Archive for May, 2011

Faron Young and Marty Robbins newsletter — 25 May 2011

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

MARTY ROBBINS 35 YEARS AGO AT THE INDY 500

On May 30, 1976, Marty Robbins drove the pace car for the Indianapolis 500. Former winners usually filled that role, although actor James Garner had driven the previous year. “When it was first suggested to me that I was being considered, I didn’t think I had much of a chance of being selected,” Marty told an interviewer. “It’s something that is really big to do.” He spent a week in Indianapolis, attending various functions but performing no concerts, and he rode in the festival parade on Saturday. Marty had never before appeared in front of a crowd as large as 400,000 people. At the signal, “Gentlemen, start your engines,” he climbed into the 1976 Buick Century Custom coupe. With a former Indy winner in the passenger seat, Marty led 33 drivers on the parade lap. (more…)