Berggren, Joy Return As Hosts For NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards Banquet
Daytona Beach, FL — A pair of “NASCAR on FOX” telecast teammates will welcome the stars of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series to Las Vegas next month.
FOX pit road reporter Dick Berggren and the network’s principal race announcer Mike Joy will return to co-host the 27th annual NASCAR Whelen All-American Series awards banquet at the Rio Hotel on Nov. 7. Both began their careers at local short tracks, and understand the sense of accomplishment the honorees will receive.
“In terms of anticipation, spectacle and grandeur, I think the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series banquet in Las Vegas is second only to the NASCAR Sprint Cup event in New York,” Joy said. “And how can you not have a good time in Las Vegas? Everyone looks forward to it, and it’s really a great privilege to be asked to co-host the ceremonies.
Added Berggren: “What’s most impressive is the show that NASCAR puts on for the short track people. The drivers, car owners, mechanics – everyone who wins awards at the event – walks away stunned. To stand there and look at them all smiling and happy, it’s just a wonderful thing to see from the podium.”
Virginian Philip Morris is the 2008 national champion, an historic accomplishment. He is only the second driver to win the series’ national championship more than once. Prior to this year, only the late Larry Phillips had won the title more than once, and he did it five times.
Morris’ first national title came in 2006, but he attended his first series awards banquet as a track champion in 1997.
“The first time I went to the banquet I was blown away,” Morris said. “Seeing the way Dexter Canipe was honored by NASCAR as national champion, I just knew this was going to become something I was going to have to work on … to try to get up on that stage.”
Berggren has noticed the impact the ceremonies have on drivers.
“For the people who are honored, it’s the pinnacle,” he said. “To see local short track guys who so deserve those accolades by NASCAR is truly exceptional.”
Banquet Co-Hosts: A Closer Look
DICK BERGGREN
Born: Westerly, R.I.
Resides: Ipswich, Mass. with wife Kathy
- NASCAR on FOX Pit Reporter
- Executive Editor, Speedway Illustrated Magazine
- TV career began in 1981 with ESPN coverage of NASCAR
- Also covered NASCAR for TBS, TNN and CBS
Did you know?
- Berggren was an accomplished race car driver on both dirt and asphalt between 1967 and 1981
- Drove Sprint Cars, Stock Cars, and Super Modifieds
• Was professor of psychology at Emmanuel College in Boston for nine years
MIKE JOY
Born: Chicago, Ill.
Resides: Charlotte, N.C. with wife Gayle
- NASCAR On FOX race announcer
- Moved to Daytona Beach in 1978 to join MRN Radio and Daytona International Speedway
- Anchored first live NASCAR Sprint Cup telecast on ESPN (1981)
Did you know?
• Started career as track announcer for the former Riverside Park Speedway in Agawam, Mass. Also announced at Thompson and Stafford, Conn., Malta, N.Y. and others
- Served four elected terms to Windsor, Conn. town council
- Participated in CBS Sports’ 1992 Winter Olympics coverage
Sources: Jason Christley/NASCAR PR