NASCAR Hall Of Fame Broadcaster Ken Squier Dies At Age 88

Published Nov 17, 2023 By Miranda Raye

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Ken Squier, Longtime NASCAR Announcer & Broadcaster, Has Died

The NASCAR world is mourning the loss of one of its icons.

Legendary announcer and broadcaster Ken Squier died on Wednesday (November 15) in Waterbury, Vermont. He was 88 years old.

Jim France, the chairman and CEO of NASCAR, shared a statement with ESPN about Squier’s death. He said:

“Though he never sat behind the wheel of a stock car, Ken Squier contributed to the growth of NASCAR as much as any competitor…His calls on TV and radio brought fans closer to the sport, and for that he was a fan favorite. Ken knew no strangers, and he will be missed by all.”

NASCAR Hall of Famer Ken Squier
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Squier was also known for opening the Thunder Road Speedbowl in his home state of Vermont. Governor Phil Scott paid tribute to Squier on social media after news of his passing broke:

“His impacts on the sport are too numerous to count, and he deserves every one of those recognitions and many more,” wrote Governor Scott. “But for me, what I will remember most was his friendship and deep devotion to his community, which was the entire state.”

Ken Squier Was A Member Of The NASCAR Hall Of Fame

In 2013, NASCAR formed the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence. The inaugural award was presented to Squier and Motor Racing Network announcer Barney Hall.

Just five years later, Squier was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. It was an honor Squier felt he didn’t deserve.

“I really believe those awards in the Hall of Fame should be for those who sat in those cars,” NASCAR quotes him saying at the time.

But Squier’s influence on the sport is undeniable. As NASCAR details:

“Squier’s fingerprints are all over the sport – from his timeless and unforgettable terminology used to describe the action and its participants to the formation of the Motor Racing Network, which he helped launch and sustain, to the use of in-car cameras, an idea he ‘borrowed’ while on assignment in Australia…He coined the phrase ‘The Great American Race’ to aptly describe the Daytona 500 and painted a picture of racers as ‘ordinary people doing extraordinary things’ and ‘common men doing uncommon deeds.'”

The NASCAR Community Pays Tribute To Ken Squier

Members of the NASCAR community paid tribute to Squier on social media after learning about his death.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said:

“Ken Squier was there when Nascar was introduced to the rest of the world in 1979 for the Daytona 500. I’m convinced that race would have not had its lasting impact had Ken not been our lead narrator. We still ride the wave of that momentum created on that day. Kens words and energy were perfection on a day when Nascar needed it. I am forever grateful for his major role in growing stock car racing. RIP“

Richard Petty and the Petty family also released a statement about Squier’s death, saying:

“The Petty family extends their deepest condolences to the family of Ken Squier. Ken’s influence as a broadcaster and meaningful personal connections with countless individuals, including fans, went far beyond his professional duties. His legacy will be held dear in the hearts of many, remembered for his significant contributions to NASCAR and the genuine friendships he nurtured. We deeply mourn his passing, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this challenging time.”

We too, will be keeping Squier’s family in our prayers during this sad time. May he rest in peace…