Sad news broke late Tuesday night from the world of NASCAR. One of the oldest and most well-known voices of the sport, Barney Hall, passed away at age 83 from complications of a medical procedure. Hall is best known for his role at the Motor Racing Network, beginning with the network’s launch in 1970. He worked as a turn reporter originally, before moving to the broadcast booth. His final race with the team was at Daytona International Speedway in 2014.
Following his passing, Motor Racing Network President David Hyatt released this statement:
It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that Motor Racing Network must today convey the passing of our friend and colleague, long-time MRN anchor Barney Hall.
For many of us in the racing and broadcasting industries, Barney was more than just ‘The Voice’ who brought us the NASCAR action each week on the radio. He was an inspiration, a teacher and mostly, a friend. Barney was a consummate professional whose style and honesty made him one of the most revered voices of the sport and perhaps the most trusted reporter of his day.
In a world that can have its share of egos, Barney’s humor and humility kept everyone around him firmly grounded. His smooth and easygoing delivery was the mark by which others were measured. His co-anchor, Joe Moore, once commented that ‘Barney was the calming force in the midst of a raging storm and simply by listening to him, you knew there was safe passage through it.’
Barney Hall was the true voice of NASCAR and although his own voice has gone silent, his presence will live on in the many current motor sports broadcasters who learned at the knee of such a great storyteller.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame, which awards annually an award with Hall’s name attached to a member of the media, also released a statement:
First and foremost, I want to offer our most sincere condolences to the longtime love of Barney’s life and best friend for more than 35 years, Karen Carrier, and their families on Barney’s passing. Barney’s accomplishments and contributions to NASCAR are immeasurable and without parallel. Covering NASCAR for nearly 55 years through seven decades, he became known by millions as “The Voice of NASCAR.” He was that recognizable voice that you would hear with every broadcast. You may not have known the face, which he would joke with his ever-present wit that it was “made for radio,” but his voice was unmistakable.
Whether you met him or not, you felt like you knew him. His easy, conversational delivery made you feel like you were listening to one of your closest friends or relatives tell you a story – the story of the very NASCAR race he was describing. He could paint a picture that would make Picasso or Rembrandt proud and tell a story that would awe Hemingway or Twain. He was not just a trusted voice to listeners and race fans, he became what many believe is the most trusted journalist in NASCAR by the sport’s competitors for decades. Barney has also tutored dozens of broadcasters throughout his career, many of whom you hear on the air today on both radio and television.
Barney achieved one of the ultimate compliments for his life’s work and honored his commitment to NASCAR when the sport named the award for media excellence presented annually at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony after him and another legendary broadcaster and former colleague, Ken Squier. Hall and Squier were the inaugural recipients of the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence in 2013. NASCAR has lost its most recognizable voice and one of the greatest broadcasters ever of any sport; and I have lost one of my dearest friends. His legacy and legendary calls of NASCAR racing will live in our minds, our archives and at the NASCAR Hall of Fame forever.
Responses on Twitter came in quickly following the word of Hall’s passing, from drivers and media members alike.
#BarneyHall, #Nascar's greatest storyteller. His folksy delivery WAS racing to millions of fans. Very proud to work with such a great talent
— Mike Joy (@mikejoy500) January 27, 2016
Barney Hall – the Rembrandt and Picasso of painting a picture of NASCAR. The Hemingway and Twain of telling the story. RIP my dear friend.
— Winston Kelley (@WinstonKelley) January 27, 2016
Thank you Barney. You were a blessing and will be missed. https://t.co/0n52ssKUEQ
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) January 27, 2016
Barney Hall had a unique way with connecting to fans of every level, from the casual listener to the die-hard fan. This is part of how he was able to transcend generations and time, and become NASCAR’s leading voice on radio. Barney Hall will be greatly missed, but fondly remembered by all in the racing community.
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