Q: Have there been any talks about expanding to more than 17 IndyCar races? That seems like the number it has been around for a while now, and while I think NASCAR and F1 run way too many races, 20-ish would be good. There were a couple of pretty big gaps between races this year, and I think one could slot into to split it up. Long Beach on April 14 to May 11 for Indy GP was the biggest, four weeks apart, along with a few three-week gaps as well. But a race at the end of April would make sense to add. I know its physically demanding and costs money to move all the equipment, and don’t want to sound like an unappreciative fan, I just feel like it’s hard to keep fans involved with such big layoffs in between races. Your thoughts?

Anthony in Shrewsbury, MA

RM: Jay Frye has said he’d favor 20 races if they could find three more solid venues, so it’s possible in a couple of years. But I’ve seen the 2020 schedule and other than the Summer Olympics on NBC, there aren’t any big gaps. Ideally there would be an IndyCar every other weekend in June-July-August-September, but it’s not that easy because tracks and promoters pick specific dates for a reason.

Q: Lost in the to ‘race or not to race at Pocono’ debate, and justifiably so as safety comes first, is the possible lack of 500-milers if the superspeedways depart the schedule. Though reliability isn’t the concern it used to be, there still is something special about the added element of endurance, and it would be a shame to only have that once a year.

Pat Jenkins Columbus, Ohio

RM: My take on 500-milers is that if you don’t have 33 cars then don’t ever try to run one, because it’s a s^%$ show. And if IndyCar could find a big sponsor for a Triple Crown and go back to Fontana and Pocono, then maybe you do it. But that’s not going to happen. One 500-miler a year is plenty.

Q: I love racing for many reasons, and one of them is the thrill of speed. And nothing gives me my fix like an IndyCar superspeedway race. If Pocono is indeed gone, that only leaves two high-speed ovals in IndyCar. My question is, is that it? Have the drivers, teams, series, and fans lost the stomach for the risk involved? Are there any 1.5 mile-plus ovals that will ever be on the schedule some day – Kentucky, Chicagoland, anything? Or is the future Indy and a couple of short tracks?

Dennis C, Lake in the Hills, IL

RM: Obviously, the crowds at Texas and Pocono have not been overwhelming, so superspeedways aren’t easy for the promoters to sell. So do IndyCar fans prefer a short track compared to a long race with only 22 cars on a big oval? I think so. Texas is different because it’s only a mile-and-a-half, but it’s got good racing, just like Iowa and Gateway. But it’s not about risk, it’s about business, and ovals are exciting as hell but a tough sell. I don’t think anybody cares where they race, as long as it’s a successful show for everyone.

Insert your own ‘dark clouds over Pocono IndyCar future’ caption here. Image by Abbott/LAT

Q: We’ll leave the Pocono ‘in or out’ controversy to last week. What tracks, no longer in the championship – or even in existence – do you remember fondly and wish would return to the IndyCar schedule?

Jenkins, Mono, Ontario

RM: Cleveland, Riverside, Ontario, Hanford, Montreal, Mont-Tremblant, Vancouver, Mexico City and Milwaukee. We tried Phoenix again and it failed miserably, but it was a great IndyCar venue for five decades.

Q: What a terrific race and what a wonderful crowd. It looked to be a solid mix of IndyCar diehards and local St. Louis sports fans. WWT Raceway, Bommarito, and all involved really know how to promote the event. It was a terrific atmosphere. There was tons to see and do Saturday even before the main event.

And the race itself was outstanding! Good to see the old guard conquer the podium, and good to see a redemptive arc for Taku since I feel he dealt with a disproportionate amount of nonsense in the hours and days following the ABC Supply 500. The Bommarito 500 promoters are definitely dialed in, and I’d love to see the other ovals take some of their cues to increase interest in and attendance of their events.

What’s the status of Pocono for 2020? It was a great event to attend for the first time, and I’d totally go back. What’s to keep Pocono remaining while adding Richmond? Six ovals and at least 18 races in 2020 would be my preference!

Second question: it was great to see the Indy Pro 2000 and Lights races at Gateway. Can we maybe get them back to Iowa in 2020 at the very least? Two ovals a year is not enough for the Road to Indy drivers, IMHO, and the Pro 2000 race was a doozy!

Thanks again for all you do, Robin. It was good to see you in the paddock. I’m glad you liked my IndyCar Versus Network polo! I’ll look forward to seeing you at Indy next May, if not sooner.

Andrew McNaughton, Chicago

RM: I’ve said for the past three years that Chris Blair and his great staff should hold a seminar for how to promote an IndyCar race, because nobody can touch them. The status of Pocono is not looking good, how’s that? The more preliminary events from the ladder system the better, but it’s always up to the promoter. Gateway was another winner, glad you were there.

Q: When I go to NAPA for washer fluid, Shell for gas and chewing gum, DHL for shipping and my TAG Heuer dealer for a new battery, I never see any sponsorship ties to IndyCar. No posters, life-size cardboard cutouts of drivers or anything plastered to the outside of their company trucks. How does sponsorship work if it’s not at eye level with people everyday? Heck, the guy at my NAPA store didn’t even know they are the title sponsor for an Indy 500 winner. I would love to see Helio’s smiling face plastered on the gas pump every time I fill up. His eyes saying “You know Fred, this V-Power stuff really works. I should know, I’m Helio.”

Moving on to Portland. Our family recently moved to southern Oregon, so the five-hour drive to see the Portland GP is a no-brainer. My two sons have only attended the Indy 500 (six and four times respectively) and Portland last year was the only IndyCar race outside of the 500 they’ve seen. We really enjoyed the relaxed family atmosphere of the Portland Raceway. “Hey look over there, it’s Hinch leaning on a stack of tires, go up and say hi for Pete’s sake.” “Look it’s Sato with a snow cone sitting on that golf cart.” “This is so cool!” my boys say.

My special Dad moments were waiting to use the port-a-john only to have the door swing open and meet a very relieved Ed Carpenter then say something stupid like, “Hey Ed, hows it going?” Our biggest laugh was me getting clipped by Zach Veach on his scooter zipping thru the fans to get to his car for final practice. Damn hippie. I grew up in Indy, attended about 30 Indy 500s and will keep going as long as I can, but I can’t wait to return for our “little race weekend” up here in Portland.

Fred Alig, Ashland, OR

RM: The key today is business-to-business relationships rather than drivers hawking products, although the Honda commercials with Hinch are cool and Shell used Helio a couple years ago. IndyCar’s access is its No. 1 selling point besides the racing and I’m glad you experienced it firsthand. See you this weekend.