by Mike Ruefer
Davenport, IA - Earlier
this summer when I was at the pit shack for a Deery Brothers Summer Series race
at West Liberty Raceway the light bulb turned on. Getting inspiration for column
topics can come from the weirdest ideas or from the serious situations that I
think about concerning dirt late model racing.
As I was checking in for
the race I did my usual thing and signed in on the release form for my pit
pass. In most cases at many tracks you sign your name and describe your duties
or media affiliation. As I signed in, I looked right above my name and under
duties I saw, “The Voice”.
Jeff Broeg - Mike Ruefer Photo
It had nothing to do
with the hit NBC television show but described the duties for that night’s
announcer, Jeff Broeg from Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Jeff is a very talented writer
and columnist but he is also a very good announcer. It made me think about how
important an announcer is for a great night of racing and I knew that night the
fans would be informed, enlightened and entertained. During the drive home I
kept thinking about “The Voice” and just how important the job of announcer is
for racing to be successful. It is probably the most important job at the
track.
If you think about it,
what type of sporting event does not have an announcer? They all do. Why,
because it’s that important. As humans (at least most of us are) we need to
know stuff. Even if we think we know, we need to hear and listen about who,
what, why, where and how, of things that we see. Just think about this. How
good would the experience of watching TV be if we did not have sound? Ok, maybe
it would be better for a NASCAR race but overall it would be unsatisfying. We
need talking heads, folks who can inform, enlighten and entertain us.
Announcers bring audio stimulation to our senses. Without announcers we would
just stare off into the sunset and leave the races wondering who won while we
were standing in the beer concession line.
Jerry Mackey - Mike Ruefer Photo
The famous boxing
announcer Michael Buffer has the classic line “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble” and
when he does that it ignites the crowd and TV audience. It’s exciting and makes
you feel pumped up for the event. Now that’s probably an extreme and may be
over the top for the average dirt track but I think every announcer has their
own way to Fire up the crowd. One of my favorites has always been Jerry Mackey
who has been doing announcing for 30 years. His “Hello Races Fans” at the
beginning of the night and his closure “And we’ll see you at the races, good
night everybody” still to this day makes me feel good and appreciated for
coming.
When I think back to
when Hav-A-Tampa came to Davenport Speedway, their long time announcer Roby
Helm would play to the packed grandstand crowd like a fiddle and the roar would
echo when he introduced the cars and stars of the series. Every series and
track has “The Voice” and honestly I’m in awe on how they do their jobs. To be
quick witted and talk without hesitation to thousands of die-hard fans is hard
and they make it look so easy.
James Essex - Mike Ruefer Photo
Over the years I’ve been
lucky to get to know most of the guys on the touring circuits who rattle the
microphone and beat the drum. In many ways the announcer becomes the voice and
face of the race or series to the fans. It would be hard for me to think about
the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series without James Essex with his classic cool
sounds. He has become gold standard for excellent work and expert commentary.
On a sad note I was
sorry to hear earlier in the year that former World of Outlaws Late Model
Series announcer Rick Eshelman has taken a sabbatical from the rigors of the
road. Rick does an outstanding job and brings a big ring wrestling hype
that most others could not pull off. His enthusiasm, nick names and theatrics
are entertaining. I still find his Uncle Sam outfit for the “Firecracker 100”
at Lernerville Speedway to be very neat.
The Voice that has
always resonated to me as almost perfection would be that of Bret Emrick. His
radio tone during all the early years when I huddled in the Eldora Speedway
grandstand while watching time trials or pre-race commentary still amplifies in
my mind. The current WoO Race Director is still a star.
Tom Lathen - Mike Ruefer Photo
Not that those others
don’t have these qualities but when I think of professionalism, attention to
detail and hardworking I remember Tom Lathen and what he did for the World Dirt
Racing League. Tom always was cool under fire and made his commentary fresh and
thorough. He always had interesting side notes on the drivers and took care of
all sponsors. It was always a pleasure to listen to his work.
Phil Roberts - Mike Ruefer Photo
I’d be remiss if I
didn’t mention the patriarch of the Iowa/Illinois Quad City area announcers
with that being Phil Roberts. He has done it all over his career while at the
track but also with his renowned old radio show “Around the Track”. I can
remember listening to him and his weekly stories. His firsthand accounts of the
racing action and a journalistic quality have made him the example for
perfection that others should try to follow.
Kyle Bentley - Mike Ruefer Photo
The future is upon us
and luckily we have young talented announcers honing their craft while adding
their new flair to the chore. Guys like Ben Shelton currently filling in for
the Outlaws and doing the Dirt on Dirt broadcasts. Dustin Jarrett has one of
racing’s biggest stages at Eldora Speedway which could make him legendary.
Around Iowa we have Ryan Clark with Independence Motor Speedway and Kyle Bentley
with the Corn Belt Clash who will make their mark and have announcing
greatness. Last but not least I’d like to mention Eric Huenefeld. Whether its
dirt, asphalt or Friday night football, Eric is can do it all. I only hope he
stays with racing and when he goes Big Time, we can say we heard him first.
Eric Huenefeld - Mike Ruefer Photo
For all of you who have
ever announced racing events past or present I thank you for what you do for
racing. I wish I could mention you all as you all deserve it. On all of your
shelves, bookcases and fireplace mantles you should have a golden microphone
with no more description than the “The Voice,” it says it all.
