Some interesting tidbits of news today for the 92nd Indianapolis 500, which takes place on May 25, 2008.
Eddie Cheever to serve as an analyst for Indy 500 coverage.
This is exciting news to liven up the current broadcast booth for the race. Cheever is the 1998 Indianapolis 500 winner. Cheever, who turned 50 this year, has raced in Formula 1, CART, and the IRL during his career. He last raced in the IRL in 2006 for his own team, before folding the team due to lack of sponsorship in mid-season.
He joins both Marty Reid and Scott Goodyear in the booth for the qualifications and race day coverage of this year's 500. While both Reid and Goodyear "know their stuff" it will be nice to have a new voice in the booth to add some excitement.
I am sure that some of you will remember Rusty Wallace, who served as an analyst for the 2006 IRL season on EPSN. While Rusty was certainly enthusiastic in the booth, I believe that his comparison's to NASCAR and unfamiliarity with some of the IRL differences, often led to additional humor during the broadcast.
Jim Nabors to return to the Speedway to sing "Back Home Again in Indiana"
One of the most beloved prerace traditions of the Indianapolis 500 is the singing of "Back Home Again in Indiana" by Jim Nabors. He has sung the traditional song 29 times since 1972. Most notably during consecutive prerace ceremonies from 1987 - 2006.
Last year he was unable to sing due to illness, and the Purdue University Marching Band played the song, while the race fans were encouraged to sing along as the words were scrolled down the Video Tron Screens. Even though Nabors will turn 78 this year, his strong voice and rendition of this song have endeared him to race fans young and old alike.
Julianne Hough (Dancing With the Stars instructor) will sing the National Anthem.
Julianne Hough, who partnered with Indy 500 Winner Helio Castroneves during last year's season of "Dancing With the Stars" , is scheduled to sing the National Anthem at the 92nd Indianapolis 500.
Who can forget the excitement last fall as the gorgeous Julianne and Helio Castroneves danced their way into America's hearts as they won the DWTS trophy. While I don't believe there is any dancing scheduled during the prerace ceremonies, it is always fun to see all the celebrities who attend the race each year. Another part of the prerace ceremonies, is when the Speedway announces this year's guest celebrities on the PA system, and then they ride around the track in convertibles and wave to the race fans.
For additional information on the Indianapolis 500 and all the festivities for the 2008 race, check out their website at:
I believe I'll be AT the race this year (for the first time in several years) - so won't get to hear whether or not Cheever livens up the broadcast. I'm certainly hoping - and expecting - that he will.
Regardless, this time of year always finds us Indy fans in the area looking forward to the first trip out to the track to hear those harbingers of "real spring" - the roar of Indy cars on the west side!
Yes but... Who is going to win the race this year??? Looks like we've got a young version of Rahal that may be in the running. Will Marco Andretti and young Foyt be attempting to qualify?
I've never been able to get past Jim Nabors being Gomer Pyle...
Who knew Julianne H sang!? That girl has it going on...I just hope she doesnt distract Helio too much! Thanks for the updates Gerrel...are you going to the Indy race?
Tez - Even though this is a popular show here, I have only really watched it last year when Helio was a participant. Still if you like some of the celebrities it is fun to watch. I think Helio's personality will bring a lot more attention and fans to the track this year.
Dave - I'll be at the race again too (quals and race day) for the 23rd consecutive year. But we still tape the race to rewatch again later. I think Cheever will make a good addition to the broadcast booth.
And...there is nothing like the first trip to the race track each year. For us it happens to be Indy.
Dwindy - One of the most enjoyable parts of the month is the Indy 500 practice and qualifying weekends. Thats when we get to find out who has done their homework and who is strugggling. Both Marco and Foyt IV will be at the track again this year, and certainly will qualify for the race. I hesitate to pick any winner myself until after I see some practice during May and how Pole day shapes up.
Lori - Indy was the first race track I was ever at, although not the first Indy car race I ever saw (Michigan was). Still, all the weekends during the month of May spent there since 1985 have made this my favorite racetrack to go to.
Klv - I didn't know Julianne could sing either. I just thought she was a dancer. Helio may have enjoyed DWTS, but he will be entirely focused on the prize come raceday....A drink of cold milk in victory lane with the trophy to boot.
That's great Gerrel. I have the same affinity for Bristol, since it was the first one I ever went to.
I really did mean 'hype it up' - not being mean :) I look forward to hearing about your escapades. And is there still an 'us' as mentioned in your comment? You know I'm out of the loop on that. You can fox mail me if you want?
Lori - I agree with you about your first race track experience being special. I have a lot of memories of that place from fun & silly to sadness and disbelief depending on the racing and the weather. Although in general I have a good time when I go to the track.
Photo - Hopefully you will be up to attending a race next year. You can be the official judge of the broadcasts for us during the racing season...although you do have to stay awake to watch the races then, lol.
I am glad to hear that Jim Nabors will be back. That was the only reason I tuned into the 500 for the last couple of years. Especially since the Cup drivers who use to do double duty can no longer do it.
TSfan - Yeah...it was fun to see some drivers do the double...Robby Gordon and John Andretti are the last two to do it, that come to mind.
Smoke was down at Indy a year or two ago during qualifying and there was speculation about whether he would attempt to qualify for Indy and Coke. But he didnt. With the starting time change of the races now, it would be pretty difficult for a driver to accomplish this now.
Gerrel, it was when Smoke did the double that I actually would watch the Indy 500. I don't really watch it like I did when he was in it. But I will catch a few laps here and there now.
Too bad that they don't the Indy 500 back to Memorial Day. To day all its own. This would make it a true Memorial Day race.
Tsfan - Since we are always at the Indy 500...I end up watching the Coke 600 the next day (husband tapes it). Usually by the time we get home from Indy, the Coke 600 is more than 1/2 over, so we wait to watch the entire race.
I have to admit though that Stewarts personality always made him one to watch at the Speedway when he raced there. Especially an interesting combination when he raced for AJ Foyt one year, lol.
Longtime auto racing fan from the mid 1980's, I attend about 9 race weekends each year between Indy 500 qualification s, IRL and NASCAR races in the Midwest area.
