Paul Page

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Paul Page at the 1992 Indy 500

Paul Page is an American motorsports broadcaster who was the lead announcer for ABC Sports' coverage of CART and the IRL from 1988 to 2004. He currently is the lead announcer for NHRA and, formerly, for NASCAR well notably, the 1989 Edition of The Winston when Darrell Waltrip was spun by Rusty Wallace in the fourth turn coming towards the white flag.

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life and career

Page grew up in Stuttgart, Germany as a military brat, and is married to fellow broadcaster Sally Larvick. He served six years in the U.S. Army. His son, Brian, is a race engineer with Luczo Dragon Racing. His daughter Marlo is a Trend Consultant with Peclers Paris in New York.

Page's broadcasting career began on WIBC in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1968. On December 1, 1977, while doing a helicopter traffic report, Page was nearly killed in an accident, as he crashed near Speedway, Indiana High School.

[edit] IndyCar Racing career

From 1974-1987, Page served on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network. Page served as a pit reporter from 1974-1976, and as Chief Announcer from 1977-1987. Page served as anchor of auto racing telecasts on NBC from 1977-1987. He also worked on NBC's Sportsworld.

In the 1980's, Paul was also a commentator for the motorsports show American Sports Cavalcade on the cable network The Nashville Network.

Paul gave the opening introduction to Papyrus's IndyCar Racing & IndyCar Racing II video game, released in 1995. Page also was selected to be the short-phrase commentator for the Destruction Derby 2 wrecking/racing video game of 1996.

His place was taken by Todd Harris for 2005 in a move that proved unpopular. Page was reassigned to cover other events for the ESPN family of networks, notably the X Games, NHRA, and has quietly become a fixture calling the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. He called both IRL and Champ Car races, including Champ Car's first race, with Bob Jenkins, Sam Posey, Bobby Unser, Danny Sullivan, Arie Luyendyk, Gil de Ferran and Scott Goodyear, among others.

In 2006, Page split announcing duties with Marty Reid on ESPN's coverage of NHRA Drag Racing, sharing duties with Reid, when Reid wass on assignment, ironically calling the Indy Racing League. Page became the full-time anchor in 2007.

In 2009, Page return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network coverage for the 2009 Indianapolis 500, it was Page's first Indy 500 race he covered since 2004.

He likes to say back into the fight when cars return to the track from pit stops.

[edit] National Hot Rod Association

Page is currently the lead announcer for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series (formely known as NHRA PowerAde Drag Racing Series) on ESPN and ESPN2.

[edit] Awards and honors

In 1989 and 1990, his work was awarded two Emmy's for the coverage of the Indianapolis 500. He also was host / play by play in shows or series that garnered 13 other Emmy's.