RACER: Robin Miller's (Rant) Message to Mark Miles

The RACER Channel's Robin Miller unloads on an empty house at Auto Club Speedway and the scheduling decisions presided over by IndyCar boss Mark Miles.
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[@paulj.ingram2839]

It was so good that Robin got to witness Indycar finally getting it’s act together. He never gave up on the series. RIP

[@RealRacingRoots]

Yeah.. about that..

[@etatboi]

If only

[@xtlm]

I was one of those 3000 people. I was also at this year's Indy 500. The stark contrast of volume was astonishing. BUT! Both were amazing races! INDYCAR has been so incredibly good in recent years, it's a real shame nobody watches

[@gbpckr34]

Amen Robin! I was watching the race with my in-law's (who don't give a lick about racing) and even they were excited by the intense racing! It was an amazing race and I pray that IndyCar can fix the schedule/promotion issues. This series is a hidden treasure and needs all the exposure it can get!

[@kentonbrewer3232]

Here after the recent ignorant remarks from Mark Miles. Robin Miller is a legend.

[@dylanhale7300]

Man if only Robin knew the cliff Indycar was about to jump off of post covid...

[@Cvaniafan4life]

Well said Robin, Such a fantastic race by all the drivers today, and yet only around 3000 attended. The Indycar schedule has been an utter F****** joke the last few years because of ending the season around Labor Day. I'm starting to honestly think that the majority of Americans when they think of racing it's only NASCAR and that's it. Indycar has the best racing on the planet, yet no one watches it. To end this comment on a positive, thankfully no drivers were hurt today. I'm sure Steve Matchett will never forget his first Oval race in person. His reactions were priceless!!

[@PaperBanjo64]

Yeah that's a big problem, F1 finally has started getting popular but NASCAR has gone to shit and the fans are delusional if they can't see it's dying and decaying right in front of them! I'm 31 years old, had watched much of my life but got into IndyCars in 2015, the reshuffled covid season made me not know what was actually going on in IndyCar but I usually knew when NASCAR was on so I stuck to it but since fall 2022 I've been losing interest fast and this season has been horrible and I'm glad IndyCar exist because we need at least one sane racing league that hasn't been corrupted by NASCAR! Penske Entertainment need to fire Mark Miles and get people running IndyCar who will actually promote it and drivers like Alex Palou, Will Power, and Josef Newgarden as household names, IndyCar has the best racing out of all the big league asphalt racing series and yet nobody's watching and if IndyCar had the promotion NASCAR has it would have the audience NASCAR does!

[@SUPEREEVEEMASTER]

Sucks to see Fontana not returning to the schedule in 2016 and especially since it was one of the best Indycar races ever and my favorite race to watch.

[@DiegoOspina86]

We're missing you Robin Miller. Godspeed master. 😭😭😭

[@brodyent121]

Dido Miller! Best race in years! Today's Indy Car race was better than any NASCAR (taxi cab) race I've ever seen! As far as the older drivers of today no offense to them, but the real elder statesman of this sport AJ, Mario, Unser Bros, Parnelli, and many more raced in way worse conditions! They saddled up and got it done! No complaining or whining! They knew the risk and the reward!

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

Almost 6 years later, and this video is STILL relevant in the IndyCar community! It’s ridiculous that we have 3 ovals for the 2021 season (4 races thanks to 2 Texas races a weekend). I understand that the lack of attendance, advertising, and marketing is the reason why we have more circuits, but it’s ridiculous that we have only 3 ovals this year. Huge yikes. Whatever worked for the IndyCar and Gateway relationship needs to work for other ovals!

[@brucetomlin4912]

Have to say that I completely agree. And it would be great to have Michigan back on the schedule.

[@justanother67camaro32]

LOVE Robin Miller!!! The guy just says it like it is. Needs to be more people like him running American motorsports and then maybe they'll come back from near death.

[@DavidLand91]

Whats old is new... break out the white paper! Preach on Miller.

[@AlonsoRules]

Got a comment now Dave, after Penske bought everything?

[@karlmuller3690]

@@AlonsoRules - To be fair, the comment to witch you're replying to, is 5yrs old now, and I wish that he DID have somthing to say, but ....... you may be in for a "Long Wait".

[@kelseyjames6502]

Thank the lord someone's finally saying it, the race I watched today was filled with some of the best racing I have ever seen, and to see how few people got to experience it in person was disgraceful.

[@robertl779]

One of the few guys that ain't afraid to tell it like it is.

[@jackharle1251]

Mark Miles is a professional begger for companies, a lobbyist.

[@iflick7235]

Three times as many people watched this video as watched the race!

[@easleyrider]

Thank you Robin Miller!!!!!!! Your point was echoed by the fans I sat there with.

[@JB-sr9xg]

I want this race back i was there racing here at 1:30 is a complete joke if you want to make it durring the summer at least make it at night it's disappointing hearing all the people saying its the Californians fault when the race is at 1:30 in june in pretty much the desert i know people that love indycar that didnt want to go because of what time it was at please find a solution so we (Californians) can have this race back

[@johnnystir9796]

Well said Robin. I thought the race was compelling and heart stopping. I also thought that it was amazing no one died today. It was fun to watch though but man...these guys are REALLY good drivers to only end up with the carnage we had. I sure hope Mark Miles listens to you.

[@ctrphotography]

I live around the Auto Club Speedway area and I didn't really see any advertisement for this race on the freeway billboards like past years. Usually for the Long Beach Grand Prix you have advertisement on the roads,radio and sometimes local TV.

[@riggzee828]

Now, that's the R. Miller I remember!!!

[@andrewaltemus6425]

One of the best races I have ever seen and this is one of the best videos I have ever seen. Enough is enough. The incompetence continually seen by this front office staff is unbelievable. How can they be so blind and deaf about EVERYTHING? I just don't understand it.

[@ILSRWY4]

Attn. Mark Miles and Indycar: Everyone can bitch and complain that it was a disgrace that nobody was there to witness one of the best races in history.. the fact is... Nobody went because they were not expecting to see that kind of a race. Here's the deal, and a hard cold fact. Indycar just put a product out there on that day, call it pack racing, call it close racing, call it what ever you want, the fact is, they presented a product, and it went over huge with most of the fans, drivers and media except for a couple 40+ year old, chickensh*t drivers. I'm 44 and I would step in a car and do that racing right now! TK said we are not in the cars, so we don't know. Ok buddy! Like it or not, a product was presented that day in Fontana and this is what the fans are going to expect to see in the future. If the fans come out and Indycar instead listens to the those few scaredy-cat drivers, and puts out another boring race, YOU "Indycar" will have set an inconsistent, distrustful mentality with the fans, sponsors and media. Then The fans will really be pissed! Indycar HAS to produce this kind of racing again. PERIOD! Get rid of the old drivers, and tell the sponsors to sponsor younger, brasher drivers who will do the job, and then don't ever look back!! I also agree the series NEEDS to go to the first week of October, ending in August is ridiculous!! Absolutely Ridiculous!

[@LNJMedia]

It truly was a great race and thanks to Robin for telling the truth. I love Indy Car!!!! Best damn racing series in the world.

[@frodo7773]

Mr. Miller for president!

[@DiegoOspina86]

Fro Do much better than Mark Miles

[@patrickkennedy2533]

I couldn't have said it better robin I love racing and the core series for me is indy cars , best race since indy this year

[@brianlautzenhiser5185]

Spot on Robin. Mark Miles quit listening to Boston Consulting. Don't end the season in August but end in late September

[@DocGorilla]

RIP Legend

[@S1159836]

Schedule is good now. Very consistent and diverse. Love the current Indy Car schedule.

[@OnwardSoldier]

RIP Robin Miller.

[@RandysRacingPlace633]

Ironic (and also weird) watching this six years later with The Captain now in charge of IMS and the IndyCar Series....

[@precesionnoreaster1507]

Yeah and he's somehow done a worse job

[@RallyIsetta]

Robin Miller knows his stuff and has won the right to make these editorial comments. When Robin speaks others should listen!

[@davedaniel11]

I thought the race was tomorrow, on a Sunday, like most races should be. Completely missed it. Thankfully I found it on youtube and was able to watch a thrilling race. Complete scheduling joke. It hurts to see so few fans in the stands.

[@theshrew8853]

RIP Robin Miller

[@PaperBanjo64]

Mark Miles needs to go! This is still relevant!

[@antores1971]

Right on the spot... Indy needs to make a union!!. The teams and drivers are the ones whi have the power...

[@mobiuspenguin]

*Stands up* *Slow clapping* Excellent Mr. Miller, Excellent. Why cant we get rid of marketing consultant groups across the board? They always think they know what people want. But 3000 people?? Seriously????? I've heard of dirt tracks with more people attending

[@zureickracing]

Andrew Cathcart Four out four dirt tracks in my area had a bigger crowd than that this weekend.

[@dankrga6743]

I think they should put Robin in charge of the series. He knows what people want

[@PatrickBatty]

Well said Robin. I agree on all fronts. That was possibly the most exciting race, but also the most nerve racking I've ever witnessed. It's a crying shame more people weren't able to get out to see it. I go to Toronto each year, and I'm hoping the bring back the double there in 2016.

[@davidu.1901]

I would love to see more ovals. For one, they should be able to schedule a race at Brooklyn Michigan.

[@DiegoOspina86]

David Ummel could be brutal. i love indycar racing at Michigan.

[@Weathership]

You are exactly right, Robin

[@Caaam]

Indycar needs to have a season that actually goes towards the Autumn, it finishes August and that's basically a third of the year left. Fans want racing, not huge breaks, as i bet the drivers do!

[@quadsman11]

AMEN ROBIN !

[@jawtin]

Well said, well said. Is anyone listening? Sorry....sadly doesn't seem so...

[@willbest1547]

Road Atlanta, Mosport!

[@osustu99]

If only someone at 16th and Georgetown would heed these words because if they don't...who knows what could happen

[@DiegoOspina86]

very agree with you master Robin. bring back the Fontana race in SEPTEMBER!!!

[@EarlofCrawford]

Mark Miles is not as culpable as Tony George. Tony George almost killed open-wheel racing in America all by himself. It has never recovered. Hopefully it will.

[@Changesonemack]

3 years later Waa waa waaaaa!

[@gagemcpherson4454]

Wow i never saw this video before until now preach on Robin Miller I remember watching this race on TV and it was one of the top 5 best races I've ever seen period

[@TeamBombersportsUK]

The Indycar schedule is utter garbage. I have no idea why Indycar believes that they can't contend with NFL, so they have to stop their season way earlier. NASCAR doesn't care about NFL, neither does IMSA, neither does PWC/SCCA, neither does any other sport in the world. BTCC doesn't care about EPL football, V8 Supercars same with AFL or NRL. It's disgraceful. Indycar's on-track product is about as good as it's ever been (still yet to catch up on the Fontana race but it sounded epic), and it's absolutely disgusting that so few people are watching it because people are telling Indycar to have such a ham-fisted schedule. It's like they have no confidence to contend elsewhere, or stand up and be counted in the crowded US motorsport scene. 3000 poxy people for an Indycar race?! Brands Hatch here in London, UK got FIFTY THOUSAND people for a EuroNASCAR race weekend! The BTCC regularly gets 30k+ attendances, maybe more. And as Robin said, 196k for the Toronto round doesn't lie. Indycar must stand tall and make itself have an identity. It shouldn't be an F1 rival, it shouldn't be a NASCAR alternative, or some complimentary thing to NFL. It should be INDYCAR, and be proud of that. Be proud of the oval/road racing heritage. Go to the biggest road racing tracks in North America - Road America, Laguna Seca, COTA, Montreal, Mosport - and to the ovals with the prestige and fitting facilities to race them. Indianapolis, Fontana, Michigan, Pocono. Hell, why not bring back the international element that CART had? Mexico City? Indycar needs to stand up and be counted right now, not meekly sit around in the corner whilst NASCAR and IMSA dominate the US racing landscape. And don't get me wrong, I love NASCAR and IMSA/sportscar racing - but I despair that Indycar is doing all it can to shoot itself in the foot right at the moment the racing is some of the best we've ever seen in the series. It's a total disgrace.

[@jackster531]

1000 points to Robin Millar.

[@fluffskunk]

Speaking truth to power.

[@LucasGonzalezA]

Totally agree. Ending the season in August is as bad as the 90's split. If Miles insists with this idea, he will end up screwing the series.

[@AlonsoRules]

FIX THE SCHEDULE INDYCAR!! Road America, Gateway, Phoenix, COTA, Mexico City, Montreal!!

[@melp3033]

***** I second COTA and Road America, please Indy Car make this happen.

[@FyreFrostDragon]

***** Hell yeah! Bring back Cleveland too!

[@m598lmr]

***** Also Portland, Surfers Paradise, Rockingham, Laguna Seca, Motegi or Lausitz, Indycar need more International Agenda

[@m598lmr]

***** Also Portland, Surfers Paradise, Rockingham, Laguna Seca, Motegi or Lausitz, Indycar need more International Agenda

[@AlonsoRules]

m598lmr Surfers 'aint happening again, they built over half the track with a tram line :(

[@DocVibe]

Dear Mark Miles: Listen carefully to what Robin & the entire population of, not only IndyCar fans, but auto racing enthusiasts in general are SCREAMING at you. Here's my two cents worth... What Canadians would really like to see is IndyCar at Mosport (now - Canadian Tire Motorsports Park) - you know, the birth place where Formula-1 was introduced to Canada back in 1967, NOT Montreal. A lot of politicing went on in Toronto behind closed doors to keep it in the city of Toronto because of the Pan-am games conflicting dates in 2015. Those politicians knew that if IndyCar had went to Mosport, they (Toronto) would have NEVER gotten it back. Period. Dear IndyCar, we would love to have Mosport added to your list of potential race tracks for your growing list of dates for IndyCar in the future. Thank you.

[@TheBGBstudio]

I watched it Robin - was a great race!

[@STP43FAN1]

The schedule does need to expand - put Fontana in September and add a second Texas race. The myth that racing has to stop before the NFL season gets going is stupid. As for the rule package, Indycar nailed it with this one, the draft became everything and it equalized the field superbly - it became about how savagely the drivers would go for the lead and not about any handling or pitstop deals. I'm astonished there weren't more lead changes at Texas.

[@razormc954]

I agree, that myth is hogwash, the NASCAR Season traditionally runs until November deep into NFL season, and would COTA work as the 2nd race in Texas?

[@ethanroebuck7203]

Ive gotta support both ideas and the 2nd race at COTA would be very cool to see, or for them to visit Laguna Seca again and some other tracks like the Glen that are classic indycar tracks that haven't been run on hardly at all lately

[@mpace58]

Michael Daly Agreed. I love football, but I love racing more. I watch NASCAR until the season ends, and then I switch to football. I would also watch Indy until the end of the season.

[@Marg555]

Michael Daly Maybe to race on saturdays in september - october? But then problem is college football... But I agree 100% - that is not normal to end season so early, and in Sears point - especially.

[@wayneoverton2452]

How do the clowns get into these positions of heading up these racing orgs, and why can't they be removed for poor performance?

[@DiegoAlvaradoRacing]

I COMPLETELY AGREE ROBIN. YOU TELL EM. YOU GO MAN Btw. I have footage of Briscoe's wreck from the stands on my channel

[@billjohnson5705]

Good commentary Robin. I missed the race since it was on a cable channel that I don't get. Come to think of it - no one gets NBCSN! And that is THE problem. Zero fan support is the result of miserable promotion on the part of IndyCar. Perhaps it is past time for the owners and sponsors to resurrect CART or maybe re-energize USAC and create a reasonable and effective promotional and governing entity. Its not surprising that only 3,000 fans attended considering to complete lack of national interest in the series. Put cable coverage on a mainstream channel that people actually watch, create some national and international promotion about the races and the drivers and the series just might be rescued. It may be too late but it is worth the effort. Is anyone listening?

[@RedPetrol76]

Bill Johnson One of the problems is lack of any kind of promotion. I attended Honda Indy Toronto this year and Downtown, there wasn't even a single billboard telling that the IndyCar weekend is coming. No prints, posters, nothing.

[@xSoccerxCorex]

too bad the only channel with a bigger reach wants nothing to do with indycar or racing in general anymore (espn)

[@MatthewChidester]

Well said robin.. like to see more tv night/ovals..pack racing was awesome.. add a few more ovals late year.. Heck I have a dream indycar comes to utah..I know a pipe dream but go to places you haven't been to (or nascar) and they will come.

[@MrMaricopa100]

Right on Robin

[@MrMaricopa100]

Fontana needs to stay. Miles wake up listen to Robin

[@MrMaricopa100]

+dominick virgilio Pocono is a great track . Fully agree. We need Pocono, Indy, and Fontana to remain for a triple crown

[@chifurbr]

i hope one day this video will stop being relevant to the current state of the sport

[@PaperBanjo64]

Same, Mark Miles needs to go! With NASCAR pissing off so many fans and contrary to the stereotype a lot of these fans leaving aren't old farts but young men under 35 years old, the coveted young adult demographic, well in theory IndyCar should be taking away NASCAR fans en masses but they aren't and it's not because of bad racing it's because IndyCar leadership are bumbling morons and don't promote the series besides the Indianapolis 500!

[@Ben_Liebich]

AMEN!

[@GDH1981]

I’m really going to miss Robin telling it like it is, RIP

[@PaperBanjo64]

At least we got David Land, about the only person on KZbin passionate enough about IndyCar to talk about it...there's waaaaaay more NASCAR KZbinrs and none of them dare to really call NASCAR out, except for somebody like WhatiFRacing.

[@zeboe223423]

Robin I could not agree with u more

[@BahamutLogan]

Amen!

[@rusty2old]

This goes for nascar also the owners and drivers have more control than they think and bubblehead Brian France best wake up to that idrea before another sanction body jumps out of the bushes and challenges him.

[@FloridaSunNFun]

Your problem is right there on your SHIRT NBC!!!!!!

[@skeetmcwhorter6379]

To the drivers who whined & bitches about the race...DONT RACE! That was by far one of the BEST races that has been put on in a while. Yes they had 2 wrecks at the end...1st one...if Will Powers hadnt have come down a lane...Sato most likely would have saved it ...and yes Will Powers came down. Everyone knows that racing is dangerous...no other way around it...that is a risk that racers take....but the racing was amazing 4 & 5 wide most of the day...it was just great hard racing. That is what racing is about...listen to one of the greatest at the end of the race say it...AJ Foyte said he loves it. Some of the indy racers have come accustomed to easy racing...go out there and earn it...quit being whinner.

[@danieltherrien9373]

Amen

[@nitrouselement]

Who is Mark Miles?

[@andrewaltemus6425]

FIGURE IT OUT!

[@assassssasa]

I'm saying IndyCar needs to oust Miles and get Dan Andersen to take over

[@daniel_ellery]

I am confused, Is he pissed off at the pack racing??

[@PaperBanjo64]

Really old comment but no he's disgusted because nobody was there to see such a good race and that Mark Miles is such a bumbling idiot that he'd take the date from the track.

[@VideoDexterity]

This is all a moot point, we're not watching "Champ" car racing any longer. This series is nothing but a ghost of history. Indy car racing died in 1996...

[@healthyone100]

+Video Dexterity we these young guys like karam, newgarden Indy Cars are coming back!

[@Davidofsmeg]

well said!

[@mister62085]

Race at Daytona and Degga.

[@JB-sr9xg]

Not a chance this will happen just saying indycars race on low banked tracks

[@skating2fast]

I just wonder who Indy cars going to kill next ?

[@indyblimp1]

1. Miller becomes a complete hypocrite stirring a "Split 3.0" pot by saying owners should threaten to run their own unsanctioned/new group races. NOBODY wins with that. 37 card carrying members of the "Robin Miller & Randy Bernard Fan Club" at TrackForum would cheer while the rest of the sports world would say "Not again!" Next time he mentions "TG", I'd spit in Miller's face just for that portion of his rant. 2. All these "unhappy" sponsors could've easily papered today's house if they truly support INDYCAR. The "It's hot in California during the summer & scares people from going outside" excuse goes out the window when you consider how many tickets the Dodgers & Angels sell for multiple day games every summer. Just today with an afternoon start, the Angels announced a crowd of 40,514 for a game against the Mariners & a post game screening of "Finding Nemo". I see lack of sponsor activation more as a problem of the "write a check & walk away" attitude that's been around Indy Car racing for years rather than an indictment of Miles's leadership skills. The same type of thing happened with sponsors while Bernard, Belskus & George were in charge. UPDATE: I just held my nose & checked TrackForum. It only took until post 11 in a thread about this video for someone to suggest INDYCAR NEEDS to split again. Crazy talk for sure. Yes, the Fontana date was bad but breaking away for "Split 3.0" isn't the answer.