Q: Just wondering if/when IndyCar will get rid of the rear wheel guards, at least for road/street circuits, also change the rear wing, possibly side pods, and air box? Why did they make the thing so ugly? Why won't they go back to high horsepower low downforce? I am so frustrated as a fan, because what attracted me to CART were super sexy cars and high revving V-8 turbos. Fans loved those cars, now they hate this car, so why won't they do anything about the damn car? I did not watch all year because I did not want to watch ugly-ass cars and will continue not to watch until some changes are made, I don't care if the racing was the best in years, it’s also about enjoying the LOOK of an Indy car as well. I would prefer they brought back the last car, I did not care for that either, but it looks better than this turd. Will Jeff Belskus/Miles do something about this?

Dan Bowser

RM: You’re not going to get any high HP with these engines and because the racing was so good in 2012 I doubt any big changes for the cars. Would more power and sexy cars boost the TV ratings? I doubt it.

Q: I know it's nuts, but wouldn't Michael Schumacher, now that he owns property in Texas, be a nice addition to IndyCar? Maybe as a third driver for Penske. He's done it before, back in the day with Emmo, and I'm pretty sure Schumi can bring some sponsorship to the table, and wouldn't it help IndyCar's image in, and attract more drivers from, Germany and Western Europe?

TJ Speicher

RM: I can’t imagine any scenario that would bring Schumacher to IndyCar and I imagine he’s sorry he ever went back to Formula One.

Q: I know that you aren't ordinarily a fan of anything with fenders, but you've gotta be a little bit excited about the announcement that the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series would be running a race at Eldora in August. I read that Tony Kanaan wants to race, and I've gotta think that a slew of dirt trackers will try to make the show. With that said, have you heard anyone else express interest in running the Truck race at Eldora? Also, do you think this is just the tip of the iceberg? Will we see any other major racing series give dirt a shot?

Jay Matheny, Mayfield, Ky.

RM: I think it’s only because of Tony Stewart that we’re going to have this throwback race but I sure as hell hope Ricky Stenhouse and Kyle Larson are on the entry list – ditto for Tracy Hines and Levi Jones. Love to see a Cup race on the dirt but that’s not going to happen.

Q: Raid as a sponsor? A true gut laugh for sure. You know what buddy? I think that would really work. Take it further; bundle aggressive teams/drivers with aggressive sponsors (Monster vs. Red Bull, Pennzoil vs. Valvoline, Coke vs. Pepsi, etc.) and now you’ve got the Bears vs Green Bay x 20 every race. Not a bad idea at all just like the magazine with you, Bones Boucier, Marshall Pruett, John Oreovicz, Monte Dutton, David Malsher, Pete Lyons, Gordon Kirby, Kevin Eckert, David Phillips, Nigel Roebuck, Jeff Olson, Dave Argabright and Brock Yates.

Jim Wasson

RM: Of course it’s a perfect fit – you instantly think of a wasp when you think of the Busch brothers – snarling and menacing with a flat black paint job. A weekly magazine owned by Paul Pfanner out of the RACER office is exactly what this country needs.

Q: It has been quite some time since I posted something to your mail bag. I was very upset when I heard the news about Randy B and I believe rightly so. I have been an IndyCar fan since my mom and dad began taking me to the Indy 500 when I was about two years old back in the mid-to-late 60's! I've been to the 500 multiple times, been to Pocono a few times and as well to Richmond. The reason I became hooked was because of the storied history but there has always been change over the years to some extent but there were always certain things you could count on. As I sit back and look today, things were coming around nicely for the series and the Indy 500 crowds, while not the same as the 70's or 80's, they are coming back. Change scares people but I say let's wait and see what next year has in store and then, if the ship starts to sink, then I will have to make some decisions about spending my time, energy and money towards the series. The cars are new, but they have changed and changed over time with technology etc. so be it. The turbos are back, and maybe they can add more power to those for more speed possibly. The racing has been very good although I am more of an oval fan than a street or road course fan. I have always been curious why both NASCAR and IndyCar cannot mutually coexist together in a manner that provides support to both series? Wasn't this the case many, many years ago when you had drivers cross pollinating between series? Isn’t this what we should want? Wouldn't this once and for all prove who the best drivers were?

Rob Weitzel - Reston, VA

RM: The days of Bobby & Donnie Allison, Cale Yarborough and Lee Roy Yarbrough running Indy cars was cool but you must remember that NASCAR wasn’t close to Indy car on a prestige level back then so it was actually good for Bill France to have some of his boys at Indianapolis. Of course it would be great to have Kahne, Busch, Johnson, Gordon, etc. come run Indy but it’s not going to happen.

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED.

Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.