ABC televised their first Indianapolis 500 in 1965, a relationship that has lasted 46 years making it the network’s longest deal with a broadcast property. On Sunday, ESPN on ABC’s live, high-definition telecast from Indianapolis Motor Speedway will feature a one-hour pre-race show at noon. The race coverage begins at 1 p.m.
For the past decade, the truth is the Indy 500 has been far from America’s premier automotive showcase.
This race was once a must watch sporting event with colorful cars, drivers and tragic crashes. It showcased innovations, like when 1965 race winner Jimmy Clark put the rear-engined Lotus Ford in victory lane. The 1967 Indy 500 was probably the most anticipated race to date. All eyes were on the dayglow red STP turbine car — driven by Parnelli Jones — that was years ahead of its time. There were drivers that dominated the Brickyard like A.J Foyt, Johnny Rutherford, Al Unser Sr., brother Bobby Unser and Rick Mears to name a few.
The IZOD Indy Racing League has plenty of personality with the likes Helio Castroneves, Dan Wheldon, Dario Franchitti and of course — like it or not — Danica Patrick. All race teams in the IRL use Honda engines, unlike NASCAR, which has Chevy, Ford, Dodge and Toyota. So now it is a driver/personality/team driven sport.
Scott Goodyear, who will be part of the ESPN/ABC crew, talked to me about reestablishing the Indy 500 brand.
Goodyear on using the NASCAR template » We really need to get our drivers in front of the public so people can put a face to a name. We are going to play up the good-natured rivalry between our top race teams and of course we will have four women in the field for the first time ever.
Goodyear on selling the IRL brand » We spent two days last week in Bristol with 33 drivers doing shows on all the ESPN networks, radio and ESPN Deportes. Then we went to New York where we were on all the major network morning shows, met with major ad agency people and held public events. But at the end of the day, this is about racing, and if people tune in Sunday they will be treated to some of the most exciting racing anywhere. And in the end, that is what we are selling.
Brent Musburger will host and for the race coverage Goodyear will join fellow analyst Eddie Cheever. Marty Reid will call the race. Reporting from the pits will be Rick DeBruhl, Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch and Vince Welch.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!
