Type | Broadcast syndication |
---|---|
Country | |
Ownership | |
Owner | Indianapolis Motor Speedway |
Key people | Sid Collins, Paul Page, Bob Jenkins, Lou Palmer, Mike King, Mark Jaynes |
History | |
Founded | 1952 |
Launch date | May 30, 1952 |
Former names | Indy Racing Radio Network (1998–2002) |
Coverage | |
Affiliates | Over 400 SiriusXM AFN World Harvest |
Links | |
Website | indycarradio.com |
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network (known typically as the IMS Radio Network or the INDYCAR Radio Network), is an in-house radio syndication arrangement which broadcasts the Indianapolis 500, the NTT IndyCar Series, and Indy NXT to radio stations covering most of North America. The network, owned by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and headquartered in Speedway, Indiana, claims to be one of the largest of its kind in the world. It currently boasts over 350 terrestrial radio affiliates, plus shortwave transmissions through American Forces Network and World Harvest Radio. The network is carried on satellite radio through SiriusXM, and is also accessible through online streaming, and downloadable podcasts. For 2017, the broadcast reached 20.5 million listeners.[1]
The longtime flagship of the network is 1070/WFNI (formerly WIBC, currently broadcasting on WIBC-HD3 and its FM translators) in Indianapolis. Mark Jaynes is the current anchor and chief announcer for the network, a role he assumed beginning in 2016. Davey Hamilton is the Driver Analyst.[2]
The most notable personality from the network is hall of fame broadcaster Sid Collins, who was the original "Voice of the 500" from 1952 to 1976. Other notable broadcasters over the network's history include Paul Page, Bob Jenkins, Lou Palmer, Jerry Baker, Bob Lamey, and dozens more. In addition, former Indy 500 drivers Fred Agabashian, Len Sutton, Johnny Rutherford, and numerous others have served as analysts.