'Back Home in Indiana' crooner to miss Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - An Indianapolis Motor Speedway spokesman says heart surgery will prevent Jim Nabors from performing "Back Home Again in Indiana" at this year's Indianapolis 500.

Doug Boles says the 81-year-old Nabors will have surgery later this month.

Boles told The Indianapolis Star on Wednesday that a Speedway video crew is set to record Nabors singing the song in Hawaii next week for playback during the pre-race festivities. The race is scheduled for May 27.

Nabors began performing "Back Home Again in Indiana" in 1972 and since 1987 has performed it every year but one: He missed the 2007 race due to health reasons.