Q: I will say this about Sato, he definitely creates excitement. What an incredible race and an incredible event. I have stated before that Gateway deserves and should be the season finale. I understand the owners believe that tracks like Gateway and Iowa are not classy enough for the season finale, but at what point does common sense take over? Gateway has proven in three years it can draw a massive crowd, take a dip in attendance, and then bounce back with a crowd bigger than ever. What would you say was the attendance number? And do you think we ever get to a point when Mark Miles says enough is enough, we need to finish the season where the fanbase is and at event that comes across as a big-time event and not something that resembles a pre-season tire test?

Brian, Plainfield, IL

RM: This is no knock on Sonoma or Laguna Seca, but they’re not good tracks for Indy cars, and drawing a crowd is challenging. NBC will have to get creative next month to make it look like somebody is there. I’ve written and cajoled the owners about being short-sighted, and why wouldn’t you want the season finale and championship to be decided where there are passionate people and lots of them? It’s maddening because Gateway might sell it out, and there’s a big-time atmosphere there every year. It’s the perfect place for the finale, and if the owners want to wine and dine their sponsors, St. Louis is 10 minutes away and has plenty of good restaurants.

Q: I seem to be in the minority. That race wasn’t good for me. The restarts were exciting for about three laps and the finish was great, but the race was a bit of a parade. It took Ferrucci 30 laps to get by Newgarden, and he had to gamble to try and get on the podium with a car that was a cut above. On the subject of Ferrucci, I’m surprised you think he’s a candidate for SPAM (Schmidt Peterson Arrow McLaren). I don’t see how they can sign someone who is still so poorly viewed after he got banned from F2.  I think NBC would do well to let the kid talk about where he’s come from, what he’s learned and where he sees himself headed. What are your thoughts on any of this?

Ryan in West Michigan

P.S. If Bourdais doesn’t crash we have a Ferrucci, Bourdais, and Daly podium –not necessarily in that order–  and nobody else in the same zip code as those three. Agreed?

RM: Yes you are. Of the 200-plus emails, yours was the only one that didn’t like the race and I’m not sure how it could have been much better, given Gateway’s tight corners. What Ferrucci did a few years ago as a teenager shouldn’t have a lot of bearing on his future, and he’s been nothing but a model citizen over here – not to mention a bit of a revelation on ovals. I imagine NBC may set him down for an interview in the next few weeks. He got hosed by the caution, as did Conor.

Ryan from West Michigan wasn’t impressed, but it seems most other fans enjoyed what they saw at Gateway on Saturday. Image by Abbott/LAT

Q: First off, that was an epic race and displayed everything that makes IndyCar the best top echelon racing series on the planet. If that race did not grab you, you don’t have a pulse. What was the crowd count? There is no doubt as to its gaining traction. What were crowd comments after? What are your thoughts about Conor Daly’s opportunity for a full-time ride? He did a hell of a job and has elevated Carlin’s game.

Emmett M. Murphy, Mesquite, Texas

RM: The main grandstand holds 40,000, and there were probably 25,000 in it and another 11,000 tickets were sold in Turn 1, so I’d say at least 30,000 were in attendance. The fans that have written to The Mailbag are like you – they loved it because it featured some hard, wild racing. I would hope that Trevor Carlin finds the money to hire Daly, because he’s turned that team around.

Q: Hey Robin, Saturday’s race was amazing for Conor Daly. I’ve been rooting for him for years, and it sounds like you have also. I really hope he lands at McLaren. Do you know if he’s going to be with Carlin at Portland or is Chilton back in the car? I assume so but there hasn’t been a mention of the situation for Portland.

Jeff Barker

RM: I think Zak Brown and Conor have texted each other and I know McLaren wants a big name, but Daly would be a solid choice. He’s hungry, talented and understands a chassis. His next race will be at Laguna for Andretti with Air Force backing.

Q: Nothing against Colton Herta, he’s a great young talent. Why does it appear that some teams are bending over backwards to sign him when Ferrucci’s record this year is far better then Colton’s (minus one win). Is Ferrucci still under contract? Does Colton bring more sponsorship? If I owned a team and looked at laps completed, average finishing position, and the fact that he doesn’t damage cars that often, I would want him on my team ASAP!

Brad Heuer, Coeurdalene, Idaho

RM: The only two teams that were “bending over backwards” were Andretti and McLaren because Colton is 19 and a little badass with a fabulous future. Ditto for Santino. Coyne says he wants to keep him and it’s been a good fit, but there aren’t a lot of places to go unless it’s Arrow McLaren SP or Foyt, and why would anyone think he’d be better off there? He’s kicking their ass every week with Coyne. I said on TV a couple of weeks ago that if I were Zak Brown I’d try and sign Ferrucci and Mike Cannon as package deal for 2020.