If you have been in the NASCAR scene for long enough, there is a strong chance you have heard the iconic voice of Dough Rice. The man who has been known to be the voice of NASCAR for 3 decades in a row has many fans captivated by his voice and broadcasting skills.

His career took off when he started working weekends for WSTP/WRDX in Salisbury, North Carolina, while also contributing to his alma mater, Appalachian State University’s campus radio station. Rice’s first significant step into motorsports broadcasting was with the Capitol Radio Network, where he called Busch Series races at various tracks, starting in the pits and eventually moving into the booth.

Dough Rice gets the farewell he deserves

Today Dough Rice stands as a legend in the broadcasting scene, having been named National Motorsports Press Association Broadcaster of the Year three times in 2007, 2022, and 2023. This is just one of his achievements, and Rice has many more throughout his career of being the voice of the sport. Now, after serving the fans for decades, he has decided to step down from his responsibilities and retire.

To celebrate Dough Rice’s achievement in the sport, Brett Jewkes, who now serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Brand and Communications Officer for the Blank Family of Businesses and Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment, has something in store for him.

It was highlighted in a post on X that the Atlanta Falcons executive presented Rice with a custom jersey along with other memorabilia. The jersey had “Rice” written on the back, and along with that, there was a plaque given to him. The plaque had a red car on it with a small badge that had Dough Rice’s name on it.

Rice has been the voice of NASCAR for 36 years now, and that was printed on the jersey to show the amount of time he influenced the sport and its fans. He will be stepping down at the end of the 2024 PRN racing season, and this marks the end of an era.

Dough Rice’s achievements in NASCAR

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As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” and neither was Rice’s career. He got his feet wet working weekends at WSTP/WRDX in Salisbury, North Carolina, all while juggling duties at his college radio station at Appalachian State University. It wasn’t glamorous work, but every master was once a beginner, and these early days laid the foundation for what was to come.

Rice’s first big break in motorsports came like a bolt out of the blue when he joined the Capitol Radio Network. Starting from the pits and eventually making his way to the booth, he called Busch Series races at tracks far and wide. His enthusiasm and knack for the craft were impossible to miss. “Good things come to those who wait,” they say, and sure enough, Rice’s perseverance paid off, paving the way for future success.

In 1988, Rice took a giant leap by joining Speedway Motorsports as the Program and Affiliate Director for the Performance Racing Network. As the proverb goes, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating,” and Rice’s contributions to motorsports broadcasting haven’t gone unnoticed. He was named National Motorsports Press Association Broadcaster of the Year not once, not twice, but three times—in 2007, 2022, and 2023.

With that said, do you remember your favorite moment of Dough Rice broadcasting NASCAR races? Share your thoughts in the comments below.