NASCAR and IndyCar Mourn the Passing of Prominent Motorsports Journalist

Published 08/26/2021, 5:10 AM EDT

Recently, tragic news broke that prominent IndyCar journalist Robin Miller passed away at the age of 71. Fondly remembered as one of the iconic voices in the sport, he primarily operated during the 1970s. Like many before him, Miller was raised to remember the famous Indianapolis 500.

Unfiltered. Honest. Passionate. There have been a lot of words to describe Robin Miller, but we were always happy to call him a friend. The paddock will miss you, Robin. Rest In Peace. https://t.co/QmvsmzAsHM
— Andretti Autosport / #AllAndretti (@FollowAndretti) August 25, 2021

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RIP Robin. You were a legend. Straight Shooter and consummate professional journalist. There will never be another one like Robin Miller. A true original! It was always a pleasure working with Robin and his honesty. Godspeed to our friend today. pic.twitter.com/7v9mgwcYCI
— Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (@DRRIndyCar) August 25, 2021

Joining the 🇺🇸 motorsport community in mourning the passing of renowned journalist Robin Miller. https://t.co/SqisguR40h
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) August 25, 2021

Godspeed Robin Miller – a hero and a legend, forever. ❤️🏁 https://t.co/RTNUjRglh4
— Road America (@roadamerica) August 25, 2021

I met Robin Miller for the first time for an interview at the lobby of the hotel at the @GPLongBeach in 2000. I was instantly shock by him, raw, unfiltered, passionate, and was wearing sweatpants. All that and his love for the sport and it's characters never changed. #rip♥️🏁 pic.twitter.com/zqByICtl9Q
— Oriol Servia (@OriolServia) August 25, 2021

There are no words to describe the loss of Robin Miller to racing, Indianapolis and the world. He was always kind and warm to me, even when asking the hardest questions to do his job. I will forever cherish his compliments to me. Godspeed Robin. https://t.co/on5W25pzyQ
— Charlie Kimball (@charliekimball) August 25, 2021

Miller’s maiden tryst with the Indianapolis 500 was in 1959 when he was just nine years old. Later on in 1968, he began working for The Indianapolis Star, where he remained until 2001. Beyond that, Robin Miller enjoyed stint in ESPN’s RPM 2Nite program, before jumping ship to the SPEED channel.

Friend or foe, you always knew where you stood with Robin Miller.
And every open-wheel racing fan knew there were few who were more knowledgeable or passionate about our sport.
He will be deeply missed, and our thoughts are with his family and friends. https://t.co/Ga4trMJTvx
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) August 25, 2021

There are few people in Motorsport who will truly go to battle for you, defend their belief in you as a driver/person no matter what happens. Robin Miller was that guy. He would say he was my PR guy for a very long time! I will never forget the stories he told. A true legend #RIP pic.twitter.com/L9PNZDewVK
— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) August 25, 2021

Statement from Chip Ganassi on the passing of Robin Miller: pic.twitter.com/cRVG2ysVmN
— Chip Ganassi Racing (@CGRTeams) August 25, 2021

So sad of hearing the passing of Robin Miller. We have lost one of the great characters of auto racing. Prayers to his family. 🙏🏻 RIPRobin
— Michael Andretti (@michaelandretti) August 25, 2021

Robin Miller took chances that no one in media would ever take. Robin was the Frank Sinatra of media. Not afraid and did it his way. #RobinMiller.
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) August 25, 2021

So sad to hear Robin Miller has passed. He has done so much for me and the sport we all love. You’ll be greatly missed by the entire racing community. Wishing all of Robins family and friends prayers during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/h0uQDj8CVq
— Sage Karam (@SageKaram) August 25, 2021

Who is IndyCar journalist Robin Miller?

It is worth mentioning that Miller was well-known for being loud and outspoken. He often spoke out on a number of issues that used to plague the motor racing scene. Naturally, the late motorsport journalist grew up around oval racing, but he was a huge fan of CART racing as well.

Today, my Hamburger @marshallpruett and I have lost Bacon, Robin Miller. All my condolences to his family. You'll be dearly missed, RIP legend. pic.twitter.com/38C2Bf8Lim
— Sébastien Bourdais (@BourdaisOnTrack) August 25, 2021

We love you, and we'll miss you.
Robin Miller has died at the age of 71. pic.twitter.com/O8nG7UeYqj
— IndyCar on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) August 25, 2021

Robin Miller you will definitely be missed. Thank you for all the laughs, my long donuts and your passionate for our sport! #RIP pic.twitter.com/Co0dzSedZC
— Juan Pablo Montoya (@jpmontoya) August 25, 2021

🇺🇸 Today is a sad day… We lost Robin Miller. You’ll be missed, kid! #RIP pic.twitter.com/Z4hgY2nua8
— Tony Kanaan (@TonyKanaan) August 25, 2021

Thinking of Indy without Robin Miller is like trying to imagine the sky without clouds. I can't do it. He was my friend, my mentor and my hero. I'm keeping the last hilarious voice mail he left for me until the day I leave here to see him again. pic.twitter.com/sHUBMlVx7H
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) August 25, 2021

Sadly, he was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2017, and was battled the condition for a long time. Nevertheless, he continued to work in the IndyCar scene to this day. Quite recently, he earned a place in the American Motorsports Hall of Fame.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Robin Miller. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone whose lives Robin touched throughout his life. pic.twitter.com/LOrwja9Uej
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) August 25, 2021

The ceremony was moved up to August at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as a result of which Miller had a chance to attend the ceremony, the IndyCar race and the NASCAR race. Without a doubt, it was a huge weekend, and surely an enjoyable one for Miller. He would have been very happy to witness something history in his final few days on this earth.

So thankful for all that Robin Miller has done for our sport. His wit and insight will be sorely missed. https://t.co/eDVHPk3R8G
— Alexander Rossi (@AlexanderRossi) August 25, 2021

Such a pleasure working alongside Robin Miller over the years. The guy was no BS, loved his sweets & a helluva Motorsports journalist. You’ll be missed my friend. #RIPRobinMiller pic.twitter.com/p0vko2zio3
— Jamie Little (@JamieLittleTV) August 25, 2021

I learned more about the history of @IndyCar from Robin Miller than anyone else. This mans passion for the sport was infectious. I’ll miss his stories and presence at the track dearly. RIP. https://t.co/WaC2oj0ghs
— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) August 25, 2021

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Robin Miller combined A.J Foyt's personality, Dave Despain's conversational gift for gab, and an incomparable writing talent.
ALL that in one package is greatly missed today.
RIP, pal. https://t.co/BnmYsRoRb7
— Mike Joy (@mikejoy500) August 25, 2021

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Of course, tributes poured in from several prominent motorsport figures. A large majority of them hailed from IndyCar, though a few from NASCAR also paid tribute. Obviously, many in the IndyCar paddock will sorely miss Robin Miller.

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Written by:

Dhruv George is a senior Formula One and NASCAR analyst for EssentiallySports, having authored nearly 12000 articles spanning different sports like F1, NASCAR, Tennis, NFL, and eSports. He graduated with a PG Diploma in Journalism from the Xavier Institute of Communications. Dhruv has also conducted interviews with F1 driver Pierre Gasly and Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino.