Last-lap shenanigans in the Truck race at Mosport. Image by Baker/LAT

Q: After watching Noah Gragson dump Todd Gilliland at the NASCAR Truck race in Canada, I’m finding myself questioning what I want from NASCAR. I mean they took the Kyle Larson/Busch clash from earlier in the year at Chicagoland and made it into an ad campaign. I don’t mind rough racing, but when I can predict the exact events of a NASCAR road course race with two laps to go, then watch the carnage unfold, I feel almost let down. Maybe I’m spoiled by F1 and IndyCar when it comes to penalties regarding reckless racing, but this feels out of hand. Twitter blew up after the race too, and I saw some of NASCAR’s vets argue whether this kind of racing at a road course is OK or not.

And the trouble goes back, too: Tony Stewart vs. Denny Hamlin at Sonoma and Cole Custer vs. JH Nemechek at Canada are a couple that come to mind. But then what some say is the best finish in NASCAR history was Brad Keselowski and Marcos Ambrose at Watkins Glen a couple years ago. That was what I want: rough racing at the end, no one getting wrecked, just a little bouncing off of each other. You know, showing some respect. But even that finish was spoiled at the beginning of that lap when Brad dumped Kyle Busch in Turn 2. I’m only 18, so I don’t know what the reception was when Earnhardt wrecked Labonte at Bristol… then did it again. But I think it felt different than this. That seemed like short-track passion on a Saturday night, and this seems like a road rage incident on the Sunday drive home.

Colin K, Knox, IN

RM: It takes no talent to spin somebody out, be it and oval or a road course, but the NASCAR mentality is that it’s OK (the Daytona 500 was decided by the leader being rammed off the track on the last lap, and of course there was no penalty because it was Richard Childress’ grandson), but there is an art to moving someone out of the way, I suppose. Alex Tagliani lost the Xfinity race at Mid-Ohio on the last corner, and my boy JPM spun somebody out at Mexico City’s road course way back in time to win, so it’s expected. Austin Cindric did it earlier this season, but opted not to a couple weeks ago for the win. Ricky Craven and Kurt Busch at Darlington was the best, slam-bang finish I’ve ever seen to decide a race on an oval, but I enjoyed watching Chase Elliott hold off Denny Hamlin at The Glen a few weeks ago – they drove hard and clean and it was a good race. But there’s a difference between leaning on someone and spearing someone – just not sure NASCAR cares as long as people are talking.

Q: It’s time to end the open-wheel/tin-tops trash talk once and for all. When the great Emerson Fittipaldi’s grandson whips his ride to third-fastest in practice at Gateway and his comment about how he learned oval racing is his heartfelt reference to driving stock cars at the Hickory NC Speedway (long since past over by NASCAR’S upper divisions), it’s time to let the bickering go! Young Pietro is here in the U.S. honing his talents and racing. Still hobbling from the Spa crash… it doesn’t matter. He gets behind the wheel went from 21st to 11th.

NBCSN promotes IndyCar during NASCAR events, and NASCAR during IndyCar events. Since the network is promoting the top professional auto racing in the USA, it’s time to celebrate our sport as racing enthusiasts. We’re sitting here in a time of reduced onsite crowds, reduced TV audiences, and questions about where future fans will even come from. There is no room for any more silly jealousy about who’s better or what auto racing series (sniff sniff) a person will watch. You’d better be watching it all, and talking it up everywhere you go. And get off your so-called fan ass and attend a couple races, even local ones, a year.

Streaming services/apps show great promise for racing. A seemingly dedicated young-ish fanbase is developing. At least a couple times a year, an honest to goodness racing road trip is getting a second look. Promote auto racing as much as NBC Sports is promoting what they’ve paid for. All racing drivers strap in and race. Heck Miller, your auto sales Gateway promoter guy even properly gave the command “Gentlemen Start Your Engines”

Mo Wynn, Mt Pleasant, SC

RM: I think the NASCAR coverage on NBC and NBCSN has been great for IndyCar, because they are always promoting the next IndyCar race and any NASCAR event is a great lead-in for an IndyCar event. I think Little E and Jeff Burton are both fans of IndyCar, and next year is going to be the best we’ve had in a long time in terms of exposure and promoting. Kyle Busch is like Tiger Woods, if he’s driving then I’m watching and that goes for Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell. I’m guilty of being anti-NASCAR about rules, favorites, phantom yellows, lucky dogs and stage racing, but Bristol, Darlington, Richmond, The Glen and Sonoma are usually good races I try to watch because it’s good racing and not ‘riding around’ for four hours.

It’s natural for IndyCar and NASCAR fans to sling mud, but there can be mutual respect on occasion. I met a couple of ‘Bama boys last weekend at Gateway who are NASCAR diehards, and they decided to drive over and take in their first IndyCar race and they loved everything – all the races, the access to drivers and cars and the speed – so it can work.