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What a ride! Indy 500 ends its long run with ABC on Sunday

Review some highlights from 54 years of our coverage of the "The Greatest Spectacle In Racing"

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis 500 will air on ABC Sunday (11 a.m. ET pre-race show, 12:19 p.m. green flag) for the 54th consecutive year – and the final time for now.

Ending will be one of the longest-running relationships between a sporting event and a television network. ABC first aired the race on ABC’s Wide World of Sports in 1965, and in 1971 began televising it on a same-day, tape-delayed basis in prime time. Since 1986, the race has aired live.

Many legendary ABC Sports broadcasters have been involved in the Indianapolis 500 telecast, including Jim McKay, who was lead announcer a record 18 times and served as host two more years. Paul Page anchored the telecast 14 times, one of only 10 who have called the race on ABC.

Allen Bestwick will lead Sunday’s telecast, his fifth Indy 500, and among those joining him will be pit reporter Dr. Jerry Punch, working his 27th race, the most of anyone in any position, and driver-analyst Scott Goodyear, in the role for a record 17th time.

Sunday’s telecast will begin with a one-hour pre-race show at 11 a.m. ET and the race will get the green flag shortly after noon.

In the photo gallery above, Front Row reviews some highlights from ABC’s coverage of the Indy 500.

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