Q: I was watching a press conference for Kyle Larson after his test at Indy a few months ago and a couple of questions came to mind.
If for some reason NASCAR ever came to own the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, would it kick IndyCar out? And second, race teams that start in NASCAR very rarely race in other series. Teams that do race in other series often come into NASCAR from the outside. Is there a particular reason why NASCAR teams stay only in NASCAR?
Tim Davis, Detroit, MI
MP: Because NASCAR is the pinnacle of North American racing series. Those in the top series tend to try and stay focused on the top series, but we had Rick Hendrick form an IMSA GTP team in the 1980s that was pretty cool, and we just had Justin Marks take Trackhouse into MotoGP, so we do see expansions (and I realize I haven’t cited every example across the history of racing, including NASCAR teams that raced at the Indy 500).
Elsewhere, it tends to be a case of a team like Ganassi or Andretti doing big things in IndyCar and then being motivated on their own, or contacted by major manufacturers or sponsors, to add teams in other or bigger series. The call-up scenario, as you mention, is the most common, but it’s not the only way such things happen.
KC: Well, for starters I can’t imagine NASCAR ever owning Indianapolis Motor Speedway but I guess never say never. And if they did, I don’t see them kicking anyone out. I’d like to believe that NASCAR understands the need to have friends and neighbors in the racing world. But again, I just don’t see any of that happening. Secondly, I think the folks you see in NASCAR are only familiar with that world and being stock car drivers. And you stick with what you know. It’s either something they got into because of family, or it was an easier path to take than other racing series. What’s interesting is now seeing others come into the sport, as you mentioned. The sport has become so diverse that people want to come try it for one reason or another.
Q: How popular would Guenter Steiner’s appointment as a TV commentator be? I think it would send viewer (or, at least listening) figures through the f*****g roof!
Neil Stretton, UK
CM: Oh I definitely think it would have a big impact. I’ve been thinking how I’d love to get him on the radio with us on SiriusXM wherever possible at races he attends this year, and I am absolutely certain there will be broadcasters already speaking to him about commentary/punditry.
For a lot of big names like this who would be so good, though, they don’t want to do it when they’re between jobs because they believe it makes them look like they’ve moved beyond being a driver or team principal to being an analyst. Daniel Ricciardo was wary of that last year so only agreed to the three U.S. alternate telecasts (that he only did one of in the end).
Q: All the recent talk of Rush in the Mailbag has got me thinking about “concert halls.” So I want to know from the entire Mailbag team, what is the best live band you ever saw?
I’m assuming going off-topic is OK since it’s the off-season.
Phillip, Naperville, IL
MP: Seen a lot of really amazing concerts, so I don’t have one that stands above the rest. Rush, Prince, Gang Starr, Living Color, Rollins Band, KRS ONE, Jane’s Addiction, Wayne Shorter, Lolapalooza 1991, Dio, Beyonce. I tried to see Mastodon + Gojira twice last year and failed both times. I heard Mastodon sucked and Gojira was incredible from a friend at IMSA who was able to see them.
CM: You’ve opened a can of worms here Phillip, because I’m geeking out going through the best live set I’ve seen from a band, but then there’s bands I’ve seen more than once who have been both great and then not so good, and then just some moments and settings… Why is this becoming the question it’s taking me longest to answer?!
If it’s just best live band then I think I’ll go for Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band. They just never stopped for over three hours at Wembley and it was amazing. Foo Fighters were a close second, but they were the biggest support act to Oasis in a gig called “Noise and Confusion” so it was a bit short. And Oasis weren’t great so that cost them, even though the second time I saw them in a homecoming gig at Heaton Park in Manchester was brilliant.
And to throw in a Formula 1-linked one, I promise this job isn’t the glitz and glamour people think it is but one of the times it was came in Mexico City in I think 2017, when Paul McCartney was playing at the Azteca that same weekend and the race organizers could get us tickets on the pitch. To stand so close to the stage near the center spot of such an enormous historic arena was really special.
I appreciate that’s a total cop-out of an answer really, and way more than you asked for, but I wanted the honorable mentions. I get to very few gigs given the time away from home with work, but I’m very lucky that the few I have been to have been good!
KC: This will be easy for me because I’ve seen less than a handful of concerts in person. It’s just not my thing. But I’ll say that Bon Jovi (come on, I’m a Jersey girl) live was a great show. Garth Brooks came to Charlotte last year and was absolutely amazing. Despite it being unbearably hot and humid, his energy and theatrics were awesome.
MARK GLENDENNING: You only asked for one, so let’s say it’s a 10-way tie for second. But the best was Fishbone, during their “Reality of my surroundings” tour at the now-bulldozed Palace in Melbourne in 1992.
THE FINAL WORD
From Robin Miller’s Mailbag, January 19, 2016
Q: Do you know the origin of the term “Penske Perfect”? Is it something one of you coined on-air and we hear it once in a while, or does it exist somewhere in a training film at Penske?
I’ve been a CART fan since living in eastern Pennsylvania and have been back in Detroit now for over 20 years. “Penske Perfect” has affected me more as a hospitality professional than as a race fan. The race setups, perfectly polished transporters and motor coaches are great, but do they know how to put together a high-end hospitality tent? Is there someone you can refer me to at Penske here in Detroit who can shed some light on their process and maybe help me put together a more complete presentation?
Eric Gackenbach, Dearborn, MI
ROBIN MILLER: That is a damn good question so I spent an hour looking through some of my old clippings. The first time I ever used it in print was in 1976 when describing a “Penske Perfect” combination of speed, savvy and personality with Mario and Tom Sneva as teammates. I’ve probably used it 100 times since then and I have no idea if that was its origination, but I’m sure NASCAR takes credit for it.