NBC TV to broadcast an up-close and personal look at each member Indy 500 Four-Win Club and what the achievement means to them.
Penske Entertainment/Chris OwensIndyCar premiered The Club documentary Thursday night in Indianapolis at the Hilbert Circle Theater, drawing a sellout crowd of fans and racing luminaries.
And if the reaction of those in attendance is anything like those who will watch the documentary when it is broadcast Saturday on NBC, the show will be like a visit to victory lane and taking a sip of milk for winning the Indianapolis 500.
The Club, which will air at 2 pm ET on NBC, prior to the GMR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, pays homage to the four drivers who have won the Indy 500 four times each: A.J. Foyt, the late Al Unser, Rick Mears and the defending 500 winner, Helio Castroneves.
Presented by Pennzoil, the documentary is an up-close and personal look at each driver and what their unique achievement means to them. Castroneves, in particular, is particularly entertaining as he is attempting to make history and become the first five-time winner of the 500 in the upcoming 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29.
“This is a truly once-in-a-lifetime chance to watch and discuss sports history,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles said. “For fans around the globe, it’s an epic way to start the Month of May on NBC before tuning in to the GMR Grand Prix and Helio’s historic ‘drive for five’ on Indy 500 Race Day.”
Special guests take in a screening of “The Club” in Indianapolis.
Penske Entertainment/Chris Owens
The documentary was filmed last July 21, almost two months after Castroneves became the latest member of the iconic four-timers club, the first driver to join the club in 30 years. Unser died in December after a 17-year battle with cancer.
“It’s still hard for me to believe that I am a part of this group of drivers,” Castroneves said. “These are drivers that I have looked up to and watched all my life and to now be standing on the same level as them is incredible.
“My best memories have come from winning the Indianapolis 500, there is no other race in history that has that same feeling; the feeling of a month’s long hard work all coming to an end in the best way possible.
“I will forever be grateful for the people who have helped me achieve such a monumental accomplishment because it was not just me, it was a team effort each of those four years.”
The documentary also pays tribute to Unser, who passed away on December 9, 2021.
Each driver told stories about their respective wins in the 500, as well as lamented about some other races that got away and could potentially have been a fifth or even sixth 500 triumph.
If you can’t watch it live, make sure you set your recorder because this is a great blast of history true racing fans are sure to enjoy.
Keyword: Trailer: 'The Club' Documentary to Feature Indy 500 Royalty