And Heeeee's On It!

Tom Carnegie. THE voice of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. IMS in May used to come alive with Tom's baritone voice. Why? I can try to explain, but if you've never been to the track to hear Tom say those four magical words I'd never do him justice. He had it all. Inflection, simplicity, delivery. Jack Buck once said something along the lines of "the announcer shouldn't overshadow the player." Tom Carnegie lived by those words. No flash, no pomp. Just told you what was happening on the track.

Keep in mind, Tom wasn't the reason to watch the race. The networks had their 'stuffed shirt announcers' who covered the race. Tom added to the already frenzied environment which existed at the qualifying sessions, practice laps, and the all important, "Bubble Day." As spectators watched cars on qualifying laps launching out of turn 4 and heading for the start finish line, many have fond memories of Tom saying "and heeeeeeeeee's on it!"

Memorial Day is supposed to be in rememberance of those who served in the armed forces, but I always link the weekend to the race and Tom Carnegie was an integral part of the Indy 500 for me.