Barney Hall

Barnet "Barney" Hall
Born (1932-06-24)June 24, 1932
Elkin, North Carolina, US
Died January 26, 2016(2016-01-26) (aged 83)
Nationality American
Occupation Sports commentator
Employer Motor Racing Network
Spouse(s) 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 has commentated 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 at WIFM-FM for 13 years.[4] He 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] In 2007, he was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hall of Fame.[7] 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 July 5, 2014, Hall announced that the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona would be his final broadcast.[8]

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

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ Caldwell, Clayton (May 14, 2009). "NASCAR's 10 Best Broadcasters of All Time". BleacherReport.com. Bleacher Report, Inc. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Barney Hall Rejoins MRN at Martinsville". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. March 28, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Barney Hall: 1932-2016". MRN.com. Concord, North Carolina: Motor Racing Network. January 26, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  5. ↑ "MRN Radio Announcers". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Media Award Named for Hall, Squier". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. May 23, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  7. ↑ "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 January 30, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ Gluck, Jeff; Hembree, Mike (January 27, 2016). "Legendary NASCAR announcer Barney Hall dies". USA Today (Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc.). Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  10. ↑ "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 30, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
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