There was once a salesman at WIBC Radio who decided that if there was going to be a voice of the Indy 500, it might as well be him. He invented the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network, and became as well known as any of the men who risked their lives driving around the circuit at ever-increasing speeds.
Sid Collins had no blueprint for broadcasting an auto race. The format and rhythm of the broadcast that remain to this day was birthed by Sid. He died in May of 1977, but his legacy looms as large as any at 16th and Georgetown.
Bobby Unser was my favorite driver when I was growing up. He was a balls to the wall competitor who seemed to want victory more than life. His car was cool. He honesty was cool. And he four ways to win that at the very least challenged the interpretation of the rules. Click here to [...]
Jim Clark was one of the best drivers that many have never heard of. He won in 1965, and was killed six weeks before the 1968 race. No telling how many more 500s he would have won if not for the fatal crash in Germany.
Jim Hurtubise never won the Indianapolis 500, but when you talk to the drivers from a half-century ago, there are always stories about Jim Hurtubise. He was a character, but also a great driver. An accident at Milwaukee robbed him of some of that ability, and he became known for trying to qualify front engine [...]
Sam Hanks was a phenomenal Indy 500 driver, who finally won the race in his last attempt at the age of 43. For those who are curious about the history of the Indianapolis 500, listen to “Talk of Gasoline Alley” every night except the night before the race during the month of May. Host Donald [...]
Eddie Sachs died in a fiery crash during the 1964 Indianapolis 500 that also claimed the life of Dave MacDonald, and what followed was one of the most memorable moments in sports broadcasting history. Sid Collins, the original voice of the 500, eulogized Sachs in a poignant and extemporaneous performance that was remarkable, and stands [...]
by Kent Sterling Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari won a National Championship, and decided to flex his muscles by picking up his ball and going home. People achieve some success, and they get to decide to stop doing those things they feel are unpleasant, and the prospect of the Wildcats losing at Rupp Arena against [...]
by Kent Sterling There is a major league reporter working on the Carmel Basketball Assault story, and I know it will be hard to believe, but he’s having trouble finding someone who knows what happened to come forward with anything resembling the truth. Shocking. The alleged victim has spoken, but without some measure of corroboration [...]
by Kent Sterling Isiah Thomas has done a hell of a lot with his life – all of it following his career as a player has fallen short of the expectations of the employers who have sent him packing. He was a fierce competitor on the floor, graceless in defeat and jubilant in victory. Florida [...]
Indiana Pacers
