Cavin: What IndyCar likes about 2016 schedule

Question: Mark Miles said he “really likes” the pacing of the 2016 schedule. That’s four races in June, one in August. Exactly what “pacing” is he referring to? (Nick, Noblesville, Ind.)

Answer: He was talking about the last part of the schedule when IndyCar races at Mid-Ohio, takes two weeks off, races at Pocono, takes a week off, races in Boston, takes a week off, and finishes the season in Sonoma. Of course, what can derail that pacing is a cancellation of one of those races, like, say Boston. It’s difficult to know what happens there, but there sure is a lot of fuss being raised. That’s somewhat normal, but it’s also very much a concern from where I sit. Miles also likes spreading the schedule out over more days -- 36 over this year -- and that's a good start to what we all hope becomes a schedule that starts in late February and ends, at a minimum, in late September. Ideally, it's mid-October.

Question: Is Phoenix in or out for 2016? As we all know, this has always been an awesome facility for open wheel cars. (Frank, Greenwood, Ind.)

Answer: It’s expected to be in, although each time I’ve requested an update the response is the contract has not yet been signed. I guess we’ll know tomorrow when the schedule is announced.

Question: Not really a question, but just a thought. With the running of the 100th Indianapolis 500 coming this May, wouldn't it be nice to see someone from the Hulman/George family drive the pace car. I think Tony George would be the best person to drive it. If not maybe they would let me. (Brian, West Lafayette, Ind.)

Answer: I understand your suggestion, and I think it would be a nice gesture to the family that has owned the facility all these years and saved it after the war, but I don’t expect that to be the direction of the selection. The pace car is a platform for showcasing things, and the driver draws a significant amount of attention (or should). I don’t have a person in mind yet, but I expect there to be an interesting discussion related to it.

Question: I really dislike NASCAR's playoff format. I understood the motivation to create excitement among the fans, but (I don’t like it). I will wait until the organization returns to a point-leader winner like, or similar to the old the old system before watching NASCAR again. (Bruce, Indianapolis)

Answer: You can’t argue with the point about it being interesting, especially when a transfer race is Talladega. That was compelling stuff yesterday even if it was, as Denny Hamlin called it, a “circus” at the end. (Yes, I think it's fair to question whether Kevin Harvick intentionally caused that caution.) My biggest complaint is that with still four races left two drivers who combined to win nearly 30 percent of the races – Matt Kenseth’s five, Jimmie Johnson’s four – are out of contention, but I suppose that’s sports. It happens in the NCAA tournament when a No. 1 seed is knocked out in the second round, and it happens in the NBA playoffs when an 8 seed beats a 1. Anyway, it’s interesting stuff.

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