IndyCar Q&A: Dixon, Simona and Community Day

Question: I read your reply to Indianapolis Motor Speedway's new Community Day format. I am not happy with this new format. My dad and I have gone to the event for several years, driven a lap around the track, enjoyed the day and got some autographs from the drivers so we can proudly display our collections in our respective homes. If this is the new format and there aren't any drivers at the facility, our traditional trip is unlikely to occur. I hope that what you wrote about isn't final, and they rethink it some. (Chris, Livonia, Mich.)

Answer: What I wrote was essentially final, although officials were quick to say details haven't been finalized. For sure, there will be the opportunity to drive personal cars around the track form 4-7 p.m., but as it stands there will be no other activities such as the open garages, kids area or the autograph session. Perhaps you and others can find another times in the month that suit your interests. For example, I expect some part of the grand prix weekend (May 7-9) to have free garage access, and I can't imagine there not being a series of autograph sessions, especially on Legends Day, which is the day before the race. Mostly, I expect some of the cool aspects of Community Day to still be available; they just might be on different days. But we'll see. Personally, I'd have left the event as it was, although I'm told it was something of a drain on the 500 Festival Committee. As I wrote, Community Day wasn't technically an IMS event, although it was hosted at IMS.

Question: The only reason I attend Community Day is to meet the drivers. If there is no autograph session, I won't be attending. (Matt, Decatur, Ind.)

Answer: I completely understand that. It's not my place to decide whether this event should continue – it's not – but it sure seems to me it brought a lot of new people to the facility. But maybe that's what Legends Day does moving forward.

Question: What is the current status of Simona De Silvestro? (David, Durham, N.C.)

Answer: She's doing everything she can to assemble a deal, and Sam Schmidt's team is one of those she's talking to. But nothing to report just yet.

Question: Was there any real talks/discussions with the Pirelli World Challenge Series and the Circuit of the Americas about IndyCar being added to the weekend slate of races? I understand the challenges of a short time period to get a replacement race ready but given that the circuit would already be prepared for a race weekend, those challenges would have to be fewer. Also, in regards to the teams, the logistics of a trip to Texas is easier than a trip to Brazil. (Josh, Hurricane, W.V.)

Answer: Yes, there were talks about racing at COTA that weekend but nothing materialized. As you noted, it would have taken a lot of maneuvering in a short period of time, and IndyCar wasn't comfortable with throwing that on the teams much less itself. The other thing is, why go to COTA and be the thrown-together junior varsity event? I certainly wouldn't want to risk looking disorganized or failing to capitalize on the excitement of the locals. Wait and do it right! It wasn't mentioned, but I suspect there were some issues with St. Petersburg committed to being the first North American race of the 2015 season, and I wouldn't discount the Eddie Gossage effect; the president of Texas Motor Speedway has been against IndyCar having additional races in the track's market. I'm also told that there were no discussions re: an exhibition or a test at COTA; all talks centered on having a race.

Question: If the IndyCar Series wants to expand the season schedule it should focus on the front end and not the back end, because of football season. Each February IndyCar fans are itching for the season to begin, and it should, on the third or fourth weekend of the month. It could then be followed by maybe two races in March. Is it possible to start the 2016 season in February at Phoenix or Austin? (Mike, Fishers, Ind.)

Answer: I can't see Phoenix in that time slot, but Austin is certainly a possibility, especially with the recent talks.

Question: I would love to see Scott Dixon in the Daytona 500, but would Chip Ganassi even be allowed to put him in a car at Daytona or Talladega given NASCAR's limitations on testing? (Alan, Raleigh, N.C.)

Answer: That's a good question, and I don't have the answer. If I'm NASCAR, I give Dixon a reasonable amount of time to get acclimated because his participation would be beneficial to the sport. But again, as you noted, there's not as much track time at Daytona as there once was.