Barney Hall
Barnet "Barney" Hall | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 24, 1932 |
| Died | January 26, 2016 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Sports commentator |
| Employer | Motor Racing Network |
| Spouse |
Karen Carrier (m. 1981–2016) |
Barney Hall (June 24, 1932 – January 26, 2016) was an American sports commentator for Motor Racing Network, formerly calling NASCAR races. Hall broadcast races for over 50 years.[1] Hall is considered as one of the best NASCAR commentators of all-time.[2] MRN director David Hyatt stated, "Motor Racing Network is ‘The Voice of NASCAR’ and Barney Hall is the voice of MRN."[3]
Career
Hall was born at Elkin, North Carolina in 1932.[4] After serving four years in the United States Navy, Hall's career started in the 1950s working for local radio stations in Elkin, particularly as disk jockey at WIFM-FM for 13 years.[4]
In 1960, Hall became the first person to work on the public address system at Bristol Motor Speedway, which was stated as "dumb luck".[5] When Motor Racing Network started in 1970, Hall became a turn announcer, before becoming a booth announcer. Hall has commentated all but three Daytona 500s in his career, and in the 1979 edition, Hall introduced his catchphrase, "flag-to-flag coverage of The Great American Race."[6] On July 5, 2014, Hall announced that the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona would be his final broadcast.[7]
In 2007, he was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hall of Fame.[8] On May 23, 2012, the NASCAR Hall of Fame announced the creation of the Squier-Hall Award for Media Excellence, named for Hall and former MRN reporter Ken Squier.[6]
On January 26, 2016, MRN president David Hyatt announced that Hall had died at the age of 83 after complications from surgery.[9] He was survived by his wife of 35 years, Karen Carrier.[10]
References
- ^ Aumann, Mark (April 24, 2007). "10 Questions: Barney Hall". NASCAR.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
- ^ Caldwell, Clayton (May 14, 2009). "NASCAR's 10 Best Broadcasters of All Time". BleacherReport.com. Bleacher Report, Inc. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
- ^ "Barney Hall Rejoins MRN at Martinsville". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. March 28, 2012. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
- ^ a b "Barney Hall: 1932-2016". MRN.com. Concord, North Carolina: Motor Racing Network. January 26, 2016. Archived from the original on January 29, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
- ^ "MRN Radio Announcers". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
- ^ a b "Media Award Named for Hall, Squier". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. May 23, 2012. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
- ^ Gluck, Jeff (July 5, 2014). "Barney Hall will make final call for MRN at Daytona". USA Today. Daytona Beach, Florida: Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
- ^ "NHOF: NASCAR Adds Media Excellence Award To Annual Hall Honors". speedtv.com. Daytona Beach, Florida: Speed Channel, Inc. May 23, 2012. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
- ^ Gluck, Jeff; Hembree, Mike (January 27, 2016). "Legendary NASCAR announcer Barney Hall dies". USA Today. Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- ^ "Legendary NASCAR broadcaster Barney Hall dies at 83". Associated Press. Daytona Beach, Florida: AP Sports. Associated Press. January 27, 2016. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
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