Paul Page on Indy 500, Sid Collins, Bobby Unser, and more

Awful Announcing Podcast

Host Brandon Contes interviews legendary Indianapolis 500 broadcaster Paul Page. Brandon and Paul discuss a wide range of topics including working the Indy 500 on radio and TV, being mentored by Sid Collins, working with Bobby Unser, and more.

For even more discussion, head over to awfulannouncing.com and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube: @awfulannouncing.

-:43: Working this year’s Indianapolis 500

-1:29: Best place to watch the Indy 500

-2:27: Getting into broadcasting

-4:15: Growing up a racing fan

-5:58: Broadcasting while in the Army

-6:25: Surviving a helicopter crash

-8:10: Memories of the crash

-8:55: First ride back in a helicopter

-9:18: Reporting from helicopter during crash

-10:22: Friendship and mentorship with Sid Collins

-12:13: Collins’ death and succeeding Collins to be “Voice of the 500” in 1977

-14:25: Emotions of the 1977 broadcast as chief announcer

-15:57: Difficulties of the 1977 broadcast

-16:44: Feeling after the 1977 race

-18:45: Differences in broadcasting compared to Collins

-20:38: Preference in doing radio or TV?

-22:08: Doing radio at Indy

-23:22: TV producers

-26:01: Ideas to ABC to improve broadcasts

-26:59: Delta Force intros

-29:14: Working with Bobby Unser and Sam Posey

-30:42: Was Posey and Unser competitive with each other?

-31:22: Playing peacemaker

-32:18: Three person booth

-34:27: Longest being on the air for a race

-36:06: Most memorable finish for Paul

-38:01: Favorite Indy 500 memory in general

-39:28: Broadcasting Indy 500 during COVID

-42:06: Calling Alex Zanardi crash in Germany days after 9/11

-48:53: Favorite sport to call

-49:25: Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

-51:45: Preparation for offbeat sports

-52:18: Calling different forms of motorsports

-53:22: 30th anniversary of the first Brickyard 400

-54:56: What makes the Indy 500 special?

-58:24: Al Michaels

-1:00:45: Favorite part of Indy 500 weekend

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