Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles, who oversees IndyCar, made it clear Wednesday that "he wasn't pleased with those suggesting IndyCar allowed for dangerous conditions" during last weekend's race at Auto Club Speedway, "similar to those" in the '11 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where driver Dan Wheldon lost his life, according to Curt Cavin of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Miles said, "You take on a responsibility to look after the good of the whole. We will certainly not be exceptional among sports leagues if we -- when we -- step up and assert ourselves more to do what we can do to minimize the times when individual participants comments are damaging to the whole." He added, "That does not mean that we can't tolerate criticism and that there won't be lots of different opinions on lots of different topics. But there are lines that have to be drawn." Miles fielded three questions related to competitor comments, and "he made his point clear." Miles: "I wasn't pleased with some of that. I'm not naming any names, and I've also said it's incumbent upon us to be a responsible (sanctioning body). But we will -- I will -- change this culture to some extent going forward by being more active" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/2).
I CAN SEE FOR MILES AND MILES? In Indianapolis, Anthony Schoettle reported opinions of Miles "seem to differ wildly these days," as racing fans "aren't sure what to make of him or the changes he's instituted." Several top IndyCar sponsors and suppliers "said early on that Miles ... 'gets it.'" But there seems to be a "growing sentiment among team owners and especially drivers that he doesn't get it." One of the biggest issues is Miles' move to "end the season by Labor Day so the race series doesn't conflict with college and NFL football." Team owners have "complained the compact schedule makes the off-season too long." Mechanics and engineers also have complained the shorter season "makes the in-season grind too intense, causing exhaustion among crew members and creating dangers for drivers" (IBJ.com, 7/1).
