The RACER Mailbag, September 24

Welcome to the RACER Mailbag. Questions for any of RACER’s writers may be despatched to mailbag@racer.com. We love listening to your feedback and opinions, however letters that embrace a query usually tend to be printed. Questions obtained after 3pm ET every Monday will probably be saved for the next week.

ED’s be aware: Chris Medland is taking a couple of days off this week, however we have saved the F1 questions for him to reply subsequent week.

Q: When and why did observe classes turn out to be ‘free’ observe? FP1, FP2. and so on? How come I do not see free observe classes on the occasion calendars?

Simply in case you missed it, a serious milestone was reached. After considered one of your latest articles, the feedback part made all of it the way in which to the fourth remark earlier than it turned adverse. This beats the outdated document of three feedback earlier than it grew to become adverse. Superb how the ‘followers’ can complain about every little thing.   

DA, Chicago 

MARSHALL PRUETT: February 29, 1999. Love your self extra and don’t learn the feedback. 

Q: Now that Malukas has left Foyt, I’m questioning if the technical alliance between Foyt and Penske remains to be in place? If nonetheless in place, is James Schnabel nonetheless at Foyt and can he be again on the 14 automobile? Possibly the engineering shuffles are usually not full, with the season so far-off. Right here’s hoping the 14 automobile has a high engineer. Possibly that’s Armbrester, nevertheless 2025 means that Santino benefited extra in 2024 from Schnabel than from Armbrester in 2025.

I’ve a quite adverse view on Foyt in 2026 primarily based on the technical relationship now not being in place and in flip high quality engineers leaving, and a brand new pay driver arriving. It’s a recipe for Foyt to return to the rear of the grid. Add into the combination the rumor of Daly rejoining the workforce and all that will entail between the drivers, and I see little to be enthusiastic about. Right here is hoping my creativeness is taking part in tips on me.

Oliver Wells

MP: I requested Crew Penske president Jonathan Diuguid in regards to the continuation of the technical alliance final month and he declined to offer a solution. That doesn’t imply the reply is a no, but when it was a sure, I can’t consider a purpose to obscure that truth.

Schnabel and Ferrucci had been magic in 2024 and Schnabel had the identical impact on Malukas in 2025. I’ve talked about of late that I count on to see considered one of Penske’s veteran race engineers being promoted to a better function – coming off the timing stand – and for Schnabel to step onto that stand as race engineer. Is that with Malukas on the No. 12? With McLaughlin on the No. 3?

Ferrucci actually preferred the shift to Adam Kolsar as his race engineer when Armbrester was promoted to technical director, so give that a while to develop since Kolesar was new to the function as of June. To your level, with out the Penske involvement, sure, the workforce would go backwards. Let’s hope the technical alliance continues.

Q: Ten years in the past I went to my first IndyCar race at Iowa Speedway with my now-husband. My husband’s first race was the inaugural yr on the monitor after getting free tickets from his faculty buddy. I used to be hooked as quickly as I noticed the vehicles flying round throughout qualifying, and I’ll always remember seeing how blissful our pal Invoice was when Ryan Hunter-Reay gained the race. Since then we’ve made journeys to Street America, St. Louis, Nashville and the five hundred. Whereas all these occasions have been particular in their very own means, I’ll miss our hometown race (we dwell about 45 minutes from Newton).

Though there was all the time a good quantity of warmth exhaustion, we all the time had the KOA pool and for a few years the racing was incredible! It has been painful to look at the entire adverse feedback in regards to the monitor over the previous few years, from hatred of the live performance years to the ultimate partial paving of the monitor. With it being gone, I really feel like we’ve got put an aged canine out of its distress.

When coping with the ache, it’s useful to recollect the great occasions, proper? One in all my favourite recollections was watching Newgarden destroy the sector in 2016 with a plate in his clavicle and a damaged hand. What a present! What was your favourite reminiscence of IndyCar at Iowa Speedway?

Liz, Proud Iowa Transplant

MP: I like your perspective right here, Liz. You’re proper, and the longer you’re a fan, the bigger the graveyard will get with beloved occasions and tracks that left us. Ryan Hunter-Reay owned Iowa and amongst his victories there, the true thriller was in 2014 when Tony Kanaan dominated a lot of the race however RHR and some others rolled the cube by pitting on a late warning and used their new tires to tear by way of the sector. RHR took the lead off of TK with two laps to go, which was wild.

It additionally cemented the transfer because the go-to resolution to observe in any respect future short-ovals when confronted with an analogous state of affairs. Christian Rasmussen’s win final month in Milwaukee was the Iowa 2014 playbook executed to perfection.

Q: I’m very inspired by the cooperation between NASCAR and IndyCar on the Phoenix double header race subsequent March.  That acquired me pondering of different doable doubleheaders that may bolster the IndyCar schedule.

I imagine IndyCar might revive the Iowa Speedway race by doing a doubleheader with NASCAR there.

A geographical space IndyCar might enhance upon is within the Northeast, the place it at present has no presence. May both Watkins Glen and/or New Hampshire be doable if IndyCar teamed with NASCAR on these weekends?

In your opinion, what was it that FOX did or stated that out of the blue opened the door to NASCAR’s cooperation with IndyCar?

Kevin P., Los Angeles, CA

MP: FOX is vitally essential to NASCAR. Hosts the primary 16 occasions of the season (12 races plus qualifiers and all stars), together with the Daytona 500, so it has a robust voice of affect.

I proceed to listen to the Phoenix mashup gained’t closely intrude on NASCAR’s weekend, and if what I’m instructed is right and the Saturday IndyCar race isn’t the characteristic however the warmup earlier than the Xfinity race (which is renamed the O’Reilly Auto Elements Sequence in 2026), it may need the appear and feel of USF Professional 2000 operating earlier than Indy NXT earlier than IndyCar. And if that’s the case, IndyCar will probably be out and in rapidly, which will probably be an fascinating expertise for a collection that isn’t accustomed to being the opening act.

NBC broadcasts the Iowa NASCAR occasion, so I can’t consider how that will work.  

Q: Am I flawed to suppose that David Malukas might find yourself being Kevin Cogan 2.0 at Penske? No disrespect meant, however they appear to have a number of similarities.

Vincent Michael, Richmond, VA

MP: We’d have to go full AJ on the pronunciation of Malooooooooooookas like he did with Coooooooooooooogan.

Davey could possibly be a winless experiment like Cogan at Penske in 1982, however I don’t suppose the separation between Malukas and Newgarden/McLaughlin will probably be something like what was seen between Rick Mears (Penske’s champion with 4 wins from 11 races) and Cogan (sixth place with one pole and two podiums).

On the similar time, with the what-the-hell-was-that season from Newgarden/McLaughlin, I can’t consider a greater time to introduce a wildcard like Malukas to probably disrupt the workforce and assist it discover its means out of the wilderness. If this was the late 2010s when Newgarden and Pagenaud and Energy had been mollywhopping everybody, Malukas would have been eaten alive.

However whereas the workforce, which looks as if it misplaced a few of its identification in 2025, searches for a brand new identification with new management? Excellent time to check out a streaky new expertise and see if he can add one thing new and dynamic. And if he goes the Coooooooooooooooooogan route, nicely, Lord, there’s some heavy hitters getting into free company in 2027 and past.   

Q: As somebody who has adopted racing for many of my life, and who by no means acquired to see him race, why was Dr Jack Miller so dangerous in the early years of what we now name the NTT IndyCar Sequence?

Kurt Perleberg

MP: He was a high-achieving mortal in a type of racing the place mortals often aren’t discovered. I raced for a couple of years in junior open-wheel and touring vehicles after I was in my early 20s, and may say with full confidence that Dr. Jack would destroy me and virtually all people else on the planet in a motor race.

However amongst purebred racers in Indy Lights and IndyCar, he stood out as human amongst most who had been elite abilities. He took half in three Indy 500s. Ponder that one for a second. For all that Dr. Jack ‘The Racing Dentist’ was missing, it wasn’t balls.

Additionally contemplate that he had a full-time job. And a household. And there was no iRacing. Or simulators. Or PitFit. Take the entire issues that at the moment’s mortals use to turn out to be the absolute best IndyCar drivers with continuous coaching and information to assessment and countless onboards to assessment and dwelling on the sim with their engineers between races, and it merely didn’t exist in Dr. Jack’s time.

The older I get, the extra I respect what he was capable of obtain. We simply didn’t have many like Miller again then, so he was eviscerated by followers, the media, and the opposite drivers. With the rise of pro-am racing – in sports activities vehicles, primarily – at the moment’s Dr. Jacks aren’t completely unusual to the racing world. However in his period, Miller was a misfit. (ED: If you would like to listen to The Racing Dentist’s personal tackle his profession, try our interview with him from a couple of years in the past.)

Q: Simply hopping on right here to say that my spouse and our three boys will probably be making the journey to Arizona in March for the IndyCar race. We will make it a week-long journey. I simply purchased all 5 of our tickets and they’re very moderately priced. So for all of the followers within the Phoenix space, get your a**es in these seats in order that we will hold Phoenix on the schedule! I’ve little question the race will probably be nice with the quick oval package deal. Trying ahead to seeing my first race at Phoenix. 

Paul, Lake In The Hills, IL

MP: IndyCar’s short-oval races have been among the finest every year, so I can’t wait to see what we’ve got in retailer at Phoenix. Ought to have some low season testing there to set the aero and tire spec to refine the package deal earlier than race weekend arrives. The occasion will mark my fifth decade of visiting Phoenix Raceway for IndyCar occasions. Undecided if that’s cool or miserable… 

Q: Couple of questions after the IndyCar 2026 schedule acquired launched. 

Will the Mexico race get one other shot? What are the chances of it taking place in 2027? 

Is Iowa undoubtedly useless and gone for IndyCar? Or do you see it coming again, similar to it did in 2022? 

Reversely, is Phoenix right here to remain, this time? How sturdy is the deal between IndyCar and NASCAR for the shared race weekend at this explicit venue? Additionally, since it’ll host the second race of the 2026 schedule, have you ever heard of any take a look at days taking place anytime quickly? 

Is ending the IndyCar season earlier than the NFL season begins nonetheless a requirement? In that case, I bear in mind there was once talks a couple of years in the past about beginning the season earlier within the yr to keep away from having a six-month lengthy offseason. Is that this now not thought of? I imply, what’s stopping IndyCar from scheduling the St Pete race mid- and even early February after which unfold the opposite races accordingly? 

Lastly, might IndyCar contemplate, sooner or later, arranging its schedule to try to reduce journey distances between races (and subsequently prices, too), like F1 does? If the brand new 2028 automobile goes to be dearer than the present DW12, wouldn’t this be a sensible strategy to have groups avoid wasting cash for it? That is simply an instance however let’s take a look on the first 5 2026 races: St Pete, Phoenix, Arlington, Barber and Lengthy Seashore. Wouldn’t it’s theoretically doable to modify Phoenix and Barber? 

Xavier

MP: Mexico will get one other shot. (There’s a 43.7-percent likelihood of it taking place… how would I do know the chances, brother?)

Iowa is useless. (Until or till a brand new grocery story chain named Vy-Hee comes alongside and pays foolish cash to sponsor the factor.)

Phoenix is right here to remain. (For no less than one race in 2026. Kinda’ want for the wedding to be consummated earlier than predicting how lengthy the union will final.)

Check days will occur. (Have to ask when.)

Sure, nonetheless a requirement. (However not if you would like no person to look at.)

The issue for a few years, together with 2025, was the primary race adopted by an extended look forward to the subsequent. (Which was simply solved for 2026 with three straight weekends to open the season, so return to spreading issues out?)

Sure, IndyCar might set its schedule to reduce journey distances. (However NASCAR isn’t altering its Phoenix weekend for this, so sure, however no.)

Additionally, if IndyCar groups want to avoid wasting diesel gasoline to afford new vehicles in 2028, the collection is doomed. (No, severely.)

Iowa was enjoyable whereas it lasted. Travis Hinkle/IMS

Q: 1. Why does not IMSA have native yellows? (I used to be at Watkins Glen and three hours of the race was FCY).

2. It appears to me that Penske Porsches cannot cross anybody with out hitting one other automobile ( ask Grosjean)

3. Does anybody else discover ‘Mr Zoomy’ and his handheld pit lane digital camera  bouncing off crew members and so on annoying?

David, PA

MP: 1: IMSA does have native yellows. 2: It does appear that means, doesn’t it? 3: Seven folks discover it annoying, however Mrs. Zoomy loves it.

Q: I simply reviewed the article on the brand new schedule and marvel why IndyCar’s occasions are usually not in demand. One of many feedback acknowledged that the Indy 500 was the one worthwhile race on the schedule.

Are weekend occasions like Lengthy Seashore or Street America, each of which draw huge crowds, not worthwhile? Is that sentiment concerning the collection being unable to demand sufficient to indicate up, or can the promoters being unable to make a buck?

As a lot as I hate shedding a brief oval like Iowa, that was by no means a venue that sponsors different than native Hy-Vee acquired enthusiastic about. I went to Baltimore for the grand prix there years in the past and it felt like Lengthy Seashore with an incredible crowd. I used to be shocked that occasion was scrapped.

On a ultimate be aware, I learn some reference {that a} Washington DC race would examine a field off to cowl the Northeast. Can anybody learn a map anymore? A race in that space can be nice, however I discover it troubling that IndyCar can not draw a good crowd at Watkins Glen, considered one of our most legendary venues.

Wildman, Missouri

MP: You imagine my dad and mom had me, raised me, despatched me out into the world to seek out my means, all with the hope I’d come right here and touch upon the accuracy of a remark left beneath an article? Kill me now.

Q: When the 2026 IndyCar schedule got here out, there have been clearly important social media feedback. One which caught out to me was a number of folks dogging on Detroit. Now, I overtly admit I wasn’t a fan of the primary downtown road race. However I’ve since modified my opinion.

Detroit, to me, is an fascinating race. It is a road race, however not like St. Pete or Lengthy Seashore. It actually appears that for Detroit, the drivers are usually not racing different drivers as a lot as they’re racing the monitor. Mainly, survive the monitor, then race others for place when doable. It is like 50% race the monitor, 30-40% race different drivers, and 10-20% Mario Kart.

What are the drivers’ emotions on Detroit?

John Balestrieri, Waukesha, WI

MP: That’s an incredible perspective, John. The drivers I get pleasure from watching essentially the most are likely to thrive there. I’ve liked the city since my first go to within the Nineties. I’ve additionally spent years dwelling in actually tough components of San Francisco, very nice components of SF, and in tough/good components of Oakland, so I’m snug in each environments.

Grateful for these experiences. However that’s not one thing plenty of IndyCar drivers have skilled, so I perceive why some don’t see the appeal in Detroit. I point out all of that as a result of one’s emotions in regards to the location can actually affect one’s view on the race and occasion. I haven’t heard a bunch of flowery feedback from the bulk.  

Q: Any likelihood of DRR doing extra IndyCar races moreover the five hundred? They all the time appear to be posting tidbits that make you marvel. 

Kasey 

MP: Requested DRR a couple of months in the past and there was the acquainted expression of curiosity, however there’s no smart path to take action as a non-guaranteed entry. With the 27-car grid cap, DRR would want to out-qualify somebody to make the race, and that’s rattling onerous to do with out being on monitor on a regular basis.  

Q: With the hoped-for Mexico Metropolis race being left off the 2026 schedule, I used to be questioning if there ever has been consideration given to different places in Mexico?  I am all for IndyCar increasing its fanbase, however the plan to carry this occasion at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez falls a bit of flat with me as a result of it is doing the identical factor that F1 does yearly, and that NASCAR beat us to the punch on this yr. I might favor to see IndyCar differentiate itself quite than observe within the wake of different collection.

I perceive the perks of the AHR circuit – I am assuming it’s the highest-quality venue within the nation and it is positioned within the largest inhabitants heart. I do not low cost the significance of those components. However are there different legit venues that might help an IndyCar race?

I’m admittedly unfamiliar with what different choices might exist. Pato is from Monterrey, and I imagine CART/Champ Automobile used to do a road race there within the early 2000s. I am positive the primary objective of this is not to draw American vacationers, however doing a road circuit in a vacationer space like Cancun or Puerto Vallerta may need some attraction. Are there any ovals there with enough amenities? That is the place I feel IndyCar might actually introduce itself to a brand new inhabitants as one thing totally different. 

Tom, Lemont, IL

MP: I’m positive different venues have been mentioned, however I’ve solely recognized Mexico Metropolis to be the first focus. Until there’s a sudden change of tone, IndyCar desires a turnkey occasion in Mexico, and that’s Autodromo Hermans Rodriguez. It hosts F1, Components E, NASCAR this yr, and desires nothing apart from a racing collection to indicate up and race. Each different location requires plenty of heavy lifting, and I don’t see the collection pouring itself into making a brand new and large manufacturing someplace in Mexico on their very own.

The Autodromo is like an Airbnb for IndyCar. Step into a beautiful rental for 3 days and two nights in Mexico Metropolis, then head residence.   

Airbnb assessment: Bit noisy and no non-public bogs, however nonetheless extremely advocate. Would undoubtedly keep right here once more, 5 stars. Zak Mauger/Getty Pictures

Q: I get the will to race in Mexico Metropolis, with it being essentially the most populous metropolis in Mexico, however has there been any consideration of returning to Monterrey the place CART and Champ Automobile had competed?

For starters, that’s Pato’s hometown so the group would in all probability be much more wild, cheering on the hometown boy. However on high of that, it is one thing that will be totally different to easily operating on an F1 monitor the place you recognize you are prone to see folks evaluating lap occasions between IndyCar and F1.

Alan Bandi, Sarver, PA

MP: See above. 

Q: I’m not understanding the shortage of a Northeast race. If IndyCar can companion with NASCAR (enemy No.1), then why cannot they companion with IMSA at The Glen and have a Saturday race the day earlier than the Six Hour? 

And this entire avoiding the NFL factor is a joke. The sporting world does not simply cease as a result of the NFL is on. It’s simply plain silly. NASCAR, NHRA, and IMSA proceed by way of October. IndyCar appears to be like like scared little youngsters on this. Thanks, Boston Consulting. 

Derek, Rochester, NY

MP: All of the verified information that reveals IndyCar will get murdered on TV rankings when it goes up in opposition to the NFL… pretend information? NASCAR places up strong-ish numbers as a result of it’s many occasions extra common than IndyCar. It’s an exception. It has sufficient followers to lose some to the NFL with out taking a giant rankings dive. Not so for IndyCar. IMSA will get hammered when it goes in opposition to the NFL. Identical for the NHRA. If the argument being made is that IndyCar ought to ignore what’s finest for its groups and sponsors and cost into September and October whereas soccer owns the airwaves, that’s an effective way to hurt the collection.

We’ve additionally ignored the truth that FOX devotes its Saturdays to school soccer and its Sundays to the NFL as soon as we get into September. I’m penning this on a Saturday morning and it was pre-game reveals all morning earlier than 4 or 5 straight faculty video games that run till 11pm. On massive FOX. Comparable is occurring on Sunday, besides it’s all morning and all afternoon earlier than shifting to The Simpsons and the remainder of the night’s non-sports programming. However sure, if we ignore the whole lack of accessible weekend house on FOX throughout soccer season…

IMSA doesn’t need an IndyCar race on considered one of its marquee endurance weekends with the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen. Its Michelin Pilot Problem collection is the characteristic Saturday race.   

Q: One factor that tends to grind my gears about racing throughout the board as of late is that we’re continuously searching for the groups and collection to seek out extra methods to enhance racing, however we not often see elementary adjustments to the tracks themselves outdoors of re-paving, or the occasional reprofiling of a nook.

With the entire developments in information and analytics, the groups present up understanding precisely how one can navigate every circuit except it is a model new monitor, or one which hasn’t been utilized in years.

My query is, outdoors of the prices, why can we not often see adjustments to circuit layouts, particularly on tracks which have a number of doable configurations? I perceive it is costly, however the vehicles race on the tracks and if the tracks do not change, it tends to make the racing extra predictable. I am not saying to do that yearly, however I feel we ought to be demanding that circuits sustain with the vehicles to maintain issues contemporary and current new challenges to the groups and drivers. NASCAR appears to be the one main collection that tends to lean into this philosophy (COTA quick course, Bristol on dust, and so on.).

Would like to get your ideas on this. 

Paul, NYC

MP: You answered your query with the “I perceive it’s costly” acknowledgment.

It’s additionally price sharing that tracks don’t dictate to the racing collection; if the quick course or lengthy course at wherever goes for use, it’s the collection and the monitor making that decision, with the collection being the one with the facility to veto something it doesn’t like since an IndyCar or NASCAR or IMSA is the one bringing the product.

Overarching thought right here is the tracks, the fields, and the courts are the fastened environments for the vehicles or athletes to carry out. The gamers and machines are those who evolve, which is why predictability—no less than within the three collection I discussed—isn’t a difficulty yr after yr.

Iowa Speedway, 2024. Crew Penske is the dominant pressure at that monitor. Scott McLaughlin wins the primary race and Will Energy wins the second. This yr, with the identical monitor, no new paving, and so on.? Pato O’Ward wins the primary and Alex Palou wins the second. Wild issues occur within the two races in a set atmosphere.  

Q: After the announcement of the IndyCar schedule, Lengthy Seashore despatched out its yearly e-mail concerning ticket renewals and basic sale. Usually, they have already got a full rundown of the help collection that will probably be current, however this yr it simply stated, “with help collection to be introduced shortly.” Seeing as their schedule is not posted but, are we lastly getting an NXT return to Lengthy Seashore?

Jacob, Southern California

MP: Heard it could be 2027.  

Q: Time for an low season query for you. Fascinated with the brand new automobile and the objective of shedding weight, growing horsepower, whereas remaining secure. Would there be any considered eradicating the in-car pneumatic jack system from the automobile? That system, though in all probability a low CG system, can’t be that mild – 20-30lbs possibly?  Most single-seater collection simply use guide jacks fore and aft to boost the automobile.  Pitstops could be slower, however it might be the similar for everybody. Ideas?

Andy R., Detroit

MP: Attention-grabbing thought. The pneumatic cylinders aren’t heavy so there isn’t a lot of a weight financial savings. The issue right here is pit stops. F1 vehicles pit solo, with tons of house entrance and rear for guide jacks for use. IndyCar often has a number of vehicles, if not a lot of the discipline, all pitting on the similar time, nostril to tail, with barely sufficient room to get out and in with out lengthy lever-based guide jacks in the way in which. I do know the jack operators in F1 angle themselves again and out of the way in which, however they’ve extra open house to step again into and likewise don’t have a pit wall blocking them. For now, it’s a lot simpler to only keep on with what works. 

Q: One of many gadgets tossed out from the Might Penske debacle was the institution of an unbiased sanctioning physique. Possibly I’ve missed it, however I haven’t heard something extra on this since.  Any updates that you simply’re conscious of?

Larry Miller, Key West

MP: Simply what I’ve written about on RACER.com.

Q: Why on this planet does Rinus announce he’s leaving DCR except he has secured a touchdown spot?

Gary from the highway

MP: Sure.  

Q: Easy query: Why do not you’ve gotten an app? Or am I an fool?

Tom

MARK GLENDENNING: In case you imply, ‘why does not RACER.com have an app’, the reply is that we do – form of. The RACER+ app (obtainable right here) is primarily supposed for streaming RACER Community content material, but it surely does take a information feed from RACER.com. For the time being that content material is just accessible in a reasonably rudimentary type, however there are ongoing discussions about constructing out a extra fully-featured information aspect.

THE FINAL WORDFrom Robin Miller’s Mailbag, 23 September, 2014

Q: Bear in mind when Senna was undecided whether or not to drive for McLaren in 1992 and he examined considered one of Penske’s Indy vehicles at Firebird? Simply speculating, how do you suppose Senna would have executed at Indy?

Late Apex

ROBIN MILLER: Emerson Fittipaldi was attempting to persuade him to come back race in CART, no less than the Indy 500, and he appeared eager on the thought after the take a look at. Driving for Penske along with his expertise, I feel he’d have executed simply effective. Are you able to think about having Mansell, Senna and Fittipaldi at Indy that Might?