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

Robin Miller: B.J.: There's plenty enough talent in CART and the IRL to make Indy as good as it should be and I think Jacques and Juan are the only two F1 drivers who would go for your suggestion. I know it's a mess, but maybe some day it will all be back together. Thanks for your note, Bill and I both miss writing for The Star.

Robin Miller: David: Yes, sponsors will dictate, but I think Penske is a definite possibility to jump to the IRL in 2002 with Marlboro, while Ganassi will go there in 2003. Will both remain a presence in CART? Depends on sponsors, but I hear Penske is done with CART, I'll see if he'll confess to that this weekend at Laguna Seca. But there will be at least six or seven CART teams at Indy in 2002, the way it looks today.

Robin Miller: JOHN: I think Ford is out of open wheel for at least 2003 but I assume a lot depends on all the lawsuits with Explorer, etc. Honda might also return in 2004, that would be a plus because they do so much else off the track for CART. One thing for sure -- it's a mess, isn't it?

Robin Miller: Bill: No, the IRL didn't come close to running the speeds CART practiced or qualified at. There were laps in excess of 230-238 mph by CART, the IRL was some 15-20 mph slower.

"CART's leadership position in open-wheel racing dictated for us to make an aggressive step toward the future in the best interest of our sport," CART chairman and CEO Joe Heitzler said. "We will have a normally aspirated formula similar to all major racing series in the world, including Formula One, but will continue to have our own distinctive engine formula for the most competitive and challenging series in the world."

TG said it in late '95? Everyone said TG was an idiot and they were yelling for his head. "He's wreckin' open wheel racin'" the lynch mob said. Who's the visionary? Nearly every major media outlet sided with CART. They jumped all over TG at every opportunity. Probably because all the sponsor perks and freebies they get from them, they hated to see that end. Now the free catered stuff they load up on is crow, hope they like it -- a la CART. See ya at Indy --'02.

Shawn Eyre
Rochester, Minn.

Robin Miller: Shawn: I'll certainly agree the CART owners are starting to make Tony George look like a genius, but let's not forget that instead of trying to create an orderly, professional change of attitude, he used the 25/8 hammer and not only divided open wheel racing, but severely damaged the status of the Indy 500. He did cause major damage to open wheel racing and it's reflected in the TV ratings and oval-track attendance. But, alas, CART wasn't smart enough to take advantage of the opportunity to rule. See ya in Indy.

Robin Miller: Scott: If CART doesn't get some engine support, quickly, the 2003 season would seem to be in a bit of a bind, although I suppose they could find some sort of spec engine as a band aid. Trust me, based on what we've seen at Indy the past two Mays, the IRL doesn't want to see CART's teams all come to the IRL. And CART's format of four disciplines of racing remains the toughest test in the world, it just doesn't seem to have a plan does it?

Robin Miller: Howard: Some drivers in F1, CART, IRL have helmet deals while everyone else simply receives free ones from Bell, Simpson, Shoney, Ari, etc. A helmet like Schuey or Andretti wears would cost you $350 to $400.

Robin Miller: Joe: Let's face it, qualifying is THE SHOW for most F1 races, aside from whatever brilliance Montoya can provide with over-taking. I do think there were more people at F1 quals than IRL 500 pole day, absolutely, both years. If the track just had a couple of challenging corners it would be great because I like F1. Yes, there were all types of different engines during the old days at Indy but it's just not feasible anymore -- especially in this economy. Glad ESPN has given me a forum.

Robin Miller: Stephen: OnTrack shut down it's Web site a few weeks back. Not sure what Ingram is doing just yet, but I saw him at the USGP. Thanks for your support. That's a very good question and a tough one. The best reasons would be the fact it's the best, deepest and most challenging series in this country with some strong fan bases scattered around the world. However, as of this moment it has no committed engine manufacturers for 2003 and beyond and nothing that can be defined as a direction. On the flip side, all the IRL has is the Indy 500 -- it's teams have virtually no sponsorship. Of course that could all change here in the next two years.

Robin Miller: Boz: Quit smoking that California reefer, son, the roadster era is over. We can't bring back Parnelli, Herk and Branson. If the IRL can muster up enough cars, I guess it wants a series to train its future IRL drivers. But Toyota Atlantic (with a little more horsepower) would seem the better alternative, in terms of competition. Nice to hear from you, take care.

Robin Miller: Paul: Good points, although I know the Marlboro folks always had a large group at Nazareth. Remember, before the split, Nazareth had full grandstands so maybe it's the Indy 500 aspect and maybe the IRL will fill the place up. There are a lot of good racing fans in Pennsylvania. As for promotion, yes, that's where the billboards need to be -- not two miles from the track.

Robin Miller: Jason: Our hope is that maybe the Triple Crown (Indy, Michigan and Fontana) could be rejuvenated and both series would participate. The IRL has 15 races for 2002 and CART at least 22 (and both have contracts that go well into this decade with those tracks) so how can they run together anywhere else? Not sure it's feasible. But those three 500-milers would surely be a good draw and Michigan needs something to revitalize it. Obviously, CART has much more depth than the IRL and it's very obvious in the races. As for NASCAR, that's a despicable group isn't it? Mike Helton is still thinking about making the HANS or some safety devices mandatory?! Pathetic. Thanks for your kind words.

Robin Miller: Bill: That's my understanding.

Robin Miller: Larry: CART cars and IRL cars are both safer than F1 but, other than Montoya and Villeneuve, you won't have many takers about running the oval. I'm sure most would like to take a few laps at a reduced pace but those two are the only ones who would want to race on the oval. I think there are almost too many races at Indy nowadays and another one with CART on the road course would not sell. I do like your NASCAR suggestion, but I'm not sure the fans would. Like you said, it couldn't be any more boring than the Brickyard 400.

Robin Miller: Karyn: Thanks for that information, very interesting but certainly not surprising. ISC didn't want that race to succeed and we all said the same thing -- lower the prices. Gee, maybe they have a partner in Tony George. Memo and Bruno are both out, Ganassi is trying to buy Kanaan from Morris Nunn. I think Memo and Bruno have both proven they're good racers, but Chip is so spoiled by Montoya and Zanardi that he has no patience. And no clue about these two. Sure, Bruno has made some dumb mistakes, but he's a rookie. Hell, Memo almost won Cleveland, runs strong at Michigan and Chicago and gets third at Houston and didn't join the team until the seventh race. If you hit the lottery, maybe you can help him get a good ride for 2002. He's exactly what CART needs -- a positive story. Thanks.

Robin Miller: Marc: In my mind, Indy cars/champ cars are supposed to be the most challenging and fastest cars to drive, at least in this country. The IRL cars, with rev limiters and those big World of Outlaw wings, can be driven by anyone from a clueless dentist to the son of a rich kid with virtually no experience (can you say Ricky Treadway?). The turbo engine sounds and performs like a real race engine should but maybe it's run it's course and none of the manufacturers (besides Honda) seem to care if it goes away. But you can still make some serious horsepower with a normally-aspirated engine and I would hope that's what CART will do -- provided it has an engine manufacturer by 2003. To make the IRL a thoroughbred, get rid of the rev limiter and those massive wings and then we'll see who can handle it. But if the last Indy 500 was any indication, the IRL teams don't want to see CART coming to their playground -- en masse. My approval means nothing, it's the race fan that needs to be sold on open wheel racing -- and corporate America. I just want to see all the best drivers and teams at Indy and in one series. Thanks.

Robin Miller: Ivan: I'm not sure who CART is trying to satisfy but I think maybe the owners panicked when they found out Penske and Ganassi are going to the IRL in 2002 and 2003 and that Toyota would at least still be competing. But to make a knee-jerk decision and dust off Honda is bad business. Ford may be out regardless so this all adds up to a major mess. How can such a kick-(butt) series be run so poorly, say my friends in the F1 media. Thanks.

Robin Miller: John: No, Alex's tires were already warm (he didn't change them on that stop, just took on a splash of fuel). He was just hurrying to get back into action and lost it -- the tires or steering wheel had no bearing.

Robin Miller: Joan: Naw, that would mean CART was thinking ahead and that never happens.

Robin Miller: Kenny: Panos and Penske?!

Robin Miller: Cheryl: I do feel sorry for CART's fans because they have to be as confused as they are concerned. Remember ISC and Tony George are partners and that's why those three tracks went to the IRL (plus, Homestead and Nazareth faded in attendance and promotion). Losing Michigan was the big disaster since CART has staged four the greatest races of all-time there the past four years. But, again, did CART leave or were they simply shown the door? I don't know who to believe. I guess you could write CART a letter or send a petition. Thanks for your passion. Keep the faith.

Robin Miller: Rick: That sounds like a great option, but it makes way too much sense.

Robin Miller: Larry: I wrote a couple of stinging stories about NASCAR'S lack of safety when I was still at The Star, but it did nothing. No full-time medical people, no full-time safety team and nobody looking out for the drivers. It's criminal.

Robin Miller: Pouya: Some tracks like Laguna and Houston need to go away and be replaced by Watkins Glen because CART's cars clearly have out-grown them. The wing package for the mile tracks has been a joke the past few years and ruined even Milwaukee but the German race was excellent in terms of passing and racing so that wing package looks good.

Robin Miller: Bucky: I don't disdain the IRL people, I disdain what the IRL concept did to my beloved Indy 500. And open wheel racing around this country. Anyway, Pocono is simply too rough for Indy cars and that's why CART left. Thanks for your note.

Robin Miller: Tyler: Chip is trying to get his contract from Morris Nunn but nothing official, yet.

Robin Miller: Richard: Rahal will be Vasser and either Buddy Rice or Alex Barron; PacWest says it will be back with Big Mo and Dixon, although everyone in the paddock wants Dixon; Target will be Brack and Kanaan if Ganassi has his way, but Morris Nunn will not simply give Tony K. to Chip. Morris could be Kanaan and Hoover Orsi or Casey Mears or maybe Bruno Junquiera. Stay tuned and thanks for reading and watching.

Robin Miller: Jason: Herbert said the same thing last year but, to my knowledge, nobody contacted Herbert -- he just announced he was coming to CART. Haven't heard anybody talking up HHF as yet. As for Tracy, hard to tell what makes him tick. Despite his talent, PT is very fragile emotionally and Cicale was very good for him. I thought he might go to Player's but that isn't going to happen. He'll stay with TKG.

Robin Miller: Ryan: No, the tobacco legislation effects everyone equally. A brand can pick out one series to advertise in and that's why it's either CART or the IRL here or CART or F1 in Germany and England (KOOL and Marlboro could not advertise). Marlboro started out advertising at Indy but pulled its signage before the race when someone complained to the Attorney General's office.

Robin Miller: Steve: Not sure that question can be answered. Helio and Brack seem to be the fastest drivers, week in and week out, and they're both in the hunt for the title. De Ferran is very consistent while guys like Carpentier, Kanaan and Dixon don't seem to be far away from having breakthroughs. Franchitti is hot and cold, but still very talented and capable. Thanks for your support.

Robin Miller: Brad: I'll be walking around all weekend with my RPM2Night hat and sweatshirt. Look me up.