This year marks the last time Jim Nabors will sing "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the Indianapolis 500.Just one more thing that's changing at the Indianapolis 500. I can remember when the 500 dominated the sports section for the entire month of May. The Wide World of Sports would broadcast qualifying and radio stations would broadcast live on Carburetion Day. Then we'd listen to the race on the radio during the day, and watch the tape delay broadcast in primetime. It seems like it was a different world than the one we live in now.
The tradition goes back to 1972 and fans had a special opportunity Friday to talk with Nabors and say thanks.
The actor and singer is legendary at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and has become synonymous with race day and his rendition of the song.
RTV6 Sports Director Dave Furst joined the 83-year-old for a question and answer session. Fans gave Nabors a warm reception and asked how his yearly performance began.
Nabors first sang the song in 1972 at the request of then-IMS owner Tony Hulman. Nabors told the crowd that he thought he would be singing the national anthem only to learn five minutes before the race it was actually "Back Home Again in Indiana" that he would be performing.
Fans also asked Nabors who should replace him at the race and he said he thinks the crowd should sing the song -- not just one performer.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
One Final Time
Jim Nabors gives his final performance of "Back home Again in Indiana" at the Indy 500 today:
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Stay tuned to the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
ReplyDeleteStarted listening to the Indy 500 in 1961 when Foyt battled Eddie Sachs down to the wire. Haven't missed one since.
Great show—makes me proud to be from the midwest.
This edition was a hell of a tight race. The past race I listened to that I remember best was Danny Sullivan's 1985 win where he lost control and did the doughnut, but recovered and went on to victory. That was the last tape delay race.
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