ABC dumps Page from Indy 500

ScienceDaily ^ | 5/23/05

[ZGuy]

ABC Sports replaced veteran Indianapolis 500 announcer Paul Page, known as the Voice of the 500, with Todd Harris in an effort to boost buzz and ratings.

The network described Harris, 39, as one of the "most respected young talents" in broadcasting.

Page, a 28-year broadcast veteran, told his hometown Indianapolis Star he was "terribly disappointed" by ABC's move.

"I love doing the Indy 500," said Page, 59, who will handle other sports duties for ABC and ESPN. "It's all I ever really wanted to do."

It was the second time ABC pulled Page from the broadcast booth. Page joined the broadcast in 1988 and was replaced with Al Michaels in 1999. Page returned as the Indy 500 voice in 2002.

ABC, which has broadcast the Indianapolis 500 since 1971, struggled throughout the 1990s with declining ratings that hit their lowest ever last year.

[ZGuy]

For those of you who aren't Indy 500 fans this night not mean much, but Paul Page has become a part of the traditions of the Indy 500 like Jim Nabors singing "Back home again in Indiana" and the winner drinking milk.

The article in the IndyStar (cannot be posted on FR) said ABC made the decision in order to attract younger viewers.

Like a lot of people are going to decide to watch the Indy 500 based upon who the broadcaster is. Right.

I already wrote to ABC in protest.

On a happy note, I will be flying to Indianapolis tomorrow to attend the race with seats just behind the start/finish line!

Drop by and say Hi.

[clintonh8r]

Page is knowledgeable but annoying at times. As for "respected young talent" Harris.....never heard of him. Networks will throw anybody under the bus if they think it'll help ratings.

In other racing news, I'm really getting sick of Dr. Jerry Punch insisting on being called Dr. Jerry Punch.....

[TheBigB]

The racist writer Jason Whitlock on ESPN.com put out a column today literally begging all the drivers to let Danica Patrick win so as to "save the sport."

And if you think I'm exaggerating, here's a direct quote: Tony George needs to call his rivals over at NASCAR and get some quick tips on how to orchestrate a race. Or maybe Tony can arrange for Danica to get the engine that powered Tony's stepson, Ed Carpenter, to victory in the inaugural Freedom 100 at IMS. Whatever, George simply can't allow Danica to finish second in this race. She must win. I don't care if A.J. Foyt has to push her car across the finish line. The Indy 500 can't pass up this opportunity. The race has been dead for too long. NASCAR is getting too big a marketing lead over Indy Car, the superior form of racing.

[ctlpdad]

Page sounds gay. I basically quit watching Indy around the time he started announcing it.

Bring back Chris Economaki.

[dfwgator]

Has any event gone to irrelevance as dramatically as the Indy 500? I remember as a kid, I couldn't wait to listen to it on the radio. Now it's a barely a blip on the radar screen.

[ZGuy]

I like Chris Economaki too.

[ctlpdad]

Indy Car, the superior form of racing.

What a stupid comment. Sure, the cars are technically superior in some regards, but the racing in dreadfully boring everywhere but Indy and road courses, which are a bitch to watch.

Besides, Formula 1 and WRC cars are technically superior to Indy cars. So that puts them right where they are - right in the middle with no fan base.

[Kimmers]

We sit behind the pits not far from the start finish line....and you can stop by and say hi....I do not think changing the announcer will help...attendance has been going down for years...ever since they got rid of the snake pit and really cleaned up the place...I like the cleaner atmosphere...arrests are down and the police have taken down the Budweiser "Welcome Race Fans" sign in county lockup

[Yossarian]

Has any event gone to irrelevance as dramatically as the Indy 500? I remember as a kid, I couldn't wait to listen to it on the radio. Now it's a barely a blip on the radar screen.

No doubt! I wonder what caused this - did we change, or did the race change? Or both?

There aren't the personalities in IndyCar racing like there used to be (thinking A.J. Foyd & crew). It's hard for me to get into it when it's just a bunch of similar cars - with various speed limiting devices to encourage "fairness" - with forgettable drivers, going at speeds I can't even begin to relate to.

[ctlpdad]

He's the first real voice of racing for me. I also got to meet him at Syracuse Super Dirt Week as a kid. He gave me his autograph and actually spent some time talking to me. He remembered me (so he said) when I saw him at New Smyrna during Daytona Speed Weeks a couple months later.

[ctlpdad]

I thinkyou nailed why so few like Indy. There are no personalities like the Bettenhausens, Foyt, all of the Unsers, etc. Who gives a shiit about guys like Helio Castration and whoever runs it now. The last time I watched it was when Tony Stewart ran both races.

I may just check it out Sunday, though, to warm up for Charlotte race.

[A CA Guy]

The new guy Ryan Seacrest should be welcomed then.

[nicko]

a real shame...I grew up with the 500- it represented the start of summer in Indiana...my grandfather, who ran a Standard Oil service station in Terre Haute for about 50 years went to the race for years and years, until 1964, when Eddie Sachs was killed- Paul thought there was too much speed in the race...

[theFIRMbss]

>ABC Sports replaced veteran Indianapolis 500 announcer Paul Page, known as the Voice of the 500, with Todd Harris in an effort to boost buzz and ratings

TV. I swear, if
you're going to do something,
at least do it right!

[BubbaJunebug]

ABC...It's not Page...the damn race is BORING!

Damn if the driver infront of you farts...your little wings on the front of the car fall off....no such thing as fender bangin'....crap the winner drinks milk!!...not a coke or beer like a real driver....too many names of driver you can't pronounce! To many foreigners!

[Kokojmudd]

Page was ok. I like Jim McCay better although Jackie Stewart was a little annoying. Chris Economacki was excellent.

[IN Farm Girl]

Ahhh...Indy 500 memories...

--Sid Collins, the premier 500 announcer
--The little Westie and Scottie, wearing kilts, that "march" with the Gordon Pipers
--"Andretti is slowing down..."
--Snake Pit, Snake Pit, Snake Pit
--Northeast Vista seats--you can see them coming out of Two, down the backstretch, into Three, through the short chute, and into four
-16th Street the night before the 500
--Jim Nabors singing "Back Home Again In Indiana"

I think when CART split from USAC, the problems with the 500 started. I really hope it's not too late for them to get it back together.

[RichardW]

This strikes me as supremely dumb although I always preferred Sid Collins the most.

[nicko]

spoken like a true Hoosier, and a Boilermaker at that...I spent many a season watching Purdue basketball on WTTV- there was no greater jump shot shooter than Rick Mount-