Ken Squier Cause of Death Revealed
Ken Squier, a Vermont broadcast icon known for his significant role in NASCAR, died at the age of 88. Dave Moody, a friend and coworker, and subsequently WDEV, the Vermont radio station he owned, confirmed his death.
Below is the NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) tweet:
The golden voice of NASCAR has died at the age of 88.
Rest in Peace, Ken Squier. pic.twitter.com/OjJhOPzu8I
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 16, 2023
Squier, who was recently placed in hospice care due to health issues, left an indelible mark on NASCAR, particularly in the historic 1979 Daytona 500. Fans and the racing community honor his outstanding contributions to motorsports.
Squier Early Life and Career
Squier was born in Waterbury, Vermont, on April 10, 1935. Lloyd Squier’s father owned and operated WDEV, a radio station where Squier began his on-air career at the age of 12. He became interested in racing at a young age, and at the age of 14, he began announcing races from the back of a logging truck at a dirt track in Vermont.
Later, in 1960, he constructed Thunder Road, a quarter-mile oval track in Barre, Vermont, and in 1965, he co-founded Catamount Stadium, another track in Milton, Vermont. In addition, in 1970, he co-founded the Motor Racing Network (MRN) with NASCAR pioneer Bill France Sr., and he served as a commentator for numerous races on the network.
Squier Impact on NASCAR and Television
Squier is largely recognized for getting CBS to broadcast the 1979 Daytona 500, which was the first time a NASCAR race was aired live from start to finish on national television.
Richard Petty won his sixth Daytona 500 following a last-lap wreck and a fistfight between Cale Yarborough and the Allison brothers, making the race one of the most memorable and spectacular in racing history. Squier’s vivid and entertaining race narration drew millions of viewers, which helped make NASCAR a popular sport.
Squier remained a lap-by-lap analyst for NASCAR on CBS until 1997, as well as for TBS from 1983 to 1999. He coined the phrase “The Great American Race” for the Daytona 500 and pioneered the in-car camera for the 1982 race. He also covered various sports for CBS and other networks, including skiing, golf, tennis, and boxing.
Squier left full-time broadcasting in 2014, but he stayed involved in the sport as a contributor and guest announcer. In 2018, he became the first broadcaster to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. In 2013, he was awarded the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence, which was named after him and fellow commentator Barney Hall.
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Squier Legacy and Tributes
Squier’s wife, Sandra, son, David, daughter, Ashley, and grandchildren survive him. His family expressed gratitude to fans and friends for their support and sorrow and requested privacy and respect.
They also stated that they would continue his charity and artistic efforts in order to respect his memory and legacy. Many in the NASCAR and broadcasting communities lamented Squier’s death, praising his brilliance, enthusiasm, and compassion.
Remembering legendary broadcaster and NASCAR Hall of Famer Ken Squier. pic.twitter.com/cxxCeOm8T0
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) November 16, 2023
Squier, according to NASCAR, “was one of the most influential and respected voices in motorsports and a beloved member of the NASCAR family. His achievements in the sport and his influence on future generations of fans and drivers will live on.”
Many drivers, including Petty, Waltrip, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Jimmie Johnson, expressed their sorrow and thanks to Squier, who shaped their careers and the sport. “Ken Squier was my hero, friend, and mentor,” Waltrip tweeted. I learned a lot from him and will miss him terribly. He was NASCAR’s voice and the voice of my dreams.”
Fans and admirers of Squier paid tribute to him on social media, sharing their favorite Squier moments, comments, and memories. They also arranged vigils, marches, and performances in numerous cities and countries in his honor. They also sought justice and accountability for his death, as well as increased knowledge of COVID-19 and its complications.
Squier’s death was a terrible loss for NASCAR and the global sports community, as well as a reminder of the fragility and value of life. He will be remembered as a pioneer, storyteller, and icon who, through his voice and vision, inspired and amused millions of people.
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