Curt Cavin: Talking Conway, Carpenter, Power and RHR

Question: So Mike Conway wins in the 20 car at Long Beach. Ed Carpenter of course will be in the 20 for ovals. Let's say that he wins an oval or two, and suddenly the 20 car is at the top of the championship points. Are the points actually separated between drivers, or would we get two see a co-driver award? (Andy, Farmington, Mich.)

Answer: There are two different trophies being pursued, one for the drivers and one for the entrant. Ed Carpenter Racing will be pursuing the latter, and I think it stands a very good chance of being in the hunt for it. That will be interesting to watch this season. Good for Ed. Good for Conway. Good for fans. Good for IndyCar.

Question: Can you explain why Power was not given a penalty for his contact with Pagenaud? Is avoidable contact different this year or is this a touch of favoritism? (A.J., Channahon, Ill.)

Answer: No, I can't. I watched that several times and I can't see how Power wasn't penalized. Poor Pagenaud. Look, I understand that race control is trying to give more freedom to the race, but that was avoidable contact. It can be argued that Will could have been penalized both races, but instead he's leading the standings because he's finished first and second, respectively. By the way, how about Helio Castroneves suggesting in a tweet that some drivers are getting away with things, and then the tweet being taken down a few minutes later! Interesting, huh?

Question: Are they using the standing start for the Grand Prix of Indianapolis? (Gordon, Atlanta, Ga.)

Answer: Yes, they are, and that should be fun. By all accounts it went well in Long Beach. I think Hinchcliffe was the only one with any kind of a hiccup, and his wasn't bad. I know Hunter-Reay asked for consistency in using standing starts (not using it one road course and not the next), but I thought it added a level of anticipation. The only trouble with it, in my opinion, is that IndyCar's tracks are too narrow because if something happens, as we saw in the Lap 55 crash, there's hardly any room to escape. Most of F1's tracks are massively wide.

Question: Do you think RHR made the right move by being aggressive with Newgarden as he exited the pits? Would he have been better off waiting to pick off the slower car in the closing laps? (Robert, Los Angeles)

Answer: I think RHR needed to put the pressure on Josef because Josef had cold tires and there's a limited amount of time to capitalize, but Turn 4 was not the place. I've walked down to the corner in the pass, and it is incredibly tight. No room there for two cars side-by-side. He just should have waited a couple of corners and he'd have had all the room he needed on the backstretch.

Question: RHR has certainly established a high bar for the bonehead move of the year award at Long Beach. Sounded as though his owner and teammate would agree. Not only was that a stupid move, it really could have a long-term impact on points given that Power snagged a second. (Tim, Indianapolis)

Answer: A few things there: First, how about the way Ryan changed his tune as he watched the replay?! Second, things are going to be a little less cheerful at the next Andretti drivers meeting. Third, Power had the move of the year so far by darting to the right to avoid the mess. He easily could have been collected.

Question: A while back there were rumors that Paul Tracy and Robby Gordon were looking into driving in the Indy 500. Is there anything more to this rumor? I would love to have seen both of them come back for the 500. (Chris, Livonia, Mich.)

Answer: It wasn't a rumor; both had conversations about it. Paul's were more serious than Robby's. Paul talked to Dennis Reinbold, but Dennis is probably going to need some financial assistance. As for Robby, I don't think his heart was into it. Believe me, he loves Indianapolis, but he's now a businessman, and he's got a lot going with his off-road racing. By the way, that stadium truck series is a hoot. If you haven't seen it, check out YouTube. It's one of the best entertainment things going. Robby's going to test a layout at IMS next week; we'll see if it works out. IMS has to make sure the hard landings don't hurt the track. That's priority Nos. 1, 2 and 3. While we're talking car count, did you see my report on Ganassi Racing moving forward with entry for Sage Karam? Team president hopes for things to be wrapped up this week.

Question: Is this Indianapolis-based team that Stefan Wilson may be competing at Indianapolis with possibly Fan Force United? (Charley, Greenfield, Ind.)

Answer: No. I actually don't know what the team will be called, but I know who bought one of the last Panther cars and is assembling a crew. We're supposed to get more details perhaps as soon as this week.