Q: Okay ... so the schedule is out ... first of all, it is refreshing to have not only the schedule, but the TV schedule announced early. First of all, I just had to say that I think what Randy is doing with the series is awesome! He is doing everything he can to help the series grow and get more people interested in IndyCar. On a scale from 1-10, I am an 8.5 happy with this schedule. The twin races at Toronto and Houston are a fantastic idea (I'm not so convinced about Belle Isle yet ... ) and it’s a nice diverse schedule ... however ... I think most fans would agree that there needs to be more permanent road courses and ovals. (At least like three of each, if I could pick any tracks, I would consider working on getting IndyCar back to the ovals at Kentucky, New Hampshire and Richmond. And the road courses of Road America, Mosport and maybe VIR.) Do you think that there is still a large room for improvement in the schedule, and will Randy be considering any of these tracks for 2014?

Justin (12-year IndyCar fan)

RM: As I’ve said in a couple earlier answers, we’d all like to be at Elkhart Lake and go back to MIS, Phoenix or Richmond but it has to work financially for the promoter and IndyCar. Some people think that IndyCar can only race in Wisconsin at Milwaukee but Michael Andretti has said numerous times he’s all for having both races. Your answer: yes, he will consider all four of them.

Q: The schedule was just released and now people are giving their opinions on how the lineups for the twin races (especially the second race) should work. Of course qualifying should set the grid for the first race but I'm sick of seeing people rush to say that they would like to see an invert at the front of the field for the second twin race ... what a God awful idea!!! Why screw over someone who had a bad first race by making them line up in the rear for the second race??? What I think is the best idea is for IndyCar to copy what the Star Mazda and US F2000 series does with their twin races ... line up the field for the second race based off of FASTEST LAP TIMES from the first race!!! That way, if someone has a fast car, but gets crashed or finishes poorly, they get to line up at the front of the second race like they deserve to!! This year Josef Newgarden had fastest laps of the races at Brazil, Toronto and Edmonton. The only race in that group he had a chance at doing well in was Toronto. But yet he proved he had a fast car by setting fastest lap.

So, I say stay away from the inverting gimmicks and let the speed performances from race one line up race two.

Joshua Wise

RM: Not sure what Beaux Barfield’s plan is but I like your suggestion. Other people suggest qualifying for both races on Friday (in separate sessions) or inverting the Top 10 of Race 1.

Q: It's exciting to see a return to the “Triple Crown” in the 2013 schedule. Great to have Pocono back! I was a teenager back in the days when Indy car raced there and I have great memories of being at that track. However, I was really surprised to see that Road America was not on the 2013 schedule! There was so much discussion about it this year. Why didn't that happen? And what specifically must take place in the negotiations to ever get IndyCar back to Phoenix?

Chris Clasgens, Nashville, TN

RM: Elkhart Lake doesn’t feel like it can pay the same sanction fee as Long Beach and Champ Car cut Road America a big discount the last few times it raced there (I saw the numbers). So some kind of middle ground has to be reached and it hasn’t yet. But a new unified sports car series and IndyCar doubleheader in 2014 would seem to be the perfect medicine.

Q: From a 25-year follower of Indy cars, this season was the best in a long, long time. IndyCar, Bernard and the show are going in the right direction and that’s good to see. As for the Triple Crown, I don't understand its relevance today’s IndyCar. We should have a trophy for the best four races of different tracks which represent IndyCar i.e. the Indy 500, Long Beach, Pocono, and Mid-Ohio say if Road America doesn't materialize. Just seems like that would represent IndyCar much better these days.

Gordon Davis, LAX/LGA

RM: The Triple Crown was a nice identity for Indy cars for a long time so let’s give it a chance to make a comeback. Especially if a sponsor comes on board and offers a HUGE bonus for winning all three. But I also like Long Beach, Indy and Mid-Ohio for a TC because it represents today’s diversity.

Q: A "cult" of negativity??? Where do I get my Nike's and purple blanket? The series this year was the best racing in a long time, but the continual compass swings as far as the direction the series follows is the root of my negativity. I'm glad the Triple Crown is coming back for us geezers who remember the original but I couldn't tell you (other than Indy) which race is run on which weekend. The series is trying to morph itself into American F1 (standing starts, way too many street courses), when it should be trying to emphasize its unique American origins. Ovals don't sell because the series doesn't commit to tracks for the long term, or fix their race dates in stone. I used to go to Phoenix every spring (usually just before Easter), I used to go to California Speedway (usually around Halloween), I used to go to Richmond (every summer), but the series walked away from these venues. I enjoy road courses, but the series commits to boring courses like Mid-Ohio and Sonoma, and overlooks Road America and VIR. When the series stops throwing darts at the map and calendar, and stops trying to "manufacture" interest, I'll cheer up, but until they start looking at the long term, I'll keep shaving my head, hang out at the airport and play the tambourine of the jilted fan.

Napalm Nick, Locust Grove, VA

RM: I get what you’re saying but when tracks don’t want you anymore because it’s a loser at the gate, what are you supposed to do? You are correct in that same time, same place is the best policy and way to develop your fan base but it’s not that simple. You’ve got to have a good partnership. Bernard knows Road America is at the top of the “Most Wanted” list but he can’t race there for free and George B. says he can’t afford IndyCar so the solution is finding a price that works for both. It’s a work in progress.

Q: I just want your opinion on the new schedule that was released Sunday and by judging the schedule as it stands, your early odds on favorite for the 2013 Championship. I personally would love to see a championship run by the Mayor.
Shane Holstein

RM: Hard to pick against Will Power with 10 street races but Dixon, Dario and RHR will be in the mix and it would be nice to see Mayor Hinchcliffe up there battling as well. Pagenaud would be my sleeper pick and Rahal should bounce back strong with his dad’s team.


Q: I'm a huge fan of the IndyCar series and of Aussie boys Will Power and Ryan Briscoe, and I speak for many Aussie fans in saying that we in Australia were absolutely shattered when we lost a round of the IndyCar series in 2008. Rumors have since circulated that the series may in fact make a return to the Surfers Paradise circuit? What's the latest on this? Would the series be in favour of making a return?

Regards Marlon

RM: Everyone wants to go back to Surfer’s Paradise but my understanding is that the track has been butchered and altered because of construction and another site would have to be chosen. But Sydney, Perth, wherever would be fine because your fans always solidly supported the race for three days and now we’ve got Dixie, Power and Briscoe for you to cheer on. But nothing on the horizon, sadly, to my knowledge.

Q: I thought the IndyCar series was much better this year. Much better. I watched more races than in previous years. I'd guess I watched all of them, or damn close. The racing was much better, great to see an American as champ, not to say watching Power lose it wasn't gut wrenching. I was pulling for him as he's a great driver and had to earn his respect at Penske. But I like RHR winning, too. He earned his place, too. More road racing is needed in general. I like the oval races, I like the night ovals more as the cars are more dynamic visually. I wasn't crazy about the car at first, but don't hate it. Watching the series there were several occasions where those rear bumper-ettes actually kept guys racing and on the track after contact. The racing was great, so who cares about the car. Formula 1 cars are ugly, they sound great … for now … Doubleheader sounds different, don't recall seeing one before. I like standing starts. I vote we keep current management.

Craig Sutherland, Kansas City

RM: I can’t remember better racing at all kinds of tracks, especially the street circuits which are traditionally kinda boring. Not this year. Indy and Fontana were great. Ditto for Texas and Iowa.