Jewell alum retires as voice of the Indy 500

Tom Carnegie with announcer Dave Calabro

Tom Carnegie, whose smooth, baritone voice has been synonymous with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1946, has retired as the public address announcer for the Indy 500. His voice was heard for the last time at the 90th annual Indianapolis 500 race May 28.

Members of the William Jewell class of 1942 will remember Carnegie as Carl Kenagy. He was hired to serve as public address announcer for the 30th Indianapolis 500 in 1946, the first “500” under late Speedway owner Tony Hulman’s stewardship. He has called every race since then at the Speedway for millions of fans–61 Indianapolis 500’s, 12 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard races and six United States Grands Prix.

The 90th Indianapolis 500, won by Sam Hornish Jr. with a pass of Marco Andretti on the final straightaway, was Carnegie’s last IMS event officially behind the microphone.

“To me, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a cast of thousands, and everybody associated with it is important,” Carnegie said. “Everyone has a part in its success, and I just had a small part, and mine has been continuous. I think people appreciate that. It has finally come to the end of the road for active participation, but my heart will always be there at the track, and I’ll be seen many times to say hello to the fans and be a part of what they see and appreciate.”

Carnegie, 86, witnessed countless dramatic moments during his tenure at the Speedway. And he admitted that one of those moments, the sudden retirement of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt on Indy 500 Pole Day in May 1993, provided a blueprint for Carnegie to announce he was stepping away from the microphone.

“It was time,” Carnegie said. “(Wife) D.J. and I have always admired the way A.J. Foyt quit driving. When he made up his mind, he came forward and told the fans and the public address system, and that was it. He didn’t prolong it and drag it out.”

In November 1945, Terre Haute, Ind., businessman Hulman purchased IMS from former World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker. In May 1946, Carnegie was invited to handle public address duties for the Indianapolis 500, calling George Robson’s victory. Since then, Carnegie has become a beloved legend among motorsports fans worldwide, coining renowned phrases such as “Heeeeeee’s on it!” and “It’s a new … track … record!” that boomed over the Speedway’s public address system with the rich, instantly recognizable tone of his voice.

Carnegie was born Carl Kenagy in 1919 in Norwalk, Conn. His family moved to Raytown, Mo., when Carnegie was a boy. He participated in debate while in high school and at William Jewell. After college, Carnegie got a tryout as a radio announcer at WOWO in Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1942. He got the job, and his station manager suggested he use the radio name Tom Carnegie.

Carnegie moved to Indianapolis in 1945 to become sports director at WIRE radio, and he also wrote sports columns for the Indianapolis Star. He was invited to serve as public address announcer during a Firestone antique car demonstration during Indianapolis 500 qualifying in May 1946, and IMS President Wilbur Shaw subsequently invited Carnegie to return to announce the 500-mile race on the public address system.

The microphone stayed in his capable hands for the next 61 years, through 11 U.S. Presidents, 40 different Indianapolis 500 winners and the evolution of Speedway ownership from Tony Hulman to his grandson, Tony George.

“Tom will enjoy the love, thanks and best wishes from everyone that has ever once enjoyed ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ ” Tony George said.