Tales from the Indianapolis 500: A Collection of the Greatest Indy 500 Stories Ever Told

by Jack Arute, A.J. Foyt (Foreword), Jenna Fryer (Primary Contributor)

What’s it like to race across the blacktop of the nation’s most famous track? How does it feel to smash into a concrete wall while going over 200 miles per hour? This exciting, humorous, and poignant collection of tales takes readers inside the most exciting race in America. Tales from the Indianapolis 500 captures horrific collisions and sweet victories from drivers past and present.

Genres: Racing, Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 5, 2012

Reviews

[Gary Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for the Audiobook version. The book as written by Jack Arute is very enjoyable and full of great stories of the Indy 500! I wish Jack had been the reader because hearing his great familiar voice telling these stories would have made it even more special. The reader chosen did an ok job, however I just hate it when narrators don’t take the time to learn the proper way to pronounce people’s names. In this case it was very distracting through the entire book and often took me out of the “moment” and in several cases I didn’t even realize who they were talking about because the mispronunciation was so bad. I highly recommend this book, but can’t recommend the audiobook version at this time.

[Kevin Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read.

Great read. I loved that the stories were short. I really felt like I was there in some of these moments that Jack describes.

[Norma · Rating 3 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"Gentleman, start your engines."

Although a 3 decade fan of Formula 1, before reading this book I knew absolutely nothing about the Indianapolis 500 - and I confess I still know very little, but the selection of brief tales told were interesting to hear - like the obsession of the And retro family with the race and the admittance on equal standing of a female driver in 1976 and the near win by another woman, Patrick, in 2005. All were brief and an easy listen although the narrator, Tony Carnaghi, could have been better, running stories into each other with no gap between a d a less than clear, comfortable reading.

But interesting, yes, and it has piqued my imagination.

[Indydave1958 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jack Arute, a fine pit reporter, has usually filed his stories in 15- to 20-second bursts. He takes the same approach here. That’s fine for explaining the action during a pit stop at the Indianapolis 500. Here it’s superficial. This is pretty good bathroom reading, but it’s not, as the author would claim, a collection of the greatest stories in the history of the great race. Many of the anecdotes related here have been told from other people’s perspectives, often with more insights, so Arute can’t even claim exclusive access.

[Kek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I don't agree with Mr. Arute on A.J. Foyt being better than Mario Andretti, this is a great, quick read with lots of nuggets.

However, the Audible recording is downright embarrassing with some of the mispronunciations:
1. "Gill" de Ferran
2. Tony Cannon
3. Daria Francheaty
4. Chip Janassi
5. The I.Z.O.D. Indycar Series

I sure hope it gets re-recorded.

[Frieda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being South African, the Indy 500 is quite late to watch, but I've done so a few times. Some of the drivers have done other racing I have watched too. The stories were fascinating and informative.

I was a bit frustrated with how the narrator anglicised the names, especially the Brazilian and Italian ones.

[Alex Kartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

For any Indy 500 fan, a must read to reminisce and remind yourself why the Speedway is so special. #IsItMayYet

[Tim Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok, easy to read because the stories are short. The audiobook is terrible. The narrator is the worst I have ever heard.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Absolutely atrocious narration.

[Terri Seymour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories of Indy and the drivers. Any rave fan will love this book. Brings back lots of memories.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories in this book were very interesting; others not so much. I would have to disagree with the title of "Greatest Indy 500 Stories Ever Told," as I have heard some really great stories about the 500 which were not included in this book. When I started reading, I didn't realize the book would be entirely based on the author's personal experiences rather than on history and research.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, I'm a 42 event 500 veteran and sure I know some of the stories. But I can think of no better way to get prepared for the 100th running than reading the stories of another veteran fan and IMS admirer. Thanks Jack. You'll always be the pit reporter that others model. Really enjoyed it.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. I loved reading stories I hadn't heard before and it was fun to read about the stories I did know. Makes me excited for May!

[Michael]

Long time Indy Announcer Jack Arute share a bunch of brief memories of the 500. Jack was at Indy for ja long time, interacted with a lot of the key players and has a real passion for the race. That's captured, but the tales are so brief that they're superficial. I've looked and have not found a great book that captures the engineering, race strategy and team dynamics of the 500. That would be a fine book.