Q: Each year NBC invests millions of dollars in new network programming hoping to find the next big hit show. Advertising dollars follow the ratings generating profits for the network. Unfortunately, most new shows fail on all of the broadcast networks. Many don’t financially recover their costs. James Hinchcliffe’s current situation presents an opportunity for a variation on that model.

Reading between the lines of Marshal Pruett’s October 30 article, Hinch is $3 – $4 million short of funding a ride. Why doesn’t that money come from NBC/NBC Gold? They would have branding on the car and a literal in-race reporter each week. More importantly, NBC Gold should get nearly unlimited access to Hinch’s racing activities for its investment. Debriefs with the engineers, working with teammates, race day drivers meeting and all the things that fans can’t get access to at the track at any cost. This exclusive NBC Gold content would hopefully generate more subscribers.

The question is, would it generate enough new revenue to justify the cost? No one will know until it’s tried. If it works, Hinch gets “renewed,” if not, then he’s “cancelled.” It’s not a traditional sponsorship, it’s an investment in programming content to drive revenue for the network. Rather than advertising dollars, the payoff would be new subscribers for Gold. Time to think outside the box, people.

Bill Carsey, North Olmsted, OH

RM: I like your thinking Bill, but the reality is that if we had 100,000 NBC Gold subscribers and $20 from each went to what you proposed it might just work. Or at least help get Hinch in a car. Now, I don’t know how many people took Gold in 2019, but I can assure you it was four or maybe five figures – not six – so with all the money NBC spends on motorsports, I can’t really see this kind of investment. But if Gold was available in Canada it could have a shot.

Q: Sadly, it was rather inevitable that Hinch lost his ride at SPM/McLaren. Given his long history with Honda, could we see him as a third driver (for endurance races) at Penske/Acura? Seems like a perfect fit – a good driver and a personable spokesperson for the Acura/Honda brand. On the other hand, Pato’s signing with McLaren is a huge plus for IndyCar. I think Pato is every bit the equal of Colton Herta (assuming comparable equipment). The series needs some young rivals.

Jonathan and Cleide Morris, Ventura, CA

RM: I believe Marshall threw out that IMSA possibility, and it makes sense – run sports cars and the Indy 500 if nothing else materializes in IndyCar. Pato and Colton pushed each other hard in Lights, and I definitely can’t wait to see that rivalry in IndyCar.

Q: First, congrats on another great/fun/informative Mailbag season. I think IndyCar is just getting better and the quality of drivers keeps improving. Unfortunately that creates situations like the announcement with Arrow McLaren SP. A good choice for the team, but what happens with Hinch? Does he get paid for 2020 since he was under contract? Does he go to RLL – that would make a strong but old team? Does become the next T.K.? These are strange days indeed.

Bill Cantwell

RM: Thanks for reading and writing to The Mailbag. Hinch will get paid, and if he comes up with $6 million he could get that third RLL car. The cruel thing about racing nowadays is that youth trumps experience all over the world. It’s not necessarily wrong, but it’s the way of the future, as Marshall wrote.

Q: Will the way Arrow McLaren SP dealt with Hinch and how they dismissed him from the team strain relations between Robbie and the team if he and when he is ready to return? I would think Arrow and Sam are the perfect partners to help Robbie make his return to IndyCar happen, but will Robbie’s loyalty to Hinch make him think twice about returning with the team? Does the offer Arrow Schmidt Peterson made to Robbie about having his car ready when he can return still stand?

Alexander Martinez, Monrovia

RM: Arrow McLaren SP said last week the offer still stood for Wickens and he continues to inspire everyone with his progress, but he’s still a long way from being ready to race an IndyCar again. But whatever happens shouldn’t affect his friendship with Hinch; they both know how the racing game is played.

Don’t expect too many hard feelings between these two if Wickens is able to return to his seat at some point in the future. Image by Abbott/LAT

Q: While all the focus with McLaren has been on their two new, young drivers and Hinchcliffe being out, does the fact that they have gone the younger driver route eliminate their potential pursuit of Simon Pagenaud or another high-profile veteran for 2021?

Vincent Michael, Williamsport, PA

RM: Very good question. I imagine it’s all contingent on how 2020 goes and the level of competitiveness they can reach. But I doubt if either of those kids only signed a one-year deal, so the Friendly Frog may not be in the picture anymore. And remember that was just a theory I had, it was never substantiated.

Q: If Arrow McLaren SP is holding a seat for Robert Wickens (which is great) why not in the meantime keep James until Robert returns? Is there a chance for a third car for James with RLL? I think that would be a great fit for all!

Brian Lancaster, West Lafayette

RM: No third seat at either place right now. Maybe something for May depending on what Hinch can find in terms of support, but I imagine it would be a Honda team.

Q: I am curious on your thoughts about what the Arrow company must be feeling right now with all of the negative publicity surrounding the team about how James Hinchliffe was treated? The majority of comments that I have read are people are really angry about what has happened and are hoping the team will do terribly. As a company, Arrow must be very nervous about how it could effect its business.

Greg B.

RM: I’m not sure it would have expected the firestorm it’s created, but if anyone from Arrow reads today’s Mailbag they’ll have an appreciation. Hinch is beloved because he came back from a deadly accident and is a fan favorite because of his demeanor and the way he treats people. But I doubt people’s unhappiness will have an affect on Arrow’s business.