Yesterday's Trackside Opening/Paul Page-ABC

[LawGuy60606]

My secretary was really curious about transcribing this one, but I love it and someone should put it on a t-shirt or tattoo:

There were three million paving blocks in 1911
Today, only a yard of brick remains
The two-and-a-half mile path is surrounded by steel and concrete
Silent sentries to the history made here
It is a legacy of speed
Between these walls the risks are great
Emotions come from both ends of the spectrum
The Indianapolis 500 Mile Race is quite simply, a spectacle
A celebration of technology and humanity and was no different when the track was first planned
The first 500 was the spectactle of its day, the giant track beckoned the best of the age
And 80,000 fans, many arriving by horse and buggy
Ray Harroun won the first challenge
Since then, the lineage has raced on
Men who share a special outlook
The brotherhood of the best
Down the years, they have sought a common goal...victory in the Indianapolis 500
In 1925, Pete DePaulo averaged 100 miles per hour
Today, 220 is the standard
In the '30s, the cars led the technology with cast iron and shaped sheet metal
Today, titanium and carbon fiber define the ultimate racing machine
Space-age electronics now help tame the raging horsepower
Danger has always been a passenger
Like the track and the speed, it is a constant, ever present, it too is a part of the lore
Without that risk the men are just ordinary
In a flash, a skilled drive is transformed to disaster
But man can and does survive the machine
Now the heroes of this age wait
They weigh the odds
Consider the risks
And they pray today the dream will be theirs
Jules Goux drank six bottles of champagne on his road to victory
Today it's a frosty bottle of milk that awaits the eventual winner
That, and so much more
The yard of bricks have witnessed the high speed passage of history
In just a few weeks, a new likeness will be added to a timeless silver cup
And a new name will sit atop the lineage of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing
The Indianapolis 500!

[Darth Airbox]

They should make a t-shirt with a speaker on it that plays delta force repeatably.

[Joonyah]

That's from 1991.

[Frank Capua]

I hope you get your secretary the large bouquet of flowers come Secretary's Day.

[Doctorindy]

Here's the whole, original tease/intro.

[gonzo]

Now can anybody imagine Marty Reid coming up with that?

I didn't think so but that is who ABC sees fit to continuously stick us with!

[MikeyHooligan]

Here's the whole, original tease/intro.

Yep, I just got goosebumps.

[gonzo]

"Danger has always been a passenger
Like the track and the speed, it is a constant, ever present, it too is a part of the lore
Without that risk the men are just ordinary"

Funny, when I say it I am a blood thirsty carnivore and don't know what I am talking about, when Page says it people get chills.

[11rowsof3]

My secretary was really curious about transcribing this one, but I love it and someone should put it on a t-shirt or tattoo:

There were three million paving blocks in 1911
Today, only a yard of brick remains
The two-and-a-half mile path is surrounded by steel and concrete
Silent sentries to the history made here
It is a legacy of speed
Between these walls the risks are great
Emotions come from both ends of the spectrum
The Indianapolis 500 Mile Race is quite simply, a spectacle
A celebration of technology and humanity and was no different when the track was first planned
The first 500 was the spectactle of its day, the giant track beckoned the best of the age
And 80,000 fans, many arriving by horse and buggy
Ray Harroun won the first challenge
Since then, the lineage has raced on
Men who share a special outlook
The brotherhood of the best
Down the years, they have sought a common goal...victory in the Indianapolis 500
In 1925, Pete DePaulo averaged 100 miles per hour
Today, 220 is the standard
In the '30s, the cars led the technology with cast iron and shaped sheet metal
Today, titanium and carbon fiber define the ultimate racing machine
Space-age electronics now help tame the raging horsepower
Danger has always been a passenger
Like the track and the speed, it is a constant, ever present, it too is a part of the lore
Without that risk the men are just ordinary
In a flash, a skilled drive is transformed to disaster
But man can and does survive the machine
Now the heroes of this age wait
They weigh the odds
Consider the risks
And they pray today the dream will be theirs
Jules Goux drank six bottles of champagne on his road to victory
Today it's a frosty bottle of milk that awaits the eventual winner
That, and so much more
The yard of bricks have witnessed the high speed passage of history
In just a few weeks, a new likeness will be added to a timeless silver cup
And a new name will sit atop the lineage of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing
The Indianapolis 500!

Yup, get chills just reading the opening words. I love you and/or your secretary.

[11rowsof3]

"Danger has always been a passenger
Like the track and the speed, it is a constant, ever present, it too is a part of the lore
Without that risk the men are just ordinary"

Funny, when I say it I am a blood thirsty carnivore and don't know what I am talking about, when Page says it people get chills.

I have posted this quote several times in the past few years. It is profound, true and yet out of place in 2012. It is an element of the sport, like it or not it has been a part of Indy for 100 years, but of course the last thing I'd ever want to see is a driver injured or killed... so yeah... that statement hangs there in the air, and nothing else needs to be said really.

[Doctorindy]

I think it was Curt who said something to the effect...'Paul Page gets has received criticism in the past, but he really was good.'

As the years go by, PP looks better and better.

[TKG]

Paul page was the best! I wish they would get him back!

[Big Mo]

Too bad you don't fully realize how good someone is until they're replaced by lesser talent. No one else has come close to Paul Page in my opinion.

[cpthornman]

I was so sad when I found out Paul Page was no longer doing the broadcasts. No one can do it better than him.

[cpthornman]

I have posted this quote several times in the past few years. It is profound, true and yet out of place in 2012. It is an element of the sport, like it or not it has been a part of Indy for 100 years, but of course the last thing I'd ever want to see is a driver injured or killed... so yeah... that statement hangs there in the air, and nothing else needs to be said really.

Exactly. It's what drew everyone in during the 80's and the 90's.

[Waiting for May]

The witch hunt here against Paul Page in 2003 and 2004 was only matched by the witch hunt here for Barnhart the last few years. The vitriol spread about the man was unbelievable by some here.

It is only too funny that the idiots who wanted Paul Page run out got their wish and we got the treat of hearing Todd Harris repeatedly ask if Danica was going to "turn the trick" during race broadcast.

All of you newbies take heart. NEVER join the pitchforks and torches crowd here to run people out. Some here do not have the best interest of the sport at heart.

[cpthornman]

The witch hunt here against Paul Page in 2003 and 2004 was only matched by the witch hunt here for Barnhart the last few years. The vitriol spread about the man was unbelievable by some here.

It is only too funny that the idiots who wanted Paul Page run out got their wish and we got the treat of hearing Todd Harris repeatedly ask if Danica was going to "turn the trick" during race broadcast.

All of you newbies take heart. NEVER join the pitchforks and torches crowd here to run people out. Some here do not have the best interest of the sport at heart.

I don't think the situation with Barnhart is a fair comparison. This year has been a complete breath of fresh air compared to the previous year. Which was one of the worst AOW seasons I have ever witnessed.

[Waiting for May]

I am not talking about the results of the removal. I am talking about the hate and vitriol that was spewed here by some was consistent with both Paul Page and Brian Barnhart.

[Formula Indy]

Awesome, Awesome post!

[cpthornman]

I am not talking about the results of the removal. I am talking about the hate and vitriol that was spewed here by some was consistent with both Paul Page and Brian Barnhart.

But the question that should be asked is if the "hate and vitriol" was fueled by legitimate reasons.

[RS2]

The witch hunt here against Paul Page in 2003 and 2004 was only matched by the witch hunt here for Barnhart the last few years. The vitriol spread about the man was unbelievable by some here.

It is only too funny that the idiots who wanted Paul Page run out got their wish and we got the treat of hearing Todd Harris repeatedly ask if Danica was going to "turn the trick" during race broadcast.

All of you newbies take heart. NEVER join the pitchforks and torches crowd here to run people out. Some here do not have the best interest of the sport at heart.

This is not so true. With Paul it was more of making fun of his numerous mistakes during the race. If I recall correctly a Paulism. You have to admit it was pretty bad copmpared to anybody. But I do not remember hate or pitchforks.

[Waiting for May]

Of course there were no pitchforks, it was a metaphor for the behavior of some here when they have an agenda.

If you don't remember the hate spewed by some, you may not of been paying close attention. The keyboard heroes here were every bit as disgraceful in their treatment of Paul Page as they were anyone else. I would say they should be ashamed of themselves, but I doubt they have any self-respect to recognize how atrocious their behavior was at the time.

I think it would be heartbreaking to have been Paul Page and get released from broadcasting the race that you loved for so many years. The guy was THE VOICE of Indycar, not just the Indy 500. He made Michigan, Milwaukee, Elkart Lake, even the Meadowlands feel special. I am not sure that people at ABC or IMS or wherever didn't see some of the post here and decided that "true fans" don't want him and that contributed to his exit. Whatever the reason, we traded a guy who loves Indycar as much as we do for likes of Todd Harris and the whomever the person we have now.

I want to find those poster and ask them, "How's that change working out for ya now??"

[mattf765]

This should be the mission statement of the Izod Indycar Series. Those in charge of the series should do everything in their power to bring the series back to the days when these lines rang true.

Also, Bring back Paul Page!

[PHJIndy]

I don't think the situation with Barnhart is a fair comparison. This year has been a complete breath of fresh air compared to the previous year. Which was one of the worst AOW seasons I have ever witnessed.

Oh come on now!
Things aren't much different. The only thing that's different is the tolerance for this year's BB!

[Unzerdog]

Of course there were no pitchforks, it was a metaphor for the behavior of some here when they have an agenda.

If you don't remember the hate spewed by some, you may not of been paying close attention. The keyboard heroes here were every bit as disgraceful in their treatment of Paul Page as they were anyone else. I would say they should be ashamed of themselves, but I doubt they have any self-respect to recognize how atrocious their behavior was at the time.

I think it would be heartbreaking to have been Paul Page and get released from broadcasting the race that you loved for so many years. The guy was THE VOICE of Indycar, not just the Indy 500. He made Michigan, Milwaukee, Elkart Lake, even the Meadowlands feel special. I am not sure that people at ABC or IMS or wherever didn't see some of the post here and decided that "true fans" don't want him and that contributed to his exit. Whatever the reason, we traded a guy who loves Indycar as much as we do for likes of Todd Harris and the whomever the person we have now.

I want to find those poster and ask them, "How's that change working out for ya now??"

Paul was run out by the management, he said things about the IRL they didn't approve of, after they tarnished the great race he loved sooo much. The fans give themselves way too much credit, thinking they ran him off. If that were true, Goodyear and Reid would be collecting unemployment.

[PHJIndy]

Paul was run out by the management, he said things about the IRL they didn't approve of, after they tarnished the great race he loved sooo much. The fans give themselves way too much credit, thinking they ran him off. If that were true, Goodyear and Reid would be collecting unemployment.

Tarnished?

[Grizzlor]

Honestly Page wasn't really that critical of the IRL, and I don't remember him running afoul of Barnhart. TG and associates supposedly had this ridiculous idea that people identified Page with CART. I suppose that was true, but so what?

[bluecord]

I have posted this quote several times in the past few years. It is profound, true and yet out of place in 2012. It is an element of the sport, like it or not it has been a part of Indy for 100 years, but of course the last thing I'd ever want to see is a driver injured or killed... so yeah... that statement hangs there in the air, and nothing else needs to be said really.

Out of place? So racing has to be politically correct now?

[RS2]

Out of place? So racing has to be politically correct now?

It has nothing to do with being politically correct. It is out of place now in the sense that we are so used to seeing the utmost possible in terms of safety. And when something goes wrong and somebody gets hurt or killed it is way out of the norm these days. As opposed to when people were used to that kind of thing happening.