Tag Archives: Indy 500

Marco Andretti understands moments, and he is ready for his in Sunday’s Indy 500
August 21, 2020

By Bert Beiswanger Shortly after the completion of the 103rd Indianapolis 500 last year, while Simon Pagenaud was celebrating the greatest moment of his racing life, Marco Andretti was sitting on his golf cart on pit lane, head down, frustrated and looking like he wanted to be anywhere but where he was. He had just […]

Top 10 ways to improve the national image of the Indianapolis 500
May 31, 2016

TV ratings don’t lie.  Despite the extensive media coverage for the historic 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, ratings were down nationally from a 4.3 share in 2015 to a 4.1 for the 2016 race. That was despite a 33.6 local rating.  If not for the massive number in Indy, the rating for the race would have […]

Top 10 reasons I will never drive an IndyCar despite having the chance last night
May 18, 2016

I found myself alone yesterday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Jonathan Byrd Racing’s garage with four fully functional and (one would assume) fueled IndyCars. The track was empty because of the rain that washed out practice, but by the time my radio show ended, the grounds were dry.  It occurred to me that I had […]

Indy 500 – Pole Day chaos shouldn’t ruin enjoyment of Greatest Spectacle in Racing
May 18, 2015

by Kent Sterling Hey, IndyCar had to do something!  Three cars in four days flipped over during practice, and a wonderful combination of luck and great engineering allowed all three drivers to walk away unscathed.  How long could that be expected to continue? Somebody was going to get hurt or killed, and until somebody figures […]

Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson Get Full-Court Pressed by Mario Andretti
May 20, 2014

by Bert Beiswanger Sunday  was one of those perfect sports days in Indianapolis. The city was front and center on ABC for the better part of six hours – first for Indy 500 qualifying and then the much anticipated Game 1 Eastern Conference Finals match-up between the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat. All the while, […]

NASCAR’s Move to NBC Sports Is a Big Deal for IndyCar
July 24, 2013

by Kent Sterling What a break for IndyCar!  NASCAR is leaving ESPN in favor of NBC Sports Network and NBC.  This is like your uncle owning a gas station in the middle of nowhere as the Simons decide to build a 1.2 million square foot shopping mall next door. If IndyCar can’t bring NASCAR fans […]

Indy 500 Needs an Infusion of Drama to Rekindle Interest
May 30, 2013

by Kent Sterling The Indy 500 was a better event in 1992, and every year prior than it is today.  The legacy of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing is one of innovation, speed, and safety.  Over the last 17 years, the speeds have slowed, the innovation has stagnated, and safety is sadly not a point […]

Jim Harbaugh Embracing Indy 500 Pace Car Opportunity
May 25, 2013

By Bert Beiswanger Based on the hearty handshake San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh gave me after taking a few minutes to talk at Carb Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a few things were immediately apparent to me: 1). I felt more respect from Harbaugh than Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz probably does […]