up a lot of missing budget on his own. I don’t foresee that same scenario happening again, and Jack isn’t confident of the same amazing deal being offered, so he’s seeing if and what he can make happen and also looking at other options, including FOX, where he’s inquired about a driver analyst role for next year.
Q: I just want to point out the nonsense of the Adrian Fernandez argument. Champ Car had two races in Mexico from 2004-06, and then one in 2007, but Fernandez left the series after 2003. To me, it sounds like someone is passing the buck for their inability to do their job effectively. Of course having a popular driver from the area helps, but you should be selling the series as a whole. That being said, Pato O’Ward is definitely popular. I was at Milwaukee both days, and that was very apparent.
Speaking of Milwaukee, it’s ironic Mark Miles made comments about the series not going back to tracks from the past while not having the self-awareness that he’s describing Milwaukee. The disconnect between want the fans want and what the series leadership wants could not be any more stark. Just a suggestion from a fan to Penske Entertainment: Listen to the fans and you might get Milwaukee-type results in other places. Like Richmond or Watkins Glen. Having said that, I cannot wait for the next street race announcement!
Brian, Joliet, IL
MP: I don’t believe Mark would know if Adrian was standing next to him, and he wasn’t around when Fernandez was at the peak of his popularity, so he was obviously speaking with information he was given, rather than what he experienced.
Q: Please tell me this isn’t my imagination, but I could swear that when IndyCars are driving in a straight line on an oval (pit lane, etc.), they look like they’re driving a bit cock-eyed. Assuming my eyes don’t deceive, is this because the cross-weight (or some other aspect of the setup) has been set so that they do “crab” a little when straight?
Steve, Woodinville, WA
MP: They do. The cars, like you’ll find in NASCAR, are set up to turn left, which is why you see in-car shots of IndyCar drivers turning their steering wheels to the right on the straights due to the suspension settings that intentionally force the car to go left in the corners.
Q: I found this remarkable color film of the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix on YouTube purely by accident and thought there must be some of your readers that would enjoy it.
Doug Mayer
MP: It’s glorious. I watched it when it was posted and it’s just sublime.
Q: Mark Miles: With respect to comments made about Richmond, Mexico, Pato O’Ward or Watkins Glen — I take umbrage. I’ve been a locked-in IndyCar fan since the age of 9, watching the finish of the 1992 Indy 500. For years I have written into this Mailbag with suggestions and comments on how to improve the series. I’m just a fan, but I’m a passionate one. I know the series reads this, so let me be clear: Do better.
The first thing to do to get out of the hole you’re in is to stop digging. Please, no more statements about venues or drivers until you have something firm to announce. This drama you’ve unleashed upon the fans is not a good look and makes me question why I should remain a fan. One more thing: Respect The Glen.
Rob, Rochester, NY
MP: Jay Frye seems to agree about The Glen, per his “random” post last week…
Great memories/times with @markmartin at the amazing @WGI and its incredible fans! pic.twitter.com/dYlaKW0lCW
— Jay Frye (@JayRFrye) September 7, 2024
Q: I’m a little behind because my wife and I were busy attending the
fantastic Milwaukee Mile races put on by the by IndyCar teams and
drivers Saturday and Sunday, but judging from the incredible amount of
Pato O’Ward supporters we saw over the weekend, I can only guess that Mark Miles is yet another clueless ivory tower exec that never actually mixes with peon fans like ourselves at races. Can you change my mind?
Ben Malec, Buffalo Grove, IL
MP: Never did I imagine I’d be asked to act as Miles’ PR agent. Glad you enjoyed Milwaukee, Ben. It was a magical weekend.