FARK.com: (5950457) Chequered flag at half mast as legendary announcer and the Voice of the Indianapolis 500 Tom Carnegie dies at age 91

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		Chequered flag at half mast as legendary announcer and the Voice of the Indianapolis 500 Tom Carnegie dies at age 91 (sports.espn.go.com)		16
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205 clicks; posted to Sports » on 11 Feb 2011 at 8:59 PM | Favorite | share:

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WhoIsWillo		2011-02-11 04:35:54 PM

Had a chance to meet Tom a few years back when I was following around a racecar driver around for a story. He was as nice a man as you could meet in Indianapolis.

annnnnnnnnddddddd hhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeee's ON it.

jaylectricity		2011-02-11 08:11:47 PM

How would he get to Carnegie Hall?

Killer Cars		2011-02-11 09:11:56 PM

If this was a NASCAR-specific news item, at least I could maybe half-defend subby with a "oh, I get it, you think NASCAR fans are degenerate morans who can't spell".

But, no.

thenateman		2011-02-11 11:49:48 PM

Was this the guy who'd guest on WIBC around the race? Callers would call in with Indy 500 trivia questions and he not only knew the answer, he had an anecdote too.

funk_soul_bubby		2011-02-12 12:24:03 AM

My first Indy race was his last. I has a sad.

IAmRight		2011-02-12 01:02:53 AM

funk_soul_bubby: My first Indy race was his last. I has a sad.

You killed him, you son of a...

blameitonchemo		2011-02-12 03:22:52 AM

thenateman: Was this the guy who'd guest on WIBC around the race? Callers would call in with Indy 500 trivia questions and he not only knew the answer, he had an anecdote too.

No, you're thinking of Donald Davidson, the track historian. And you're right. He's incredible. He's on after the race every year and people call in with the most obscure questions and no matter how random, he always knows.

"Hey Donald, first off, what a great race. Here's my question. So and so wrecked in a green car with five laps to go and oddly enough, another green car won the race. I was just wondering when the last time that happened."

"Ah yes, let me think. I believe that would be 1922 when So and so won after such and such in fact wrecked with five laps to go. Interesting story about so and so..."

I go every year and it's such a gem to listen on the drive after the race. A great compliment.

But no, Tom was the track announcer for 61 years. Truly a loss and a god-damned shame he won't be there for the 100th anniversary.

mikey15		2011-02-12 06:04:24 AM

jaylectricity: How would he get to Carnegie Hall?

practice, practice, practice.

Goodnight awesome announcer man.

he is legen,,,,(wait for it),,,dary

IDefineWhatIsPC		2011-02-12 08:48:20 AM

This is a genuine loss, and the 500 has not been the same since 2007 when he retired. His voice and unique style that did not get in the way of the event was part of what made the 500 so unique. My all time favorite Tom Carnegie saying: "Mario is slowing down..."

laulaja		2011-02-12 09:31:30 AM

With 4 submissions, one of them had to be green lit.
I sorta concur with WhoIsWillo {TF] who typed shortly after my 2d of "annoucer": That one's more of a typo.
Could be more of a typo. Even subby may not really know ...
Besides being heard by zillions around the world on the IMS broadcasts carried by AFRTS Amer Forces Radio TV System, aka Amer Forces Network, TC also taught a Sportscasting class to the Radio-TV majors at Butler Univ in Indpls for years. Spouse & I both took said class; I enjoyed it tremendously, dunno what about him. Felt honoured to be able to cross trails with TC.
After spouse's entry into military svc & posting to W Germany, he wangled a transfer into AFN from where he was initally assigned, which is of course what he really wished. We got to spend close to 8 yrs in W Germany & W Berlin, a lifetime ago.
i52.tinypic.com

The pic you won't likely see anywhere except where I got it (don't recall which of the 4 tales it came from), yes, there was a Tom Carnegie bobblehead. All the other pix I right-clicked were of Earlier Days, as They Say.

Hamilstan		2011-02-12 10:19:56 AM

Half staff.

jaylectricity		2011-02-12 11:40:43 AM

So they fixed all the errors, but changed chequered to a fruity spelling to keep tweaking the grammer nazis.

laulaja		2011-02-12 11:41:28 AM

Tnx for fixing headline typoes!! Tho they were surely accidental more than disrespectful -- subby wouldn't do disrespectful on purpose.

laulaja		2011-02-12 12:59:54 PM

Sorry, also forgot to replace a laudatory comment of mine that left with the headline repairs.
RIP Tom Carnegie, a genuine legend in his own time so unlike so many legends in their own minds. Tom wasn't like that.
Also I call jaylectricity on commenting changed chequered to a fruity spelling... That's not fruity, it's merely British!

jaylectricity		2011-02-12 03:40:45 PM

laulaja: That's not fruity, it's merely British!

Same thing, right?

Coach_J		2011-02-12 05:17:21 PM

Back in Indy's heyday when the qualification record was getting set and re-set over and over again and pole day quals would routinely pack the front straightaway and turns 1 and 4...nothing would get a cheer like Tom Carnegie's call out:

"It's a nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu traaaaaaaaaaaaaack recooooooooooooooord"

Just makes the hair on my arms stand up just thinking about it.

RIP Mr. Carnegie

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