Check out what questions RPM.ESPN.com users had for Robin Miller -- and Robin's answers:

Robin Miller: You ask the same questions we all do, why and what's in it for Bernie? The running logic is that he needs a backup in case the F1 manufacturers break away and start their own series but that's a long time a way and a long shot. Some people think he sees a way to bring in second tier manufacturers to CART and retool the international TV package to make everyone money. Regardless of whether it's Bernie himself, a group of investors led by Gerry Forsythe or a partnership between the two of them, it's still going to take millions of dollars to keep Champ Car afloat in 2004. I said last weekend that the Montreal GP and CART promoter (and close friend of Bernie) had been offered Pook's job as CEO and he admitted it Thursday in the Montreal paper. With Normand Legault of Montreal and David Clare (CART's current COO and a longtime employee of Ecclestone) running things for him, Bernie would still control things from afar but have two trusted men doing the work. This connection, plus Bernie's friendship with Pook, are the only things that make me think Ecclestone is serious.

Also, I agree totally with you that running only street/road courses will be the kiss of death for Champ Car. What if they tried to start racing at the venues Indy Car has left behind, like Las Vegas, Loudon, Atlanta, etc.? Three ovals in 19 races won't cut it. They also need at least one 500 miler. Losing Michigan was a travesty, as losing California also will be.

Nick
Rolling Meadows, Ill.

Robin Miller: "That damn Cooooogan" (as A.J. referred to him on ABC after their tangle in '82 at Indy) is quite successful and living comfortably in southern California with his family. He was a good businessman as a kid and has done quite well, I'm told. That '86 race was his until that last yellow. As for ovals, I hope CART always remembers its heritage and the fact it's the most challenging series in the world because of its diversity. Loudon was always a good show and Vegas is a good track also but a very tough draw. CART needs at least five ovals, I agree.

Robin Miller: I don't have enough time to detail what I would do but the quick fix is to put George and the CART owners in a room, bordered by a moat with sharks, and make them pound out one series with 20 races. Or hang all of them if they don't. But that ain't gonna happen. There is no hope for any merger. I don't know about your prediction for Nextel helping open wheel (don't forget, Nextel used to be in CART) because sponsorship is so hard to acquire these days and NASCAR always seems to get first choice. T. George won't buy CART, he figures it's going to die. Sad but true, the IRL is a feeder system to NASCAR and CART is a feeder system to F1.

Robin Miller: Not likely. USAC used to draw huge crowds in the early '70s at Pocono and CART did OK attendance-wise but the owners have two home runs a year with NASCAR and don't need open wheel. I think the IRL will be at Mid-Ohio in 2004 but not The Glen. It needs too much work on the guard rails. Yes, the Falcon died before it could flap its wings. Funny, Lola was shut out of the Indy 500 and it's got the longest heritage of Indy cars of any chassis designer and helped get the IRL started. Gee, you think it was political? F1 has a five-year contract so it couldn't leave until after 2004. But Bernie will do what is best for Bernie and if that includes moving the USGP (like back to Long Beach), he'll do it. I'd say if Penske doesn't sign Sam for the IRL, he's probably gone to DEI. He loves open wheel racing and it would be a big blow to the IRL but he's got to start making big money. Should Tony George help pay for him to stay? Absolutely. Thanks.

Robin Miller: I think CART realizes Danica's potential and she's good with the fans and media as well as being talented. I don't want to see her rushed into Champ Cars and I don't think Rahal will do that. She even said last week that she probably needed another year in Atlantics (she's also as smart as she is attractive) and I wish Sarah Fisher would have driven Atlantics before being throw into the IRL. Will Danica be at the Indy 500 before she runs CART? Probably. Rahal knows he can get an Indy sponsor for her right now. But CART's future is Danica, A.J. Allmendinger and it's got to understand how important it is to build some new American stars.

Robin Miller: Maybe that's his plan. See my answer a few questions above yours.

Hi Robin, I am a big CART and ALMS fan. In considering the Audi, MG and Bentley prototype sports cars, it occurred to me that these are car manufacturers, not just engine manufacturers, where the car styling probably does more to sell cars than does engine performance. Do you think that CART could attract various car manufacturers by allowing them to badge and style the chassis, while everyone is powered by a spec "CART" engine? Surely they must all have wind tunnels, and maybe they start with a standard tub to control costs.

Duncan Mellor
Stratham, N.H.

Robin Miller: That's a very interesting scenario and one that might be a way to bring in some money and marketing to Champ Car. I'm surprised CART and ALMS don't have several doubleheaders (Like Miami last year) because there's obviously a lot of crossover fans like yourself. I keep hearing Bernie/Pook has made inroads with a couple Euro manufacturers. But having engines/chassis from the same manufacturer would be a big undertaking and requires lots of money. Not sure anybody is ready to pull the string on a deal like that until CART shows some financial solvency.

Robin Miller: No, CART had a 0.9 while NASCAR scored a 4.8 (tops of the weekend). I like to watch Winston Cup on road courses and what CART should have done was wait until this weekend to run Portland (there is no NASCAR race this weekend) instead of going head-to-head.

Robin Miller: Very perceptive. I understand CART and Newman-Haas tried to appease Dario and keep him in Champ Cars but were $1 million to $2 million apart. To answer your question, Forsythe and Haas are probably the only two who could afford Dario unless CART finds a new sugar daddy. I think he'd certainly have to take a pay cut to return to CART (but I do know that's where he'd like to be because he misses road racing).

Robin Miller: Well, Dan Gurney, Phil Hill and Mario certainly didn't have any trouble adapting and, had Michael been a little more committed and McLaren been a little more understanding, he could have shined. Look at some of his results and the only time he tested with Senna he was only one-tenth behind. Danny Sullivan and Bobby Rahal had their moments in F1 in less than superior equipment so all it would take is a serious commitment from a sponsor/sanctioning body to take somebody thru the lower formula ranks and allow them to develop. The technology wouldn't be a stumbling block, that's a crock. Getting used to grooved tires and the tracks merely requires enough track time for the good ones.

Robin Miller: I know that in last Friday's test at Chicago, Hornish went five or six mph quicker than his Chevy. The question now is will he get a Cozzie or will it go to all the Chevy teams? And how soon can Cosworth crank out 20 engines? Obviously, GM won't have any clients by 2004 if something good doesn't happen in the next few months.

Robin Miller: Well, despite what the IRL PR folk say, the league was supposedly built on the platform of putting Americans back in Indy-car racing. It happened early on but obviously that trend has long since vanished. Honda and Toyota brought their house teams from CART and those owners only believe in foreign drivers, for the most part. Obviously, Sam Hornish and Sarah Fisher are the IRL's future but J.J. Yeley, Tracy Hines, Michael Lewis, Aaron Fike -- these are the open wheel stars from USAC who need to be in the IRL but will likely end up in NASCAR.

Robin Miller: Yes, Indy cars and CART Champ Cars go way too quick on ovals and the IRL has dodged several bullets considering how often their rub wheels at 220 mph at Texas. The cars go so fast thru the corners it's frightening and your fears are well founded. It only takes one calamity (remember Le Mans?) to put racing in serious jeopardy.

Robin Miller: The poor kid suffers from a lack of experience, confidence and the stubbornness of his grandfather who refuses to use engineers. A.J. was one of the greats in every way but he's never driven an IRL car and you only have to watch Jacques Lazier's struggle at Pikes Peak to understand how far out to lunch this team is. It's embarrassing. Just like Foyt's Winston Cup team. Anthony is a great kid who probably has a nice future if it isn't ruined. He's not ready for Indy cars and everyone seems to realize that except his car owner.

Robin Miller: Gee, you turn down a chassis manufacturer with a world class reputation that helped your series get started and has four decades of his at the Indy 500 for an outfit that may or may not be able to build a competitive car? Yeah, I'd say Brian Barnhart needs to read up on his Indy car history. Of course it was political.

Robin Miller: Well, considering how much of a struggle it is to get her a full-time ride, I don't know that the IRL truly cares about finding her potential. They should but whether will remains to be seen. The Hulman family kept Stephan Gregoire on the track for several years but they don't seem inclined to help the most popular driver in their series. Very interesting. But I think Penske wants Hornish.

Robin Miller covers open wheel racing for ESPN and ESPN.com.