Indy 500 intro - revisited

[indyracefan]

The Delta Force theme song used from 1988 thru 1998 as the intro to ABC's coverage of the Indianapolis 500 is one of the all-time favorites by most Indy 500 fans. Many in recent years have called for it's return.

Wikipedia has at times been questioned for the accuracy of some of it's content, so it's with that in mind I'm curious if anyone can verify the following. According to Wiki in regards to the Delta Force theme song used for the Indy 500 intro it claims this;

"According to famous Indianapolis 500 anchor Paul Page, he does not want any ESPN/ABC anchor to use this music in intros for the Indianapolis 500 and Allstate 400 unless he narrates the intros himself."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Delta_Force_(film)#Music

Is this true?

[Chris Paff]

The Delta Force theme song used from 1988 thru 1998 as the intro to ABC's coverage of the Indianapolis 500 is one of the all-time favorites by most Indy 500 fans. Many in recent years have called for it's return.

Wikipedia has at times been questioned for the accuracy of some of it's content, so it's with that in mind I'm curious if anyone can verify the following. According to Wiki in regards to the Delta Force theme song used for the Indy 500 intro it claims this;

"According to famous Indianapolis 500 anchor Paul Page, he does not want any ESPN/ABC anchor to use this music in intros for the Indianapolis 500 and Allstate 400 unless he narrates the intros himself."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Delta_Force_(film)#Music

Is this true?

Yes, I spoke to Paul Page on Carb Day this past year and he told me the exact thing. I was mentioning how much I enjoyed those intros and wished ABC would bring them back.

[bduddy]

There's also the issue of licensing - surely the initial agreement to use the music no longer exists, and it may not be worth it to Disney anymore to pay for a piece of music for an intro.

[fleshwound_NPG]

and it may not be worth it to Disney anymore to pay for a piece of music for an intro.

After watching last years' intro, I'd say they're MORE THAN WILLING to **** money away. That was a Hollywood-level production (and boy did it stink).

Paying for that music, Paul Page narrating and using IMS footage would probably be a fraction of the cost....and would be MILES better.

[indyracefan]

After watching last years' intro, I'd say they're MORE THAN WILLING to **** money away. That was a Hollywood-level production (and boy did it stink).

Paying for that music, Paul Page narrating and using IMS footage would probably be a fraction of the cost....and would be MILES better.

I agree, last year's intro was very lame.

In recent years I liked the narration of Keifer Sutherland's 'It is Time' (2006), Jeremy Irons 'All Roads Lead to Indy' (2007) and Powers Booth 'Built By Legends' (2009), and to a lesser extent 2008's 'Racings Perfect Storm'.

[Chris Paff]

The 2005 Speed City intro was pretty awesome I thought.

[TJ Halsema]

The 2005 Speed City intro was pretty awesome I thought.

That intro is the only reason Danica is never going to win the 500, she poured the milk onto "ground." I don't think the Indy Gods would be too happy about that.

[Chris Paff]

That intro is the only reason Danica is never going to win the 500, she poured the milk onto "ground." I don't think the Indy Gods would be too happy about that.

HAHA, outside of Todd Harris I thought the 2005 broadcast was one of the best since the glory days of Page, Posey, and Unser from 1988-1995.

The intro was great, the prerace was well put together, Jim McKay spot with Sam Schmidt was great, the fade in and fade out theme was good, overall a really good broadcast except for the main play by play guy.

[Doctorindy]

Paul Page wrote about the Delta Force intros on his blog site a while back. He said officially they were called the "Page teases."

He considers them artistic property (rightfully so), and ESPN/ABC agreed not to make them without his participation.

[indyracefan]

Paul Page wrote about the Delta Force intros on his blog site a while back. He said officially they were called the "Page teases."

He considers them artistic property (rightfully so), and ESPN/ABC agreed not to make them without his participation.

Well he did do a good job with them. I'm not sure any other announcer could have the same effect or emotion he was able to relay with them. My personal favorites of those were probably the '93, '94 & '95 intro's.

[jkg]

The 2001 intro narrated by Al Michaels used the Delta Force theme. It wasn't the same style of openings that the 1988-1996 ones were, but the music was definitely used.

[Tomsk]

Well he did do a good job with them. I'm not sure any other announcer could have the same effect or emotion he was able to relay with them. My personal favorites of those were probably the '93, '94 & '95 intro's.

Personally, I'd lump 1992 into that group as well. Really encapsulates, as Little Al said after winning that year, what Indy means.

[Doctorindy]

The ultimate trivia question is what was the 'first' ever Delta Force Intro...it was actually the 1988 Indy 500 Pole Day telecast..

[Big Mo]

The ultimate trivia question is what was the 'first' ever Delta Force Intro...it was actually the 1988 Indy 500 Pole Day telecast..

Wow, Mario's run slowed 5 mph from the first lap through the 4th lap. Those Goodyears fell off quickly back then.

[indyracefan]

Look at some of the intro's prior to 1988 and they appear so bland. Of course part of it was just the way it was for the times. Computer graphics and music were yet to be really integrated into sports telecasts.

1987.

1986

1985