Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network

Type	Broadcast syndication
Country	United States
Founded	1952
Launch date	May 30, 1952
Former names	Indy Racing Radio Network (1998–2002)
Affiliates	Over 400 XM Channel 144/128 Sirius NASCAR Radio (Brickyard 400 only) AFN LeSEA World Harvest
Official website	indycar.com (IRL only)

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network (known typically as the IMS Radio Network), is an in-house radio syndication arrangement which broadcasts the Indianapolis 500, IndyCar, and the Brickyard 400 to radio stations covering most of North America.

The network claims to be one of the largest in the world, with over 400 affiliates, as well as AFN, the LeSEA broadcasting network, and World Harvest Radio.

IndyCar races are carried on XM channel 145 and on Sirius through the "Best of XM" package. The Brickyard 400 broadcast is carried on Sirius NASCAR Radio, and simulcast on XM channel 128 through the "Best of Sirius" package.

The longtime flagship of the network is station 1070-WFNI (formerly WIBC) in Indianapolis.

History

From 1939–1951, Mutual covered the Indianapolis 500 with live segments at the start, the finish, and live updates throughout the race. After losing its sponsor, Perfect Circle Piston Rings, Mutual did not return. In 1952, the Speedway took radio broadcasting rights in-house, utilizing talent mostly from WIBC. Starting in 1953, the talent pool was extended to all stations in the area, and expanded to featured the first live flag-to-flag coverage.

Through 1985, the IMS Radio Network was the exclusive provider of live coverage of the Indianapolis 500. With the exception of MCA's closed-circuit television broadcasts from 1964–1970, there was no live television of the race until 1986.

In 1994, the network began broadcasting the Brickyard 400. Starting in 1996, the network began covering all events of the Indy Racing League. The network's name was changed in 1997 to the Indy Racing Radio Network to reflect the expanded content. The name change, however, was short lived. In 2000, the network also began covering the Formula One United States Grand Prix.

Personalities

The play-by-play announcer of the race is known as "The Voice of The 500". Sid Collins was the first voice from 1952 to 1976. Collins committed suicide on May 2, 1977, after being diagnosed with ALS. Paul Page, whom Collins mentored, took over from 1977 to 1987. Lou Palmer, formerly a pit reporter, then served the shortest tenure to date as "Voice," (1988–1989). Bob Jenkins replaced Palmer, and called the event from 1990 to 1998. Jenkins, a veteran of television and radio, has since said that no event left him so physically exhausted.^{[citation needed]} Mike King is the present "Voice," having served in that position since 1999.

In addition to King, there are many other announcers on an Indy 500 broadcast. Working the booth alongside King are IRL driver Davey Hamilton (when he is not in the race himself), former Indy racer John Andretti, former comedian Dave Wilson, longtime Speedway historian Donald Davidson, and longtime motorsports journalist Chris Economaki, who gives pre-race, mid-race and post-race essays. The booth the five men work in is located on the 9th floor of the Pagoda, which sits next to Victory Lane.

Since King and his colleagues cannot see all the way around the track, each turn is assigned its own announcer. Jerry Baker has been located at Turn 1 for over 30 years though he joined Mike King in the broadcast booth in 2010. Bob Jenkins calls action from Turn 2, Mark Jaynes calls Turn 3, and Chris Denari works Turn 4. Working the pit lane are Dave Argabright, Jake Query, Kevin Lee and Kevin Olson. For the rest of the Indy Racing League schedule, Jaynes becomes the backstretch announcer with Query, Lee and Olson as the pit reporters. In the middle of the 2006 season, Patrick Stephan took over Nicole Manske's spot when she moved to Speed Channel. In 2007 Query, of WIBC Radio, assumed pit responsibilities at Indianapolis as well as the road and street course races and the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. In 2009 Query reported from turns on road and street races, with Stephan reporting from pit road. The IRL's road racing events usually bring back some of the Indy-only announcers as well as one or two that are not heard for the rest of the series.

From 1994–1999, Mike Joy anchored the 400 broadcasts. Joy resigned weeks before the 2000 race for the birth of his daughter Katilyn Jarrett Joy. Taking his place was Mike King from 2000–2003. In 2004 King was joined by Doug Rice as co-anchors. In 2007, Bob Jenkins returned to the booth to replace King and co-anchor the 400 with Rice.

Organization

Most of the crew that calls the 500 calls the IRL series and Crown Royal 400 as well. For the Firestone Twin 275's and Super Weekend at the Brickyard's Nationwide and Sprint Cup races, the Speedway Motorsports-owned Performance Racing Network joins the Indianapolis Motor Speedway radio network for co-production the races. For MRN or PRN stations to carry Super Weekend at the Brickyard (the IMS NASCAR weekend), radio stations must carry the Indianapolis 500 and three other IZOD IndyCar Series races (typically they will be Birmingham, Texas, and Edmonton, which are on non-NASCAR Sundays, or Saturdays) the MotoGP Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix may be carried in lieu of the third race), or may pay a fee to the Speedway; most will carry the four races, typically on non-NASCAR Sundays.

The Super Weekend broadcast arrangement is different because of the PRN co-production. Doug Rice is the lead broadcaster in the Bombardier Pagoda, with John Andretti as driver analyst. Jerry Baker, Jake Query, and Mark Jaynes remain in their turn positions, while Mike King is located in Turn 4. Kevin Lee is the only IMS pit reporter assigned, as PRN's Bret McMillan, Pat Patterson, and Brad Gilley work pit road. Donald Davidson is the track historian.

Selected on-air talent (Indianapolis 500)

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Chief announcer Bill Slater (Mutual) Sid Collins (1952–1976) Paul Page (1977–1987) Lou Palmer (1988–1989) Bob Jenkins (1990–1998) Mike King (1999–present)	Driver experts Mauri Rose (1955) Len Sutton Fred Agabashian Billy Englehart Mike Hiss (1978) Billy Scott (1979) Rodger Ward (1980–1985) Gordon Johncock (1985) Bobby Unser (1986) Parnelli Jones (1987) Pancho Carter (1988) Johnny Rutherford (1989–1991) Derek Daly (1992) Johnny Rutherford (1993–2000) Johnny Rutherford & Johnny Parsons (2001) Johnny Rutherford (2002) Davey Hamilton (2003) Kenny Bräck (2004) Pancho Carter (2005) Davey Hamilton (2006, 2008-present) Johnny Parsons (2007,2009) James Hinchcliffe (2010)	Analysts Donald Davidson, historian (1965–present) Chris Economaki, commentary (1995–2009) Dave Wilson, color commentary (2003–2009) Jerry Baker, color commentary (2010)
Turn 1 reporters Mike Dunn Sid Collins Bill Frosh Mike Ahern (1963–1973) Ron Carrell (1974–1985) Jerry Baker (1986–2009)	Turn 2 reporters Bob Rhodes Mike Ahern (1961) Howdy Bell (1962–1981) Doug Zink (1982–1984) Howdy Bell (1985–1988) Bob Lamey (1989) Gary Lee (1990–1994) Ken Double (1995–1999) Kevin Lee (2000–2003) Adam Alexander (2004–2006) Bob Jenkins (2007–2008) Jake Query (2009, 2010)	Turn 3 reporters Lou Palmer (1958-1962) Larry Henry Gary Lee (1996-1998) Kevin O'Neal (1999) Mark Jaynes (2000–present)	Turn 4 reporters Jim Shelton (1947–1978) Darryl Wibel (1979–1980) Bob Jenkins (1981–1989) Bob Lamey (1990–2000) Chris Denari (2001–present)
Pit reporters Luke Walton, Starting command, north pits Lou Palmer Paul Page (1974–1976) Mike King (1995–1998) Kim Morris (2001–2004) Kevin Lee (2004–present) Jim Murphy (2002–2004) Howdy Bell (1989) Dave Argabright (2004–present) Kevin Olson (2005–2009) Jake Query (2007–2008) Nick Yeoman (2010-present)	Backstrech reporters Jack Shapiro Bernie Herman Chuck Marlowe Doug Zink (1966–1973) Jerry Baker (1974–1976) Darryl Wibel (1977–1978) Bob Jenkins (1979–1980) Larry Henry (1981) Howdy Bell (1982–1984) Position not used (1985–1989) Howdy Bell (1990) Position not used (1991 and beyond)

Talent chart

2010–2011

Year	Chief announcer	Driver expert	Turn 1	Turn 2	Turn 3	Turn 4	Pit reporters	Color commentators
2011	Mike King	Davey Hamilton.	Jerry Baker	Jake Query	Mark Jaynes	Chris Denari	Kevin Lee Nick Yeoman Michael Young Dave Wilson (Garage/Hospital)	Donald Davidson (historian) Paul Page (commentary)
2010	Mike King	James Hinchcliffe Davey Hamilton	(Eliminated)	Jake Query	Mark Jaynes	Chris Denari	Kevin Lee Dave Argabright Nick Yeoman Dave Wilson (Garage/Hospital)	Donald Davidson (historian) Paul Page (commentary) Bob Jenkins (commentary) Jerry Baker (commentary)

2000–2009

Year	Chief announcer	Driver expert	Turn 1	Turn 2	Turn 3	Turn 4	Pit reporters	Color commentators
2009	Mike King		Jerry Baker	Adam Alexander	Marc Jaynes	Chris Denari	Dave Argabright Kevin Lee Kevin Olson Nicole Manske	Donald Davidson (historian) Paul Page (commentary) Bob Jenkins (commentary)
2008	Mike King	Johnny Parsons	Jerry Baker	Bob Jenkins	Marc Jaynes	Chris Denari	Dave Argabright Kevin Lee Kevin Olson Jake Query	Donald Davidson (historian) Chris Economaki (commentary) Dave Wilson (color)
2007	Mike King	Johnny Parsons	Jerry Baker	Bob Jenkins	Marc Jaynes	Chris Denari	Dave Argabright Kevin Lee Kevin Olson Jake Query	Donald Davidson (historian) Chris Economaki (commentary) Dave Wilson (color)
2006	Mike King	Davey Hamilton	Jerry Baker	Adam Alexander	Marc Jaynes	Chris Denari	Dave Argabright Kevin Lee Kevin Olson Nicole Manske	Donald Davidson (historian) Chris Economaki (commentary) Dave Wilson (color)
2005	Mike King	Pancho Carter	Jerry Baker	Adam Alexander	Marc Jaynes	Chris Denari	Dave Argabright Kevin Lee Kevin Olson Nicole Manske	Donald Davidson (historian) Chris Economaki (commentary) Dave Wilson (color)
2004	Mike King	Kenny Bräck	Jerry Baker	Adam Alexander	Marc Jaynes	Chris Denari	Dave Argabright Kevin Lee Jim Murphy Kim Morris	Donald Davidson (historian) Chris Economaki (commentary) Dave Wilson (color)
2003	Mike King	Davey Hamilton	Jerry Baker	Kevin Lee	Marc Jaynes	Chris Denari	Adam Alexander Jim Murphy Kim Morris	Donald Davidson (historian) Chris Economaki (commentary) Dave Wilson (color)
2002	Mike King	Johnny Rutherford	Jerry Baker	Kevin Lee	Marc Jaynes	Chris Denari	Howdy Bell Chuck Marloe Adam Alexander Jim Murphy Kim Morris	Donald Davidson (historian) Chris Economaki (commentary)
2001	Mike King	Johnny Rutherford Johnny Parsons	Jerry Baker	Kevin Lee	Marc Jaynes	Chris Denari	Howdy Bell Chuck Marloe Mike Lewis Kim Morris	Donald Davidson (historian) Chris Economaki (commentary)
2000	Mike King	Johnny Rutherford	Jerry Baker	Marc Jaynes	Chris Denari	Bob Lamey	Chuck Marloe Ken Double Larry Rice	Donald Davidson (historian) Chris Economaki (commentary) Howdy Bell (statistician)

1990–1999

Year	Chief announcer	Driver expert	Turn 1	Turn 2	Backstrech	Turn 3	Turn 4	Pit reporters	Color commentators
1999	Mike King	Johnny Rutherford	Jerry Baker	Ken Double		Kevin O'Neal	Bob Lamey	Chuck Marloe Vince Welch Marc Jaynes	Donald Davidson (historian) Chris Economaki (commentary) Howdy Bell (statistician)
1998	Bob Jenkins	Johnny Rutherford	Jerry Baker	Ken Double		Gary Lee	Bob Lamey	Chuck Marloe Vince Welch Marc Jaynes Dave Calabro	Donald Davidson (historian) Chris Economaki (commentary) Howdy Bell (statistician)
1997	Bob Jenkins	Johnny Rutherford	Jerry Baker	Ken Double		Gary Lee	Bob Lamey	Chuck Marloe Vince Welch Marc Jaynes Mike King	Donald Davidson (historian) Chris Economaki (commentary) Howdy Bell (statistician)
1996	Bob Jenkins	Johnny Rutherford	Jerry Baker	Ken Double		Gary Lee	Bob Lamey	Chuck Marloe Vince Welch Marc Jaynes Mike King	Donald Davidson (historian) Chris Economaki (commentary) Howdy Bell (statistician)
1995	Bob Jenkins	Johnny Rutherford	Jerry Baker	Ken Double		Larry Henry	Bob Lamey	Chuck Marloe Bob Forbes Sally Larvick Vince Welch Gary Lee	Donald Davidson (historian) Chris Economaki (commentary) Howdy Bell (statistician)
1994	Bob Jenkins	Johnny Rutherford	Jerry Baker	Gary Lee		Larry Henry	Bob Lamey	Chuck Marloe Bob Forbes Sally Larvick Brian Hammons Chris McClure	Donald Davidson (historian) Howdy Bell (statistician)
1993	Bob Jenkins	Johnny Rutherford	Jerry Baker	Gary Lee		Larry Henry	Bob Lamey	Chuck Marloe Bob Forbes Sally Larvick Brian Hammons Chris McClure	Donald Davidson (historian) Howdy Bell (statistician)
1992	Bob Jenkins	Derek Daly	Jerry Baker	Gary Lee		Larry Henry	Bob Lamey	Chuck Marloe Bob Forbes Sally Larvick Brian Hammons Chris McClure	Donald Davidson (historian) Howdy Bell (statistician)
1991	Bob Jenkins	Johnny Rutherford	Jerry Baker	Gary Lee		Larry Henry	Bob Lamey	Chuck Marloe Bob Forbes Sally Larvick Brian Hammons Chris McClure	Donald Davidson (historian) Howdy Bell (statistician)
1990	Bob Jenkins	Johnny Rutherford	Jerry Baker	Gary Lee	Howdy Bell	Larry Henry	Bob Lamey	Chuck Marloe Bob Forbes Sally Larvick Brian Hammons Ron Carrell	Donald Davidson (historian)

1980–1989

Year	Chief announcer	Driver expert	Turn 1	Turn 2	Backstrech	Turn 3	Turn 4	Pit reporters	Color commentators
1980	Paul Page	Rodger Ward	Ron Carrell	Howdy Bell	Bob Jenkins	Doug Zink	Darryl Wibel	Chuck Marloe Jerry Baker Luke Walton Lou Palmer	Donald Davidson (historian) John DeCamp (statistician)
1981	Paul Page	Rodger Ward	Ron Carrell	Howdy Bell	Larry Henry	Doug Zink	Bob Jenkins	Chuck Marloe Bob Forbes Sally Larvick Jerry Baker Luke Walton Lou Palmer	Donald Davidson (historian) John DeCamp (statistician)
1982	Paul Page	Rodger Ward	Ron Carrell	Doug Zink	Howdy Bell	Larry Henry	Bob Jenkins	Chuck Marloe Bob Forbes Sally Larvick Jerry Baker Luke Walton Lou Palmer	Donald Davidson (historian) John DeCamp (statistician)
1983	Paul Page	Rodger Ward	Ron Carrell	Doug Zink	Howdy Bell	Larry Henry	Bob Jenkins	Chuck Marloe Bob Forbes Sally Larvick Jerry Baker Luke Walton Lou Palmer	Donald Davidson (historian) John DeCamp (statistician)
1984	Paul Page	Rodger Ward	Ron Carrell	Doug Zink	Howdy Bell	Larry Henry	Bob Jenkins	Chuck Marloe Bob Forbes Sally Larvick Jerry Baker Luke Walton Lou Palmer	Donald Davidson (historian) John DeCamp (statistician)
1985	Paul Page	Rodger Ward Gordon Johncock	Ron Carrell	Howdy Bell		Larry Henry	Bob Jenkins	Chuck Marloe Bob Forbes Jerry Baker Luke Walton Lou Palmer	Donald Davidson (historian) John DeCamp (statistician)
1986	Paul Page	Bobby Unser	Jerry Baker	Howdy Bell		Larry Henry	Bob Jenkins	Chuck Marloe Bob Forbes Sally Larvick Luke Walton Lou Palmer	Donald Davidson (historian) John DeCamp (statistician)
1987	Paul Page	Parnelli Jones	Jerry Baker	Howdy Bell		Larry Henry	Bob Jenkins	Chuck Marloe Bob Forbes Sally Larvick Luke Walton Ron Carrell Gary Gerould Lou Palmer	Donald Davidson (historian) John DeCamp (statistician)
1988	Lou Palmer	Pancho Carter	Jerry Baker	Howdy Bell		Larry Henry	Bob Jenkins	Chuck Marloe Bob Forbes Sally Larvick Luke Walton Ron Carrell Gary Gerould	Donald Davidson (historian) John DeCamp (statistician)
1989	Lou Palmer	Johnny Rutherford	Jerry Baker	Bob Lamey	Howdy Bell	Larry Henry	Bob Jenkins	Chuck Marloe Bob Forbes Sally Larvick Luke Walton Ron Carrell Gary Gerould	Donald Davidson (historian)

References

• Official site
• Johnson's Indy 500 Radio Network Page