Donald Davidson (historian)
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Donald C. Davidson was the historian of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1998 to 2020, the only person to hold such a position on a full-time basis for any motorsports facility in the world. Davidson started his career as a statistician, publicist, and historian at USAC. His radio program, The Talk of Gasoline Alley, is broadcast annually throughout the "Month of May" on WFNI in Indianapolis, and he is part of the IMS Radio Network.
Donald Davidson (historian)
Gasoline Alley – the garage area at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where the program was hosted for many years.
1070 WFNI Studios
Currently, most episodes of The Talk of Gasoline Alley originate from the press center at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which overlooks the track on the mainstretch.
Indianapolis 500 traditions
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Due to the longevity of the Indianapolis 500, numerous traditions surrounding the race have developed over the years. Traditions include procedures for the running of the race, scheduling, and pre-race and post-race festivities. For many fans, these traditions are an important aspect of the race, and they have often reacted quite negatively when the traditions are changed or broken.
Jim Nabors performed "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the start of the race nearly every year from 1972 to 2014.
2011 Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon celebrating with a bottle of milk in victory lane.
Hélio Castroneves makes his pole-winning qualification run in 2007 during "Happy Hour". Note the shadows cast on the racing surface.
Scoring pylon at the close of pole day qualifications in 2009.