Greatest Spectacle in Racing Attracts Celeb Spectators
May 28, 1997

After two days of attending the Indianapolis 500 race without much racing action but lots of rain pouring, here is a small sampling of those who stuck it out in the rain:

Florence Henderson ( who played Mrs. Brady on the "Brady Bunch") who sang the National Anthem at the infamous race shared some of her thoughts with me about "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

"I am a native Hoosier, growing up the youngest of ten from a very poor family, this a such a thrill for me. I never get over the thrill, it’s like my ninth or tenth consecutive year and to get to sing our national anthem, I can’t describe to you what a great thrill it is for me ." said Florence.

"I never got to come as a child because we were too poor to come to the race. To come as an adult, to a place I could only dream about tells you dreams come true" said the famous television mom.

When she said to me, "You better listen to me sing the national anthem" I did not dare question her orders because after all it was Mrs. Brady telling me what to do.

I ran into Ronnie Lott, former San Francisco 49ers’ defensive back and FOX NFL Sunday studio analyst who was a first-time spectator at the Indy 500.

What does Ronnie think about the Indianapolis 500—the largest sporting event in the world?

"Well this is my first time here and I think what’s special about this race is the amount of people. I have been to four Super Bowls and I have never seen anything like this in my life, it’s quite a spectacle. I thought the Super Bowl was big but now I think it’s kind of small now," said the four-time Super Bowl champion.

Shared an elevator ride with Kevin Eubanks, the band leader on ‘The Tonight Show" on the way to the suites at the Indianapolis 500. He told me, "Actually I was flattered to be invited, I have never been to a race before, and I knew the gymnasts (members of the 1996 Olympic team)were going to be here. So. I always wanted to meet them from seeing them on television and I figured this would be my big chance and I could see the race, too" said Kevin.

Kevin suggested " Every city should have an event like this, it’s a great thing."

Why does Kevin think so many entertainers are attracted to this event, besides the gymnasts of course?

"Entertainers are attracted to people and when they see people excited about something they get turned on by it. They see all the effort that goes into it, draws you into it, makes you just wander what’s going on" said Jay Leno’s sidekick.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway could be vrooming into your speakers in a unique way. The very first officially licensed CD and cassette of the largest sporting event in the world "To The Extreme" features original recordings, a unique artist and song mix and the most well-known, live action sounds and announcements from "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," the Indy 500.

Making its debut lap is "Victory Run," the first recording of The Speed Tones, a band compromised of Indy car drivers Robbie Groff and David Kudrave. Robbie told me "The song ‘Victory Run’ is the first song ever for racers by racers."

"To The Extreme" CD or cassette is available wherever music is sold or by calling 1-800-955-INDY.

A Little of This and a Little of That…

Oscar-winning actor Paul Newman returned to his favorite role—race car driver—this weekend. Paul raced in the Professional SportsCar Racing Exxon Supreme GT Series at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, CT on Memorial Day and finished a respectable seventh place overall and second in his class. The Hollywood sex symbol won the 1986 SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Championship race in Lime Rock, and hasn’t driven at Lime Rock since competing in a Trans-Am event in 1993…Paul had some stiff competition from another heartthrob, Jason Priestley star of "Beverly Hills 90210" . Jason and his co-driver Andy Pilgrim have been leading in the Driver Point Standings. Jason was racing in third position until car problems put him out of the race. He finished 21st overall and fourth in his class…

Love is in the air—Pete Sampras is ranked number one on the ATP Tennis Tour and ranked number one in the heart of actress Kimberly Williams of "Father of the Bride" fame. ATP Tour Public Relations Director Kevin O’Keefe played matchmaker for the two lonely hearts and says it’s a real love match…

Thank god he kept his day job—Chicago Bulls’ Scottie Pippen was scheduled to appear in eight episodes of NBC’s "Chicago Sons" next season, but NBC has canceled the show due to poor ratings.…

A handful of athletes will display their artistic side at the San Diego Hall of Champions Museum (located in Balboa Park) in you guessed it San Diego, California June 5th through June 28th. Some of the multi-talented athletes/artists displaying their work: Florence Griffith Joyner, Track & Field Champion, painter; Oskana Baiul, Figure Skating Olympic Gold-Medalist, jewelry design; Stefan Johansson, Indy 500 & Formula One Race Car Driver, painter & watch designer; Quinn Early, Buffalo Bills football player, printmaker; Juli Veee, World Cup Champion Soccer Player, painter . A portion of the proceeds will benefit the "Say Yes to Sports" a youth program of the San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum. For more information call: Pamela Thorsch @ (619) 481-0663.