Could Hildebrand and DRR go full-time next year? Image by LePage/LAT

Q: Back in the spring, there were rumblings that Dreyer & Reinbold was gearing up for a potential full-time run next year. Any news on that effort? I don’t seem to hear them mentioned much in silly season news. I mainly ask as a big J.R. Hildebrand fan. I feel like DRR might be his best opportunity to get back into a car full time. Any word on what his plans are for the future?

Trevor Schaeffer, Minneapolis, MN

RM: Spoke with Dennis Reinbold today for about 20 minutes, and if he can raise the correct budget, he still wants to run a full schedule in 2019. But, if not, he’s a smart guy and he’s not going to piecemeal a deal that has no potential, because being a place holder doesn’t interest him. But he’ll always be part of the Indy 500 because he can find sponsors, and he’s got a good little team, and he’s a racer.

Q: Do you think Ferrucci would have gotten his IndyCar drive on talent if he had no money, given his lack of results in F2 and stupid antics?

Mike G.

RM: Uh, no, not with Dale. Or anyone else at this stage of his career. But he’s young and deserves a second chance, and IndyCar is watching him, trust me.

Q: Michael Andretti has been taking lots of heat for his comments following the Wickens crash. I think he was just being a good boss and standing up for his guy. Some of the internet trolls have been harsh on RHR. Also, I am a bit worried about how this crash has mentally affected a few of our heroes. Seb, RHR, Hinch seem pretty spooked to me. Being spooked can’t be good when strapping into these machines. Not that I blame them…

Jeff Loveland

RM: I think what Michael said was fine as well, but would have been a nice touch to add something about hoping Wickens was OK. Two of those three have had near-death experiences, so I understand if they’re a little edgy, and RHR knows how lucky he was (twice in the same crash), but I don’t think it prevents them from gassing it.

Q: I believe that NBCSN deserves an Emmy, all the IndyCar drivers deserve a Nobel Peace Prize and that all IndyCar fans deserve a case of their favorite beverage and a box of cookies for Pocono. Your thoughts?

Josh from Kennebunk, Maine

RM: I was so impressed by the Pocono crowd sticking it out for two hours during that red flag, and let me tell you that the folks who showed up and I talked to were die-hard IndyCar fans. So maybe there’s hope for Pocono, because that was the best turnout since IndyCar started going back.

Q: What is up with JoNew? Those marbles in Toronto seem to have stolen his mojo. Dude seemed so unstoppable earlier this year. I know we are a ways out from a schedule announcement, but what are we to expect for 2019? Regarding aero kit, the super speedway package seems to be the only one that is worse than the previous body kits. Hopefully they figure out the superspeedway show with this package.

C.J. Shoemaker

RM: He’s been quick, but just missed the past few races and Rossi hasn’t – but it’s hard to imagine getting lapped in a Penske car, isn’t it? Willy P. is on the roll now, and the last two races should be interesting. Expect 17 races and likely a Texas Two-Step. IndyCar will figure out the aero kit for 2019 on the big ovals.

Q: Tony Stewart won’t run cold turkey, so why not do pre-season test, and run Indy Grand Prix? It’s more about the car than the track anyway. If Harding gets McLaren’s money and smarts, does it need Andretti, or does it just need to poach the right people from across the paddock? “Find” the right engineers, call Barichello to coach, upgrade the mechanical bits, and see what happens. Obviously a long shot, but I’m not optimistic (or drunk) enough to dream of Alonso in a McLaren-Foyt car.

Daly gets a call to step in for Wicky to finish the season? Not how anyone wants to get a job, but someone should try to put the No.6 on the podium, with Robert’s name still prominently shown on the car. Force and Rahal should start marketing to each other’s sponsors to take advantage of the possibilities. Shared sponsorship from Skype? Drunken dream scenario: Ganassi runs four drivers as Memorial doubles. Dixie, Felix, Larson, and Busch/McMurray. The four at Indy seem much more plausible compared to the Iceman and the Swede invading Charlotte (probably as likely as PT running for the Captain), but who doesn’t want to see it? Hope I at least gave you a laugh or two!

Glenn from Houston

RM: Running the road course won’t get Smoke ready for 225 mph, but a two-day test might. I think Zak Brown and Michael are joined at the hip so, no Fred for A.J. Love to see Conor get to run Robbie’s car and he subbed a couple years ago for Hinch, so who better? I like your dream team for Indy because Kyle Busch would be good for ratings and probably do a helluva a job, and Larson is Parnelli Jones, so he’s got to run Indy soon.