And what happened to the Chia Pet? A planter that surprisingly looked like TK was started during the coverage with reports given of growth progress during broadcasts.
05.24.2009
Firestone Ad Provides New Song Lyrics
A clever play on the well-known lyrics to “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” provided the basis of an advertisement by Firestone Tires honoring the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on ABC's Indianapolis 500 race telecast:
Take me out to the Brickyard,
Take me out with the crowds.
Buy me some earplugs and a checkered cap.
I don’t care if we ever get back!
Take me out to the Brickyard,
Take me out where it’s loud.
This place has a history that stirs the soul--
A hundred-year drama that never gets old.
Let me root, root, root over the engines’ roar,
Let me cheer every driver and car!
For it’s 300, 400, 500 miles
‘Round the old Brickyard!
The visuals that accompany the musical tribute provide insight to the heritage and experience of time spent at the famed oval.
05.22.2009
Carb Day Burger Bash
The second annual Carb Day Nite Burger Bash was held at the 96th Street Steakburgers on Indianapolis' northside. Attendees were from many states, including Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas, and Australia. Curt Cavin's event to raise money for select charities with the help of WIBC broadcast partner Kevin Lee provided lots of racing insider information to fans.
Dan Wheldon appeared to answer audience questions and pose for photographs. He brought along several National Guard promotional items, such as hats, shirts and posters. Scott Dixon had come to last year's Bash and, of course, won the 2008 Indianapolis 500. Dan shared that he was ready to come as soon as Curt, also a sports writer for the Indianapolis Star, asked him hoping the event provided the same luck.Sharing of racing knowledge and information was outstanding but the auction of racing memorabilia and raffle, which raised over $500, provided a true window into the fiber of racing fans. A racing helmet autographed by approximately 20 of the 2009 drivers went for $900; the winning bidder gave the helmet to a boy in the audience. Another time a pair of tickets went to a man who had never attended a 500. Another instance was a pair of front-stretch tickets given to a woman who wanted to go but hadn't purchased tickets. Even Curt got into the spirit of giving by adding $50 to a bid for a two-seater ride at IMS for a woman who truly wanted the experience.
Bryant Heating and Cooling, long-time Indy 500 sponsor, provided an air conditioner for the raffle and the several pairs of tickets.
The eatery, besides providing a location and closing their drive-thru during the event, donated funds from the sales of shakes to the charities.
If you are in Indianapolis next year on Carb Day or a local race fan, be sure to attend this fun and worthy event.
Drink Venom?
A large guy outside the confines of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was offering passersby a sample of the energy drink sponsoring Marco Andretti’s car on Carburetion Day. The product, called Venom, he promised would be a help to fans walking the distance to the main gate a couple of blocks away and spending the day.
For a marketer, the question seems to be, “Why would anyone in their right mind drink venom?” It seems the opposite of his promise would result from such an intake.
05.15.2009
Golden Wings: Larry Rice
A 1978 co-rookie of the year of the Indianapolis 500, Larry Rice succumbed to cancer on May 13 at age 63 in Brownsburg, IN. Many knew him as an ESPN broadcaster. Thursday Night Thunder with Gary Lee and other racing shows introduced the quiet, unassuming man to millions. In recent years, race fans "across the pond" enjoyed his color analysis of Indy Racing League events through ESPN's international broadcasts, also with Gary Lee.
Most "months of May" found Larry walking the garage area at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, not looking for a ride but soaking up the atmosphere and gathering information for broadcasts and his own enjoyment. The former educator tried to learn all he could about the sport's history, personalities and technology. He shared what he learned with other afficianodos and especially enjoyed the funny stories and anecdotes that seem to permeate the fraternity.
His other appearance in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing was in 1979. The 1973 United States Auto Club midget champ and 1977 and 1981 USAC Silver Crown champion also raced sprints during his career. Following his racing days, he represented an insurance firm specializing in racetrack coverage.
Larry Rice will truly be missed in the racing community, as well as by his wife Bev and sons Robbie and Zach.
05.09.2009
Gary Lee on IMS Public Address
A voice familiar to open-wheel race fans was on the public address system at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during May for the Indianapolis 500. Gary Lee, long-time motorsports broadcaster, was back sharing his love for racing principally through questions-and-answers sessions with former drivers on the Pagoda Plaza and pit road driver interviews during qualifications. Lee previously worked on the PA and IMS Radio Network before his ESPN career took him to international coverage of IndyCar Series events. Indy Racing League races were moved to Versus television coverage this season.Why was Ralph Sheheen, known for NASCAR broadcasting, on the PA at IMS during May?
05.09.2009
Chitwood Asks for Input; Spirit of the Speedway
Indianapolis Motor Speedway president, Joie Chitwood, a member of the legendary auto thrill show entertainment family, participated in a question-and-answer session at Pagoda Plaza on Saturday, May 9, emceed by Kevin Lee of the IMS Radio Network. Besides answering several questions from the audience, he shared that he appreciates input from race fans concerning events and facilities at the track in an effort to constantly improve. Although he offered no e-mail address, fans can contact the Speedway through "Contact Us" at the bottom of the Website www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
Spirit of the Speedway
He also related a story of being at a table hosted by renowned racecar owner Andy Granatelli at an event years ago in downtown Indianapolis. Granatelli asked that everyone share something about IMS. Grandson of Tony Hulman (the owner attributed with saving the Speedway) and current CEO, Tony George said, "Its spirit touches all who enter."
05.08.2009
Fast Friday Females
The final hour of practice or Happy Hour on Fast Friday, the final day of practice prior to Pole Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, was spent on track by the three females qualifying for the 2009 Indy 500: Milka Duno, Sarah Fisher and Danica Patrick. The trio spent several laps on the legendary 2-1/2-mile oval until Vision Racing teammates Ed Carpenter and Ryan Hunter-Reay joined them.
05.03.2009
Balloons at IMS
A series of hot-air balloon races and displays preceded this year's Indianapolis 500 pre-race activities. The events were planned to commemorate the original source of entertainment at the 2-1/2-mile oval. The first race involved balloons in 1909.
The story goes that one of the original track owners, Carl Fisher, was aboard a balloon as the group of racers descended into Tennessee amid gunshots from surprised farmers. No casualties were reported. Balloons were used during the Civil War of the 1860s but evidently not in that part of the Volunteer State.
The longest distance achieved during the 1909 balloon race was to Alabama--not quite the 500-mile distance that would later bring fame to the track.
2009 Version
Five to ten thousand spectators were estimated to have attended festivities during the first weekend of May. Originally mentioned early in the year in the Indianapolis newspaper, little promotion nearer the event date was provided to the general public. Track management is said to be considering repeating the event in 2010.
Imagine the crowds at and near the Speedway if full-fledged marketing is employed. Crowds for the balloon glow and race at the Indiana State Fairgrounds prior to the state fair are believed to be small, not due to the lack of promotion, but rather the timing early in the morning and on weekdays. Spectators are estimated at 300,000 for the Labor Day fireworks in downtown Indy and could potentially be the same for an IMS balloon-race production.
