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INDYCAR: Miller’s Mailbag, 2.16
Always genuine, never lite: It's Miller time. Here's the latest Q&A from SPEED.com's IndyCar guru.
Indiana legislature approved the funds that will go towards renovating and modernizing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Photo: IMS Photo)
Hello open-wheel types and thanks for all your questions. I intend to answer your questions every week during the season, so just email me at . Don’t feel left out if I didn’t directly respond. I appreciate your interest and passion.
~Robin Miller
Q: I thought I agreed with your piece on IMS taking government money until I got to the conclusion....even though I am a near lifelong Indy car fan, I can't support this horse**** deal.
Read the message I sent to Jeff Belskus, if you will, to see why I'm so pissed about this. Living up here in Lake County, we are sick and tired of this BS to benefit Indy area sports venues ... Lake Central Schools had to fire 22 fine teachers this year because the state cut our operating fund allotment, even though our area is still growing. IMS was telling a bald-faced lie when it made the claim in the original press release that this proposal wouldn't impact school funding. If IMS sells such a good product that improving the facility is justified, why haven't they increased ticket prices? They charge LESS for an average ticket to the 500 or Brickyard than the Colts do for a home game now. I am not kidding, the figures do not lie. Did every sports venue (or say, shopping mall, clinic, or hospital) in Indiana get a state tax break to become ADA compliant due to a federal mandate? Nope, they had to adjust their budgets and fix that problem themselves in most cases. No excuse exists for IMS and its customers to avoid that same burden. There's also no way that all the taxpayers of Indiana should fund this because the dumbass H-G's fought amongst themselves for years and put themselves in this situation. Let them figure a way out of the mess ... or sell to someone who can.
Steve Jarzombek
RM: I don’t pretend to know the ramifications of this particular tax but I do know it’s not fair that we lose good teachers every year while sports flourish with government assistance. Having said that, IMS has driven more money for the Indianapolis’ business community in 100 years than all of our sports teams combined and multiplied by 50. Asking for help once a century (and paying back a portion of it annually) doesn’t bother me because the Speedway is our most valuable commodity and it needs to be preserved.
Q: Wasn't surprised to read your article on IMS wanting a hand out. It's the sign of the times: I make money, I win: I lose money, you lose. If you are big enough and if you can lose enough money (like TG), just appeal to "hometown pride and jobs created" and all that nonsense and some bureaucrat will come to the rescue with your money and money in hand. Fact is, sporting facilities are monuments to corporate welfare. Unfortunately, most people are too stupid or too fanatical to care.
Steve, Aurora, Colo.
RM: You are probably correct in the fact that had Tony George not spent millions and millions on the IRL, F1, airplanes, helicopters, marketing firms, Gene Simmons and Vision Racing, then IMS wouldn’t need or ask for assistance. But I don’t lump the Speedway in with all our of sports stadiums and pro sports greed because it’s stood on its own for over 100 years and helped Indianapolis immeasurably in so many ways.
Q: I read your article about IMS and as a huge fan of the 500 I agreed with much of what you were saying about how it doesn't need lights and what not. But, would the apron really bring more excitement to the 500? I would argue that the tight passing in the turns has led to the most excitement at the 500 since I have been attending. With JR losing it into the wall a couple years ago and Sato trying in Turn 1 last year we couldn't ask for more as fans! I never did make it to the race when the apron was around so I am not sure what it would add but, like I said the tough corners have made it an exciting event the last two years.
Matt Hartman
RM: The apron would benefit NASCAR more than IndyCar but, trust me, it would help both. Go check out an old video of Mears and Michael, Vuky and McGrath, Ruby and Mario, Johncock and Mears – the old apron provided lots of great passing and is missed.
Q: Very well written bit on IMS especially pointing out how lucrative tax code and breaks have made it for football, basketball and hockey. And to call out the IMS road course for what it is: boring and a waste of money. It underscores life with Bernie. He has a short memory, except for the bad things.
Kent Smith
RM: It always amazes me when people clamor for Indy cars on the IMS road course. Really? That flat, tight, non-descript circuit made F1 cars look slow so why would you want to take the fastest cars from the fastest race and make them look like Formula Fords in front of 10,000? And sports cars belong at Road America, Watkins Glen, Barber, Mid-Ohio, Sonoma and Laguna Seca — not 16th & Georgetown.
Q: I just read your article about IMS needing $100 million. I agree Indy is a national treasure and probably belongs on the list of historic places. Unfortunately the mismanagement by one Tony George and a host of other IndyCar personalities has presented the grand old speedway with a list of problems and here are the solutions. 1. Get rid of the folks from Daytona having any say in the Speedway. If they don't like it to0 bad. This applies to sports cars and stock cars. 2. Tear up the road course and turn it back into infield for the fans. The best deal in racing used to be parking in the infield on qualifying day and walking to every cool seat in the house. It would also be great thing for race day. Days in the infield for all racing used to be the best. 3. Dispense with any personnel associated with IRL, they can't hardly run their own show let alone IMS. 4. Back to the days of Indy being a once a year special. No other races. This really made the place special and kept fans coming back for the one chance at a great event. The people of Indianapolis have done a fabulous job over the years managing this event and I have always been impressed with them and been welcomed with a smile and gracious attitude. Thanks to them. I'll give my tax money willingly if we can go back to the way racing was and how the fans were welcomed by the Speedway. There is nothing like the hair standing on end when waking through the gates or driving through the tunnel.
Doug Eier
RM: Tony Hulman’s theory in not wanting any other races at the Speedway was that the Indy 500 was like the circus and it only comes to town once a year. I have no doubt that Indy would again be a sellout if it became the only race but that’s not likely to happen. IMS still makes money off the Brickyard so it’s probably staying but lights won’t make the racing any better.
Q: Gotta say I'm very psyched to hear AJ Allmendinger may run most of the year for Penske. He could be a nice infusion. Really hope that happens. Does anyone have a clue why Dale Coyne is so secretive even with his driver, on his plans? Will his second driver be another guy/gal we've never heard of? Lastly, it's premature but I totally hate Barfield's idea of inverting the field for double headers in 2014. It's just too hard to pass on road courses to do that. See you at Pocono!
Greg, Belleville, N.J.
RM: It looks like maybe Birmingham and Indianapolis right now for A.J. and Tim Cindric said they’re pursuing sponsorship to try and add more races. Coyne may not have a second driver yet (hell, it’s only six weeks before the opener) and I just hope Justin Wilson has a seat. Beaux didn’t say it was set in stone, he’s just considering it, but if you paid passing points or more money, inverting the field might be very entertaining.
Q: 1) AJ Allmendinger, your fans want you back! Sign with Roger and give us even more awesome Americans in AOWR!!! 2) Roger Penske is the classiest of acts. Not only did he keep paying AJ when he was suspended and fired, but Roger kept in touch with AJ to try and help him land on his feet. Mr. Penske, you are gentleman and a scholar. And we thank you for that.
Dave Z, Newark, DE
RM: When Dinger won five races in 2006 he was making fans fast and his style and swagger will be good for IndyCar. In many cases, when The Captain brings you into his family it’s a lasting relationship and look how he stuck with Sam Hornish. RP has always been a class act.
Q: John Oreovicz tweeted that TGBB could be named CEO. Is he serious? I mean, really, is he just kidding? I wasn't happy about the Randy Bernard thing, but tried to avoid the emotional 'I'm not following IndyCar anymore' sentiment. However, if this is true, I think I am done with them. NASCAR may actually have some decent racing this year with the new cars, and F1 is way better anyway. If this turns out to be true, F 'em. How could they possibly be so dense as to not see what an absolute idiot he is?
Keith Younce
RM: I was told a couple weeks ago that TGBB would be put in charge of the racing side of IndyCar and that Will Phillips and Beaux Barfield would maintain their positions but answer to Barnhart. That’s sad enough for IndyCar but I don’t think they would make him CEO because that would be professional suicide. Marshall Pruett also confirmed he’s not in the running for CEO.
~Robin Miller
Q: I thought I agreed with your piece on IMS taking government money until I got to the conclusion....even though I am a near lifelong Indy car fan, I can't support this horse**** deal.
Read the message I sent to Jeff Belskus, if you will, to see why I'm so pissed about this. Living up here in Lake County, we are sick and tired of this BS to benefit Indy area sports venues ... Lake Central Schools had to fire 22 fine teachers this year because the state cut our operating fund allotment, even though our area is still growing. IMS was telling a bald-faced lie when it made the claim in the original press release that this proposal wouldn't impact school funding. If IMS sells such a good product that improving the facility is justified, why haven't they increased ticket prices? They charge LESS for an average ticket to the 500 or Brickyard than the Colts do for a home game now. I am not kidding, the figures do not lie. Did every sports venue (or say, shopping mall, clinic, or hospital) in Indiana get a state tax break to become ADA compliant due to a federal mandate? Nope, they had to adjust their budgets and fix that problem themselves in most cases. No excuse exists for IMS and its customers to avoid that same burden. There's also no way that all the taxpayers of Indiana should fund this because the dumbass H-G's fought amongst themselves for years and put themselves in this situation. Let them figure a way out of the mess ... or sell to someone who can.
Steve Jarzombek
RM: I don’t pretend to know the ramifications of this particular tax but I do know it’s not fair that we lose good teachers every year while sports flourish with government assistance. Having said that, IMS has driven more money for the Indianapolis’ business community in 100 years than all of our sports teams combined and multiplied by 50. Asking for help once a century (and paying back a portion of it annually) doesn’t bother me because the Speedway is our most valuable commodity and it needs to be preserved.
Q: Wasn't surprised to read your article on IMS wanting a hand out. It's the sign of the times: I make money, I win: I lose money, you lose. If you are big enough and if you can lose enough money (like TG), just appeal to "hometown pride and jobs created" and all that nonsense and some bureaucrat will come to the rescue with your money and money in hand. Fact is, sporting facilities are monuments to corporate welfare. Unfortunately, most people are too stupid or too fanatical to care.
Steve, Aurora, Colo.
RM: You are probably correct in the fact that had Tony George not spent millions and millions on the IRL, F1, airplanes, helicopters, marketing firms, Gene Simmons and Vision Racing, then IMS wouldn’t need or ask for assistance. But I don’t lump the Speedway in with all our of sports stadiums and pro sports greed because it’s stood on its own for over 100 years and helped Indianapolis immeasurably in so many ways.
Q: I read your article about IMS and as a huge fan of the 500 I agreed with much of what you were saying about how it doesn't need lights and what not. But, would the apron really bring more excitement to the 500? I would argue that the tight passing in the turns has led to the most excitement at the 500 since I have been attending. With JR losing it into the wall a couple years ago and Sato trying in Turn 1 last year we couldn't ask for more as fans! I never did make it to the race when the apron was around so I am not sure what it would add but, like I said the tough corners have made it an exciting event the last two years.
Matt Hartman
RM: The apron would benefit NASCAR more than IndyCar but, trust me, it would help both. Go check out an old video of Mears and Michael, Vuky and McGrath, Ruby and Mario, Johncock and Mears – the old apron provided lots of great passing and is missed.
Q: Very well written bit on IMS especially pointing out how lucrative tax code and breaks have made it for football, basketball and hockey. And to call out the IMS road course for what it is: boring and a waste of money. It underscores life with Bernie. He has a short memory, except for the bad things.
Kent Smith
RM: It always amazes me when people clamor for Indy cars on the IMS road course. Really? That flat, tight, non-descript circuit made F1 cars look slow so why would you want to take the fastest cars from the fastest race and make them look like Formula Fords in front of 10,000? And sports cars belong at Road America, Watkins Glen, Barber, Mid-Ohio, Sonoma and Laguna Seca — not 16th & Georgetown.
Q: I just read your article about IMS needing $100 million. I agree Indy is a national treasure and probably belongs on the list of historic places. Unfortunately the mismanagement by one Tony George and a host of other IndyCar personalities has presented the grand old speedway with a list of problems and here are the solutions. 1. Get rid of the folks from Daytona having any say in the Speedway. If they don't like it to0 bad. This applies to sports cars and stock cars. 2. Tear up the road course and turn it back into infield for the fans. The best deal in racing used to be parking in the infield on qualifying day and walking to every cool seat in the house. It would also be great thing for race day. Days in the infield for all racing used to be the best. 3. Dispense with any personnel associated with IRL, they can't hardly run their own show let alone IMS. 4. Back to the days of Indy being a once a year special. No other races. This really made the place special and kept fans coming back for the one chance at a great event. The people of Indianapolis have done a fabulous job over the years managing this event and I have always been impressed with them and been welcomed with a smile and gracious attitude. Thanks to them. I'll give my tax money willingly if we can go back to the way racing was and how the fans were welcomed by the Speedway. There is nothing like the hair standing on end when waking through the gates or driving through the tunnel.
Doug Eier
RM: Tony Hulman’s theory in not wanting any other races at the Speedway was that the Indy 500 was like the circus and it only comes to town once a year. I have no doubt that Indy would again be a sellout if it became the only race but that’s not likely to happen. IMS still makes money off the Brickyard so it’s probably staying but lights won’t make the racing any better.
Q: Gotta say I'm very psyched to hear AJ Allmendinger may run most of the year for Penske. He could be a nice infusion. Really hope that happens. Does anyone have a clue why Dale Coyne is so secretive even with his driver, on his plans? Will his second driver be another guy/gal we've never heard of? Lastly, it's premature but I totally hate Barfield's idea of inverting the field for double headers in 2014. It's just too hard to pass on road courses to do that. See you at Pocono!
Greg, Belleville, N.J.
RM: It looks like maybe Birmingham and Indianapolis right now for A.J. and Tim Cindric said they’re pursuing sponsorship to try and add more races. Coyne may not have a second driver yet (hell, it’s only six weeks before the opener) and I just hope Justin Wilson has a seat. Beaux didn’t say it was set in stone, he’s just considering it, but if you paid passing points or more money, inverting the field might be very entertaining.
Q: 1) AJ Allmendinger, your fans want you back! Sign with Roger and give us even more awesome Americans in AOWR!!! 2) Roger Penske is the classiest of acts. Not only did he keep paying AJ when he was suspended and fired, but Roger kept in touch with AJ to try and help him land on his feet. Mr. Penske, you are gentleman and a scholar. And we thank you for that.
Dave Z, Newark, DE
RM: When Dinger won five races in 2006 he was making fans fast and his style and swagger will be good for IndyCar. In many cases, when The Captain brings you into his family it’s a lasting relationship and look how he stuck with Sam Hornish. RP has always been a class act.
Q: John Oreovicz tweeted that TGBB could be named CEO. Is he serious? I mean, really, is he just kidding? I wasn't happy about the Randy Bernard thing, but tried to avoid the emotional 'I'm not following IndyCar anymore' sentiment. However, if this is true, I think I am done with them. NASCAR may actually have some decent racing this year with the new cars, and F1 is way better anyway. If this turns out to be true, F 'em. How could they possibly be so dense as to not see what an absolute idiot he is?
Keith Younce
RM: I was told a couple weeks ago that TGBB would be put in charge of the racing side of IndyCar and that Will Phillips and Beaux Barfield would maintain their positions but answer to Barnhart. That’s sad enough for IndyCar but I don’t think they would make him CEO because that would be professional suicide. Marshall Pruett also confirmed he’s not in the running for CEO.
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