Indianapolis 500 Track Personalities

Tom Carneige

Growing up in central Indiana in the 60s/70s radio was king to listening to the 500. Many track personalities became legends. Lets start with that booming voice heard for over 6 decades at the motor speedway Tom Carnegie. I can remember being there for those "new track records" of 170, 180, 190 and in 1977 (while home on leave from the USAF) the first lap timed at 45 seconds and 200mph by Tom Sneva. We were sitting in our usual turn 1 spot. Tom also broadcast high school basketball games for WFBM-TV, but his legend comes from the Indianapolis 500. Tom passed away in February 2011 at the age of 91. He passed the reins to the public address system along to one time Dayton Ohio sportscaster and Indianapolis native Dave Calabro now of WTHR-TV in Indianapolis.

Sid Collins

Radio listeners became familiar with the turn and straightaway announcers as they were our eyes to what was happening on the race track at any one time during the race. The legendary Sid Collins '52-76 who was the voice of the 500 way before there was a Paul Page. Turn 1 was Mike Ahern '66-73 who passed it on to Ron Carrell '74-85 then Jerry Baker '86 to today. Turn 2 was Howdy Bell '62-81. Doug Zink '66-73 would give us all the passes that were happening on the back straightaway. Turn 3 was again Ron Carrell '66-73 and Doug Zink '74-81. Turn 4 was Jim Shelton '57-78. Even Bob Lamey the voice of the Indianapolis Colts called turn 4 for the 1990 decade. And of course historian Donald Davidson who would bring us interesting factoids from previous races from that special mind of his.

These men made you feel like you were at the race with the excitement in their voices as they called a spectacular pass or were reporting on a horrible accident for which there were many during this period.  WIBC out Indianapolis was the flagship radio station who broadcast the race. I can remember listening to 1968 race in which Bobby Unser in the Rislone Special won while sitting on the bank of my grandfathers farm pond fishing with my transistor radio laying there in the grass beside me. During these times even qualifications were radio broadcasted.

Classmates of mine in high school would skip school to go to Carb day. Returning to school the next day with sunburns and a note from their parents saying they had been ill the day before.


Until next time. Indy