Q: I’ve discovered the in-car cameras inside the IndyCar app. We are hooked. Is there any way IndyCar or NTT can make this app available on Fire TV sticks?
Jason Morrison, Terre Haute, IN
MP: Unlikely, but depending on the device you’re using with the app, and your TV, you should be able to cast it from a phone/tablet to a modern Wi-Fi-enabled TV.
Q: Last week, JRW asked about single-car IndyCar qualifying on road courses. You may recall, probably 20 or more years ago, F1 did that for a season, maybe two. Many of the drivers lobbied for it but after they had experienced it many said they did slower times because of the lack of competition on the course (and of course there was drafting and teammate “assistance”). Of course then you can’t put blame on anyone but yourself, and why would you want to eliminate bitching and moaning?
I think the way F1 does it is better than IndyCar but it seems single-car quals are not in the picture.
Tom in Waco
MP: Yep, and in response to another submission a little while ago on the same topic, I mentioned IMSA tried single-car GTP qualifying 30-plus years ago and I found it to be fantastic, but IMSA didn’t have 27 cars in the class to wait through. How about a hybrid? Run all the knockout rounds like they do today, and try settling pole in the Fast Six by having them go one by one in reverse order?
Q: It’s beginning to sound as if some in IndyCar are adopting the F1 financial attitude of, “I got mine, who cares about you?” The idea that there is no financial reward for longevity in the series is what makes me say this. Dale Coyne is in the verge of getting no Leaders Circle money, despite 40 years of loyalty to the series. If Williams scored no points in a season, they still get millions. I’m certainly not advocating for that, but shouldn’t some consideration be given to Coyne? Without it, the team finds itself in the vicious circle of less skilled pay drivers scoring minimum points, resulting in no LC money, forcing more paying drives, etc.
Mike Talarico, Charlotte, NC
MP: Nah. The Leaders Circle competition is a merit-based deal. If Coyne’s going to get special treatment, I’d expect the teams with entries who missed out on Leader Circle contracts since the program was formed 20 years to ask for their special $1 million dispensations.
Q: Will we see a full-time female driver in the series? I’m assuming that Andretti puts Jamie Chadwick in a car, and unless Katherine Legge finds another IMSA seat, she might get the No. 51 car at Coyne full time. With Hallie Deegan’s future still in question at any NASCAR level, IndyCar would have something that they haven’t had since Simona de Silvestro ran full-time in the series: A female driver at all events, which NASCAR hasn’t had since Danica retired and F1 has never had. Thoughts?
Matt Wiser
MP: Yes. It’s a matter of when. Andretti does not have a car for Jamie Chadwick. Jamie also does not have a major budget to offer teams. I wish Penske Entertainment realized how important it is to its newer and younger fans — men and women alike — to have Kat, and Jamie, and badass female drivers in the series.
Q: Do you see Daly as a viable option for Juncos Hollinger in 2025, or does he need to bring money with him to secure the seat?
Steve, Ontario, Canada
MP: The more important question is whether JHR sees Conor as an option, and they do not. I wish they did, but they don’t. They want and need money, but they also have someone like Alexander Rossi, who is a better solution, to consider.
Q: As a die-hard IndyCar fan, should I be worried about the future of the series? How does NASCAR beat IndyCar to Mexico? Come on, man!
When Penske drivers do something other drivers question, race officials say it’s OK then the very next race they decide to make a “rules adjustment.” Come on man!
For survival of the series maybe Penske should sell to Liberty Media. Look what they have done in F1.
David Tucker
MP: Not sure I’d associate a lack of going to Mexico with a sign the series is in peril. F1, MotoGP, and IndyCar. That would be a strong roster of racing properties, now wouldn’t it?
Q: My understanding is that Firestone is under contract with IndyCar through 2025. Where do we stand now? Is the feeling that Firestone and IndyCar want to continue and just need to figure out the money? Is IndyCar actively courting other manufacturers? I think at this point, fans and IndyCar itself would be best served to have a long-standing, consistent partner rather than starting new.
Tom, Greenwood, SC
MP: There’s a press conference on Thursday to announce an extension. We’ll remain in good hands.
Q: Any news on a console IndyCar game post-MSG termination/iRacing resumption? It would be great for the growth of the sport.
Willem
MP: I asked Miles about it at Milwaukee, and in short, no.
Q: I was just reading this story about IndyCar evaluating an off-season international series. It reeks of desperation. Did RP sign off on this? Doesn’t this run smack against the narrative that IndyCar can’t go up against the NFL season? How do we suddenly, magically get Mexico as a part of the regular season if this happens? And how does he not consider that “international”? I’m sorry, but Mark Miles barely sounds coherent in his quotes. I’m all for more racing. If there’s room for more racing, expand the season. If not, don’t create something that’s just a series of exhibitions. What are they thinking?
Ryan Ware, Jasper, GA
MP: Before I filed the story, I was on the phone with a friend in the IndyCar paddock who asked the same thing: Why bother with all of the insane travel and hassle to put on races with poor TV ratings when you can just stay home and do that here?
The main point that gets lost, which is also part of the pipe dream, is for Giant Company X to give IndyCar a zillion dollars to pay for the jets and travel and sanction fees and to pocket a lot of that money and to share some of it with the teams. I’d love for that to happen — who wouldn’t? — and the only way the International IndyCar Series concept works is if it’s an overwhelming financial success.
And not to be Debbie Downer, but when’s the last time anyone paid IndyCar a ton of money to do anything? Best we can do is hope a company wants to change that.
Q: When was the last time before Mexico City that an international NASCAR Cup Series race counted for the Cup Series championship?
Chris Fiegler, Latham, NY
KELLY CRANDALL: NASCAR has not held an international points-paying race for the Cup Series since 1958. It was in Toronto at the Canadian Exhibition Stadium and won by Lee Petty.
THE FINAL WORD
From Robin Miller’s Mailbag, September 11, 2013
Q: Why does IndyCar think that non-points races will work better in Europe than (European) points races worked for CART a decade ago when the economy was better?
Jim Overmeyer, Islip, N.Y.
ROBIN MILLER: Not sure I follow you. Mark Miles wants to generate more money for his teams and hopefully keep mechanics from being laid off for six months. Whether its points or non-points is moot; the goal is to provide revenue.