amy-grant-once-brought-bad-luck-to-the-indy-500-ive-never-been-invited-back

Amy Grant Once Brought Bad Luck to the Indy 500: ‘I’ve Never Been Invited Back’

Singer Amy Grant’s infamous 1992 Indy 500 appearance was a mess and she told Kelly Clarkson that day has kept her from being “invited back.”

Once a Christian music star, Grant has tried a few music genres during her career, and in the 1980s and 90s, she tested the soft pop waters with “Heart In Motion.”

The Boot reported on Grant’s Kelly Clarkson show appearance to promote a two-CD deluxe edition for the album’s 30th anniversary.

Before going on stage, she told Clarkson how one song got her an invite to the Indianapolis 500 and how that fateful day of car wrecks has kept her from getting invited back years later. 

Grant’s Song Gets Indy Family’s Attention  

The 1992 album’s first track, “Good for Me,” came with a nod to a famous IndyCar driver, legendary racer Mario Andretti. The second song verse says “You like to drive like Mario Andretti / I like it taking my time…”

The lyrical nod earned her an invite to the 1992 Indianapolis 500. Mario Andretti, along with his sons Michael and Jeff, were racing in the famous race.

Amy Grant recalled meeting legendary actor and race team owner Paul Newman. She was in awe and tried to be super careful while at the race. She told Clarkson about the racing superstitions that she learned about along with all the Indy race culture’s routines and customs.

Amy Grant’s Song Reference Bites Andrettis?

Amy Grant said she “was trying to do everything right” before disaster struck.

“And the first Andretti crashed, like, part of the car came up in our box,” Grant said. 

The musician remembered how another one had car trouble and then another wrecked. 

“I mean, like, it was the worst day in Andretti racing history,” Amy Grant said.

In the crash-filled race, Mario Andretti was the first to go. He crashed on Turn Four on lap 84. Cold tires on a restart caused the racing legend to crash nose-first into the wall. Additionally, Andretti broke his toes and had to go to the hospital.

Next, it was Jeff Andretti’s unfortunate race ending. On lap 116, Jeff Andretti’s car broke a wheel hub and spun out. The car crashed head-on into the wall near the Turn Two Suites. He went to the hospital after race officials worked for 18 minutes to free him from the racecar.

Finally, Michael Andretti dominated the event for 160 laps with a 30-second lead on the rest of the field when his fuel pump suddenly went out. The driver had only eleven laps to go.

The brutal day took out three Andretti drivers, and years later, Amy Grant can only say she’s still singing the song.

“I’ve never been invited back. Like, ever,” the singer said with a laugh. 

Amy Grant is a six-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and musician. She’s earned 22 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and had the first Christian album to go Platinum in 1985 (“Age To Age”).