Legendary Announcer Carnegie To Be Honored May 21 At IMS
April 29, 2011 | By Tom Surber
Tom Carnegie’s legendary voice helped to elevate the tension, drama and excitement of Indy 500 qualifying for 61 years, so it’s only fitting that Pole Day for the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 will be known as “Tom Carnegie Day” on Saturday, May 21 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Carnegie, who died Feb. 11 at age 91, served as the Public Address announcer at the Speedway from 1946-2006. He called 61 Indianapolis 500’s, 12 Brickyard 400’s and six United States Grand Prix races for millions of fans at IMS.
During “Tom Carnegie Day,” the new Public Address stand at IMS will be named in Carnegie’s honor and his unmistakable, booming voice will be heard at various times over the Public Address system. In addition, highlights of Carnegie’s remarkable career will appear on the Speedway video boards.
Carnegie’s incredible baritone coined and developed such iconic phrases as, “AND HEEEEEEE’S ON IT!” “HEEEEEERE’S THE TIME AND SPEED REPORT!” and the classic “AAAAAAND, IT’S A NEEEEEW TRACK RECORD!”
He retired from announcing at the Speedway in June 2006 but continued to visit the track through 2010 as one of the most beloved figures in Speedway history.
The activities honoring Carnegie are the highlight of a full day of fan-friendly fun at IMS celebrating the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500. Gate admission is $15, with kids 12 and under free. Other events May 21:
•Qualifying: The first round of qualifying for the 2011 Indianapolis 500 will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., with the Fast Nine Shootout for the coveted PEAK Performance Pole Award taking place from 4:30-6 p.m. Practice will precede qualifying from 8-10 a.m., as IZOD IndyCar Series cars will be on track for 8 ½ hours Saturday.
•Pace Car reunion: More than 250 vintage Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars will be on display, with a “Fans’ Choice” vote taking place to select their favorites. Numerous other hot rods and muscle cars also will be on display as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the premier site for fans to see classic, performance and race cars from all eras during the Month of May.
•Past pole winner interviews, autographs: IMS Historian Donald Davidson will interview past Indianapolis 500 pole winners at 10 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. on the Coca-Cola Stage, with an autograph session at 3:20-4:20 p.m.
•Live music: Sixteen Candles will perform at 1 p.m. and All Time Low at 3:30 p.m. on the Coca-Cola Stage.
The 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for noon (ET) Sunday, May 29. It will be broadcast live on ABC and the IMS Radio Network/XM 145-Sirius 212.
MORE: Tom Carnegie Video | Photo | Fan Memories
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2011 Indianapolis 500 tickets: Tickets are on sale for the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500, “The Most Important Race in History,” on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Race Day ticket prices start at just $30. Fans can buy tickets online at www.imstix.com, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or by visiting the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.
Children 12 and under will be receive free general admission to any IMS event in 2011 when accompanied by an adult general admission ticket holder.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.