Q: Good day Robin. Sorry I'm late with this but I felt sad when I read Salt Walther died. "Salt the Sly" (my dad's nickname for him) was a character of the times and when his head was screwed on straight he was a good racer. Anyway got my tickets to Indy for this May, just as you said, and maybe Fontana too. My nephew is now 10 and it's time he experienced the aura that is Indy. I have one question though. Can't find any info on this but is there an up-tick of sponsors this year or are the owners still scratching for the dollars? I only ask this as I wonder if we will ever see a Lola, AAR or other chassis again? Just wondering. See you at Indy!

A.J. Stettner, Long Beach WA

RM: It’s been pretty quiet lately so haven’t heard of any new major sponsors but it is still three months from the season opener. We might see different chassis again but doesn’t look like the immediate future. Love to see an Eagle, Penske, Wildcat and Lola, just don’t hold much hope.

Q: I for one, though certainly not alone, am DONE with IndyCar after the cowardly back-stabbing Randy Bernard affair. I won’t even attend the re-established local concrete sluiceway event being promoted here in H-Town this year. With the new Austin track less than two hours away garnering so much attention from a wide array of motorsports why should I continue to pine away for a series doing everything in its own power to marginalize itself? It’s a shame really because after finally attending my first ‘500’ at Georgetown & 16th in just 2011 I had high hopes for IndyCar and the opportunity to see it again sometime. That is all hash now.

David Kirschke

RM: My rationale would be that you watch IndyCar because of the drivers, cars and competition and the management is secondary providing the racing maintains its appeal and the series retains the professionals that Bernard hired on the racing side. There’s no reason IndyCar shouldn’t be good again this season – the blueprint is already finished.

Q: It's cool that IndyCar is going to Pocono this year and it should be a pretty racy track. But does anyone know how fast they'll be going down the from straight? NASCAR gets up to 200, so I gotta think these cars will be much faster.

Tim Falkiewicz

RM: The two engine men I talked to couldn’t come up with any set number because of gearing and downforce but they both figured in or around 225 mph.

Q: We Indy car fans here in Philly are just plain tired of the political bulls*%$# going on with open wheel racing - specifically IndyCar (or whatever they call themselves now). There are at least 20 of us who've come out to Indy for the 500 every year- I've been coming since 1974. I've lived through the series split, coming together, arguments over new equipment, rules, disqualifications of drivers, etc. Locally we were all "hyped up" over the decision to come back to Pocono (which I know you drove to the track from Philly/Atlantic City with Sneva and a friend of mine from Pottstown). After hearing about the firing of Randy Bernard, we just kind of figured this is the way the series was going to continue - with the team owners dictating how the series will continue. Our group was going to meet two months ago to get our tix for the Pocono race and make a weekend out of the event. Quite honestly, we've not even discussed the race and might not even go. We're so tired of the leaders who have no interest in the future or development of the series. I know you are in business to help promote the series through the media but, quite honestly, we've not even followed the news or events since Randy's firing. I doubt this message will change anything but thought I'd offer it anyway.

Denny from Philly.

RM: I understand it’s tough to be a loyal IndyCar fan but you became a fan because of the racing or a certain driver so those factors are still intact. There is no rationale for what happened in the front office and a lot of readers are still angry but as long as the new regime doesn’t screw up the competition, then give IndyCar another chance to keep you engaged.

Q: I am a big fan of the IndyCar/USAC scholarship arrangement. Any chance that Bryan Clauson’s connection with Curb Agajanian Racing in USAC could lead to a partnership with them in IndyCar beyond the 500? Maybe Iowa, Milwaukee, Texas? Mike and Cary have been out of IndyCar for a few years but had a full-time team as recently as 2009 with Beck and had success before with Billy Boat.

Tom Nichols, Dayton, Ohio

RM: That could be an option, I just hope Bryan gets the same amount of money for being USAC champion to he can try and get back to Indianapolis. But with Randy Bernard gone, I’m not confident that USAC program will continue the way it was intended.

Q: Loved your final review of the 2012 IndyCar season. Now it's 2013. What does your crystal ball say for the upcoming season? What are the surprises, successes, disasters from the track to the board room and of course the broadcast booth?

Gerry Courtney

RM: I hope I’m wrong but with a year under their belt in the new car, Penske and Ganassi might have some separation from the pack with their resources and talent. Early predictions? A.J. will be speaking fluent Japanese by May, a fourth 4-time winner will emerge this May, Will Power will have a year-long duel with Scott Dixon for the title, three Americans will win at least one race in 2013, car owners will bitch about the cost of track dogs, Pocono will draw at least 45,000, Bronte Tagliani will shave her head and still look fabulous and NBC Sports Network will extend the Grid Run to 15 minutes (OK, maybe 5).