“The other men were tryin’, to beat Jimmy Bryan…”. The Ballad of Jimmy Bryan is a tribute that was recorded by Harry Weger of Terre Haute, IN after Bryan’s death in a race at Langhorne Speedway in 1960. Side 2 of this 45rpm record has one of the coolest versions of Back Home Again in Indiana that I’ve heard (it makes me smile and want to sing “cha cha cha”… and I think I’m too young to even know why!).   read more »

Here’s another cool little record I found in an online record store (ain’t the internet great?). Side 1 has a song called “500 Miles to Go”, while side 2 has a non-racing-related song called “Gentleman Jim”. Both are recorded by Charlie Stewart.   read more »

I found this 45rpm record while digging through an online record store somewhere (no dusty stacks of vinyl on the internet!). I knew absolutely nothing about it, and still don’t, since searches have been fruitless. It appears to be a promotional record put out by North American Van Lines, but I don’t know what year. But with songs called “Our Man Johncock” and “Speedway City” (performed by Clifford Clay), I knew I’d have to take a chance and buy it. I’m glad I did… those are two good little tunes!   read more »

The Ballad of A.J. Foyt was released in 1976 by Resco Records. The producer is listed as A.J. himself, and there is also a credit of some kind to Terry (Foyt) Roberds. Sounds like it was a family deal! Side 2 has a short interview with A.J.   read more »

The Five Hundred! The Five Hundred!… this is the song that many of us today recognize from the start of the annual WIBC broadcast of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indianapolis 500. The music and words were Written by Joe Jordan, the song was performed by the Singing Hoosiers and Jazz Ensemble of Indiana University, and the recording was made in 1961. Side 2 includes a performance of “Back Home Again in Indiana”.   read more »