Check out what questions RPM.ESPN.com users had for Robin Miller -- and Robin's answers:

Robin Miller: You make a very valid point. While I look at the IRL as restrictor-plate racing for Indy cars and it hardly showcases a race driver's talent when you are wide open all the time with all that downforce, it's obviously so easy a damn dentist can make the Indy 500. Having said that, the IRL races are 10 times more entertaining to watch on television or in person than any F1 race (and I like F1) and all but one or two CART races this season. CART needs to put the race back into its vocabulary. Those two went to F1 because it was always their goal and I think they speak out now because they hate to see what's happened to open wheel racing since they left.

Robin Miller: Rahal has no sponsor secured at the moment (Shell is gone and Miller only wants Indy). Pat Patrick made some noise about wanting him back, so we'll see. He was at Lowe's Motor Speedway last weekend, if that means anything.

Robin Miller: That is my understanding. Frankly, it's more of a blow to CART's ego than CART's visibility because FedEx didn't spend much, if anything, promoting CART since 1998 and never had one TV commercial. The $5 million helped but FedEx made money off CART, it was a gravy train for them. Roger Penske is reportedly trying to woo FedEx toward the IRL in some form, so stay tuned.

Robin Miller: I can't honestly tell you there is a purse for an F1 race but it doesn't matter because it would be minuscule and, besides, that is not how F1 survives. The F1 teams are subsidized by sponsors and TV money. Ferrari's budget was $305 million this year, while Minardi is under $40 million. CART's purses are also lame and drivers make their money from salaries. The IRL and NASCAR have the best purses and the most drivers living off them, although Winston Cup has salaries too but those guys make their big bucks from hats, T-shirts, personal appearances, etc. But Schuey's $40 million annual take doesn't depend on the purse.

Robin Miller: It was Barry Green and Kevin Savoree. They claim they didn't want to turn this into an IRL vs. CART war but I'd say it's a little late for that, wouldn't you? It's ludicrous Tracy cannot have a press conference with Player's before the season is over. But I can tell you that KOOL had no objections. After all, Player's and KOOL both have the same father.

Robin Miller: I would think Bernie is going to let Tony's contract (four or five years) run its course before he runs off. Of course Bernie doesn't care that the crowd slips 50,000 every year (he doesn't make money off the ticket sales) but it's a financial loser for IMS and always will be considering how much money TG spent to tear up the place to accommodate F1. There are already ads in The Indy Star for next year's race so I'd say you'll be watching it here.

Robin Miller: That would make more sense than adding weight but I really like the idea of drawing for different cars every race. Schuey in a Minardi. Bottom line, none of this wild stuff is going to happen because the owners and manufacturers won't let it. I'd like to see CART make the upcoming California 500 a pair of 150-mile sprints with one pit stop, intermission in between and then invert the second 150. Michigan did that with USAC in the '70s and it was always a great show.

Robin Miller: Wow, I'm out of breath reading all those questions. As I've said repeatedly on RPM2Night, Bernie is talking with Pook and Forsythe about some sort of partnership but none of them are talking to anybody else. Read my answer above about the F1 race here. Ford is supposedly set to be CART's marketing partner but the announcement keeps getting pushed back. Mario's team would seem to be about a 30/70 chance.

Robin Miller: Not sure TG would be thrilled to hear Bernie is a partner with CART but, last time I checked, Bernie really doesn't give a flip about anybody but Bernie. As for Indy, who knows what Bernie might have planned? I keep hearing the IRL's little league series has been promised the day before the USGP on the road course. Can't imagine CART ever being welcomed at IMS -- in any capacity.

Robin Miller: In the late '80s, there was so much ride buying, lack of trust and shoddy behavior from the Haves (Porsche's carbon fiber tub was disallowed and the next year Lola was carbon fiber, for an example) and rules makers that a general malaise swept over Indy-car racing. And all the Voglers, Chasseys, etc. had been reduced to Indy-only guys. I suggested to George that now would be the time for somebody to step in and take over but he said he had no interest in running Indy-car racing and his plate was full. In spite of the owners, CART suddenly had the biggest, baddest series in the early '90s and Mansell came over and stands were packed, TV ratings were good and sponsors were plentiful. Dividing open wheel in '95 was the worst possible timing and, obviously, seven years later it shows. Has the IRL rescued the American oval track driver like it was supposedly formed to do? Ask JJ Yeley, Tracy Hines, Jason Leffler, Dave Darland. I think Ford/Cosworth has plenty of engines. Thanks for the kind words. I miss writing for The Star but I sure don't miss the people who run it these days.

Robin Miller: I think Watkins Glen and Sears Point and I believe those promises were made to Honda, Toyota, Ganassi, Andretti and everyone else from CART. Don't know if they'll be additions or subtractions from the sked. Like Newman-Haas? I'd say with Toyota pushing hard, Carl will run Indy and probably one car the entire IRL season.

Robin Miller: He went into the car business with Roger Penske in Brazil and is dating a beautiful girl formerly linked to Chip Ganassi. My pleasure.

Robin Miller: Jacques told Autosport last week he was staying with BAR in 2003. I called Forsythe to confirm it but he's been out of the country (can you say England and Bernie Ecclestone?)

Robin Miller: I think Penske cherishes Sam Hornish but couldn't get him before 2004. Helio has Ford on his side in the Jaguar situation but it's all gone quiet on that front for the moment. Gil tested for Toyota here last week and told me at Miami he's not retiring nor did he ever consider it and my information was bogus. But he and Helio have to put on their Penske PR Face when it comes to the IRL.

Robin Miller: Well, they are starting the season in St. Pete in February (which is real early for CART) but I like you suggestions. Hell, I'd run Christmas Day when you've got a captive audience. ESPN's Marlo Klain says she would always run IRL on Saturdays to avoid NASCAR and that ain't a bad idea for CART, either (although the IRL's TV ratings for Saturday nights are horrid). How about Wednesday nights? Anything to give you a better chance at the average race fan. Thanks.

Robin Miller: Well, NASCAR honored its old heroes on it's 50th anniversary and I don't think they're ashamed of Pearson, Petty, Cale and the boys. You're right, you don't see many vintage NASCAR cars but maybe they keep rolling them out at IRL and CART races to remind everyone how great open wheel used to be.

Robin Miller: Excellent question. How do they find $50 million in sponsorships to run 16th? I guess it's the lure of F1. Possibly, that is part of Bernie's interest in CART but I can't imagine Eddie Jordan giving up Monaco for Mid-Ohio.

Robin Miller: Ah, great minds think alike. That's exactly what I talked about last night on RPM. I think Kenny is trying to put a package deal together for he and Halliday to go with Rahal to the IRL. Team manager Scott Roembke says they don't have any deals like that yet but I think it's in the works. That would leave Rahal with one car in CART.

Robin Miller: I believe he went the touring car route. If he had money, he'd get interest.

Robin Miller: CART will fund whatever it takes to field 18 because a lot of their contracts call for that and it's already been agreed on. Pook says he won't divulge the new teams because he doesn't want to spoil their announcements. So we'll see. I've heard a couple of F3000 teams and a couple of IRL teams are possibilities but of the current CART operations I'd say Player's, Herdez, Newman-Haas, Fernandez, Rahal and Morris Nunn (if Ford is involved).

Robin Miller: I don't equate CART and smart in the same sentence (at least from '96 thru Chris Pook coming on board). I beat on CART for years about losing the American oval-track drivers but the crowds at Phoenix, Milwaukee and Michigan were huge in 1993-94-95 and the fans didn't seem to mind that Andretti, Unser, Pruett, Herta, Gordon and Vasser were the only American regulars. They loved the competition and with Villeneuve, Zanardi and Montoya it obviously carried clout to be a CART champion. Look at Phoenix since the IRL took over. The crowds went from 64,000 in '95 to pathetic every year since. Ditto for Michigan. Why? The racing at the Michigan 500 was awesome from '98 thru 2001 and the IRL had a great finish this year but nobody shows up. There were 8,000 people for the IRL show at Fontana last spring. Obviously, the CART superspeedways featured more passing than ever before but it wasn't enough to bring people back. I agree that ovals will always be more exciting but the split killed open wheel, not the road races or street circuits.

Robin Miller: Dixon and Scheckter for sure. Maybe Renna or Weldon. No Ward. Three cars, that's what I've heard, but the mechanics haven't been told yet.