From IMS
INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, March 21, 2012 – Just a few days before the first 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series event will be televised live on ESPN on ABC, the opening sequence for the network’s telecast of the 2011 Indianapolis 500 was nominated for a Sports Emmy® Award by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
The opening celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 with motion picture actor William Fichtner walking a lap around the track while the greatest moments and fantastic drivers throughout history came alive around him.
Among the icons included in the video were the Marmon “Wasp” car that won the inaugural race in 1911, winning cars driven by A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti, and the Borg-Warner Trophy and the bottle of milk presented to the winner of each race. Memorable moments also captured included Danny Sullivan’s famous “spin and win” victory in 1985 and the spellbinding finish between Sam Hornish Jr. and Marco Andretti in 2006.
The opening led into ESPN on ABC’s live coverage of the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, won by Dan Wheldon.
Winners will be announced at the 33rd annual Sports Emmy Awards on Monday, April 30 at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center located in the Time Warner Center in New York.
“ABC is committed to the highest standards of quality and creativity during its telecasts of the Indianapolis 500, and we’re thrilled the Sports Emmy’s recognized that achievement during such a special year for the race,” said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. “Year after year, ESPN on ABC provides a fantastic showcase for ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’”
The Indianapolis 500 opening sequence was in elite company among the six nominees in the Outstanding Open/Tease category. The other nominees are the NBA Playoffs, The (British) Open Championship, “24/7, Flyers-Rangers: Road to the NHL Winter Classic,” the NBA on TNT and the Army-Navy football game.
This is the seventh time in the last 10 years that ESPN, Inc. has received a nomination for its work at the Indianapolis 500.
ESPN on ABC will broadcast the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race for the 48th consecutive year on May 27, part of an agreement that will keep the world’s most prestigious auto race on the network through 2018, including the 100th running in 2016.
The network’s 2012 coverage of the IZOD IndyCar Series starts at 12:30 p.m. (ET) Sunday, March 25 with the season-opening Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
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2012 Indianapolis 500 tickets: Tickets are on sale for the 96th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday, May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Race Day ticket prices start at just $30. Fans can buy tickets online at www.imstix.com, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or by visiting the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.
Children 12 and under will be receive free general admission to any IMS event in 2012 when accompanied by an adult general admission ticket holder.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.