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Q: With incredible growth in IMSA from both manufacturers and fans, the only thing missing is more races. The current schedule has such large gaps it's easy to lose fan interest. Have there been any discussions about adding races at venues like Mid-Ohio and COTA?

Joe Hartsel

MP: There have not been any formal discussions. IMSA's endurance racing format is fundamentally different from other series. Consider that after just two races - the Rolex 24 and Sebring's 12 Hours - IMSA delivers 36 hours of racing action. That's more than IndyCar's entire 16-race season (excluding Indy 500).

While expanding to 15-16 races from the current 11 would be ideal, the costs of endurance racing are significant. Events like the 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, and other long-format races require substantial resources. For comparison, the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) runs just 8 races, including Le Mans, while the European Le Mans Series has 6 races.

If IMSA continues to prosper and stakeholders support it, adding an event between Daytona and Sebring could make sense. IMSA does benefit from a longer calendar (January to October) compared to IndyCar (March to August).

Q: Recent tire ads highlighted durability at major races. How much faster might those tires be with current compounds? Why not require harder compounds for better durability and reduced marbles?

John from Illinois

MP: Harder tires actually tend to make racing worse, not better. They provide limited grip, resulting in:

• Longer brake zones
• More coasting through corners
• Delayed acceleration
• Fewer passing opportunities

While tire manufacturers can produce extremely durable compounds, this often comes at the cost of exciting racing. The Iowa Speedway IndyCar doubleheaders last year demonstrated how hard tires can lead to less engaging competition.

Q: I attended the Daytona 24 Hours and noticed what seemed like more tire and suspension failures than usual. What issues did Michelin encounter, and could team suspension setups have contributed?

Brandon Karsten

MP: There weren't any significant trends in tire or suspension failures during the race. While teams keep their setups private, the new curbing at the Le Mans Chicane may have affected aggressive drivers. Tire punctures from debris are fairly common in endurance racing due to the extended race duration.

Q: Ford joining WEC is exciting, but IndyCar's future concerns me. With no new chassis until 2027 and limited manufacturer interest, what's the series' appeal? How can it attract manufacturers with its current spec format?

Kris, Kokomo, IN

MP: The manufacturer situation predates Penske Entertainment's ownership, stretching back to Lotus's departure in 2012. The focus now should be on 2025's performance metrics:

• TV ratings
• Audience growth
• Young fan engagement

These factors will influence manufacturer decisions about joining in 2027 under the new formula. While Chevrolet seems likely to stay due to Penske's connections, Honda's commitment remains uncertain.

The key is demonstrating that IndyCar offers worthwhile investment opportunities for auto manufacturers through measurable growth and engagement in 2025.

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