Q: First off, I want to thank you for being a part of this Mailbag. We appreciate what you do for the sport that we love. I have a handful of questions that hopefully you’re able to answer.
What is the process of adding a new event, and how does that apply to the 2024 schedule?
How does race promotion work, and what is IndyCar doing to better promote its products? It seems like there is inconsistent promotion (for example, comparing Iowa and Texas). I try to get my friends to watch IndyCar but most of them will just talk about and watch F1. I guess I’m asking how IndyCar will market itself in comparison to F1 (at least here in the U.S.).
My dad would like to know if/when will the series return to tracks they used to race at. For example, the streets of Sao Paulo.
How difficult is the logistical side of IndyCar and what goes into it? Is everything race control, timing and scoring, medical, etc., uses brought to each track by the series or is there a significant amount of equipment that you use already at each track?
What is IndyCar doing to get college students involved in the sport? Many students want a career in motorsport (myself included) and IndyCar would be a great series to work in.
Again, thank you for being willing to answer our questions.
Jack, Danville, IN
JF: Jack, thank you. Everything is handled internally. We travel 125-140 people every week including our own medical team and the AMR INDYCAR Safety Team. No fewer than 10 units (trailers, motorcoaches, transporters, etc) hit the road for each race. IMS Productions use an additional seven trucks to handle all of the series’ production duties. Add it all up, the entire fleet travels more than one million pounds of equipment – and all on Firestone tires.
I would encourage you to check out the INDYCAR job portal, where you can post your resume for potential employment/internships with teams and partners – https://epaddock.indycar.com/careers.
Q: I realize the rest of my comments/questions will seem like complaints, so I’ll start off with something positive: I’ve really been enjoying watching all the IndyCar sessions asynchronously through Peacock. Watching the races live doesn’t fit my schedule, and the ability to watch whenever I can has made the fan experience much better.
I’m also happy to see IndyCar including a hybrid system for next season, and think the variable energy regeneration strategy that series and OEMs have chosen is an interesting way to do so.
OK, on to the complain-y bits:
Is there any work being done to replace the camera pod that sits on top of the roll hoop of the cars? 360 degree camera tech has progressed quite a bit over the past couple of years, and I would think that something like that could be fit into a much smaller package than the current camera pod. With the push to break the track record at Indy, I would think any possible drag reduction would be appreciated.
Any update on the state of the IndyCar video game that was originally supposed to be released this year?
JB
JF: Yes! We are evaluating the camera. Also remember, over the past two years, INDYCAR has had the fastest pole, front row and field in Indy 500 history. Finally, progress is being made on the video game — more to come.
Q: Huge fan of IndyCar racing and have followed it for years. While the series has increased exposure locally, there still seems to be a missing national outreach. Sirius Radio has a sports update on Mondays rehashing the weekend’s events, and never includes the IndyCar races from the weekend. Additionally, I get my news from CBS Sports, which lists NASCAR, Formula 1, and even SRX. No IndyCar. There hasn’t been an IndyCar sponsor who has used an IndyCar or driver for some time, either. When traveling outside the Midwest, there is hardly any coverage in bigger markets. What is being done to address this?
Second question is regarding a third engine manufacturer. With the struggle to secure a third, why not offer branding to other components? PFC brakes, could be rebranded for “Hawks” or some other brand that wants to pay IndyCar/PFC. The gearbox can be an “Allison” gearbox, with money to IndyCar/Xtrac. The aeroscreen could be rebranded the “PPG Glass aeroscreen.” Basically, it would be creating some money for the series, branding opportunities for some of the suppliers, and hopefully more exposure through organic marketing.
And finally, can we have a new car or cars? IMSA seems to have nailed it with new cars sharing like components.
JC. Indianapolis
A: Sirius XM is a tremendous partner that features the NTT INDYCAR SERIES on a variety of channels, throughout the year. I’d encourage you to try NBC Sports for your news as they have also been great partners and have increased their online coverage this season.
We just completed a mid-year recap and media coverage is up from last year. Our team is always looking at new media outlets, as the business model for traditional media continues to change.
Q: I was wondering if there was any thought to replacing the IndyCar Series championship trophy with something that reflects a more modern, up-and-coming, futuristic symbol of the series? I understand the reason behind the Astor Cup and what it was supposed to do, but I think we are past that and today’s IndyCar culture wants something more modern.
The majority of the present IndyCar Series fans have no clue what the Astor Cup represents. It was used for two races — 1915 and 1916 at Sheepshead Bay Speedway in Sheepshead Bay, New York — and that was it. Granted, that is a lot of history, but does that have any similarities to the most cutting-edge racing series on the planet?
Steve, Danville, IN
JF: We like the Astor Challenge Cup as the concept of that trophy follows the model of the Borg-Warner Trophy, Stanley Cup and Vince Lombardi Trophy. There is one trophy with a rich history and equity.
Thank you again for all of the questions, and thanks to RACER for the opportunity to speak directly to our fans. The 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone seasons have proven to be exciting. We look forward to crowning a champion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.