Q: Can you shed some light on the thought process behind potential overseas races being non-points paying? From my outside looking in, it seems like a big commitment to travel that far for a non-points event.
Has there been an effort by race control and the drivers to reign in some of the contact and resulting non-calls from race control? It seems like race control has been consistent in the types of incidents that they’re letting go this year. Consistent officiating is a good thing for all involved, but I think some of the contact needs to be reeled in and expectations reset for next year. The Rinus VeeKay/Felix Rosenqvist non-call at Road America sticks out in my mind as an extremely low-percentage move that was never going to work and should 100% be penalized moving forward.
Can you share when the new speedway wing package will begin testing?
Joe
JF: An exhibition event could be a good opportunity to test a market and race for future consideration. It also would do so without disrupting the current championship.
As for officiating, we don’t want race control to be the storyline. Hard racing, within the rules, is what INDYCAR is all about.
Q: I’m from Brazil and I would like to know if there is a better marketing plan to publicize IndyCar, to reach larger audiences on TV and find new fans who don’t even know about the series?
Also, why insist on repeat races like the IMS road course? There could be races in other venues instead such as Milwaukee, Kentucky, Michigan, Chicagoland…
Eusebio Sachser, Brazil
JF: The second date at IMS was very important in 2020 to ensure we had a season. It is also a unique and great opportunity to run with NASCAR.
Q: What are the possibilities of more IndyCar races in Canada, Mexico or South America?
Paul Sturmey, Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada
JF: All are possible!
Q: Rapid fire:
1. Have you thought about changing the points system to the old CART points system? I would love to see midpack battles fighting for points?
2. Speaking of points, a non-points race just sounds dumb. Why entertain the idea? If it is on the schedule, it should count.
3. We love loud cars. When every other racing series is reducing noise, go the other way please. Also, can we get back to 1000hp?
4. Why can’t we just keep the pits open under yellow when possible?
5. What is your vision for IndyCar the next five years? 10 years?
Hutch, PA
JF: Rapid fire answers:
1. No. We already have great midpack battles, illustrated by our record number of passes over the last few seasons.
2. No — see Joe’s question above.
3. We like loud and fast!
4. We implemented the current rules regarding pit lane to prioritize safety.
5. To continue to entertain INDYCAR fans with the best racing product in the world.
Q: As you know, right now there’s 10 full-time teams and 27 cars. The amount of cars per team, however, appears to be lopsided with some running four or five cars while others just run two cars. One has to wonder why there’s no mandate on the amount of cars per team?
I personally would like to see IndyCar have a legitimate team championship with three cars per team, as I think it would significantly draw more interest from non-racing fans who just want follow the teams without fully investing themselves in the nuances of IndyCar.
Kevin P.
JF: Kevin, that’s an interesting idea. However, INDYCAR already has a version of that in our manufacturer championship, which has been an intense battle over the last few seasons with our partners, Chevrolet and Honda each claiming the title. A third OEM would intensify that fight.
Q: With the extra 100hp provided by the ERS coming up next year in IndyCar, will we see higher top speeds? Assuming the current 50hp P2P system increases your top speed by 5 to 8mph (depending on the track); what numbers can we expect with twice as much extra power? Could we see cars hitting the 200mph mark on road and street courses? For example, at Road America or down Long Beach’s Shoreline Drive? If so, could this require some of the tracks to upgrade their safety features and equipment?
Also, is Xtrac still expected to change its IndyCar gearbox, or at least make it lighter, to compensate for the extra weight of the ERS? If so, how much weight will be shed? And if higher top speeds are to be expected next year, is it going to come with higher ratio gears? Lastly, with this and the fact that it will be lighter, do you think its reliability could become an issue?
Xavier
JF: The original hybrid system was going to add over 160 pounds to the current car. All of our partners have worked hard to reduce that number. The end result is a more manageable 70 pounds.
Q: After the success of “100 Days To Indy,” I was wondering if there has been any thought of making a docuseries that follows the entire season all the way to the championship?
Josh, Havertown, PA
JF: We like the “100 Days” format.