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Iconic NASCAR Voice From Vermont Passes Away at the Age of 88

Published 11/23/2023, 2:09 PM EST

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The motor sports community bids farewell to a broadcasting legend as Ken Squier, a distinguished sportscaster and motor sports editor, passed away on November 15, 2023, at the age of 88. Renowned for his pivotal role in promoting NASCAR on TV, Squier’s impact at the racing global is immeasurable.

Squier, a Vermont broadcast icon, breathed his last breath while in medical care, confirmed by his friend and coworker, Dave Moody, and the Vermont radio station he owned, WDEV. His dying marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy that converted the landscape of NASCAR broadcasting.

How the magnificent voice graced NASCAR

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Born on April 10, 1935, in Waterbury, Vermont, Squier’s journey into broadcasting began at the age of 12 at WDEV, his father’s radio station. His early fascination with racing led him to announce races from the again of a logging truck at a Vermont dust tune by the age of 14. In 1960, he constructed Thunder Road, a quarter-mile oval music in Barre, Vermont, and co-founded Catamount Stadium in 1965.

Further solidifying his effect, Squier co-based the Motor Racing Network (MRN) with NASCAR pioneer Bill France Sr. In 1970, he contributed extensively to the game’s exponential growth.

However, Squier’s most enormous fulfillment got here in 1979 while he efficiently persuaded CBS to broadcast the Daytona 500. This ancient event marked the first time a NASCAR race became aired stay from start to complete on country wide TV. His vibrant and pleasing race narration for the duration of the Daytona 500, which saw Richard Petty securing his 6th victory amid closing-lap drama, solidified Squier’s repute as a broadcasting maestro.

The race, featuring a memorable fistfight between Cale Yarborough and the Allison brothers, became a defining moment in racing records.

The many achievements of Ken Squier

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Squier persevered to shape NASCAR on TV, serving as a lap-by using-lap analyst for NASCAR on CBS until 1997 and for TBS from 1983 to 1999. He brought innovations like the in-vehicle camera for the 1982 race, contributing to the evolving dynamics of NASCAR insurance. Coining the term ‘The Great American Race’ for the Daytona 500, Squier played a pivotal position in popularizing NASCAR as a mainstream recreation.

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Although Squier stepped back from complete-time broadcasting in 2014, his ardor for NASCAR persevered. In 2018, he completed the distinction of being the first broadcaster inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, a testament to his enduring influence on the sport.

Additionally, in 2013, he acquired the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence, an accolade named in his honor and shared with fellow commentator Barney Hall.

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Ken Squier’s indomitable spirit and contributions to NASCAR broadcasting have left an indelible mark, ensuring his legacy as a pioneer in motorsports journalism. As the racing community mourns his loss, Squier’s effect on the sport keeps reverberating through the recollections of iconic races and his enduring effect on NASCAR’s legacy.

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Written by:

Allen James

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Hey folks! I am Allen James, and I am proudly holding court as the maestro of Viral Sports! Armed with a degree in Mass Communication, and a specialization in Journalism, my journey has been nothing short of a love story with sports. From epic showdowns that set the world on fire to heart-wrenching farewells that left us all misty-eyed, my pen has danced through the most electrifying moments. But what gets my heart racing at VSM? It’s the sheer diversity of options, a playground where no single area is off-limits! With dreams of conquering the world of sports broadcasting, I’m on a quest to explore every nook and cranny.
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Edited by:

Arnima Shukla