Sadly, Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced today that Indy 500 mainstay Jim Nabors will not be available to sing “(Back Home Again in) Indiana” before the race this year. The conflict: a scheduled surgery for heart-valve replacement.
But Mr. Nabors seems determined not to let the tradition (33 IMS performances since 1972) go away. Later this month, a film crew will travel to his home in Hawaii to record a private performance of the Hoosier standard, which will be aired at the speedway prior to the big race.
We would have forgiven you for not being at the race this year, Jim. But thank you just the same.
>> BONUS: See here how Nabors got the gig in the first place.
Photo via indianapolismotorspeedway.com / Dave Edelstein