Q: I have been an open-wheel fan for about five years. After watching IndyCar and F1 on TV, I noticed the video quality of IndyCar’s in-car cameras are much better than F1’s. I also really like the moving camera on the roll hoop used on the IndyCar telecasts instead of F1’s fixed camera. It really shows the close racing. Who provides the cameras for IndyCar? I would love to see a RACER do a feature about how they do what they do.
Larry Henton
MP: BSI has been the main camera vendor and innovator for decades. Some of the same team members I knew from Indy Lights in the mid-’90s who’d come and install cameras on our cars are still there. Great idea on the story.
Q: 1997 Indy 500: Starting 34th, Lyn St. James, and starting 35th, Johnny Unser. Let Graham Rahal into the big show. Do it for him, his team, his fans and his sponsors.
Indy Fan, Midway, KY
MP: No thanks. As a member of a rookie team that year who had to fight their way in to earn one of the eight spots available to non-full-time teams — the infamous 25/8 rule — there was nothing that pissed off our little TKM/Genoa team more than to see cars that didn’t earn their way in get get handed golden tickets to participate in the race. If everybody gets a trophy, having trophies is meaningless.
Q: We will never have more than 33 or 34 entrants in the 500 as long as we have just two engine suppliers because Chevy and Honda will limit their commitments, correct?
Bob
MP: We’ve had 36 in the two-supplier era, but yes, it would take a third to see the list grow towards 40.
Q: The IndyCar broadcasts by NBC and Peacock have a disturbing presence of experts from the South. There is Marty Snider, who talks like a weather forecaster searching for something to say but keeps right on talking. He sometimes likes to compare IndyCar with the NASCAR demolition derby. Snider is the weakest presence on Indy TV broadcasting over the last 30-plus years. Dave Burns has little merit in regard to IndyCars — he is just filler. Then there is Steve Letarte. I have no recollection of him running an IndyCar team.
We can look forward to NBC bringing in a bunch more of experts for the 500 broadcast. Most of them will be from the South, or just NBC bigshots. And I am expecting Rutledge to bring his supposed gift of IndyCar knowledge to the broadcast.
The good news is Kevin Lee, the best of the best, and Dillon Welch.
IndyCar deserves better than a bunch of uninformed NASCAR announcers.
Bruce R. Smith
MP: Of our IndyCar regulars, I can tell you that they love the series, put in a ton of time and effort to do their pre-event research, and are frequently present in the paddock, asking questions and trying to bring what they learn to the broadcasts. I know this because I’ve seen it for many years. If you don’t like their reporting styles, c’est la vie.
Q: Graham Rahal was a gracious man in the face of massive disappointment. While the team appears to be in disarray, the family backbone remains stout.
David Lind, Alexandria, LA
MP: That’s who he is. Some people love to dog him at every opportunity, but he’s the most generous driver in the series who gives like mad to help people who need it. As a person, he’s among two or three in the series who are the gold standard as quality human beings.
Q: I’m sitting here watching qualifying for the 500 and I have a few questions about two topics:
1) Watching Palou win pole, am I the only one that finds it weird how successful he continues to be at Ganassi, but he’s already signed for McLaren next year? They must be paying him a ton to move over. But the real questions are: What happens to Rosenqvist (who’s had a great run recently fighting for a job)? And lastly, who takes the open Ganassi seat (Lundgaard, VeeKay, etc.)?
2) Watching Graham Rahal handle getting bumped with the emotion and class he did was so tough. That RLL team was just awful all week. Listening to Bobby’s interview, I heard him say they had the same setup from a past year where they qualified and are getting the same lap times as those years, but he made it seem like everyone else on the grid took steps forward that RLL just did not. What happened to that team? They’ve struggled all year, but this Indy showing really put it on display.
Mike, MI
MP: Alex can’t sign until later in the season, but the main item here is he wants to leave. I do hope Arrow McLaren is on par with Ganassi when he arrives because he’s currently leading the championship and on pole for the first time at the Indy 500 in one of Chip’s cars. Felix needs to start winning, now, if he wants to stay, and even that might not be enough to get a fourth car on the grid in 2024. He’ll find a taker at a midfield team. Could be two open Ganassi seats if they don’t pay Ericsson. Lots of options, all of which I recently wrote about on RACER.com.
RLL’s Indy 500 has tracked as expected after dismal showings at Texas and the Open Test. They were great on the Indy road course, so it’s mostly limited to the ovals so far. RLL has some serious engineering firepower, but are the right people in the right positions?
Q: A great new format and plenty of drama today Sunday. Last row qualifying was awesome — I was especially impressed with Harvey. History repeats itself 30 years later with Rahal out. I remember the cardboard full-body posters of Bobby Rahal in his black Miller driving suit and fans placed a sign in his hand that said, “I need tickets!”
I thought Kyle Larson was going to attempt the Indy 500/Charlotte 600 double this year? Surprised he didn’t attempt it.
Somewhere, Robin Miller is smiling and toasting Foyt’s team for an amazing qualifying performance.
Craig Bailey, Naples, FL
MP: I wasn’t a fan of this year’s LCQ, but it was just because all four entries sucked for making speed. Larson’s never said he was doing it this year. Yep, Miller’s mowing down a 48 oz steak and a tub of Blue Bell ice cream in honor of his old friend and boxing instructor.
Q: Is there a flower pot at the beginning of Turn 2 on the wall at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
Barney
MP: Let’s go with yes.