INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WDRB) -- In just a few days, the Indianapolis 500 will roar to life—and you can watch it live on WDRB.
As the countdown continues to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” WDRB traveled to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the pageantry, preparation and passion that make this event so iconic.
It’s a quick 112-mile trip from Churchill Downs—home of the “most exciting two minutes in sports”—to the gates of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. While the Kentucky Derby may hold the crown in horse racing, the Indy 500 is royalty in the world of motorsports. But both events have something vital in common: the fans.
“It’s the 109th running of the Indy 500,” said Doug Boles, president of IndyCar Racing and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “And just like the Kentucky Derby, it’s so much about the history and the tradition that make us so special. It’s a horse race and it’s a car race, but it’s really all the other things that go around with the generations of people who followed it—the interest across the country. The one time of year somebody loves horse racing is the one time of year somebody loves motorsport—is around the Indy 500.”
Boles, a tireless ambassador for the sport, said this year’s race is shaping up to be bigger than ever, thanks in part to a powerful new broadcast partnership.
“I have FOX here this weekend, too. The race is on FOX. Eric Shanks, the president of Fox Sports, got in on Thursday night. He’s been here the whole weekend,” Boles said. “The partnership with FOX has been outstanding for us. The stuff they did during the Super Bowl, the promotions that they’ve got going—we’re really, really excited to be part of them.”
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, like Churchill Downs, is more than a venue. It’s a living museum of American tradition and sports history. And at its heart is the iconic Pagoda control tower—the operational command center where legends watch the race unfold, broadcasts are produced, and the voice of the Speedway comes to life.
That voice belongs to Dave Calabro, who has spent four decades calling the action at IMS.
“This is my 40th year as the announcer at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” Calabro said. “I’ve been on the staff here for 40 years.”
Calabro, a retired TV sports anchor and Indianapolis native, grew up within walking distance of the track. He started working at IMS as a college student and took over as the lead announcer following the legendary Tom Carnegie.
Calabro said FOX is going all out for this year’s race.
“FOX has gone crazy about the Indianapolis 500,” he said. “They’ve been planning for months and months. I’m hearing like 600 credentialed people from FOX. They’re going to blow this thing up huge. This is already a huge spectacle, but I think they’re going to just put extra icing on this amazing cake to make it really fun.”
“If you’re a casual viewer, it’s going to be fun—there’s going to be so many celebrities here. And if you’re a hardcore race fan, the technology has been kicked up a couple of notches.”
Catch all the action from the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500—live on WDRB this Sunday.
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