The singing of "Back Home Again in Indiana," right before the race starts is a tradition dating back to 1946. It may not be Indiana's state song, but it's as Indiana as a song gets.
Late actor, singer, and comedian Jim Nabors and the Purdue Marching Band led the crowd in singing the song most years from 1972 to 2014. Chicago Blackhawks anthem singer Jim Cornelison has done it since 2017.