Q: I was just writing in wondering why Tomas Scheckter or Buddy Rice isn’t being considered for a driving job? I saw them at Indy a couple years ago and they were very fast. Rice won the 2004 Indy 500 and Scheckter has come very close. It just makes no sense to me how they aren’t being considered.

Zach Plainfield, IN

RM: Good question but no good answer. Buddy is the consummate pro and Tomas was always one of the most exciting drivers in the series. It’s like they were just shoved aside and I’ll never understand it. I talked to Buddy a couple weeks ago and he’ll come back and run Indy again if he can land a good ride like he had with Panther in 2011. Tomas went back to Europe last year and I doubt if we’ll see him again.

Q: Hey RM, I read your column every month and have much respect for your insight into racing. I keep seeing mailbaggers talking about IndyCar in its "heyday" i.e. 60's, 70's and 80's. That's all well and good to reminisce. I remember those days too, but IndyCar is in danger of going "belly up" if something isn't done soon. IndyCar needs some forward thinking leadership (Beaux Barfield). I still don't understand why Randy got the boot, what's done is done. We need the people writing in here talking about ideas for the future, not the past. IndyCar needs young people as new fans, and the leadership needs to find a way to get them on board and keep them on board. I love American open wheel racing and don't want to see it turn into past history.

Duke Manson, Pensacola, Florida

RM: Agreed, the biggest challenge is cultivating new fans and you can’t do it with just autograph sessions or fan forums. I imagine video games could help since the younger generation is Xbox crazy but I think Randy Bernard had the right idea by going to Hollywood. The DreamWorks movie Turbo will be out this summer and that’s the kind of mass appeal crossover that could help IndyCar resonate with kids.

Q: Are there any updates as far as IndyCar racing returning to Elkhart Lake? One of the best tracks in America, which was always loved by the drivers, is ignored year after year for Indy racing. After the Milwaukee Mile was reinstated there was some talk of alternating years between that site and Road America. What ever happened to that idea? Why is IndyCar ignoring this great venue?

Tom Santry

RM: When Michael Andretti agreed to promote Milwaukee, Bernard wanted to only have one race in Wisconsin until The Mile got re-established on the calendar. Michael had no problem with adding Elkhart Lake, but the problem was trying to agree on a sanction fee for Road America. Everybody wants to go back but the price has to be right for both sides.

Q: Wow, to quote Chris Rock, "First the Fat Boys break up, now this..." So IndyCar's only power couple is done. Did you see this one coming? Dario has always impressed me as intensely private about his personal life, but did brewing trouble distract him last year? Other than Indy it was a very forgettable season, especially since with his experience and TCGR you would expect better results. Do you know if he'll stay in Nashville, come up to Indy to be closer to the team and try to join Foyt, Unser, and Mears and knock out a nice round fifth series title?

Andy Hylton

RM: Had dinner with Dario a few weeks ago and he never mentioned it, which isn’t surprising because he is famously private and I doubt you’ll ever hear him say a negative word about A.J. Not sure where he’ll pitch a tent but Indy makes sense in the summer.

Q: I was wondering if the leaders of IndyCar realize how popular Pippa Mann is and how hard she works to promote the series. She has a wonderful personality, loves to interact with fans, and is full of enthusiasm for the sport. Yet it looks like another season is going to start with her on the sidelines. I know IndyCar can't order some owner to put her in a car, but it seems they should have some kind of influence. Pippa is exactly the type of driver we need to grow the popularity of the series, but she is an asset mostly going to waste. A lot of people probably don't even know who she is because she never gets to race. I just wonder if IndyCar management is as clueless about Pippa as they seem to be about most other things the fans care about.

Pat, Brownsburg IN

RM: She also does a nice job on radio with Indy Lights but I feel like she’s a better spokesperson than race driver. IndyCar might be smart to hire her to do videos, on-line blogs and anything media related.