Beyond the Bricks Podcast

On Beyond The Bricks, Jake Query and Mike Thomsen honor three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, who turned 49-years-old Thursday. They discuss Dario’s upbringing in Scotland, his early career, and his breakthrough with Team Green (later Andretti Green). Jake and Mike recount his three Indianapolis 500 wins, including his rain-shortened victory in 2007, as well as later wins in 2010 and...

On Beyond The Bricks, Jake Query and Mike Thomsen pay tribute to some of the spectacular Indianapolis 500 races that occurred during years ending in two. They look back on Troy Ruttman’s victory in 1952, which still stands as the youngest winner in race history. Jake and Mike discuss Rodger Ward’s victory in ‘62, Team Penske’s first Indy 500 win in 1972 with Mark Donohue, a...

On Beyond The Bricks, Jake Query and Mike Thomsen celebrate some behind the scenes figures from the 113-year history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They talk about former driver/radio analyst Freddie Agabashian. Speedway Public Relations Director Al Bloemker. Later, Jake and Mike learn from Donald Davidson about the impact of Clarence Cagle, long-time IMS superintendent and Tony Hulman’...

On Beyond The Bricks, Jake Query and Mike Thomsen talk about some of the drivers who made one appearance in the Indianapolis 500, for a variety of reasons. They pay tribute to drivers like Dave MacDonald, who died during the 1964 500, but had a very successful career elsewhere before his one Indy 500.  Jake and Mike talk about Sam Posey, who made just one start at Indy, but became well-known...

On Beyond The Bricks, Jake Query and Mike Thomsen discuss some of the drivers where Indianapolis made their name. Bob Harkey is the first driver that Jake and Mike dive into where they discuss how unique he was. The next driver the guys discuss is Roger Rager and how he used a stock block off of a school bus with 72,000 miles already on it during the 1980 Indy 500. The final driver Jake and Mike d...

On Beyond The Bricks, Jake Query and Mike Thomsen first pay tribute to Art Pollard, who died 49 years ago Thursday at IMS. They also bust some myths about the Indianapolis 500, dating back to the race's inception. We hear from Donald Davidson on IMS lore such as whether Ray Harroun actually won the first Indy 500. We also hear from Donald about 1913 winner Jules Goux, who drank champagne during th...

On Beyond The Bricks, Jake Query and Mike Thomsen look back on some of the jubilant celebrations in victory circle at the Indianapolis 500. We go all the way back to the 50s and hear from drivers such as Bill Vukovich and Jimmy Bryan, then A.J. Foyt and Jimmy Clark, and all the way up to present day. Jake and Mike discuss some of the traditions in victory lane, such as the celebratory drink of mil...

On Beyond The Bricks, it’s Helio Castroneves’ 47th birthday, and Jake Query and Mike Thomsen talk about the legendary career of the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner. We hear from Helio about his upbringing in Brazil, where his infectious energy comes from, and why he started climbing the fence after race wins.  Jake and Mike discuss how Castroneves ended up with Team Penske amid...

On Beyond The Bricks, Jake Query and Mike Thomsen take a trip down memory lane, and listen to some of the music that includes the Indianapolis 500. We hear tracks from drivers, such as Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough, and 1995 Indianapolis 500 winner Jacques Villeneuve.  Later, we listen to an A.J. Foyt tribute song, and end with some past favorites, including Menudo’s smash hit “I...

On Beyond The Bricks, Jake Query and Mike Thomsen look back on the life of Al Unser, who passed away last year at the age of 87. We hear historic audio from Al Sr. about how his love of racing got started in Albuquerque.  Jake and Mike talk about the origin of the legendary “Johnny Lightning Special,” which Unser won the Indy 500 with in 1970 and ‘71. Later, we hear more his...

On Beyond The Bricks, Jake Query and Mike Thomsen celebrate some of the great traditions of the Indianapolis 500. We hear some renditions of “(Back Home Again in) Indiana” from before when Jim Nabors became the beloved performer of the song, as well as some of the earliest radio calls from 16th and Georgetown.  We learn from Donald Davidson about how the race became known as &ldqu...

On Beyond The Bricks, Jake Query and Mike Thomsen take a look at a pair of Indy 500 rookies in 1981, Josele Garza and Kevin Cogan. They talk about Garza’s hot start at Indianapolis in ‘81, and how he learned from three-time champion Bobby Unser.  Jake and Mike discuss the origins of “(Back Home Again in) Indiana” at the Indy 500. Later, we hear historic audio from Jose...

In the second Beyond The Bricks of the month, Jake Query and Mike Thomsen talk about the legendary Mario Andretti. To start the show, Jake pays tribute to Johnny Aitken, the winningest driver in IMS history, who would’ve turned 137 years old on Tuesday. We hear historic audio from Mario’s career, from his humble beginnings in racing, to becoming arguably the most famous race car driver...

Beyond The Bricks returns with Jake Query and Mike Thomsen. On the first show of the month, Jake and Mike take a look back on the life and career of Sid Collins, the first “Voice of the 500” on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network. On the 45th anniversary of the tragic passing of Sid, we hear historic audio from his career, including his eulogy of Eddie Sachs. They discuss Sid...

It’s the final “Beyond the Bricks” for the year, and Jake and Mike look back on the quartet four-time winners of the Indianapolis 500. They discuss and celebrate the thrilling finish from the 2021 Indy 500 when Helio Castroneves captured his fourth victory. Jake and Mike talk about  how the fans reacted to Helio’s fourth win and how special the celebration was. The guy...

On Parnelli Jones’ 88th birthday, Jake Query and Mike Thomsen discuss the career of the 1963 Indy 500 winner. They talk about how Rufus Jones became known as Parnelli and we hear some historic audio, including from his ‘63 victory and how winning the “500” changed his life. They’re joined by Donald Davidson, Historian Emeritus of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, to ta...

Jake Query and Mike Thomsen continue to talk about the history of the Brickyard 400, including some of their favorite memories and trivia from the 27-year-old event. They’re joined by veteran NASCAR broadcaster Matt Yocum discuss some of the best drivers to never win the Indianapolis 500, the decline in popularity of the Brickyard, including the tire debacle of 2008, and what winning at IMS...

Tuesday on Beyond the Bricks, Jake Query and Mike Thomsen look back at the history of NASCAR at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including the famous 1992 tire test that ultimately led to the inaugural Brickyard 400 in 1994. They discuss Davey Allison and Tim Richmond, two drivers who never had the chance to compete in the Brickyard, and the rivalry between fans of IndyCar and NASCAR. In the secon...

Beyond the Bricks returns with Jake Query and Mike Thomsen, and the guys look back on the life and career of Bob Jenkins, who passed away Monday at the age of 73. We play the tribute put together by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and listen to some of his iconic calls from IMS, on both radio and television. Bob’s successor on the IMS Radio Network Mike King calls in to talk about Bob&rsquo...

Tonight on Beyond the Bricks with Jake Query and Mike Thomsen.  They highlight near misses during the 1990s decade including a few by Scott Goodyear, a couple by Michael Andretti, and Emerson Fittipaldi. They also hear from Rick Mears after winning his 4th Indy 500 in 1991 and Scott Goodyear after he lost the race by passing the pace car in 1995 and why he stayed out after he was stopped scor...

Tonight on Beyond the Bricks with Jake Query and Mike Thomsen, they remember the late great Dan Wheldon, who won the Indianapolis 500 in 2005 and 2011, and chronicle his career as well as some other 2021 Indy 500 field trivia.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on Beyond the Bricks with Jake Query and Mike Thomsen, they discuss the big names of the Indianapolis 500. They talk about the winner of the inaugural Race in 1911 Ray Harroun, 1915 winner Ralph Depalma and AJ Foyt. They play audio clips from way back in the day where you can hear what they sounded like. They talk about how the future and those who are broadcasting it or involved in the hi...

Tonight on Beyond the Bricks with Jake Query and Mike Thomsen, they discuss milk in victory lane and that Emerson Fittipaldi drank orange juice instead in 1993 with his grandson Pietro being rewarded by the American Dairy Association as the Fastest Rookie. They remember 1995 Rookie of the Year Andre Ribeiro. The main topic of the show is memorabilia of the Indianapolis 500 with audio clips. They a...

Tonight on Beyond the Bricks with Jake Query and Mike Thomsen, they recap Indianapolis 500 qualifying and begin to preview the race with trivia. They also dive into the main subject and play songs that mention the Indianapolis 500 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or its participants in the great race including the great Menudo.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Tonight on Beyond the Bricks with Jake Query and Mike Thomsen, they highlight near misses of the 1980s including the 1982 finish for Rick Mears losing in close finish to Gordan Johncock, Al Unser Jr trying to block for his dad in 1983, Kevin Cogan getting passed by Bobby Rahal in 1986, Roberto Guerrero stalling in the pits while leading in 1987 and more.   See omnystudio.com/liste...