The Indianapolis 500 won’t be run today (rescheduled in light of the coronavirus pandemic for August 23). But the absence of the race today only makes us more nostalgic for the race.
Thus the Video of the Day: The final time that Jim Nabors sang Back Home Again in Indiana, which he did for 32 years, becoming a part of the Indy legend.
Actually, the title of the song is (Back Home Again in) Indiana, and it was written in 1917 by James Hanley and Ballard MacDonald. The song became part of Indy 500 lore in 1946, with Nabors performing it from 1971-2014, with the Purdue University marching band providing the music.
And no one sings it better then Jim Nabors. Goose bumps everytime I heard him sing it.
Jim singing the song… the engines firing up… cannot get more AMERICANA then that….. Gentlemen start your engines… ….HELL YEH…..USA
I’m sorry; but, the author’s math is off. If Jim Nabors sang at the Indy 500 from 1971 – 2014, he sang for 43 years, not 32. I’ll trust the other website that says 1972 – 2014, which makes it 42 years.
Jim didn’t sing the song every year. They’d why the math doesn’t work
I got see him in 1972 ! I was on security (as a volunteer) because I was on leave from the NAVY at the time ! I was only about 10-12 behind him ! It’s terribly sad that he’s gone now but he’s with his maker in heaven now . Take care Jim !