The RACER Mailbag, January 15
Today at 05:38 AM
Welcome to the RACER Mailbag. Questions for any of RACER's writers can be sent to mailbag@racer.com. We love hearing your comments and opinions, but letters that include a question are more likely to be published. Questions received after 3pm ET each Monday will be saved for the following week.
Q: I just read Paul Pfanner's article titled 'IndyCar 2025: A turning point in the race to what's next." Great article, lots of information, except not one mention of the absence of at least one Andretti racing or owning a team in IndyCar for the first time in 60 years. I think Mario missed the Indy 500 in 1979.
I think there are those who are underestimating the loss of Michael Andretti as a team owner and the effect it's going to have on the sport. I've been buying my seats in Paddock Penthouse for the last 27 years from an Andretti fan and just last week he told me he was selling them off since there's no Andretti presence in IndyCar anymore.
I know Michael will be hanging around showing his face, but it's not the same. We've all seen this already with what happened to Richard Petty.
Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but I think it's going to more of a big deal as far as attendance and viewer participation goes than people think…
Mel, Arizona
MARSHALL PRUETT: Not sure how much you're going to see Michael this season. Of the many people there I've spoken to, they've all said that when he cleared out late last year, he's been completely gone. He could, of course, show up at some races if he desires to, but I don't want anyone to get their hopes up that Michael will be a regular presence in the paddock like his dad had been for decades.
Q: I am assembling my list of radio frequencies to load into my radios which no longer have the luxury of OTA programming at the track. My wife and I are heading to Long Beach this year for the 50th. Do we know what car numbers PREMA will have yet? I figure Malukas will be in the 41 car, correct? And how soon before we know Dale Coyne's drivers?
Jeff, Colorado
MP: Dale told me middle-to-late January for both, and with Abel now confirmed, I'm keeping my eye out for VeeKay – unless Coyne seeks a paying driver, because Rinus doesn't bring money.
PREMA will use Charlie Kimball's old number of 83 for Shwartzman and 90 for Ilott. Heard the Foyt team might be trying to grab the unused No. 4 for Malukas's car since Kyffin Simpson has been moved into the No. 8.
Q: I attend IndyCar races for one main reason: access. I can watch the race on TV and have a much better view of it. I go to a race to see things I cannot on TV.
I have never attended a race that did not have a pit pass available. Looking through all the races for 2025, I have only found St Pete and Mid-Ohio offering pit passes. Where have they all gone? Close up access to pit lane is the most intriguing thing to watch during a weekend. I spend as much time as I can there watching these teams work. Guess I will be staying home this year. (Paddock passes are not the same)
Craig
MP: Let's hope that changes as we get farther into the year and tracks develop more ticket offerings. When I was a kid attending local races where my dad or his business partner were racing, I became an absolute nuisance to the SCCA grid control/pit lane access volunteers. Did everything I could to sneak onto pit lane — despite being seven or eight — when all of the cars and crews walked down from grid. You're right; being where the action's happening is so much better than peering through a fence in the paddock.
Q: Is Benedetto Vigna the culprit for Ferrari not entering the IndyCar Series? Maybe he is anti-IndyCar?
Therius Oktavio
MP: Without a doubt. I curse his name each morning.
Q: In regards to the new IndyCar design, has there been any discussion about performance targets for the new chassis? The current chassis seems to have been passed by new chassis in other open-wheel series, and also seems to have too much dirty air for road course passing.
Will, Indy
MP: I'm sure they have internally, but nothing has been shared to my knowledge with those of us on the outside. I feel safe in assuming targets to maintain the current level or performance, or to slightly improve, are in play. Road course passes have happened aplenty.
Q: I am starting a petition urging IndyCar to retain Big Possum as Director of Competition (and hydration).
David Spear
MP: I'm convinced our tequila-loving Mailbag contributor Big Possum is actually Mark Miles.
