Straight No Chaser will take over for Jim Nabors at Indy 500

Award-winning a cappella group Straight No Chaser has been tapped to fill Jim Nabors' role performing "(Back Home Again in) Indiana" at the pre-race festivities for the 2015 Indianapolis 500.

At the 2014 Indy 500, Nabors picked up the mic one last time, telling The Indianapolis Star before the performance it was time for him to retire.

"Like the old song goes, 'Don't Stay Too Long at the Fair,'" Nabors told Star reporter Leslie Bailey in March.

Nabors sang the song live at every Indy 500 race since 1972, save a performance in 2012 when he was having a heart valve replacement.

"One of the most cherished traditions each year at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the singing of '(Back Home Again in) Indiana' and we are pleased that Straight No Chaser will join us next May to perform as we lead up to the start of the 99th Indianapolis 500," said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president.

Straight No Chaser, founded in 1996 at Indiana University-Bloomington, is an all-male group made up entirely of IU alumni. Their Indiana roots are one the many reasons they were chosen to continue the race day tradition.

"Our fans have offered us many suggestions for who and how the song should be performed in 2015," said Boles. "Having a group with a national following, strong Indiana roots and a true understanding of the importance of this moment make them a great fit for next year's race!"

The group realizes that filling Nabors' shoes is a tall order, but they're overwhelming grateful for the opportunity, said David Roberts, an original SNC member.

"It's probably the greatest honor you can bestow on a bunch of guys from Indiana that just started doing this for fun," said Roberts.

SNC is currently in town performing at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre as part of their Happy Hour Tour.

As far as a 2016 performer goes, Boles said the Speedway hasn't even thought that far.

"The song is the tradition, but overtime, Jim Nabors became that tradition," Boles said, adding that his focus is solely on Straight No Chaser and sustaining a long-time heritage for race fans.

"We had no idea when we started this that it would ever become, not just a viable career for us, but something that the State of Indiana really respected and brought in as part of its culture and tradition," said Roberts. "We are just ecstatic."

Call Star reporter Michael Anthony Adams at (317) 444-6123. Follow him on Twitter: @MichaelAdams317.