Long time NASCAR and sports broadcaster Ken Squier died November 15, 2023 at his Vermont home at the age of 88. No official cause of death has been given, but Squier was recently moved from a hospice care facility back to his home where he could live out his remaining days.
A member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Squier is considered a pioneer when it comes to broadcasting races. It was Squier’s voice that fans heard in 1979 for the very first flag to flag televised Daytona 500 race that was won by Richard Petty after front runners Cle Yarborough and Donnie Allison wrecked. Squier also broadcast the fight that ensued after the race between Yarborough and Allison on the backstretch of the track.
CBS had a captive audience after a big snow storm had much of the country trapped indoors. It would be the race that launched a new phenomena; thanks in part to Ken Squier.
Squier would go on to broadcast 18 more Daytona 500 races for CBS before moving on to TBS and TNT.
From the terminology used in describing the races to the in-car cameras that are so common place today; they are all due to Ken Squier. He “borrowed” the camera idea from racers in Australia.
The son of a radio station owner, Squier helped to create the Motor Racing Network that continues to broadcast races today via radio.
Squier gave us the phrases “The Great American Race” for the Daytona 500, “ordinary people doing extraordinary things” and “common men doing uncommon deeds” when speaking of the drivers.
Squier never raced a car but had the ability to explain it so that anyone could understand what was happening and how.
The award presented to outstanding broadcasters by the NASCAR Hall of Fame bears Squier’s name; along with MRN announcer Barney Hall.
When Vermont Governor Phil Scott inducted Squier into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2017, Squier noted, “I really believe those awards in the Hall of Fame should be for those who sat in those cars.”
He is also a member of the New England Auto Racers and Vermont Sports Halls of Fame. He was one of the founding owners of the Thunder Road Speedbowl track in Barre, Vermont.
Kenley Dean Squier was born on April 10, 1935 in Waterbury, Vermont. His father was Lloyd Squier who owned and operated the radio station WDEV. Young Ken acquired a love for auto sports at the local fairs where his father would call the harness races. Ken Squier went on to formulate both loves into a lifelong career that began while he was still in his teens; calling a race at Morrisville Speedway from the back of a truck in the infield. The 14 year old did not have a microphone…he used a bullhorn!
Survivors include wife Elizabeth and children Ashely Jane and Travis.
Feature photo credit: Bubby Toole Facebook page