This Year’s Indy 500 Will Be Jim Nabors’ Last

Jim Nabors announced this year will be the last time he sings “Back Home Again In Indiana” at the Indianapolis 500. Similar to “My Old Kentucky Home” before the Kentucky Derby, the song has been performed prior to the command to start engines since 1946. But since the Alabama native began singing the song at the 1972 race, Nabors’ performance has become a tradition itself. Nabors became the full-time performer in 1987 and a recording of him was played for two races he missed, one due to weather and another to illness. A third absence in 2007 due to illness saw the entire crowd sing along with the Purdue band in tribute.

The 83-year-old Gomer Pyle star explained his health has hindered his ability to travel from his home in Hawaii as the reason he’s stepping down. Jim Nabors will sing his 34th and final live “Back Home Again In Indiana” on May 25th.

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