Q: I’m rewatching Milwaukee 1 and noticed Herta used hybrid power all the way down the backstretch, and was back to 100% by the beginning of Turn 1. O’Ward didn’t use it at all during the lap. What would be a reason to not use it? Fuel mileage? Are there stats that shows who uses it the most/least?
Chad Brueggeman
MP: When I was at the Milwaukee hybrid test in June, I asked Pato how much he was using the ERS unit per lap and he said “none.” I asked why, and he said he didn’t feel like it contributed enough to make it an every-lap tool. Other drivers felt the opposite way. I’m sure IndyCar has usage stats, as well as each manufacturer, but those aren’t shared. But maybe that should change, if enough people care. Based on the ongoing responses I see, most fans don’t seem to care about the system.
Q: After reading the previous Mailbag and with the recent lack of leadership from Mark Miles, I am wondering if Doug Boles would ever be considered to lead IndyCar? His leadership at IMS before and after Penske’s takeover has been excellent. Seemingly, he is a man of the people, consistently mingling with fans around IMS. I also remember an instance of him pulling up a lawn chair on the hill at Turn 5 in Mid-Ohio a few years ago. If his passion for the sport as a whole is even half of his passion for IMS, I think he would do an excellent job in the role.
Kaleb Hartman
MP: I had the same thought, Kaleb, but then I couldn’t come up with a like-for-like replacement to run IMS. Also, I really like Doug and wouldn’t want to see that spark beaten out of him at IndyCar. He’s super happy where he’s at. Most people who work at IndyCar look miserable, and for that reason alone, he needs to stay put.
Q: If we are going to do an off-season international series, we need to time it right with the weather, economics and driver/engine popularity.
Surfers Paradise, Australia
Motegi, Japan oval
Vancouver, road race
Monterrey Mexico street race
São Paulo, Brazil.
Each race is two weeks apart.
Close calls: Auckland, New Zealand street race, tap into Ireland and lastly a race inMadrid, Spain to win over Palou fans.
Pedro Poveda
MP: Let me cast my vote for Mondello Park in Ireland.
Q: I have been an IndyCar fan since the late 1970s, I was a stalwart CART supporter during The Split, but was thrilled when it was over. I was not a fan of Tony George and was very happy when Penske took over the 500 and the series.
I have been terribly disappointed since. I expected more from Penske — I expected vision, direction and change. I do not see any of that. What gives? Is there something in the water in Indianapolis that causes mental fog and stagnation? Was the situation that much worse than we thought when Penske took over? Is there some sort of institutional malaise that needs a much more thorough house cleaning than Penske undertook when he took over?
Cheia Ruske, Millville, NJ
MP: This isn’t some age-old rot that needs to be cut out of the IndyCar offices. When Penske bought everything, they also took complete control over every major decision at IndyCar. If you’re displeased with the rate of progress and improvement, the pre-existing group isn’t the one to blame. And for those who are really happy with whatever changes and key developments since the purchase, like the FOX network deal, that praise goes to Penske and his executives.
Q: Sorry to bother you with a follow-up, but my point in last week’s Mailbag was not specifically about Dale Coyne. I was making the point that any IndyCar team with a 40-plus year history in the sport should be entitled to some Leaders Circle money to reward their longevity. I think we can both agree that it’s the smaller teams that give an overwhelming majority of the opportunities to up and coming drivers? What would the sport do without them? That is the reason for financial assistance. Probably not a million, but some percentage of what other teams get would be fair.
Mike Talarico, Charlotte
MP: It’s really no brother. Let’s hope the charter program, which contributes zero dollars to each member’s annual budget needs, will do as you hope when it’s time to do a second version in the years ahead. Some sort of revenue sharing, which the Leaders Circle isn’t. It’s a guaranteed prize money package for the 22 best teams per season.
Q: I’m a lifelong IndyCar fan and sorely miss the races in the Northeast. I was a regular at Nazareth, The Glen and yes, even The Meadowlands Grand Prix. As I was looking through some old photos I was reminded that IndyCar and IMSA shared race weekends at Watkins Glen in the mid to late ’90s. I have a novel idea: Do it again, but alternate every year who runs on Saturday and Sunday. I know, I’m a dreamer but it would be amazing, with the possibility of drivers even crossing over series.
Dave, Johnson City
MP: Yep, once upon a time, IndyCar and the ALMS, and more recently with IMSA, put on some big co-billed events. But IMSA gets the really short end of things at Long Beach with a tiny paddock space and terrible session times before they race and disappear by Saturday night. Detroit was a mess as well this year.
The problem is IMSA’s on the rise and is no longer willing to be the opening act that gets the crappiest treatment, like an unwelcome relative at the family reunion. Its 18 manufacturers and sponsors do not want to receive second-tier status on a regular basis, so that’s why we don’t see more than the two street race combos.
Q: I’m probably in the extreme minority on this, but I think IndyCar shouldn’t go to Mexico or Watkins Glen, because I don’t think where a race happens matters to younger fans unless they live in the city hosting the race.
I think what matters to younger fans is that the races are good to watch on TV, and compared to F1, the current IndyCar broadcasts are awful.
I also think the obvious two places IndyCar needs to be looking to host new races is the Gilles Villeneuve track in Montreal and Interlagos in Brazil. Montreal categorically blows Watkins Glen away. Brazil also has had a ton of IndyCar drivers and Interlagos is probably the best racetrack on the planet.
Obviously the need for a promoter and the money problem are why São Paulo and Montreal won’t happen, but to me those are clearly the tracks IndyCar should be targeting
Will, Indy
MP: So are you saying this as a younger fan, or as a spokesman for young fans?