Check out what questions RPM.ESPN.com users had for Robin Miller -- and Robin's answers:

Robin Miller: Pook sounds like it's going to be a night show and it will be a big deal.

Robin Miller: I agree the worst thing about those full-course yellows is all the time is takes to tow somebody in or to a safe haven or wherever. But they don't have enough cranes yet (like F1) and some drivers unfortunately don't think about finding a safe place to park when they blow up. Other times, it's impossible, but at least they're racing longer and harder this year with the new fuel specs. Look at Cleveland and Mid-Ohio for examples.

Robin Miller: Watkins Glen will be on the sked and maybe IMS as a footnote to the USGP. The new IRL cars will afford fueling out of both sides, so it's a given. As for testing, I think they might have tested here recently but I'm not sure. Those cars would look like Atlantics compared to a Champ Car on a road course. Gee, Tony George has engine leases, franchises, lots of foreign road racers, a race in Japan and now some road courses. Isn't that special?

Robin Miller: Rusty Wallace is way too old, smart and rich to do anything that crazy. Maybe 15 years ago, but not now. Penske tried Sneva and Bettenhausen in NASCAR, but that was a long time ago. I doubt it.

Robin Miller: CART drew 47,000 on Friday, 60,000 on Saturday and they announced 64,000 on Sunday, but the local media said there was more like 75,000. Doubt if there was anybody at Gateway on Friday or Saturday and I noticed The Indianapolis Star reported 36,000 for the race. Hmmm, seems to me that grandstand at Gateway only holds 31,000 and it didn't look half full. Yes, CART is in trouble as far as car count for 2003, but it still has quite a large fan following across the globe. And they don't have to buy NASCAR tickets, either.

Robin Miller: He's been to Europe a couple times and obviously feels there might be interested manufacturers with those specs. Finding somebody to fuel the cars might be difficult, however.

"Well, I'm not sure how much talent is going over to the IRL. I think the guys that consistently qualify on the front part of our grid our with us. The more senior ones who qualify in the back part of the grid -- I think the IRL provides a good retirement opportunity for them."

Chris Stuart
Atlanta

Robin Miller: Michael is long gone to the IRL, trust me, and that was just a little shot given to him by Pook.

Robin Miller: I think Pook is trying to point out that it's an honor to have F1 snatch up CART's champions every few years and, to some point, I agree. It says something for CART's on-track reputation. But it's tough to build any fan following when you lose Jacques Villeneueve, Alex Zanardi, Juan Pablo Montoya and maybe Cristiano da Matta. Pook has spent some time in Europe talking with engine manufacturers so that's where his V-10 idea got legs.

Robin Miller: I was told that another team saw Scheckter's tire going down, but failed to report it to his team. That would be very sad if true but nothing would surprise me. Scheckter told me last month he wanted to get back to F1 and he knows he's got to go road racing again so CART would be a logical choice. There seems to be interest in him, but Eddie Cheever sounds like he holds the key since he's got his contract for 2003.

Robin Miller: I wouldn't be surprised to see Gil quit at the end of this season, especially if he wins the title. My Autosport boys say a test for Castroneves is in the works. How about Sam Hornish to Penske? Don't bet against it.

Robin Miller: I can't imagine either one slacking off to the point of not trying to win every race because they hate each other so much.

Robin Miller: Good point. Of course you need the cooperation of both to try and avoid conflicts when possible but that requires both sides wanting it to happen. When they've gone head-to-head on regular TV this year, both seem to always end up at 1.1 or 1.2, so obviously the audience is divided and neither series can benefit as NASCAR rides away into the sunset. The IRL does have three night races to try and get away from NASCAR and any head-to-head with CART, but those have been their worst-rated races for some reason. Makes no sense because Texas is always their best show under the lights.

Robin Miller: As I stated in an answer above, they are coexisting, but it's still a civil war and that, as history tells us, is the worst kind of conflict. Tony George wants CART dead and buried and CART's owners may have finally figured that out in the past year. They cannot grow or feed off each other. A united series is the only hope of returning open wheel to the prominence it had in 1995. But that appears to be a long way off.

Robin Miller: Gerry Forsythe wants to keep Carpentier at Player's, so it should be interesting since Tagliani already has a contract and Tracy is coming on board. Villeneuve's agent supposedly demanded $60 million to go to CART and come back for his final two years with BAR, so that's not going to happen. Could Player's farm out Tagliani? Or will Carpentier end up with Ganassi or somebody in the IRL? Like Andretti?

Robin Miller: I heard today he was testing a Winston Cup car. But he's got nothing in CART at the moment. Maybe if Arciero fields a CART team in 2003.

Robin Miller: I think it's a super idea for television and the fans, but it ain't gonna fly with the teams. I'd love to see inverted starts and purses paid according to positions improved.

Robin Miller: Well, he's already gone back on everything else he said he wouldn't do (engine leases, franchises, foreign venues) and I know he's going to be at Watkins Glen in 2003 and, with Toyota on board, Long Beach would be a given. Not sure how anybody could turn their backs on Canada and Mexico, but if CART dies, American road racing will be gravely wounded. And open wheel. The people who attend Elkhart Lake, Mid-Ohio and Long Beach are more sophisticated and knowledgeable than people may realize. Ditto for the Canadians.

Robin Miller: Barry Green tried to get Gordon a few years ago and, basically, he probably thought about it but not for long. He doesn't seem to care about Indy cars, which is kinda sad because he belongs in at least one Indy 500. CART can't afford anybody (Imperial Tobacco was going to pay Jacques' salary if he came to CART). I'd go after Tony Stewart, he can road race and he's such a talent and big name.

Robin Miller: Good question, tough to give a short answer. The depth of the field in CART and NASCAR is by far the strongest of the four. So, in that respect, they are the most competitive, although they don't put on the close finishes the IRL always seem to pull out. The IRL cars have so much downforce and equal power they are forced to be close and, therefore, can run together. There are also enough cars and field fillers in the IRL they constantly have traffic, while CART's cars all seem to run the same speed at many tracks. That's why CART's races have been so ho-hum most of this year and last. Yes, it requires a lot more talent to handle a road course than a big oval where everyone is wide open all the time, but the road races and street courses don't make good television. The fans enjoy those type races and, obviously, CART draws much larger crowds in the course of the season (except Indy). CART needs more cars because 18 isn't nearly enough. That is one of NASCAR's strengths, 43 cars and lots of traffic. The IRL has had like 125 drivers since 1996 so it's a little tough to get much of a fan following with all the changing faces. But the open wheel split damaged CART and the race fans haven't embraced the IRL except at a couple of tracks where they've got to purchase NASCAR tickets. Although, Kansas City and Kentucky appear to have taken a liking to IRL -- much like Texas. One series with the 20-22 best venues might revive open wheel in a few years but that looks to be a longshot at best.

Robin Miller: Wearing out his shoes looking for a ride. He may do some testing for CART's new aero package and he's got his hat in the ring at one CART team for 2003. He still wants to drive, I know that much.

Robin Miller: To refresh your memory, the last five open wheel races at MIS (four CART 500-milers and one IRL) featured more passing in 25 laps than NASCAR has had in the past decade at that track. CART had 63 lead changes one year and the last 30 laps of the IRL show this year were excellent. Watching cars dart, dodge and duel with each other at 215-225 mph for three hours is so much more exciting than watching those TinTops drone around at 40 mph less for four hours. Is NASCAR exciting at Bristol, Richmond, Atlanta? Absolutely. But at Phoenix, Michigan, Texas and Fontana it's no contest -- open wheel rules.

Robin Miller: Tough call. I'd probably test them for two days and take the fastest.

Robin Miller: I've asked Pook that question several times recently (watch RPM2Night this week for his interview) and he says he can't reveal the new teams yet. I think CART would be thrilled, if not lucky, to have 18 cars answer the bell next year. I don't know where they're going to come from. That incentive package won't be enough to keep anybody in the series or draw them into it.

Robin Miller: Herta is trying to get some money for the Minardi ride at the USGP, but it doesn't look promising. Don't know about Indy, he's running ALMS this year. I'm sure he's always going to be interested with the right opportunity.

P.S. Say hello to Gordon Kirby and Paul Webb for me, thanks.

David Taylor
Paris

Robin Miller: CART's aero package killed the short oval races and road and street courses have always been tough to pass on but CART no longer has enough backmarkers to make it more interesting and force traffic. You need jam cars like the IRL and NASCAR have. CART also needs to get rid of a couple of the road courses it's outgrown like Laguna Seca because the cars are simply too fast. Yes, the only way open wheel can ever get back to the level it was in 1995 is to be in one series with all of CART's current diversity. But don't hold your breath. I tell those two you said hello.

Robin Miller: Red Bull has instituted a program for young Americans and Danny Sullivan is the talent scout. Penske tried F1 once and that's when it was relatively cheap. F1 has to want an American and, like Michael Andretti has said, I don't think F1 really cares one way or the other.

Robin Miller: I think Bill France Jr. sees the potential to tap into the vast foreign market that Fittipaldi represents. I think that's the only way Christian will be welcomed and, after NASCAR bleeds him, he'll be in ARCA.

Robin Miller: I would think Roger Penske would try and snap him up ASAP. Probably depends on what he can earn (he made $125,000 this year) so he's looking for some financial security.

Robin Miller: Don't think there's any chemistry between KB and the Target boys. Ganassi doesn't appreciate Bruno and doesn't deserve him (he's going to Newman-Haas). Dixon will be back with Ganassi in 2003.

Robin Miller: Good question. Shell's contract is up and Gigante was only a one-year deal. Rahal says he's working on both of them and Miller will be back with him but only at Indy again. I'd say he's 50-50 to have two cars in CART next year.