Indiana Broadcast History Archive

Robin Miller had no greater passion in his life than the world of auto racing. An Indiana native, his love for the sport first began when his father took him to visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1957. The following year, he attended his first Indy 500.  

In 1968 at age 18, Miller convinced his racing hero, Jim Hurtubise, to take him on as a volunteer member of his pit crew, despite him not having “a mechanical bone in his body.” He was ultimately fired after only one month when he ruined the paint job on one of Hurtubise’s cars.  

One month later, he began working for the sports department of The Indianapolis Star after sportswriter Cy Mcbride hired him to answer phones. When Miller was promoted to cover the auto racing beat in 1972, it was a dream come true.  

Outside his work with the Star, Miller began his own racing career as a USAC competitor throughout the 1970s. After a 10-year career racing in the USAC midget series, he developed a knowledge and passion for the sport that other writers simply did not have.  

Miller quickly became a household name in the racing world during the height of IndyCar’s popularity in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. His critical, carefree articles and columns captivated fans and often sparked tension amongst himself and other drivers. Despite the controversy, Miller maintained a level of respect and admiration in the world of IndyCar racing.  

During his years as a newspaper writer, Miller also brought his hot takes in front of the microphone. He became a popular on-air personality with radio stations like WIBC and WNAP, and TV stations like WTHR 13 and WISH-TV Channel 8. Miller’s work both with a pen and a microphone helped him become one of the most trusted sources among the sport’s most legendary figures.  

After a 33-year career with The Indy Star, Miller was fired in 2001 for violating the paper’s ethics policy. He continued his reporting career when he joined ESPN and the SPEED Network from 2001 and 2004. From 2006 to 2021, Miller wrote for Racer Magazine where his popularity among the racing community continued to grow. In 2011, he joined the NBC Sports Network team where he would conduct on-air interviews, do pit reports, and provide commentary on races.  

Outside the track, Miller was known by his colleagues for his caring, generous personality and willingness to help others. In 2017, he made a public address announcing that he was fighting bone cancer. Despite his diagnosis, Miller continued to work feverishly for Racer Magazine.  

On August 25^th, 2021, Robin Miller passed away after a 4-year-long battle with myeloma and leukemia. He was 71 years old.  

In 2021, he was named an official Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest honor in Indiana. One week before his passing, on August 13^th, 2021, Miller was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America for his contributions to the auto racing industry. In 2022, he was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame for journalism, and in 2023, he was inducted into the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame.  

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By Jack Lindner 

Edited by Jack Lindner 

Information from the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers, The Indianapolis Star, Racer Magazine, IndyCar, and NBC Sports.  

Last Edit: March 1^st, 2024