Tom Carnegie was as much a part of the Indianapolis 500 as the one yard of brick at the start/finish line. His deep "measured" voice greeted millions of race fans for 60 years! You knew that you were really at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when you heard his voice booming and echoing around the 2 1/2 mile oval.
Tom, whose real name was Carl Kenagy, was famous for his catch phrases. As a driver would come down the front stretch to take the green flag signaling the start of the driver's qualifying four lap run, "...annnnnd heeeeeeeeeeee's ON-IT!". And, following a particularly good qualifying run, "...race fans, you are not going to believe this....iiiit's a nnnnnnewwwwww traaaaack record!"
Indy 500 owner, Tony Hulman hired Carnegie in 1946. Tom did the public address duties for 20 years before seeing a paycheck. (This is especially amusing for me since I, too, worked for Mr. Hulman as an announcer for two years.)
Carnegie also did play by play for the Ft. Wayne Pistons.
He had a small role in the 1986 film Hoosiers, where he portrayed the PA announcer at the championship game held at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse on the campus of Butler University.
Tom Carnegie died this morning. He was 91 and was unique - a true icon.
Tom, whose real name was Carl Kenagy, was famous for his catch phrases. As a driver would come down the front stretch to take the green flag signaling the start of the driver's qualifying four lap run, "...annnnnd heeeeeeeeeeee's ON-IT!". And, following a particularly good qualifying run, "...race fans, you are not going to believe this....iiiit's a nnnnnnewwwwww traaaaack record!"
Indy 500 owner, Tony Hulman hired Carnegie in 1946. Tom did the public address duties for 20 years before seeing a paycheck. (This is especially amusing for me since I, too, worked for Mr. Hulman as an announcer for two years.)
Carnegie also did play by play for the Ft. Wayne Pistons.
He had a small role in the 1986 film Hoosiers, where he portrayed the PA announcer at the championship game held at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse on the campus of Butler University.
Tom Carnegie died this morning. He was 91 and was unique - a true icon.
