There are very few moments in American sports that rival the anticipation and delivery of the command to start the engines for the annual Daytona 500.
 
NASCAR's biggest race is the very first major auto race of the calendar year, usually held around Valentine's Day, which signals the start of another season, the beginning of a tradition dating back to 1959 where Daytona International Speedway plays host to the most-watched motorsports event in North America.  There's over 200,000 fans in attendance, with millions more tuned in to network television coverage around the globe.
 
The high-profile placement of the individual given the honorary title of Grand Marshal gets to deliver the most famous words in motorsports.
 
At the Daytona 500 from 2004-2011, I have had the distinct pleasure of working at Daytona Int'l on the public address system.  Part of my duties included introducing the Grand Marshal on the PA system, which is carried over TV.  It's been a true honor for me to be a part of this motorsports tradition.
 
The first voice you hear on this video collage is my voice introducing 2004 Daytona 500 Grand Marshal, actor Matthew McConaughey.  Enjoy!

   I had the special opportunity to work as the trackside public address announcer at Daytona International Speedway for Speedweeks in February, and again for the 4^th of July NASCAR weekends.

   A story I’d like to share is when I was scheduled to be on pit road to introduce the current U.S. President, George W. Busch (43^rd) to give the command to start engines for the Daytona 500.

   As you can imagine, with 200,000 spectators and a huge facility like Daytona, the post-9/11 security detail was on high alert.  Blacked-out Chevy Suburbans and dozens of men wearing earpieces and sunglasses were everywhere that morning.

   For pre-race festivities, Daytona speedway staff had arranged for a jet-pack pilot to fly from the top of the Winston Tower high above the track, down to the grass field between the race track and pit road.  Much to their surprise, the Secret Service did not squash this activity once the President was confirmed to participate.

   As time drew nearer, I couldn’t help but notice the trained snipers lining the roof of the infield building behind pit road, and above the Winston Tower, in place to protect the President.

   In a pre-event planning meeting with Secret Service, the jet-pack pilot was asked “How long will it take you to get from roof to grass?”

   He replied, “Thirteen seconds.”

   I’m told the next thing said in the meeting was a matter-of-fact instruction to the jet-pack pilot by security detail.  “If you were to veer off course in any way and start flying in the direction of the President, you WILL be down in LESS than 13 seconds.”

   It was now time for the jet-pack flight.  As I was on the ground within feet of the President’s detail, I was instructed to not make any sudden moves, to do my job.  I stood facing pit road and craned my neck toward the roof.

   The jet-pack descent went off as planned, as the pilot landed safely down the track from the President as planned.

   What sticks with me to this day was what I learned after the race started.  There were actually dozens of sniper rifles pointed at the chest of the pilot as he descended, with his vest flush with red dots from the rifle scopes!  One wrong move and he’d be down…. Wow.

   It continues to be a real pleasure for me to play a small role at the track with NASCAR’s inclusion and recognition of our U.S. Military before every race, including the performance of the national anthem and the participation of high-ranking U.S. officials.

   That was a morning to remember, for sure.

   I thought I’d tell you a little bit about myself and hope you come back and visit this blog for what I think are pretty interesting experiences and insights into what I get to be a part of in my career in the industry.

   I’m quite pleased to expand the reach of The Racing Round Up Show, heard in Milwaukee on new NASCAR affiliate AM920 The Wolf and on Madison’s home for NASCAR, The Big 1070.

   Please give our show a listen to keep up with the latest news and interviews with local racers, insiders and motorsports personalities from the world of motorsports.  If it has a motor and a number on the side, we talk about it every Tuesday night!

   The Racing Round Up Show is America’s longest running weekly motorsports radio show held in front of a live audience.  Over the last 27 years, our show crew has enjoyed having Mario Andretti join us on the show as much as we’ve interviewed a 8 year-old racing junior dragsters just starting out.

   Join racers, their supporters and race fans every Tuesday at 6pm between April and early October, either by listening to our show on this station, watching our live webcast on www.racingroundup.net, on iHeartRadio.com on your mobile device, or join us in person at Paulie’s Pub & Eatery at 81^st & Greenfield in West Allis.

   Since childhood, I’ve been going to short track races and remember when the national series would come through Wisconsin each Summer, whether it be at dirt tracks, The Milwaukee Mile or Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prarie.

   Since the mid-1980’s, I’ve worked a microphone at dirt ovals, paved road courses, off-road tracks, in Wisconsin and across the country, announcing karts, pavement stock cars, weekly short track stock car and open wheel races, national touring series including ASA, USAC, World of Outlaws, SCCA Runoffs, WKA, INDYCAR and NASCAR Touring.

   Since 1999, I’ve worked major NASCAR event weekends at Phoenix Int’l Raceway and at Daytona, with a 2012 highlight of working on public address at Daytona for the 50^th running of the Rolex 24.

   I’ve worked with and met a number of really talented individuals.  I hope you enjoy reading this blog about my experiences and favorite racing memories – whether they happened last weekend at the track, or decades ago.  I have a passion for all forms of motorsports.