Q: Have the cooling concerns on the updated aeroscreen been addressed?
Joe
MP: I’m struggling to recall a sweltering day of running since the aeroscreen was introduced. I think we’ll need to table that one until high heat/humidity provides the answer.
Q: Seeing the planned override system in F1 (which is just a push to pass with a cooler name) made me think… Why doesn’t IndyCar change the push to pass to something similar? Something that allow drivers to use when they are 1.0s or 1.5s behind the next car but disables automatically as soon as the cars go side by side?
DRS has an advantage compared to P2P: It works all race long. P2P, on the other hand, is mostly used by people in the back. Those in the front tend to use less. Most times the leader has way more than everyone else at the end of the race and nobody can pass them.
Of course IndyCar grid being this close could cause some difficulties for passing. That sure would mess up with fuel saving, as well.
William Mazeo
MP: Why isn’t IndyCar switching its P2P routine to one that’s never been used in F1? IndyCar is weeks away from going hybrid and introducing 60hp of e-power as a secondary P2P. I’d imagine they’d want to get some races under their belt with the existing P2P and the new e-P2P before monkeying with anything.
Q: Have the IndyCar simulators been updated to include the hybrid technology? If so, how is such updating done, and by whom?
Considering the Road America Penske sweep, wouldn’t it be nice if IndyCar was transparent and released data on P2P, etc., so we could be sure it was above board?
Isaac W. Stephenson
MP: It’s all virtual in driver-in-the-loop simulator testing, so it’s the software engineers at Chevy, Honda, and Dallara writing code to replicate the effects.
Would folks know what to do with the data and how to confirm its accuracy and legal use if it was provided?
Q: Was it Blomqvist’s desire to embark on an IndyCar career after a successful sports car career, or was MSR looking for a place for him to race in their IMSA 2024 “gap year” between factory programs?
Ralph, Indianapolis, IN
MP: It was a bit of both, as I’ve understood the situation, but was pushed for and made to happen by Shank. Tom had a strong junior open-wheel background, and was a monster while racing for MSR in IMSA, and with that in mind, there was a curiosity and belief that he could excel in an IndyCar. If he’d found the speed and consistency and confidence required to reach his potential, I’m positive he’d be in the car for years to come. Now, I’m looking for him to be reunited with MSR IMSA teammate Colin Braun when their Acura ARX-06 program returns for 2025.
Q: Knowing how Scott Dixon takes care of his car, tires and fuel mileage, I’m left wondering if he just got a bad left rear at Road America? Or did the team just badly miss the setup? We weren’t shown all the alternate tires taken off cars, but that looked to be about as bad a case of blistering as I’ve seen. Will Firestone do an autopsy of the tire?
Tom Hinshaw, Santa Barbara, CA
MP: Yes on the investigation by Firestone. Drivers who pushed too hard on the alternates too soon had the worst results. The Ganassi team’s racing at Le Mans as I write this so getting their take on the tire isn’t possible.
Q: Romain Grosjean’s in-car radio from Detroit referring to “I (he) has nothing to drive for” got me to thinking about team recognition. With the IndyCar Series now at 10 full schedule teams and on the verge of a charter system, are we not at the point where recognition of team accomplishments can be tracked for potential awards at season’s end?
To make it as equitable as possible and given team sizes ranging from two to five entries, how about providing team points based on highest and lowest finisher? In this fashion, each team with greater than two entries must rely on each driver to perform for recognition of overall team excellence. (i.e., it’s not just about the driver getting the recognition in this points system).
Furthermore, it would also be possible to drill down on team performance in each of the disciplines (overall, road, street, and oval). Being admittedly a die-hard fan, I would find this interesting to follow throughout the season.
I’m not certain about the casual viewers interest if promoted on TV however, but depending on the “discipline of the week,” team standings within just this discipline could be presented in conjunction with the typical driver standings. That’s a step above and beyond what other series can promote about their team’s race to race.
If interested, here’s a little insight as to how team points could be award (and even under different point value systems). [MP – See attached .xl file] Feel free to pass along to IndyCar for consideration
Chris (WHY NOT BRING BACK LOUDON!) Bobay, Hooksett, NH
MP: IndyCar has the entrants’ championship, which recognizes the annual achievement of each individual car/entry. The series did road/street and oval “championships” back in Randy Bernard’s days as CEO, if my memory serves, and while it was cool, it didn’t garner much attention. We could revive it and just send the oval trophies to Newgarden because he’s damn near impossible to beat. Same with Palou and Dixon on the roads and streets.
Q: Why was there such a late wave of the green at the start at Road America? The field was formed and ready to roll between Turns 13 and 14. Seems like every time they hold waving the green at the start, the field just stacks up and it leads to problems. Looks like once half the field was out of Turn 14 it would have been perfect to throw the green.
Roland
MP: If Marcus Armstrong hadn’t hit Linus Lundqvist, I’m not sure we have any issues, and we can start the race close to the bottom of the hill, but that gives drivers more time to draft and fire by and arrive at Turn 1 at a higher rate of speed. The late green is fine as it is.