Barney Hall

Barney Hall
Hall in 2011
Born
Barney Hall

(1932-06-24)June 24, 1932
Elkin, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedJanuary 26, 2016(2016-01-26) (aged 83)
OccupationSports commentator
EmployerMotor Racing Network
Spouse
Karen Carrier
​
(m. 1981)​

Barney Hall[1] (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.[2] Hall is considered one of the best NASCAR commentators of all-time.[3] MRN director David Hyatt stated, "Motor Racing Network is 'The Voice of NASCAR' and Barney Hall is the voice of MRN."[4]

Career

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Hall was born at Elkin, North Carolina in 1932.[5] 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.[5]

In 1960, Hall became the first person to work on the public address system at Bristol Motor Speedway, which was stated as "dumb luck".[6] When Motor Racing Network started in 1970, Hall became a turn announcer, before becoming a booth announcer. Hall commentated on all but three Daytona 500s in his career.[7] On July 5, 2014, Hall announced that the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona would be his final broadcast.[8]

In 2007, he was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hall of Fame.[9] 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.[7]

On January 26, 2016, MRN president David Hyatt announced that Hall had died at the age of 83 after complications from surgery.[10] He was survived by his wife of 35 years, Karen Carrier.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Beard, Brock (2018-07-15). J. D.: The Life and Death of a Forgotten NASCAR Legend. Waldorf Publishing. ISBN 978-1-64136-980-0.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Caldwell, Clayton (May 14, 2009). "NASCAR's 10 Best Broadcasters of All Time". BleacherReport.com. Bleacher Report, Inc. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "MRN Radio Announcers". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  7. ^ 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.
  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. ^ "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.
  10. ^ Gluck, Jeff; Hembree, Mike (January 27, 2016). "Legendary NASCAR announcer Barney Hall dies". USA Today. Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  11. ^ "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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