By Marshall Pruett June 29, 2022 4:45 AM
By Marshall Pruett | June 29, 2022 4:45 AM ET
Q: Would you be at all surprised that I live in Utah and actually was an evangelist for two years? If IndyCar would send me on a mission to preach about it, I would do it. I am 100% converted to the cause. If you know of any preaching opportunities out there, just let me know.
Ever since I attended Long Beach, and witnessed IndyCar racing in person, all I can think about is being a part of it somehow and learning as much as I can. I have since completed Beast by Jade Gurss, The Split, and I am just about the finish Paul Page’s book. Are there any websites, blogs, or other books you would recommend?
MP: That’s great to hear, Mike. I don’t spend much time on other IndyCar-related sites, so I’m of no help there. As for books, pay a visit to my friend Paul Zimmermann’s The Motorsport Collector site, or any other reputable racing memorabilia/racing book seller, and take home some old Carl Hungness Indy 500 annuals and some of the Autocourse CART and Champ Car annuals. Amazing history is captured in those pages and in many cases, they can be had for not a lot of money.
Q: Each IndyCar has its number on both sides of the roll bar cowling. Each number also has a black circle maybe two inches in diameter. What is it? What does it do?
MP: I’m wondering if you’re seeing and referring to the holes in the roll hoop where the tow bars slide through?
Light-colored car, white numbers. All the better to show off the tow bar holes in the roll hoop. Karl Zemlin/Penske Entertainment
Q: With so many incredible V8 engines powering street cars in cars from USA, Germany, Japan, Korea, why hasn’t IndyCar looked at an equivalency formula for “stock blocks” like in the old days? Weren’t the stock block rules a cost-saving idea?
It would bring instant variety to the field, create jobs in engine building shops around the country and maybe lower the bar for team entry. And we’ll never see so many amazing V8s ever again.
MP: I’d guess the reason why is it would involve completely abandoning a fully functional engine formula that has two highly invested auto manufacturers who promote and support the series in ways that local engine builders with no history or investment in IndyCar would not. This was tried last with the original IRL formula in 1997, and it was a total s***show that proved to be among the least popular eras of all-time. So other than those two reasons, I’m all for it.
Q: NASCAR requires cars to fit windshield wipers for road courses in case of rain. How difficult would it be to fix a wiper on the aeroscreen?
MP: Well, the stock cars have windshield wiper motors, a built-in mounting position for those wiper motors, and wiper blades designed to fit the motors and windshields. Indy cars do not have windshield wiper motors, a built-in mounting position for those wiper motors, or wiper blades designed to fit the motors and aeroscreens. So, it would be difficult, my friend.
THE FINAL WORD From Robin Miller’s Mailbag, June 28, 2017
Q: Any good A.J. stories from his trip to Le Mans last week? How did Ford convince Foyt to go back to Le Mans after 50 years? Certainly it wasn’t for the French food. Also loved your video on the Foyt dictionary. When you interviewed him on “Wind Tunnel” in 2009, I volunteered to keep score for Greg Leary on A.J’s favorite expressions. The tally was as follows: “This is quite true” (four times), “To be quite truthful” (seven), “All in all” (twice) and “Misfortunate” (0). Having A.J. on “Wind Tunnel”: priceless.
ROBIN MILLER: Biggest shocker since Tex started wearing tennis shoes, but I think Edsel Ford was the big reason and only reason the ’67 co-winner returned to France. He said he lost 20 pounds because he couldn’t eat any of that $%*# and he caught a cold, and that’s his last trip across The Pond – until I convince him to go to Goodwood. I also heard that when Ford first approached him about the trip, one of his conditions was that he have a hotel room with a bathroom so he wouldn’t have to keep walking down the hallway like he did in ’67. But I’m told he actually had a good time, and he was smiling in just about every photo I saw, and he even got back behind the wheel of the GT40. So, to be quite truthful with you all, I think he had a better time than he let on.
RMB, IndyCar, Insights & Analysis
The 2022 season marks Marshall Pruett's 36th year working in the sport. In his role today for RACER, Pruett covers open-wheel and sports car racing as a writer, reporter, photographer, and filmmaker. In his previous career, he served as a mechanic, engineer, and team manager in a variety of series, including IndyCar, IMSA, and World Challenge.
Tune in Sept. 4 at 10:00a - 6:00p CT for the 2022 Crandon World Championship Off-Road Races
Mixed fortunes for Ganassi title contenders
IndyCar Portland Turn 1 start and bypass rules set
VIDEO: IndyCar Portland qualifying recap
[…] to the RACER Mailbag. Questions for any of RACER’s writers can be sent to mailbag@racer.com. Due to the high volume of questions received, we can’t guarantee that every letter will be […]
September 3, 2022 10:06 PM ET · By: Marshall Pruett
The good news is that Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou made it through to the final round of qualifying at Portland for Sunday’s (…)
September 3, 2022 8:41 PM ET · By: Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service
At the end of a thrilling three-car battle that wasn’t decided until the last corner of the last lap Saturday at Darlington Raceway, Noah (…)
September 3, 2022 8:40 PM ET · By: NHRA
Top Fuel’s Steve Torrence put together a pair of impressive runs on Saturday, rolling to the victory in the Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel (…)
September 3, 2022 7:37 PM ET · By: Marshall Pruett
After logging two practice sessions and qualifying at the Portland Grand Prix, the NTT IndyCar Series has finalized its plans for how (…)
September 3, 2022 6:51 PM ET · By: IndyCar
Benjamin Pedersen continued his march toward his first career victory in Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires by winning the pole Saturday (…)
September 3, 2022 6:51 PM ET · By: Road to Indy
One day after celebrating his 18th birthday with an emphatic victory at Portland International Raceway, Reece Gold emerged victorious once (…)
September 3, 2022 6:50 PM ET · By: Lime Rock Park
Some 65 years after the first race at Lime Rock Park, the famous “No Name Straight” was finally bestowed with a very memorable name Labor (…)
September 3, 2022 5:11 PM ET · By: Marshall Pruett
Pole position for the Portland Grand Prix would be settled between the Team Penske trio of Josef Newgarden, Will Power, Scott McLaughlin, the (…)
Tune in Sept. 4 at 10:00a - 6:00p CT for the 2022 Crandon World Championship Off-Road Races
Verstappen and Ferrari drivers condemn ‘stupid’ fans throwing flares
Austin Dillon to get new crew chief for 2023
Schumacher revels in unexpected Q3 appearance
Verstappen hails Red Bull turnaround after ‘full risk’ pole lap
Cindric leads Darlington Cup practice
All contents copyright © 2022, Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorization. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc., 17030 Red Hill Avenue, Irvine, CA 92614, 949.417.6700 Partner of USA Today Sports Digital Properties