Q: If “100 Days To Indy” is aimed at young fans who are new to the sport, then NBC’s ‘”Unleashing The Dragon” must be aimed toward us more “experienced” fans with a passion for the sport. Wow, that was a great production!
The technical bits are awesome — the cinematography is breathtaking, and the editing/pace are brilliant. Ericsson and Hinch tell a compelling story, with video/audio that clearly supports the storyline. Hearing Ericsson’s reflections about each segment, with the radio chatter about strategy, provides a really clear picture of how a successful team develops a plan, and reacts to variables that make victory so difficult.
Having them in that theater setting for some quiet (and often funny) reflections really focuses the viewer on the story. The heartfelt comments near the end do a terrific job of capturing emotions in a way that is touching and memorable.
I had goosebumps quite a few times, and felt like I got a different perspective than I have seen in 40+ years of watching IndyCar and the 500. Congratulations and thanks to NBC Sports, IndyCar, and CGR for putting in the time and work to make a benchmark film.
Tom Pate, Macomb, MI
MP: I’ve only seen a few clips, but have to agree with everything you’ve noted. NBC Sports also has a real gem in Hinch; he’s quickly becoming their star utility player.
Q: Could you explain blocking vs defending? When I look at last year’s Indy 500, it kind of seemed like O’Ward could have passed Ericsson. Was he being blocked? Second, what determines the draw order for Indy 500 qualifying? Who picks the first number in the draw? Finally, why do you think Ganassi is so much faster? Seems so odd others are not closer.
Kim
MP: Defending: Closing a passing lane before the trailing driver tries to use that lane. Blocking: Moving to close that lane after the trailing driver tried to use that lane. I loathe the leaders weaving because it’s taken an attempt to break the trailing driver’s aerodynamic tow and turned it into a sequence of weaving that makes it all but impossible for that driver to pass. It’s a random draw. Ganassi is very good, but they only found competitive speed last year after years of sucking at Indy.
Q: Why does IndyCar want to sabotage its own popularity? They put in place these driver autograph sessions, drivers paraded on the track before the race, driver interviews, get to know the driver events etc… and then they ruin all that work and effort by allowing the following to happen:
- At almost every race the cars have different liveries
- At almost every race the drivers’ helmets have different color schemes
How is a fan that supposed to follow his favorite driver on the track? I know the car numbers don’t change, but they’re hard to read most of the times.
Jack, Fort Pierce, FL
MP: If you have a favorite driver, wouldn’t that mean you follow that driver and know what their car looks like? I’m confused here.
Q: I’m having a hard time believing that Kyle Busch, one of the greatest and most successful oval racers of all time, can’t get anyone to answer his calls for the Indy 500. Is it because of Rowdy?
Bernardo, Canyon Lake, TX
MP: There’s no lack of amazing and proven Indy 500 drivers to choose from, to start, and after that, yeah, he’s not somebody the average team owner here knows, so I’d bet his reputation precedes him. All the while, 2022 Indy Lights champion Linus Lundqvist is without a ride. I’ll take the guy who makes an effort to be here and proves he has the open-wheel chops over a star from another series with zero open-wheel experience.
Q: Whatever happened to A.J.’s female driver, Tatiana Calderon? She didn’t last long.
Jerry, Houston
MP: Her sponsor stopped paying their bills and she stopped driving for them. Too bad; with a season or two, I think she would have done well.
Q: Why can’t Peacock have a PPV option in Indy? I attended every 500 from 1964- 2019. Every first day of qualifying from 1969-2019. I would happily pay $100 to watch the 500 live!
William Boxell
MP: I’m sure they could, but the track pays for everything by selling tickets to the event, so that’s their business model.
Q: I remember IndyCar dabbled with standing starts. Why did they stop?
David Sandlin
MP: Because they were a mess. Stalled cars, waved-off starts, etc. The anti-stall system wasn’t overly developed in 2013, and while it was a great idea, it just wasn’t ready to be properly implemented.
Q: What is involved in swapping to a new chassis?
Tobey Taylor
MP: All depends. If it’s a fully-built chassis, you’re looking at a motor swap and other detail items, but not a ton more. But if it’s a bare tub, you’re building a car from the ground up.
Q: I’m a huge motorsport fan. I enjoy watching any and all types of racing, so I’m not well-versed in any specific series. My question would pertain mostly towards F1. I always hear them talk about dirty air and how hard it is to drive behind the car in front. Could the teams, particularly the backmarkers and even lower midfield teams, somehow design the car to run in dirty air as opposed to clean air? Could they somehow use two scale model cars in the wind tunnel and see the air flow and design accordingly?
Cory, PA
CHRIS MEDLAND: In theory, getting two scale model cars in the wind tunnel can be done, but isn’t ideal, because you’d need to reduce the scale to run two in a line and the smaller the scale the less accurate the results. But yes, it is possible. F1’s own working group actually did this as part of its research and work for the 2022 regulations, although that was more aimed at finding ways of reducing the dirty air a car encountered by sending the airflow from the lead car upwards above the following car.
A team could theoretically design a car with dirty air in mind, but that dirty air will take on different forms depending on the car you’re following (as they all generate their performance at slightly differently) and how closely, so it would very rarely work. Plus you’re then assuming you won’t be ahead of any cars with your new car, and also limiting yourself to only being good when behind another car — if you can stay close and overtake, then you’re suddenly in clean air when your car won’t work!
Q: Hi Chris. Any idea when the following documentaries will be available Stateside for viewing?
- Lucky! The story of Bernie Ecclestone
- Gilles and Didier
I know people love “Drive to Survive.” However these documentaries appear to have an edging slant to what F1 is really all about.
Steve
CM: I wish I could bring better news, Steve, but I’m afraid it’s still TBC when it comes to both of these. I did contact both production companies individually but they said they’re still working on distribution deals for the United States. If and when I get word of their availability I’ll post an update.
Q: How many full-time Cup drivers can race in a Truck Series race? And in an Xfinity race?
Randy
KELLY CRANDALL: As many that want to. There is no limitation on who or how many Cup drivers can compete in the Craftsman Truck Series or Xfinity Series. However, there are eligibility limitations as far as how much they can compete. Drivers who earn points in the Cup Series with more than three years of experience are limited to five races in both the Craftsman Truck and Xfinity Series. Furthermore, they cannot compete in special events such as the regular season finale and all playoff races, the Triple Truck Challenge in the Truck Series, and the Dash 4 Cash races in the Xfinity Series.
THE FINAL WORD
From Robin Miller’s Mailbag, May 20, 2015
Q: In a previous Mailbag you mentioned that last year’s Indy 500 may have been a top-five race for you. Wondering if you would provide your full top five list, with a little note as to why each particular 500 made it? (Even though that part will probably be obvious.)
Aaron & Mossie
ROBIN MILLER: First was 1982 because of Mears chasing down Johncock and the crowd roaring and Jim McKay and Sam Posey going bonkers — I stayed until midnight at IMS and watched the replay. I loved 1963 because Herk led the first lap in the Novi and Parnelli won. I liked the finish of 1992 for obvious reasons, and 1993 was a good show between Emmo, Arie and Nigel Mansell.