Welcome to the Robin Miller Mailbag presented by Honda Racing / HPD. You can follow the Santa Clarita, California-based company at: hpd.honda.com and on social media at @HondaRacing_HPD and https://www.facebook.com/HondaRacingHPD.
Your questions for Robin should continue to be sent to millersmailbag@racer.com We cannot guarantee we’ll publish all your questions and answers, but Robin will reply to you. And if you have a question about the technology side of racing, Robin will pass these on to Marshall Pruett and he will also answer here.
Q: It's 77 degrees today near Laguna Seca (no longer Mazda Raceway) and should be gorgeous at the Sonoma test. I don't think the Monterey County Board of Supervisors has anyone left in the motorsports world to offend. The new agreement with SCRAMP will sweep a lot under the rug, but look for stability in Laguna's operations for the foreseeable future, though I don't see any game-changer that will bring the track to the prominence it once held.
I had a chance to briefly speak to Mark Miles at Sonoma after the on track ceremonies. When asking about an early-season race at Laguna, I was surprised at his response, namely "management" (SCRAMP) does not want an early-season race. After giving it some thought, it makes sense that they don't want to spin up their volunteer structure that early and also, the Wolf Hill parking area could be a sea of mud during the rainy season. That would mean shuttling spectators in from the old Fort Ord tank parking lots on what is now Cal State Monterey Bay.
At this point, the only way I see IndyCar returning to Laguna is if Sonoma goes away. And after attending Sonoma for the first time, that's not likely. With the WeatherTech series on the rise with greater star power, the most prominent Historics weekend in North America, a solid World Superbikes weekend and manufacturer-funded events like the Porsche Rennsport Reunion, Laguna really doesn't need to compete for a NASCAR or IndyCar weekend. That means minimal sanctioning fees and events that bring manufacturer revenue that lessens the importance of TV or spectator revenue. That being said, looking back to the DP01 test in the Champ Car days, why would Laguna Seca not be a good candidate for a pre-season test, especially with the weather we're having now?
Paul, Carmel, CA
RM: If Sonoma were to go away then I imagine Laguna would get some serious consideration for that fall date, since it doesn't sound like spring is an option. I do think Laguna would be fine for the pre-season test, but IndyCar is trying to re-establish a presence back in Phoenix, and along with testing the new aero kit and hopefully improving the on-track product from the last two snoozers, this was also an opportunity to do that.
Q: Just checking if there is any new information on the season starting earlier in the future? I think the series could definitely look at Australia and or Mexico to make that possible. Start with two races before St. Pete, fill the gap in August with Calgary or another Canadian venue, and move Gateway or Iowa to the season finale, and the schedule would be perfect. Another crazy idea I thought of was having Fontana start the season with a 500-miler, and end at Michigan with a 500-miler. That way there is a 500-mile race early, middle, and late. I know it's far-fetched, but a guy can dream.
Brian, Joliet, Illinois
RM: Japan or Australia would seem the logical choices to open the season, but not much talk about either right now. No way Fontana runs in the spring, it's gearing up for its NASCAR race, and Michigan has no interest to my knowledge.
Q: Great to see Vasser and Sulli back in the game! Looks like they brought the sponsor with them, which leads to my question: does that change how much funding needs to be brought to the table for the No.19, and open the doors to more potential drivers? Also, is it possible this grows to a three-car team in the future?
Glenn, Houston, TX
RM: I suppose anything is possible with Dale, but I wouldn't think he'd be interested in a third car without another Leader's Circle check – unless somebody brings a bunch of money. If DeMelo and Fittipaldi are splitting the ride in #No.9 and Seb has good funding thanks to Vasser and Sullivan, I imagine a fourth car at Indy is possible.
Q: So Conor Daly is on The Amazing Race building new fans. So when those new fan see an IndyCar race and look for where Conor is, well, he won't be there. This doesn't seem like a good plan for IndyCar. I understand drivers have to bring money, however Conor being in a car is in the best interest of IndyCar. Not just for these new fans, BUT also Conor has slowly become one of the most popular drivers. Why does IndyCar sit by and see marketing opportunities like this pass them by?
Tom Harleman, Carmel, IN
RM: The biggest difference between NASCAR and IndyCar is that the former would never let one of its young guns sit on the sidelines, while IndyCar either doesn't have the money or interest to keep Daly in a car. I don't know how many new fans The Amazing Race might make, but they won't follow long if the guy they want to cheer for doesn't have a ride. Having said that, IndyCar will do anything and everything (financially) to make sure Danica has a ride in May because it feels like she's going to draw so much extra attention (I don't), but Daly isn't in that category.