Q: After reading through the drivers list on the IndyCar website, I see we have drivers from the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, the UK, Barbados, Brazil, Argentina, Denmark, France and Japan. Almost sounds like an international series, doesn’t it?
To add a little fan interest, is it time to bring back the Nations Cup? Give points to the leading finisher from each country at each race, just for a little more interest in national pride? There’s probably no money for prizes or trophies in the IndyCar promotional budget, but if the trophies at Thermal were an indication of what’s expected, I’ll be happy to donate one of Grandma’s old crystal flower vases.
Russ Wakeman
MP: Once upon a time when CART existed, the Nation’s Cup was a pretty cool thing. Let’s do it.
Q: This isn’t a question, but an experience regarding recent comments about “Driven.”
Back when Driven came out in cinemas, I was a working stiff on swing shift, so didn’t have as many opportunities (fortunately, in hindsight) to go view this ballyhooed masterpiece of cinematography. As it was so well received, its cinema run became very short, and as a long-time IndyCar fan I couldn’t help myself — I scampered out of work fast one evening to make it to my local move house to catch the last airing of the night.
Making it with time to spare due to my personal Tanto skills, I entered an empty theatre. Due to this, I had the best theater experience of my lifetime in that I was able to sit dead center of the completely empty, large round cinema. The sound was perfect, mainly due to not a single person joining me in producing annoying rapturous clapping and cheering during this award-winning complete dog pile.
This movie’s only redeeming quality is it will (hopefully) never be eclipsed in its award-winning status.
Zenith (not as reference to Driven!)
MP: That sounds amazing.
Q: Just how “frosty” is Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin’s relationship? What is the source of the divide between them? I am sure I am not the only fan who thought they were good friends considering they had the Bus Bros podcast.
Joey, Florida
MP: Hard to say. It surfaced during the St. Petersburg weekend in the media center during the press conferences, which raised a few eyebrows. Unrelated, McLaughlin and Power are two of the most genuine people I know; faking warmth isn’t part of their character. If all was good and happy and normal, you’d see it in their interactions with Newgarden. And maybe that will change and everyone will be super happy friends again.
Q: Some thoughts and questions on recent Mailbags and events.
1. Newgarden. I’ve been meaning to ask you about the relationship between Newgarden and his “Bus Bro” pal McLaughlin. They had an excellent, funny show going and then suddenly it stopped last year. They appeared to have a great time with each other and their spouses, and then they had one final half-hearted episode and then it sort of faded away. My theory at the time was that the Captain put the kibosh on their shenanigans, or that the boys had a falling out. We now know that Newgarden has a “new focus” and has sworn off social media, but I don’t think that’s it — Bus Bros went away before he made those changes. So what happened between Newgarden and McLaughlin?
2. Car weight and tires. Obviously this was a problem at St. Petersburg. Why not put the hybrid equipment in the cars (on inert status — no boost) so they can race at the proper weight for the tires? Without the intended extra hybrid thrust, the cars would be slower. But would the resulting tire degradation possibly improve the racing without slowing the cars down too much?
3. Video games. What are my chances of playing “IndyCar 2025” on my PS5 next year? Any update on timelines?
Todd Lang
MP: Answers:
1: Still hard to say. Newgarden severed a number of relationships right after the September season finale, which I assume is part of the same life-wide downsizing of external inputs he spoke about at length during the offseason and again at St. Pete. Came as a total shock and surprise to them. Did it extend to his teammates? No clue. Delving into The Real Househusbands of IndyCar interpersonal dramas isn’t on my wish list.
2: It’s an interesting idea, but it’s also one that hasn’t been tested, so there’s no way the series would give it the green light. Rather than focus time and energy on trying to perfect a temporarily imperfect situation, we have a Juan Pablo Montoya “It is what it is” scenario.
3: I’ll ask the next time I speak to the series, but as I recall, there was little hope in getting development of a game going before the end of the 2024 season, which would make me think “IndyCar 2026” is the more likely timeline.
Q: Thermal. Nice try, but boring. Ways to fix if IndyCar goes back: 1. Include live pit stops and get the crew members involved. 2. More cars. It’s a three-mile track, way too big for 12 cars. Minimum 20 cars. 3. Do away with cheap penalties like the one on Fittipaldi. 4. Prize money needs to be spread out through the top 10.
I have been involved in many of these types of races, IndyCar blew it – just did not think this one out.
AE, Danville, IN
MP: Like the Terminator, the Thermal ideas can’t be stopped!
Q: I realize that COTA is persona non grata in IndyCar. However, with a huge gap in the early racing season, why not go back and race at COTA? Was the only race there that much of a failure?
Also, I admire Penske for stepping in and buying the series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, the marketing strategy for this product seems to be limiting the capacity for the growth and popularity of IndyCar. It’s a diamond in the rough. Thoughts?
Jason Davis
MP: Sadly, yes, it was a colossal failure. Playing where F1 plays and packs the house and has cars that go a shocking amount faster per lap is not what IndyCar needs today.
It’s already a diamond, but it does an exceptional job of hiding its true worth. All IndyCar needs is a vision for its future and to start working that plan.
Q: I’m writing this after the 3/27 Mailbag and was surprised how negative the comments were about Thermal. I found the practice sessions and even the “race” quite entertaining. I even liked the hype and behind-the-scenes clips of this lifestyles-of-the-rich and famous automotive country club. I’ll never get there, especially as an owner/racer, so I enjoyed the sidebars and showing the garage/vault with the millions of dollars of cars. I even liked watching the chef whipping up some exotic racetrack food (doubt if they were hot-dogs wrapped in foil like most race food).
I compare this whole broadcast to Shadow Creek Golf course in Las Vegas — you can’t get on to play, so I enjoyed some of the made-for-TV golf challenges even though they weren’t a real PGA event, but gave me a chance to see one of the most over the top golf courses. Sure, the Thermal race event was not overly nail-biting, but I thought Herta’s strategy was fun to watch play out ,and Palou’s dominance probably means something. I thought many Mailbag writers threw too-much shade on a rather fun exhibition. I paid nothing to watch, and definitely got my money’s worth!
Jim Cox, Rock Island, IL
MP: Thanks for sharing your views, Jim.