Lou Palmer (motorsport broadcaster)

Lou Palmer (born Louis A. Perunko Jr. in 1932 in Wheeling, West Virginia - died January 19, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana) was an American broadcaster best known for his work at the Indianapolis 500 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network from 1958 until 1989.

Palmer, who was raised in Syracuse, New York had moved to Indianapolis in 1953. Shortly after joining the news department of WIBC in Indianapolis he received an invitation from the "Voice of the 500", Sid Collins to join the IMS Radio Network for the 1958 Indianapolis 500. As a rookie on the network, Palmer was assigned to turn three of the track because 'nothing ever happens there'. On the opening lap of the race, however, Palmer was thrust into duty, reporting on a massive 15-car pileup that occurred in the turn. The crash almost completely blocked the track and ended with the death of driver Pat O'Connor. Jerry Unser's car cleared the track's outer retaining wall causing him to suffer a dislocated shoulder during the first lap crash.

In 1963 Palmer moved from turn 3, and became a pit reporter for race day, a position he would hold until 1987. During his time as a pit reporter, he traditionally covered the south pits and interviewed the winning driver in victory lane. In 1988, he moved into the booth, replacing Paul Page as the chief announcer of the 500.

Palmer's tenure as chief announcer lasted only two years (1988-1989). After the 1989 race, he was released of the position and replaced by Bob Jenkins. Palmer holds the distinction of the shortest tenure of all IMS Radio Network chief announcers with just two races.

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