Q: As I work through the day I like to watch (listen) to past Indy 500s. Today I sampled the 1993 500. About three-quarters of the way through the race, Jeff Andretti backed it into the wall after having contact with Roberto Guerrero in Turn 3. When he was released and interviewed, one could see how much trouble he still had walking due to his injuries from the ’92 wreck.
My main question is, what is he up to now? I had heard he was a driver instructor/coach, is that correct? Does he have any involvement with Andretti Global?
Tony, Utah
MP: I communicate with Jeff on occasion on Facebook, so I reached out to him and this is what he shared: “I’m doing well and I am co-owner of a nonprofit doing STEAM education programs. We are currently redoing the site but the name of the nonprofit is Team Steam Nation.”
Q: Thermal vs Sebring. Both tracks are FIA Grade 2. I read after the first IndyCar test in 2023 that Thermal would need to spent millions on safety upgrades before IndyCar could race there. After watching the race last month, there were no catch fences, only guardrails to chew up IndyCars. Thankfully a wheel-to-wheel accident never happened, or we just might have had a car land in a home.
As for Sebring, it’s no different than Thermal. It’s actually better and safer. That would give IndyCar another track in the south to have a race at. No more excuses Mark Miles and Roger Penske, you are on the verge of having a 30+ car full-time field; you must have more then 17 races. Bring back the second road course race at IMS. That is a big fan draw.
AE, Danville, IN
MP: I harbored the same concern about a car hitting a house. Sebring’s short course is the only one that would work due to the extreme bumps towards the end of the big circuit.
Q: My question is about two legends of the sport: A.J. and Mario. How are they both doing? I know A.J. has had a series of health issues and hasn’t attended a race in a while. On a similar note, we used to regularly see Mario either on-camera or in the background at the Andretti timing stand, but that doesn’t seem to be the case as much anymore. Do you see or talk to either A.J. or Mario often?
Jeff Olson
MP: I haven’t seen or spoken to A.J. in a good while. I asked both of their PR reps for updates and on the Foyt side, I’m told he’s doing well, despite losing his wife Lucy one year ago last Friday. A.J. will be at all of the Indy-related activities, including the Open Test going on right now, the GP, and the 500.
I missed Mario at St. Pete. He was a regular presence while his grandson Marco was full-time, and kept busy driving the two-seater while at the races, but since Marco stepped back, Mario did as well. I’m told we’ll see the GOAT at Long Beach and in May, so I’ll be sure to say hello and catch up.
I’m also told Mario penned the forward to an upcoming A.J. book, which is awesome.
Q: How many differentials do IndyCar teams have to choose from? What are the major differences among them?
Red
MP: Limited-slip is the only type of differential that is used for road races. The other is a spool, but it’s not a differential, since it doesn’t actually function in that manner, but it does replace the LSD in the gearbox to connect the left and right axles into a solid unit on the speedways.
Q: I feel you blew me off two weeks ago, so I will try again from a different direction. The media, mostly the TV guys, can help emphasize the aero options today’s IndyCars have available. Drawing from your April 2023 article, I believe all these options are visible walking around the car…
• Barge boards
• Side wickers
• Full or short length side walls in the back
• Gurney flaps on the end of the diffusers
None of these can be changed during the race. Unless you tell me come start of the Indy 500 all teams wind up with exactly the same setup, I think the differences would be an interesting storyline, and show that even spec cars have their differences. If TV needs a senior mechanical engineering major to walk the grid, I can find you one.
Mike H, Dallas, TX
MP: The Mailbag is meant to be a rapid-fire exchange of weekly questions and answers, not a place where a week of work would be required to answer a single submission. What you’ve sent here fits the format.
I’ve done videos and posts about the differences found with the items mentioned, so yes, it is an area of interest which I’ve covered for many years across many formulas. The last time I was on a Peacock broadcast at Indianapolis, I spent most of the time pointing out many of the interesting technical items for the viewers.