“RIP” – Dale Earnhardt Jr Joins the Mourning as Ken Squier Passes Away Surrounded by His Family and Loved Ones

“During this season when the engines are silent, tracks pretty much snowed under, we reflect, we ponder the purpose of our sport, what its gifts are.”
Today, we lost one of the greatest gifts to come out of the sport—the weaver of words, and the voice of NASCAR, Ken Squier. The Hall of Famer commentator brought the sport from the tracks to our television screens through phenomenal coverage of the 1979 Daytona 500 and much more since then.

Dale Earnhardt Jr, who had reached out to the legend for a special podcast around the same time last year, shared the grief and devastation of legions of racing fans and the entire fraternity, including NASCAR Chairman Jim France. 

Dale Earnhardt Jr and the entire racing community will be forever grateful to Ken Squier

“The Great American Race”—These historic words paved the way for greater access to NASCAR’s thrilling races. In the 1970s, Hall of Famer broadcaster Ken Squier convinced Bill France for television coverage of races that formerly enjoyed an exclusively bleacher audience. Squier’s expert storytelling and dramatic iterations were fundamental to the lasting popularity of the sport. Dale Earnhardt Jr, himself a reverent follower of Squier’s iconic commentaries, wished to document his expertise and wisdom. Thereafter, Andrew Kurland from Dale Jr‘s Dirty Mo Media visited Squier’s house in Vermont.

Squier was 87 then, yet Kurland found the same vivaciousness and presence of mind that first brought him into the limelight decades ago. And he had a message for the young broadcasters and sporting enthusiasts who wanted to emulate him. Squier said, “Be true to yourself and what you believe in. Most people are playing the game created by television, broadcasting, media, but the real people are the ones that we focus on and have to because they go out and do it how many races a year—that’s pretty special.” Little did he know, Junior’s Dirty Mo Media was recording one of the last pieces of enriching advice from him.

Sirius XM’s Dave Moody, who had been providing updates about his failing health posted with a heavy heart that “Ken earned his wings last night at 8:20 PM ET.” As condolences poured in, Dale Earnhardt Jr was one of the first NASCAR personalities to pay tribute. Junior wrote, “I’m convinced that [Daytona 500] would have not had its lasting impact had Ken not been our lead narrator…I am forever grateful for his major role in growing stock car racing. RIP”.

Watch this story: Tears Behind the Wheel: Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Hidden Struggles 

Paying tribute, NASCAR chairman Jim France penned down what he meant for the sport and for the France Family. 

Ken Squier: The legend who served the sport without getting behind the wheels

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Unfortunately, the legendary broadcaster suffered from COVID-19 and other ailments in the past few years. It was a testament to his determined spirit and love for the sport that he agreed to do Dale Earnhardt Jr’s podcast last year. But in the past few days, Dave Moody, a close family friend and Squier’s mentee, had indicated that the situation was now dire. And then came the news that the racing community had been dreading ever since. “It’s over.”

Soon after, Fox Journalist Bob Pockrass reported the touching farewell message from the Chairman, Bill France. France 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 unmistakable voice is the soundtrack to many of NASCAR’s greatest moments.” Truly, his infectious energy, his quotable commentary, and dedication to the sport will be remembered for generations to come.

In one of his speeches, Squier had urged, “I hope that you’ll take that message along that this sport is so special, so unique and so beautiful in so many ways.” Along with Jim France, Dave Moody, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and the rest of the racing fraternity, today we mourn the person who played a crucial role in making it so special, unique, and beautiful.

Read More: “No It Can’t Be”—Heartbroken Fans in Disbelief After Knowing Beloved 88-YO Ken Squier’s Failing Health