IndyCar Q&A: Chevrolet, Honda keeping designs secret

Question: The Chicago Auto Show is Feb. 14-22 at McCormick Place. Could Chevrolet and Honda be targeting Chicago for their respective aero kit unveiling? (Michael, Chicago)

Answer: As best I can tell, Chevrolet and Honda don't have a target date for unveiling. I know IndyCar wants the two manufacturers to get visuals presented to the public as soon as possible, but so far there is no movement on that front, and I'm not sure why because the sport is now in a stage of design freeze. In fact, an IndyCar release just issued made no mention of unveiling plans for either manufacturer. For sure, we'll see the kits on the cars March 16-17 during the open test at Barber Motorsports Park. By the way, I think your Chicago Auto Show idea is a good one.

Question: I just read another outlet's article on the homologation of the new body kits. Lots of info, poorly written. Could you translate/summarize please? (Bruce, Indianapolis)

Answer: Essentially, homologation is the point at which there's a design freeze, and that was Monday of this week. All designs were due (and received) at IndyCar, and now IndyCar is in a period of a couple weeks where it is approving pieces, which allows the manufacturers to go into full production. Teams that have paid deposits must receive their kits on or before March 1, and all of a manufacturer's teams must receive them at the same time. As you probably know, the season's first race, March 8 in Brasilia, will be held with last year's aero configurations. The new kits will debut in the March 29 street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Question: Not really a question, more a comment. Looking at the IndyCar website and seeing some pictures of some older cars, how cool would it be to see some of the past sponsors get involved in next year's 100th running of the Indy 500? The coyote orange No. 14, the Johnny Lighting Special, the Penske Marlboro car, just to name a few. They could make a one-race exception for cigarette and alcohol companies since they were a big part of the 500 for a time. (Rod, Kokomo, Ind.)

Answer: I like the idea and I'm sure a lot of the people in the sport do, too, but the fact remains that if a company like ABC Supply is spending big bucks to sponsor A.J. Foyt's cars, it will want to present its logos in the best possible way. In ABC Supply's case, having the car in coyote orange actually will make it stand out, but we'll have to see if the corporate types see it that way. As for the tobacco companies, they can't come back without major changes coming from people much higher than IndyCar, and I don't see that happening. But I like your thought process, and I expect there to be a lot of creative features to the 100th running next year.

Question: Thanks for sharing the photo from the 1973 driver's meeting. Note that just over Al Unser's shoulder sits Swede Savage. Over A.J.'s shoulder is Salt Walther. Above Bobby Unser sits the eventual winner Gordon Johncock. And to the far right in the photograph you can see Mel Kenyon and Bobby Allison. And almost prophetic, several drivers are holding umbrellas. Hard to believe it will soon be 42 Mays ago. (Curt, Columbus, Ind.)

Answer: Yes, that photo takes on a lot of different meanings, doesn't it? Very interesting.

Question: Why are you using a photo of Derrick Walker with Izod logos? Get current! (Greg, Indianapolis)

Answer: Good of you to notice; I didn't. I was looking in our archives for the most flattering Derrick photo, and that was it. The format also is bound by being horizontal, so that limited things. I'll keep a watch out for such logos in the future.