Robert Wickens tribute on the helmet of Charlie Kimball at Gateway. Image by Levitt/LAT

Q: Robert Wickens’ accident was devastating for many reasons. First and foremost, Robert’s long-term health. Will he recover enough to race again? I can’t think of a driver who said after a big accident “that’s it, I’m done” (except perhaps at the recommendation of a physician, i.e Dario Franchitti). I hope he makes a full recovery and doesn’t have to make a decision like Dario. Secondly, can SPM survive as a team? My brother believes the accident cost the team $2 million in chassis losses or repairs. Sponsors want drivers in cars for all the cash they’re forking out. Who will replace Robert in the short-term? Does SPM have the backing of its sponsors during this difficult time? Robert and SPM were one of the bright lights in IndyCar 2018.

Jonathan and Cleide Morris, Ventura, CA

RM: Too early to make any predictions or comments on whether Robbie will race again, I just want him to be able to walk out of the hospital and then go from there. Arrow is a great sponsor that loves Sam, Hinch and Robbie along with Forrest Lucas, so I don’t see any problem in that area. Don’t know, maybe Conor Daly?

Q: I was wondering if IndyCar has a support system in place to help drivers, crew members, and their families when a serious injury occurs. Does the sanctioning body have something in place, or is it done on a team-by-team basis? Praying for the best for Robert. Get well soon!

Nicole Seaton, Hartford, Ohio

RM: IndyCar has a medical liaison that was with Robbie all last week, and IndyCar also had a couple of people at the hospital the first couple days. I know Jay Frye checks in with the team or family on a daily basis, and there is a big support system.

Q: I know this won’t be a popular comment, but there was a reason it used to be tough to even be allowed to try to get a ride at Indy. Some good prospects were sent home to get another year’s experience in sprint cars before being allowed to try to get into the 500. Robert Wickens didn’t show that he has enough high-speed oval experience on Sunday at Pocono. Don’t get me wrong. I like him and think he’s very talented, but maybe IndyCar should rethink who gets to run high-speed ovals.

I remember when Thomas Scheckter ran his boss into the wall at his first oval race in Phoenix – and then look what happened at Indy while he was leading the race. Again, I’m not trying to pick on Robert. If oval guy like Ed Carpenter doesn’t have enough road racing experience, that will usually just mean he’ll be a little bit slow. But if you don’t have enough oval experience, it can be a lot worse. Robert definitely made a rookie mistake at Pocono, so maybe IndyCar should err on the side of caution. Hoping Robert will be alright.

Jim Patton, Lindale, Texas

RM: I disagree. Robbie caught onto ovals as quickly as anyone before him, and was flying at Texas before being taken out, damn near won Phoenix, and was strong at Indy. He had plenty of high HP experience overseas, and was as well prepared for turning left as any rookie could be from that standpoint. He was still learning on ovals, but he was such a quick learner and so impressive. What happened was a racing accident with two guys running hard through a tricky corner. I thought RHR tried to give as much room as possible, and you could see Robbie just push up enough to send them into the wall. But nobody is to blame. It was racing and, sadly, it had some serious consequences.

Q: I was shocked and sickened watching Wickens launch into the fence and back across the track. That’s not what racing is supposed to be about. So why the hell is IndyCar using Scott Dixon’s crash in Indy so heavily in its TV promo? Damn lucky we aren’t talking about Scott in the past tense. Honestly, if that is what they are selling, I am not interested in buying and watching. Just because NASCAR does it, doesn’t make it right. I know your influence is minimal, but thanks for letting me rant a moment.

Richard R.

RM: I’ve been saying the same thing for months – show your close finishes and quit the sensationalism.

Q: I have watched IndyCar/CART since the mid- to late-‘80s. I am wondering why the rash of flying cars has been happening since the start of the IRL? I can’t seem to recall a crash in the late ‘80s or early ‘90s where a car took flight like they do now. I remember the likes of Crawford getting air and almost immediately getting back on the ground with no acrobatics. It’s almost like the air gets underneath the cars and creates lots of lift. Is this an aero issue/a close racing issue?

Ben Wright, Lexington, KY

RM: Well, a few years ago when Ed Carpenter, Josef and Helio all sailed through the air after spinning, IndyCar came up with a solution to keep them on the ground and it’s worked just fine. But anytime an open-wheel car climbs over another one, somebody is going to get airborne. It’s a physics issue.

Q: I hated to see the Wickens crash, as I’m sure we all did. I’m probably not the only one who had Wheldon on his mind. Why not make the SAFER Barrier higher? Twice as high? I don’t think it would affect the sightlines all that badly, save for some cheap seats, and TV… not at all. I know it’s not a total solution (if one exists) but it’s gotta help, no?

Tim Severin

RM: I think it’s something IndyCar might look at in places there aren’t any spectators.