Lou Palmer (Indianapolis 500)
Encyclopedia
Lou Palmer was an American
broadcaster best known for his work at the Indianapolis 500
on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network
from 1958 until 1989.
had moved to Indianapolis
in 1953. Shortly after joining the news department of WIBC in Indianapolis he received an invitation from the "Voice of the 500", Sid Collins
to joined the IMS Radio Network for the 1958 Indianapolis 500
. Assigned turn 3 of the track because 'nothing ever happens there', Palmer was called upon to call a 15 car pileup in the turn on only the first lap of the race. The crash almost completely blocked the track and ended with the tragic death of driver Pat O'Connor. Then rookie driver and future four time winner Al Unser
's car cleared the track's outer retaining wall causing him to suffer a dislocated shoulder during the first lap crash.
By the 1963 Indianapolis 500
Lou Palmer had moved from Turn 3 to being a pit reporter for raceday, a position he would continue in until 1988 when he became the Chief Announcer of the Indy 500. During his time as a pit reporter one of Palmer 's main functions was to interview the winning driver in Victory Lane.
Lou Palmer was part of the IMS Radio network for over 30 years. His tenure ended after the 1989
race for which he was the Chief Announcer. Unfortunately Lou holds the record for having the shortest run of all IMS Radio Network Chief Announcers with just two races.
Palmer continued to work at WIBC during the year but annually took a hiatus every May
which he would spend most waking hours at the Speedway
, feeding daily reports every 30 minutes and anchoring WIBC's day-long qualification coverage.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
broadcaster best known for his work at the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network , is an in-house radio syndication arrangement which broadcasts the Indianapolis 500, IndyCar, and the Brickyard 400 to radio stations covering most of North America....
from 1958 until 1989.
Indianapolis 500
Palmer, who was raised in Syracuse, New YorkSyracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
had moved to Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
in 1953. Shortly after joining the news department of WIBC in Indianapolis he received an invitation from the "Voice of the 500", Sid Collins
Sid Collins
Sid Collins was an American broadcaster best known as the radio voice of the Indianapolis 500 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network from 1952-1976...
to joined the IMS Radio Network for the 1958 Indianapolis 500
1958 Indianapolis 500
The 1958 Indianapolis 500 was an automobile race held on Friday, May 30, 1958 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event was the fourth round of the 1958 World Drivers' Championship....
. Assigned turn 3 of the track because 'nothing ever happens there', Palmer was called upon to call a 15 car pileup in the turn on only the first lap of the race. The crash almost completely blocked the track and ended with the tragic death of driver Pat O'Connor. Then rookie driver and future four time winner Al Unser
Al Unser
Alfred "Al" Unser is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser, Jr....
's car cleared the track's outer retaining wall causing him to suffer a dislocated shoulder during the first lap crash.
By the 1963 Indianapolis 500
1963 Indianapolis 500
Results of the 1963 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on Thursday, May 30, 1963....
Lou Palmer had moved from Turn 3 to being a pit reporter for raceday, a position he would continue in until 1988 when he became the Chief Announcer of the Indy 500. During his time as a pit reporter one of Palmer 's main functions was to interview the winning driver in Victory Lane.
Lou Palmer was part of the IMS Radio network for over 30 years. His tenure ended after the 1989
1989 Indianapolis 500
The 73rd Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 28, 1989. Emerson Fittipaldi became the first foreign winner of the race since 1966. Though Fittipaldi dominated most of the race, he dropped to second in the waning laps. On the 199th lap, Al Unser, Jr. was...
race for which he was the Chief Announcer. Unfortunately Lou holds the record for having the shortest run of all IMS Radio Network Chief Announcers with just two races.
Palmer continued to work at WIBC during the year but annually took a hiatus every May
May
May is the fifth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with the length of 31 days.May is a month of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere and spring in the Northern Hemisphere...
which he would spend most waking hours at the Speedway
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
, feeding daily reports every 30 minutes and anchoring WIBC's day-long qualification coverage.