Oreo

  (3:00 PM)

Hello race fans and thanks for taking time out of your Friday afternoon to join our IndyCar chat!

Oreo

  (3:01 PM)

They've completed the first practice session at Iowa Speedway and a clean-shaven Marco Andretti was fastest at more than 184 mph.

Oreo

  (3:02 PM)

That's considerably faster than last year's pole speed, so it appears the reduced downforce specification has sped the cars up. Now the question is wether there will be passing in Saturday night's 250-lap race.

Oreo

  (3:03 PM)

Let's wave the green flag for some questions!

Brandon Stevens (Lodi,CA)

In your opinion, what has/have been the biggest surprise(s) so far this season?

Oreo

  (3:05 PM)

The biggest surprise to me is how well the DW12 has raced on every type of track, after was looked to be an unusually difficult period of early development. I'm still not thrilled with the styling of the car and I wish it had at least another 100 horsepower, but most of the races this year have been clean and competitive - and entertaining.

Ted (Conway Ma)

I don't understand why people say they can see everything going on in the race at an oval...This one is so fast, how can you tell who is passing who, who is being lapped etc. It's just a blur! It is even harder to see at night...

Oreo

  (3:07 PM)

You're right Ted, watching an Indy car race at a bullring is like watching a tennis match and you might get whiplash. I've given up on trying to keep an accurate lap chart on short ovals and try to take stock of the order every 5 to 10 laps to see who is moving up or pulling away. I will say that Iowa Speedway is a GREAT place to watch a race and I appreciate the amount of local support put into the event.

Rick (Bloomington)

2 part question, what will be the 16th race to replace China and will IZOD be back next yr as the title sponsor?

Oreo

  (3:10 PM)

Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I believe Road America is going to be the 16th race. There are too many positives - same date, and a built-in crowd already there for ALMS (and 24 Hours of LeMons) that will receive extra value for their ticket price. It actually has the potential to be a blockbuster road racing weekend we haven't seen the likes of since the mid-90s. As for IZOD, just looking at things circumstantially makes me think the odds of a return are less than 50/50.

Larry Carta (Crete, Illinois)

Will things ever work out so we can see Michael Shank Racing on the grid?

Oreo

  (3:13 PM)

Doesn't look like it's going to happen this year, but I think Shank will put together a program for 2013 - assuming he wants to. He has every right to be upset about the way the whole engine allocation played out this year. Granted he could have had a Lotus, but I think that would have hurt his team's credibility more than anything.

Blake (Flower Mound, TX)

Assuming it gets approved, how much difference do you think Lotus' mid-season performance upgrade request will make? Will Simona be able to compete for wins, top 5s, top 10s, etc.? Or is just not getting lapped almost immediately more realistic?

Oreo

  (3:15 PM)

Just not getting lapped almost immediately is more realistic. Face it, they are not going to make a 50 or 60 horsepower jump, with reliability. Whether it has been Lotus going backwards or Ilmor and HPD making constant improvements, but the Lotus is comparatively less competitive now than it was back in January. Upgrades might be worth a few tenths a lap, but they're 2 seconds off the pace.

Oreo

  (3:15 PM)

Just not getting lapped almost immediately is more realistic. Face it, they are not going to make a 50 or 60 horsepower jump, with reliability. Whether it has been Lotus going backwards or Ilmor and HPD making constant improvements, but the Lotus is comparatively less competitive now than it was back in January. Upgrades might be worth a few tenths a lap, but they're 2 seconds off the pace.

Vinnie (ATL)

What did Ganasi find at Indy? His team was horrible leading up to the race and Penske was dominating. Something has changed.

Oreo

  (3:19 PM)

I think it was something that happens frequently in motorsports: When Ganassi was down on power, they worked hard on the balance of their chassis. When they got new, more powerful engines prior to the race, suddenly the Ganassi cars were rockets. I think that brought a lot more attention to the engine competition, because we learned a lot more about how the series is handling mileage limits and planned upgrades. The 10-place grid penalty has been controversial, but we've seen guys win from deep in the field this year so it hasn't adversely affected the competition too badly.

Jeff (CA)

How would you assess Hinchcliffe's take over of Danica's former ride?

Oreo

  (3:22 PM)

Let's be honest: She wouldn't be sitting second in the point standings halfway through the season. Based on what we know about her driving style and the characteristics of the DW12, she would probably be struggling to run midfield in IndyCar this year. She would whip him in merchandise sales, though I think GoDaddy could eventually discover that Hinch has great marketing potential.

Softball Girl (New York)

Have tires been a factor in the races this year?

Oreo

  (3:23 PM)

Yes, and in a positive way. Firestone has developed tires for the DW12 that degrade faster than in the past, but not in an adverse way. Drivers have had to work hard to manage their tire wear, and in at least two races - Barber and Texas - tire strategy or management was instrumental in the victory.

Vinnie (ATL)

Are you an F1 fan? Are you going to the USGP? One of my most memorable trips was Monaco. Unbelievable weekend.

Oreo

  (3:26 PM)

Reading Rob Walker's F1 reports in Road & Track in the '70s is what first got me into racing. I followed F1 very closely until about 10 years ago and have gradually lost interest. It's still the greatest form of road racing in the world and I hope ESPN asks me to be part of the team covering the USGP in November. The event has received a lot of positive publicity lately and it has huge potential.

Larry Carta (Crete, Il)

I know you'd address this anyway, but someone needs to ask. Is there any progress on the IndyCar to Road America possibilities?

Oreo

  (3:28 PM)

George Bruggenthies was at Milwaukee on his track's biggest day of the year. That suggests that he and IndyCar are serious about making it happen. I'm pretty sure it's the number one choice of everyone in the paddock other than Ed Carpenter and his team. Whether IndyCar is there or not, I'm headed to Elkhart Lake for ALMS and LeMons that weekend. I haven't been there since 2007 and that's way too long.

Tyler (Indy)

Do you see Hinch as a legit title contender that could challenge Will Power? Would you say he has been a major upgrade over the girl in NASCAR

Oreo

  (3:31 PM)

The next 4 races are going to tell whether Hinch is a title contender. He might be one of those guys who strings together a bunch of wins once he gets the first one. He's fit in really well at the Andretti team and the morale is better there than it has been for years. Hunter-Reay is a legit title contender as well. Is Hinch an upgrade? In terms of performance and results, yes.

Tom (Texas)

Outside of the Indy 500, how does IndyCar get back to main stream media attention?

Oreo

  (3:34 PM)

Well that's a tough one, because you only want to do it in a positive way. Many are thinking of Dan Wheldon today on his birthday, and of course Wheldon's death put Indy car racing into the news for all the wrong reasons eight months ago. I'm naive enough to think that if the on-track product is consistently the most entertaining and competitive form of motorsports, things like sponsors and additional media attention will eventually follow. So much depends on television ratings, and getting ratings going in the right direction it a bit of a black art.

Kevin Cronin (Champaign Illinois)

Speaking of Hinch, how long until he ends up at Penske or Ganassi?

Oreo

  (3:36 PM)

Hey KC, get Richrath and Gratzer back in the band! Hinch looks like a star of the future and with Andretti, he's in the next best place compared to Penske and Ganassi. But think of it this way: Andretti was the BEST team in 2004, '05 and '07, so if they regain that kind of magic, he might already be in the best possible place. Josef Newgarden is another kid with a bright future.

Scott (NYC)

What would be the best chance for me to see a IndyCar race from my area in NYC?

Oreo

  (3:39 PM)

Baltimore. I suspect train travel from NYC to Baltimore is not expensive or difficult, and last year, the Baltimore race showed tremendous potential. Plenty of hotels within walking distance of the track. The crowd and the atmosphere were great. They may struggle a bit this year because of the late timetable for sponsorship and promotion, but Michael Andretti's group did a great job with Milwaukee in 4 months.

Vinnie (ATL)

My interest in motorsports started with IndyCar in the late 70s and early 80s. Do you believe the new car design doesn't represent true open wheel racing? I understand it was a needed safety change.

Oreo

  (3:41 PM)

I agree and the biggest complaint among us old timers is that the modern day spec racing eliminates the ingenuity and effort that went into chassis design for so long. Fans used to care that you could tell a Penske from a McLaren from an Eagle from a Wildcat from a March. It's disappointing that the aero kits have apparently been delayed another year because even though there is now engine competition in the IndyCar Series, the visual notion of spec car racing still remains.

Mike (Cincinnati)

In your opinion, what has been the most devasting factor that has led to the weak attendance at ovals in the last 3-5 yrs? I want Kentucky back!

Oreo

  (3:45 PM)

The downturn for attendance at oval races has hit NASCAR equally hard in the last 5 years, but they had bigger crowds to start with. I think both series have diminished by 20-30 percent at oval tracks and I suspect that's down to the demographic of the oval racing fan in general. They tend to be less well-heeled than road racing fans, and road racing attendance has been on a slight uptick for all forms of racing. OF course, logic says if those fans are staying home, the TV ratings should increase, and that hasn't happened. Indy car promoters cannot make a profit selling 20,000 or 30,000 tickets after paying a $1 million+ sanction fee. I think we will see more oval races self-promoted by IndyCar, and maybe more of the Milwaukee model, with added content and lower ticket prices.

Chris (Indiana)

Is IndyCar going to race the MIS this year? If not, int he future?

Oreo

  (3:46 PM)

I don't see it happening this year but it sounds like it's back on the table for the future. There is definitely mutual interest between IndyCar and Pocono for 2013 too. I've never been to a race at Pocono and it would be great to head back to my home state for a nostalgia tour.

Brandon Stevens (Lodi,CA)

With Indycar still struggling to move the needle from a TV ratings standpoint, in your opinion, how much longer can this series survive with owners still moaning, Randy Bernard getting criticized on a daily basis, and no new fans under the age of 45/50?

Oreo

  (3:49 PM)

One of my colleagues used the phrase "house of cards" to describe IndyCar right now and I'm somewhat in agreement. The thing is, if Bernard gets ousted, who do you replace him with? I can't think of anyone who I would trust with the job. I think Randy has done a good job of stabilizing the series. He needs a right-hand man to govern the racing side of things so he can focus on marketing issues and being the series front man.

Gary (Troy, MI)

Is there a future for Lotus in IndyCar? Any updates on other potential engine manufacturers joining the series (like Ford)?

Oreo

  (3:51 PM)

I think everyone who loves Indy car racing would be thrilled to see a 21st century Ford-Cosworth collaboration, but that would be 2014 at the earliest. I'm sure Kevin Kalkhoven has interest in building a Cosworth Indy car engine, but he's not going to do it unless he has funding from a reputable major manufacturer. I am surprised that Lotus is finishing out the season, to be honest.

Michael (Davenport, IA)

How difficult would it be for the engine makers to add horsepower next year via the turbo boost? Would that satisfy those looking for more horsepower and less drag?

Oreo

  (3:55 PM)

Cranking up the boost is the easiest way to increase power, and turbocharged engines also allow sanctioning body the ability to make changes quickly if necessary for safety reasons. Certainly Ilmor and HPD have factored in potential power increases into their basic designs, and the key is to balance performance with reliability and cost. Remember, engines have to last 1,850 miles and lease costs are fixed. The manufacturers are basically eating development costs as a gift to the series. To reduce drag, the series needs to allow alternate aero pieces or at least allow teams a greater range of adjustment using the standard DW12 pieces.

Greg Biela (Clarendon Hills, Il. )

Speaking of the aero kits, do you think there is a chance that we'll never see them?

Oreo

  (3:58 PM)

The manufacturers want them but the teams don't want to pay for them. As soon as the cost to the teams is out of the equation, we will have body kits. Maybe that means Honda cars running Honda kits, same with Chevy and Lotus. From an image standpoint it would help eliminate the spec car specter.

Gary (Troy, MI)

Finish this sentence: Next season, Justin Wilson will drive for...

Oreo

  (3:58 PM)

Team Penske.

Brandon Stevens (Lodi,CA)

How would Danica Patrick have done with the new DW12 Indycar this season?

Oreo

  (4:00 PM)

Gosh, that's too bad. We're out of time. Thanks to all who participated today, and be sure to follow coverage of the Iowa Corn Indy 250 throughout the weekend.