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Tuesday, June 4 Updated: July 30, 10:18 PM ET  Robin Miller answers user mail ESPN.com Check out what questions RPM.ESPN.com users had for Robin Miller -- and Robin's answers:
That race at Milwaukee was terrible the same as the last three years -- no passing. Will the race at Chicago be the same? CART cannot afford to put on boring races when spectators are walking away in droves. It's hard to bring them back after they have been bored to death. Ed Else Des Plaines, Ill. Robin Miller: I couldn't agree more, it was awful. Every car goes the same speed for two hours. I asked some drivers afterwards and they said either give them a ton of downforce like the old days or take all the downforce away and make them like Formula Fords. Chicago's track is boring so I don't expect much of a race.
Your article on Roger Penske and Honda's defection to the 'circle racer's series' was very good. However, you missed one point, that is not making print anywhere. The Honda engine for IRL is not a Honda engine, it's an Ilmor. Yup, Honda is paying the big bucks, like Chevy and Mercedes, to have an American engine with their name on the valve cover. However, the same 3.5-liter Ilmor engine will be in the CART series next year. David Layton St. Louis Robin Miller: It's Honda's money and, yes, it will be an Ilmor/Honda, but don't forget that Ilmor is located in the UK. It is unbelievable that Honda would allow anyone to build their engines, but it was also a bit of a shock to see them rave about going to the IRL when they spent the past two years bashing it as a low-tech series they had no interest in. Thanks.
Like Alex Zanardi and Juan Pablo Montoya, Scott Dixon appears to be another phenomenal driver. Last year's win at Nazareth and last weekend's sixth-place finish (with a new team!) are very impressive. Do you think Dixon will become yet another CART sensation for Ganassi to trade over to F1? Lee Crim Los Angeles Robin Miller: Scott is only 21-years-old and obviously has plenty of talent. Stefan Johansson is his agent/mentor and I'm sure if F1 presents itself, Scott would be interested -- especially with the mess CART is in.
Robin, here's my plan for CART to survive: 1. Adopt the exact same engine/chassis rules as IRL; 2. Drop all their poorly attended races; 3. Honor points from IRL races in the CART championship. Basically, it's a "If you can't beat them, join them" defense. We all know the IRL engine/chassis are low-end compared to CART, but this is required for survival. Dave Snell Hershey, Pa. Robin Miller: That's what CART was planning to do until IRL came up with some nonsense about chassis manufacturers possibly not being allowed to make the same car for both series. I don't know exactly what happened with Lola, but I intend to find out. The engines are pretty much the same, except CART will use a higher rev limiter. Tony George doesn't want to merge, he wants to be the only one left standing and, right now, CART is looking pretty helpless.
With all this stuff about when did the lights come on, etc. Why not make it easy? If the leaders don't want to race back to the flag, go back to the last completed lap, line 'em up, go green, white, checkered, race over, we got a winner? Are you going to be at TMS this weekend? Might be able to find an extra beer and sandwich trackside? Owen Sloan Dallas Robin Miller: USAC used to revert back to the last lap but the easiest thing might be to simply have the observers punch the yellow light when there's wall contact instead of going thru a five-second drill to race control. Marlo Klain is going to Texas, I'll be at Laguna Seca. But thanks for the offer.
How many cars in the Indy 500 were fitted with the on-car camera atop of the intake? It looked as if every car had one. Is there video showing when the yellow came out on the on board instrumentation on both cars and their relative position? Also, with the open wheel rules where positions 'freeze' with the yellow, how instinctive would it be for a driver to let up off of the throttle when a spotter told him of an accident behind him? If a driver is used to letting up when the spotter calls for accident/yellow and the yellow is displayed a little later than normal, that could put a driver in the position to be passed. Chris Ambrose Indianapolis Robin Miller: I'm led to believe there were eight or nine in-car cameras on race day and that's one of the things Barry Green was trying to get. But there should be technical data available that shows exactly where Helio Castroneves and Paul Tracy were at the time of the caution. Yes, many times a spotter will say yellow before it comes on. Especially at a place like Indy.
How can PWR, a million-dollar racing outfit, show up to an event and leave without turning a lap? You're there anyway, put it in the show. Sigma did it and had a heck of a race. What gives? Ruben Ascencio Detroit Robin Miller: It's all about Dixon's contract. PWR claims it still has Dixon under contract and bringing the cars to Milwaukee without unloading them is probably something that will show up in a lawsuit against Ganassi, Dixon and CART. That's my best guess.
I can understand how a jump on the start would be an advantage on a road or street course, but why is Adrian Fernandez saying Tracy jumping the start cost him the race? On an oval? Is he nuts? Ken Durfee Cordova, Neb. Robin Miller: Maybe frustrated is the better word. I think he was mad because Tracy got him, but Fernandez says the CART starter apologized to him afterwards for throwing the green. The pole-sitter is supposed to set the pace but Tracy got a great jump.
I personally feel F1 is better than CART and CART is better than IRL. So, due to my opinion that I think they are the best American style of open wheel racing, it upsets me to see CART going through all of the problems that it is having with its leadership. But, personal feelings aside, I would like to know what is so special about the engine package that it is switching to? A package that is apparently special enough to burn bridges with Honda over. James Brewster Pope AFB, N.C. Robin Miller: It's only special because the owners obviously thought there might be some kind of common ground with Tony George so they blew up their turbocharged engines one year earlier than planned (and really pissed off Honda). If CART goes away, it will be a sad day for motorsports because it's the most challenging circuit in the world. Period.
What in the world is CART ever going to do to get the ovals back to the way they were in '95? The Milwaukee race was awful. Is it possible CART will ever get the tires and aero package to breed some passing on these great tracks? I have also heard rumors of the IRL at Milwaukee next year, any truth to that? Keep up the good work. John Gebhard Milwaukee Robin Miller: Kenny Brack said afterwards either give the drivers a ton of downforce (like the mid-1990s) or take it all away and make them slippery like Formula Fords. Either way has to be better than last Sunday. It was awful. Tony George has been talking to Milwaukee and I think you'll see IRL and CART both at State Fair Park next year. Providing CART is still breathing. Thanks for watching and reading.
Is there any talk of the IRL including road races on their schedule anytime soon? That's the one thing that makes CART so much better than the IRL. Steve Iann Moorestown, N.J. Robin Miller: Well, Tony George said Honda, Toyota, engine leases, road racers, foreigners and foreign races were evil back in 1996. But I guess he's changed his mind. I would hope that Long Beach, Elkhart Lake, Toronto, Montreal, Mid-Ohio or Cleveland would be picked up if open wheel becomes all-IRL.
What will CART do since Honda signed with the IRL and CART has teams such as Mo Nunn and Adrian Fernandez's team being provided with Honda engines? Will they jump ship to the IRL? And who will CART get as another engine manufacturer for the series? Could it be Audi or perhaps Nissan? Chris Jerrolds San Diego, Calif. Robin Miller: Honda is currently talked with its CART teams about going to the IRL but Fernandez said last weekend in Milwaukee he is going to be loyal to CART and has no plans to go IRL. CART has MG-Judd, Cosworth, Ilmor and maybe Toyota next year, but nobody can replace the money/exposure provided by Honda and Toyota. I keep hearing Nissan is out after this year, although they have a three-year commitment. Porsche or Audi would be huge for CART, but don't bet on it.
How long can this Indy 500 appeal be drawn out for and how far can it go? Jeff Marcosky Morrow, Ga. Robin Miller: Tony has 30 days to rule or put together a committee for a hearing.
Why don't IRL and CART do double-file restarts -- especially IRL on oval tracks? I don't understand why the pace car picks up the leader and second place could be six, seven or 10 cars back! Don't you think a more competitive race would be had by a double-file restart? Bryan Jenkins Indianapolis Robin Miller: CART tried it a few years ago and I can't remember why it stopped but, absolutely, traffic and jam cars always make ovals more exciting.
Two questions: With the rumor (or fact?) that Honda pays part of Michael Andretti's salary, does that mean Team Green and Andretti will be going to the IRL next year because Honda will not be in CART? Also, when is Tony George going to figure out that American open wheel fans don't want an all-oval series? The only IRL races that draw fans (besides Indy) are the tracks where you have to buy the "Track Pack" for all the season's races. If you want to see a Winston Cup race you have to buy the IRL ticket also. Robin, I need my Elkhart Lake! Thanks for always telling it like it is. Tim Denny St. Charles, Ill. Robin Miller: That's what I've always heard and I know Michael is serious about starting his own team but not spending his own money. So IRL might be a perfect fit for him, but he says he won't run 15 ovals so maybe he'll just run Indy or simply retire. The IRL party line is that it's growing, has momentum, is right where it needs to be, blah, blah, blah. Bottom line, the only crowds it draws are induced with NASCAR ticket packages (Texas, K.C.) and the rest (other than Kentucky) can hardly be called major sports crowds. Obviously, ovals are more exciting than Vancouver or Long Beach or Mid Ohio, but road racing still draws lots of people. Thanks.
If you could make the choices for CART to help them survive, what would it be? Can it be saved? Raymond Wallenthin Santa Barbara, Calif. Robin Miller: Go private. Give the current owners a cash infusion after every race by using sanction fees and get rid of that ridiculous $500,000 purse and pay some serious money. Keep the turbocharged engines and your identity. Clean house in the front office and marketing department except for Pook and Lopes. Blow up the pace car program and downsize that ridiculous payroll. Pay Tony Stewart whatever it takes to come run and bring young Gurney, Unser and Mears into the fold. Get Danica Patrick a Toyota Atlantic seat and get her into CART ASAP. Get Mario Andretti and Bobby Unser on television. That's a start.
Where does Ford stand in the CART/IRL saga? Are they staying in CART, both or neither? Chuck Shuman Columbia, S.C. Robin Miller: Cosworth is building a new CART engine but without any help from Ford Motorsports. Ford is staying away from open wheel for the time being.
Would you agree the Indy 500 winner controversy and related conspiracy theories are good for both CART and the IRL and in keeping with the saying "the only bad publicity is no publicity?" Terry McCabe Chicago Robin Miller: Absolutely. The more people talk about it, the better it is and as poor as the TV ratings were (4.8) everything can only help.
I'm a die-hard CART fan. Do you think CART will fold, or will they be alright on their own? Also do you think Chris Pook is doing a good job? Other than the new races for this season, is CART looking for even more venues? Evan Foy Des Moines, Iowa Robin Miller: Pook is doing all he can and he could have probably saved Honda if he'd been hired six months before he was. It's hard to imagine a series with such good crowds at 14 of its 20 venues going away, but it's entirely possible if CART owners start jumping because Honda and Toyota entice them. Let's just say it looks bleak right now.
I just wanted to congratulate you on your ridiculous prediction for the 500. Your endless butt-kissing of that dying series has produced an embarrassing call that only three IRL drivers would finish in the top-10. My last count was eight. Oh, and nice attempt at a cover of your stupidity with that Paul Tracy article. I did want your honest opinion on something. Should we start a series that has about two American drivers, where most are washed up or overrated but goofy analysts keep telling people these guys are good, where half the races are out of the country, and the racing stinks because we have something identical with good guys like Formula One. Oh wait, we have that series -- CART. What a shame to still see error in Tony George and support that other series. And another thing, what goes around comes around, Tracy was the only CART driver to constantly state he was leading the CART charge and he was racing for CART, etc. So good for him. Proving he is the biggest hypocrite with his statements that "he hopes politics will stay out of this." Good riddance and never come back. Jason Martin Indianapolis Robin Miller: Last time I looked, Michael Andretti had the second fastest lap of the race (226-plus) and had gone from 25th to third by his last pit stop when his crew dropped him off the air jacks and he wound up losing nine spots and any chance to win. He and Franchitti both passed more cars than anybody else in the first 25 laps, but Dario got caught by a green flag pit stop when everyone else got a yellow. As for your IRL heroes, I guess you can count Castroneves and Gil de Ferran, but that's a bit of a stretch and Tony Kanaan clearly had the best chance of anyone (except Tomas Scheckter, not exactly a USAC veteran) before they forgot to turn on the caution light. Sam Hornish, Sarah Fisher, Greg Ray, Robbie Buhl, Buddy Lazier ... gee, I don't remember seeing them at the end, dicing with Tracy and Helio. As for Tracy, he speaks his mind and he's always fun to watch race. Hypocrite? Hmmm, let's see, Tony George hated engine leases, foreign races, road racers, Roger Penske, Honda, Toyota and franchises. Gee, isn't that what he's got now? You need to study up on racing, son, and then get back to me in about 20 years.
Was all the verbal exchanges at the Indy Awards Banquet between Roger Penske and Paul Tracy in good fun or is there still some animosity between them? Thanks for all you insight and comments. I just wish you were on every night! Jim Doyle Hoboken, N.J. Robin Miller: Tracy doesn't like Penske and the feeling is mutual. That was the highlight of that god-awful, boring banquet. Thanks for your support.
As you have said, Barnhart and others have claimed that the in-car lights were on before Tracy passed Helio. You have also pointed out that we have not seen this evidence. Do you think the IRL will, in the end, show us some on-board cameras? Or will they keep us in the dark for good? Also, if the leader crashes with just over a lap to go, but he is not passed before the yellow comes out, does he/she still win? If so, should that be changed? Kevin Anderson Willoughby, Ohio Robin Miller: I would assume that this appeal will bring out all the evidence. Of course I also believed in Santa Claus until I was 12. But the yellow light on the dash is not an issue according to the rule book -- it's all about the yellow light around the track. If the leader crashes on Lap 199 he can still be passed by everyone else on Lap 200.
If Toyota does enter the Winston Cup series, do you think Honda will follow suit? Ben Roethig Dubuque, Iowa Robin Miller: If Toyota decides to field a professional rowing team, Honda will be buying oars the next day. It's the most hated rivalry there is and it certainly wouldn't surprise me. Both like to sell cars in America.
It was great to see Jon Beekhuis on the CBS broadcast of the CART race at Milwaukee. Jon knows the sport and the players and does an awesome job. Will he be doing more CART races? Has he left ESPN/ABC? Scott St. Clair Erie, Pa. Robin Miller: He will do the other CBS CART shows. Yes, he left ESPN.
I've been a long time Indy car fan since my youthful days in a Kokomo, Ind., and try and go to as many races every year as possible, but after Sunday's CART race here in Milwaukee I may never go again. With only starting 19 cars there was more action getting into the track than on the track. With CART changing the engine specs next year why can't the IRL cars run on the small one-mile ovals with them? Wouldn't the speeds be about the same? Or are CART and IRL still to far apart to consider this kind of merger for the fans? This could be a win win for everyone. Roger Burke Cedarburg, Wisc. Robin Miller: I couldn't agree more. That was a terrible race. Everybody ran the same speed and Andretti was the only guy who did any passing (16th to sixth in 10 laps). Brack said CART either needs to add a ton of downforce to the cars or take all the downforce away and make them Formula Fords. Milwaukee used to be CART's best race and it's been ruined for the past five years. CART and IRL will both run Milwaukee next year, but not together unless there's only one series by then.
Townsend Bell has crashed in all four races this season. Pat Patrick can't be happy with this, do you think there's any chance of him being replaced in the near future? Should Memo Gidley be getting his helmet? Michael Everson Portland, Ore. Robin Miller: Patrick isn't known for his patience (he wanted to fire P.J. Jones after two races in 1999) and I can't believe Bell still has a seat. Oriol Servia and Gidley are both available and I would imagine if this weekend doesn't go well for Bell, he's out.
I watched the Indy 500 and from what I saw is the CART drivers were driving past the IRL drivers and had a good showing to prove they are the better drivers. My take on Tony George is he knows if CART and IRL merge and his series will not look the same and many of his teams would fold, and thus showing that he had a second-rate series. What's your take on this? Ben Martinez, Jr Baytown, Texas
Robin Miller: The Indy 500 is always the same, talent and depth go to the front. Andretti, Franchitti and Brack passed a ton of cars early on, Bruno Junqueira was tough before he blew and Kanaan had as fast a car as anyone. Tracy just hung around and got better as the race went on. Andretti and Scheckter had the two fastest race laps (226 plus) and Alex Barron did a superlative job. Kind of hard to call Castroneves, de Ferran, Barron and Richie Hearn "IRL guys" isn't it? Hornish was fast again, but crashed for the third-straight May. Buhl and Raul Boesel faded, Fisher was real slow and Ray crashed again. Let's put it this way, there's a reason a lot of those guys are in the IRL. Other than Hornish, Buhl and Scheckter, can you imagine anyone else jumping into a CART car and being competitive? I can't.
Love your work, keep it up. My question is, with CART announcing it will race in St. Petersburg and the IRL in Japan next year, how many races are each of the circuits planning to run? Any chance of CART coming to Watkins Glen or Atlanta? Any of the IRL regulars could jump in a CART car and qualify at the top of the field like CART driver did at Indy? Not including Penske, of course. Kevin Hartman Buffalo, N.Y. Robin Miller: With Tony George and the ISC partners, I'd day there's good chance the IRL might wind up at The Glen some day. I would think both series would like to be around 20 races. Gee, if they got together, they could have 26 good cars and 24 good events. See my answer above for your last question. Thanks for watching.
CART has frozen its chassis rules, but Lola will continue to build CART chassis, what does this mean in regards to revising the chassis for the new engine formula? Will CART end up being a one-chassis series unless someone can revive Reynard? Even with all the Web sites out there, I still find I get the best scoops about CART/IRL news from you. Keep up the good work. Bob Gloye San Jose, Calif. Robin Miller: It means that Lola will build new cars, but teams can also run this year's. Providing there are enough teams left. Reynard is toast, sadly. Thanks for reading and watching, that's what I get paid for.
Thank you for your honest reporting of the IRL. What is the stumbling block for both the Walker Racing team and the Allegra Team in support of Sarah Fisher? Why can't Tony George do something to keep the most popular driver in the IRL? Jack Homen Eagle Mountain, Utah Robin Miller: Derrick has no sponsor and Sarah's other deal was for May only. It didn't help her cause that she went from ninth to 23rd in about five laps but, regardless, she is still the IRL's most popular driver and needs to be getting miles and miles. Tony could write a check just like he has for Al Unser and Jeff Ward, but he hasn't so far.
Why did Lola decided not to build an IRL chassis when they already invested $1 million in it's design? Jim Kozloski Pittston, Pa. Robin Miller: Not sure if IMS decided Lola's fate for them or Lola pulled the plug. I've been trying to find out the past two days. Stay tuned.
How do you spell 'Whaa!' After all these years, after all the successful Indy 500s, after all the TV contracts, and finally after all the big players are seeing Tony George's light, you and Mario still can not get it right. Whaa! You have said some nasty things about the Indy 500, and for that the fans who stayed through all the crap you heaped upon the Brickyard cannot forgive you. The split hurt open wheel racing, but now it is you and your like-minded friends who continue to pile on the negatives. You lose, Tony wins, you get with the program, we all can win. Sorry about that but "sour grapes" makes terrible wine or is that whine? Tom Brown Van Wert, Ohio Robin Miller: To be compared to Mario Andretti is always an honor, thanks. As for Tony winning, he'll always win because he's got millions of dollars but Indy-car racing has lost -- drivers, teams, fans, sponsors, TV audience. Pay attention. The IRL is Indy and a bunch of races nobody attends or cares about. CART was too stupid to ride its success and now it's in big trouble. I spoke the truth about Indy being ruined and it's become a one-day event. Check the grandstands for practice and qualifying since 1996. Mario got it right because he said Indy was tarnished by not having the best drivers and teams and I think history has proved him to be correct. I am saddened by the state of open wheel racing, something I've covered, participated in and loved for most of my adult life. Problem is, I love it more than many of the clowns who have run it into the ground. Winning? Try NASCAR. France is still laughing about IRL and CART.
I know rules are rules, but shouldn't drivers in the IRL be allowed to race back to the line when a yellow comes out just like they do at NASCAR? Keith Jones Youngstown, Ohio Robin Miller: No. NASCAR has dodged so many bullets doing that and it's so lucky it's never killed anyone. What would have happened if there was a crash in Turn 4 and Castroneves and Tracy come charging onto the scene at 220 mph side-by-side? No, it's a good rule not racing back to the yellow in open wheel.
Great story this week on Alex Zanardi. Are there any announcing plans in the future for Alex, or maybe an official role with CART in some capacity? His vibrance could really bring an added boost to CART as well as keep him active in the sport and series he loves. Thanks, and keep up the good work. Damon Brist Schaumburg, Ill. Robin Miller: He's just trying to learn to walk again with his new legs and I don't think he's got the time or interest in leaving his family and Monaco to chase races. I'd love to see him do some F1 color commentary, he'd be excellent. Thanks for your note.
What ever happened to Jim Crawford, the Indy/IMSA driver from the '80s through the early '90s? Lynn Keller Stuttgart, Ark. Robin Miller: Good question. He was living in Florida the last time I spoke with him a few years ago. He came to Indy a couple of times but he's vanished. A wonderful guy, great sense of humor.
You should look up Sam Schmidt's painting of the Indy track and cars. I think it is at the track somewhere. I saw it on Carb Day and it is amazing! Remember, he did this with his mouth. I heard from the Schmidt family that there will be copies made and either sold or auctioned off for charity, this is not official yet. One last thing, did you know King Hussien was at the race? I can't say where he watched the race from but he was there! Chuck Whelan Valparaiso, Ind. Robin Miller: I heard about Sam's work and that's excellent. He's an amazing guy, with a helluva lot more spirit and verve than anybody I know. The only King I saw was A.J.. Thanks.  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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