Friday 24th April - 2020
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough". (Those are the famous words from the 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner and motor racing legend, Mario Andretti).
From the feedback I receive from my loyal Blog followers it is overwhelming how much you enjoy reading my stories about my 'brush with fame' articles.
So while we are all still bunkered down with this C19 virus pandemic, I have decided to put pen to paper once again to let you all know about Australian racing star, Will Power's Brush with fame back at the 97th running of the famous Indianapolis 500 in 2013.
Thinking back, I have been a total Indianapolis 500 tragic fan for over 50-years. The Indianapolis 500 actually feeds my soul. I've been to Indianapolis, Indiana five times over that 50-year period to witness the running of the Indianapolis 500. Attending the event never grows old for me. The only thing that is growing old is me, unfortunately.
My first experience at the 500 was way back in 1969 when I was fortunate enough to watch Mario Andretti win his one and only Indy 500. There are legendary drivers and then there's Mario Andretti.
I can remember it just like it was yesterday when Mark Shultz sang the racetrack's traditional hometown opening song; 'Back home again in Indiana' he was a Purdue University student. (more on that to come).
I heard the most famous words in Motorsports echo over the track's PA from Tony Hulman the owner of the race track. 'Gentleman Start your Engines' - I will never forget that moment while ever there is breath in my body.
Needless to say the month of May is my favourite time of the year to visit Indianapolis when the streets turn fanatic in anticipation for that magical one day of the year event when thirty-three high-powered, high-speed race cars thunder down the main straight at over 250 mph (402 kph) only inches from each other as the chequered flag drops for start of the 500 mile race.
Let me tell you, if you are a race car fanatic there is nothing in the world that compares with that Adrenalin rush you experience in those few short seconds when these Daredevils hurtle past you at 250mph at the start of the race. The ground actually shakes.
I always try to purchase seats in the Grandstand at the Start/Finish line opposite the entry to Gasoline Alley and the pits where you can see the race car's pit stops and also where the drivers rejoin the race into turn 1, because that is where all the real action is, I suppose this is why there are 500,00 spectators at this event every year.
Now, back to the singing of 'Back Home Again in Indiana'.
Did you know? Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle from the Andy Griffith Show) had the privilege to sing 'Back Home Again in Indiana' at nearly every year's 500 from 1972-2014. (When I went to school that was about 42 years approx.) Due to ill health, Jim Nabor's final appearance was at the 98th Indianapolis 500 in 2014. Unfortunately Jim Nabors died in Hawaii on November 30th 2017. Aged 87-years-old.
More useless information!
Did you know? Dinah Shore still holds the record as the only women soloist to sing 'Back Home Again in Indiana' in 1955. Unfortunately Dinah Shore passed away in Beverly Hills on 24th February 1994. Aged 77-years-old.
Now, back to the Will Power's 'Brush with Fame' if you are still interested.
I was introduced to Will Power and his wife Liz Cannon at the 2013 Indy 500 by my friend and motor mechanic mate Tim Lombardi, who back then was chief mechanic for the Penske Team. With Tim being my connection it afforded me with unbelievable advantages & opportunities within the Team Penske garages, access to Gasoline Alley and the opportunity to mix it with many other famous Indy car team drivers and of course the chance to meet the NFL's beautiful Indiana Colts Cheerleaders.
As you can see by these photos, I am grinning like a Cheshire cat with a broad smile from ear to ear. My friend Tim Lombardi is the gentleman in the photograph [below] with Will Power & his wife Liz in the Team Penske garage.
Now I would like to share with you some interesting facts, figures and results from my (5) appearances spent watching this World Famous International Speed Classic.
* 1st Indianapolis "500" in 1911.
* 42 drivers have been killed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway chasing their dream.
Will Power is the first Australian to win this prestigious race. Will Power was born in Toowoomba, Queensland. He now is based in North Carolina, his wife Liz Cannon is originally from Sonoma, California, they have one son (Beau) born in 2016. Will's brother Damien Power is a very successful stand up comedian.
Before Will Power departed these shores he was a very accomplished race car driver here in Aussie. As a matter of fact he was the Australian Driver's Champion in the Formula 3 open wheel racing category in 2002.
Will joined Team Penske in 2009, he is up there with the very best of them. He has 56 career Indy car poles, only behind Mario Andretti on the all time list, he was the 2014 Indy car series champion. His career could have been so much more impressive, because he has been runner up (4) times in the Indy Car series driving for Team Penske in his Verizon sponsored race car. Not too bad an effort for a chap from Down-Under.
Then finally in 2018 Will won the biggest race of his career, the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500, and in doing so became the very 1st Australian to do so.
Here are Will's race results when I was there in the grandstands rooting for him.
* 2013. Started from 6th position finished in 19th place.
* 2016. Started from 6th position finished in 10th place.
* 2018. Started from 3rd position finished in 1st place. (Unfortunately on this occasion I was not in the stands to witness this historic event).
* 2019. Started from 6th position finished in 5th place.
Not too shabby for a boy from Toowoomba in Q'ld. I hope that you are not bored with my recollection of my experiences at the greatest motor racing event in the world.
Below are the statistics from all five on my visits to the Indianapolis 500 races that I have attended over my 50-years.
1969 - *Pace Car. Chevrolet Camaro. Driver Jim Rathman. 1st place. Mario Andretti. 2nd place. Dan Gurney. 3rd place. Bobby Unser.
1981 - *Pace Car. Buick Regal V6. Driver Duke Nalon. 1st place. Bobby Unser. 2nd place. Mario Andretti. 3rd place. Vern Schuppan. (Australian, born in South Australia).
2013 - *Pace Car. Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray. Driver Jim Harbaugh. 1st place. Tony Kanaan. 2nd place. Carlos Munaz. 3rd place. Ryan Hunter- Reay.
2016 *Pace Car. Chevrolet Camaro SS. (50th Anniversary Edition). Driver Roger Penske (who now owns the Indianapolis 500 international raceway). 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. 1st place. Alexander Rossi. 2nd place. Carlos Munoz. 3rd place. Joseph Newgarden.
2019 - *Pace Car. Corvette Grand Sport. Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (50-year Anniversary since Mario Andretti won his one and only Indianapolis 500). 1st place. Simon Pagenaud. 2nd place. Alexander Rossi. 3rd place. Takuma Sato.
In 2018, Australian driver Will Power became the first Australian to ever win this prestigious event. Unfortunately this was the year that I did not attend the Indy 500 to witness this historic event.
And finally for all the pre-historic Indianapolis 500 race fans like myself, and those that can still remember, I want to finish up with my memories of some of the true legends of that era that I actually saw race in my 1st Indianapolis 500 way back in 1969.
I can remember in the early '60s setting my alarm clock at 0200 in the morning (Sydney time) on the day of the Indianapolis 500 race. I am not sure if it was TCN Channel 9 (maybe somebody could help me with that information).
For years and years I sat up in the early hours of the morning watching the telecast that was beamed directly into my Sydney lounge room. That was the start of my dream to eventually attend that race event in person one day, and here I am, 50-plus years down the track writing about it.
Guess what, as I mentioned earlier in this story the Indianapolis 500 still feeds my soul. So before I turn my toes up I still have one more, if not two more Indianapolis 500s in me, that's how good it is. If you are fortunate enough to be in the position to attend the Indianapolis 500. Do it. You're sure as hell will not regret the experience.
Another good tip is to arrive into Indianapolis 5-days before the actual race so that you can watch the practice sessions and experience all the events in the build up to race day on the Sunday.
Look through this list of legendary drivers below that were in the 1969 Indy 500, I thought all my Christmas' had come at once.
AJ Foyt - Parnelli Jones - Lloyd Ruby - Lee Roy Yarbough - Dan Gurney - Al & Bobby Unser - Gordon Johncock - Wally Dallenback - Gary Bentenhausen - Mark Donohue - Johnny Rutherford - Bill Vukavich - Sam Posey - Denny Holme (NZ).
And what about the Australian man who was responsible for changing the Indianapolis 500 forever, from front-engine race cars to rear-engine race cars. None other than our own Sir Jack Brabham. Unfortunately Sir Jack only completed 58-laps on this occasion in '69, he was running real strong until he experienced mechanical failure.
If all that above is not a good story, then I don't know what is.
That's all folks
Cheers
Warbo
Read more: Warbo's other brushes with fame;
Sir Stirling Moss' brush with fame...
Nicole Tompkin's brush with fame...
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough". (Those are the famous words from the 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner and motor racing legend, Mario Andretti).
From the feedback I receive from my loyal Blog followers it is overwhelming how much you enjoy reading my stories about my 'brush with fame' articles.
So while we are all still bunkered down with this C19 virus pandemic, I have decided to put pen to paper once again to let you all know about Australian racing star, Will Power's Brush with fame back at the 97th running of the famous Indianapolis 500 in 2013.
 |
| Inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Museum, situated in mid-track. Me sitting on Will Power's 2018 race winning No.12 machine |
Thinking back, I have been a total Indianapolis 500 tragic fan for over 50-years. The Indianapolis 500 actually feeds my soul. I've been to Indianapolis, Indiana five times over that 50-year period to witness the running of the Indianapolis 500. Attending the event never grows old for me. The only thing that is growing old is me, unfortunately.
My first experience at the 500 was way back in 1969 when I was fortunate enough to watch Mario Andretti win his one and only Indy 500. There are legendary drivers and then there's Mario Andretti.
I can remember it just like it was yesterday when Mark Shultz sang the racetrack's traditional hometown opening song; 'Back home again in Indiana' he was a Purdue University student. (more on that to come).
 |
| Always an eye-catching addition to any Indianapolis event, the NFL's Indiana Colts Cheerleaders made an guest appearance at the Indy 500 Parade in downtown Indianapolis on the day before the race. |
I heard the most famous words in Motorsports echo over the track's PA from Tony Hulman the owner of the race track. 'Gentleman Start your Engines' - I will never forget that moment while ever there is breath in my body.
Needless to say the month of May is my favourite time of the year to visit Indianapolis when the streets turn fanatic in anticipation for that magical one day of the year event when thirty-three high-powered, high-speed race cars thunder down the main straight at over 250 mph (402 kph) only inches from each other as the chequered flag drops for start of the 500 mile race.
Let me tell you, if you are a race car fanatic there is nothing in the world that compares with that Adrenalin rush you experience in those few short seconds when these Daredevils hurtle past you at 250mph at the start of the race. The ground actually shakes.
 |
| The Indianapolis 500 attracts a crowd of around 500,000 excited race fans on race day. |
I always try to purchase seats in the Grandstand at the Start/Finish line opposite the entry to Gasoline Alley and the pits where you can see the race car's pit stops and also where the drivers rejoin the race into turn 1, because that is where all the real action is, I suppose this is why there are 500,00 spectators at this event every year.
Now, back to the singing of 'Back Home Again in Indiana'.
Did you know? Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle from the Andy Griffith Show) had the privilege to sing 'Back Home Again in Indiana' at nearly every year's 500 from 1972-2014. (When I went to school that was about 42 years approx.) Due to ill health, Jim Nabor's final appearance was at the 98th Indianapolis 500 in 2014. Unfortunately Jim Nabors died in Hawaii on November 30th 2017. Aged 87-years-old.
 |
| Known to one & all as '60s TV star 'Gomer Pyle' - actor Jim Nabors sang the race's traditional opening song 'Back home Again in Indiana' at the Indianapolis 500 for over a 40-year period. |
Did you know? Dinah Shore still holds the record as the only women soloist to sing 'Back Home Again in Indiana' in 1955. Unfortunately Dinah Shore passed away in Beverly Hills on 24th February 1994. Aged 77-years-old.
Now, back to the Will Power's 'Brush with Fame' if you are still interested.
I was introduced to Will Power and his wife Liz Cannon at the 2013 Indy 500 by my friend and motor mechanic mate Tim Lombardi, who back then was chief mechanic for the Penske Team. With Tim being my connection it afforded me with unbelievable advantages & opportunities within the Team Penske garages, access to Gasoline Alley and the opportunity to mix it with many other famous Indy car team drivers and of course the chance to meet the NFL's beautiful Indiana Colts Cheerleaders.
 |
| Will Powers with his very best new friend; yours truly in the Team Penske Garage in Gasoline Alley. |
As you can see by these photos, I am grinning like a Cheshire cat with a broad smile from ear to ear. My friend Tim Lombardi is the gentleman in the photograph [below] with Will Power & his wife Liz in the Team Penske garage.
Now I would like to share with you some interesting facts, figures and results from my (5) appearances spent watching this World Famous International Speed Classic.
* 1st Indianapolis "500" in 1911.
* 42 drivers have been killed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway chasing their dream.
 |
| Will with his wife Liz Cannon and my good friend & motor mechanic mate Tim Lomdardi, who back then was chief mechanic for Verizon Team Penske. |
Will Power is the first Australian to win this prestigious race. Will Power was born in Toowoomba, Queensland. He now is based in North Carolina, his wife Liz Cannon is originally from Sonoma, California, they have one son (Beau) born in 2016. Will's brother Damien Power is a very successful stand up comedian.
Before Will Power departed these shores he was a very accomplished race car driver here in Aussie. As a matter of fact he was the Australian Driver's Champion in the Formula 3 open wheel racing category in 2002.
Will joined Team Penske in 2009, he is up there with the very best of them. He has 56 career Indy car poles, only behind Mario Andretti on the all time list, he was the 2014 Indy car series champion. His career could have been so much more impressive, because he has been runner up (4) times in the Indy Car series driving for Team Penske in his Verizon sponsored race car. Not too bad an effort for a chap from Down-Under.
 |
| Close up and personal with Will Powers Chevrolet powered No.12 race car. (How 'horny' does this race car look?). |
Then finally in 2018 Will won the biggest race of his career, the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500, and in doing so became the very 1st Australian to do so.
Here are Will's race results when I was there in the grandstands rooting for him.
* 2013. Started from 6th position finished in 19th place.
* 2016. Started from 6th position finished in 10th place.
* 2018. Started from 3rd position finished in 1st place. (Unfortunately on this occasion I was not in the stands to witness this historic event).
* 2019. Started from 6th position finished in 5th place.
Not too shabby for a boy from Toowoomba in Q'ld. I hope that you are not bored with my recollection of my experiences at the greatest motor racing event in the world.
 |
| Brand new Firestone racing tyre slicks, balanced & waiting for the opportunity to be installed to Will's No.12 race car for practice and race day. |
Below are the statistics from all five on my visits to the Indianapolis 500 races that I have attended over my 50-years.
1969 - *Pace Car. Chevrolet Camaro. Driver Jim Rathman. 1st place. Mario Andretti. 2nd place. Dan Gurney. 3rd place. Bobby Unser.
1981 - *Pace Car. Buick Regal V6. Driver Duke Nalon. 1st place. Bobby Unser. 2nd place. Mario Andretti. 3rd place. Vern Schuppan. (Australian, born in South Australia).
2013 - *Pace Car. Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray. Driver Jim Harbaugh. 1st place. Tony Kanaan. 2nd place. Carlos Munaz. 3rd place. Ryan Hunter- Reay.
 |
| My friend Bonnie, who lives 500 metres from turn 1 on the race track. I have stayed at her residence on three occasions. Bonnie looks after me like a 'Silk Worm' |
2016 *Pace Car. Chevrolet Camaro SS. (50th Anniversary Edition). Driver Roger Penske (who now owns the Indianapolis 500 international raceway). 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. 1st place. Alexander Rossi. 2nd place. Carlos Munoz. 3rd place. Joseph Newgarden.
2019 - *Pace Car. Corvette Grand Sport. Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (50-year Anniversary since Mario Andretti won his one and only Indianapolis 500). 1st place. Simon Pagenaud. 2nd place. Alexander Rossi. 3rd place. Takuma Sato.
In 2018, Australian driver Will Power became the first Australian to ever win this prestigious event. Unfortunately this was the year that I did not attend the Indy 500 to witness this historic event.
 |
| Bonnie's house on race day. She parks 40 vehicles on her property at US$50 per vehicle. (helps pay for the band and food for the after-race party). |
And finally for all the pre-historic Indianapolis 500 race fans like myself, and those that can still remember, I want to finish up with my memories of some of the true legends of that era that I actually saw race in my 1st Indianapolis 500 way back in 1969.
I can remember in the early '60s setting my alarm clock at 0200 in the morning (Sydney time) on the day of the Indianapolis 500 race. I am not sure if it was TCN Channel 9 (maybe somebody could help me with that information).
For years and years I sat up in the early hours of the morning watching the telecast that was beamed directly into my Sydney lounge room. That was the start of my dream to eventually attend that race event in person one day, and here I am, 50-plus years down the track writing about it.
 |
| Enjoying a few cold ones with my friend & Indianapolis local, Donald P Quass at the after-race party & celebrations at Bonnie's house. |
Guess what, as I mentioned earlier in this story the Indianapolis 500 still feeds my soul. So before I turn my toes up I still have one more, if not two more Indianapolis 500s in me, that's how good it is. If you are fortunate enough to be in the position to attend the Indianapolis 500. Do it. You're sure as hell will not regret the experience.
Another good tip is to arrive into Indianapolis 5-days before the actual race so that you can watch the practice sessions and experience all the events in the build up to race day on the Sunday.
Look through this list of legendary drivers below that were in the 1969 Indy 500, I thought all my Christmas' had come at once.
 |
| Outside the racetrack and campaigning for the Trumpster's re-election in 2020 with a HUUUUGE street rally audience, I was in my element, trust me, loving every minute of it. |
AJ Foyt - Parnelli Jones - Lloyd Ruby - Lee Roy Yarbough - Dan Gurney - Al & Bobby Unser - Gordon Johncock - Wally Dallenback - Gary Bentenhausen - Mark Donohue - Johnny Rutherford - Bill Vukavich - Sam Posey - Denny Holme (NZ).
And what about the Australian man who was responsible for changing the Indianapolis 500 forever, from front-engine race cars to rear-engine race cars. None other than our own Sir Jack Brabham. Unfortunately Sir Jack only completed 58-laps on this occasion in '69, he was running real strong until he experienced mechanical failure.
If all that above is not a good story, then I don't know what is.
That's all folks
Cheers
Warbo
Read more: Warbo's other brushes with fame;
Sir Stirling Moss' brush with fame...
Nicole Tompkin's brush with fame...
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