Dick Berggren

Next week's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover marks the end of an era for NASCAR's longest-serving TV pit reporter, who celebrates his 70th birthday during Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. After 12 years on NASCAR on FOX, Berggren will give his final pit report for the network at Dover in the same informative and passionate manner he has since first establishing himself in the role 31 years ago. Ironically, Berggren made his NASCAR broadcasting debut at Dover in 1981 alongside Mike Joy, his NASCAR on FOX and SPEED colleague, the only NASCAR broadcaster on-air longer than Berggren. "After the FOX portion of the year ends, I've always traveled to local tracks where I still enjoy sitting in the stands with a hot dog in one hand and a beer in the other, watching the local heroes," Berggren said. "I can't get enough of local-level racing so I'll do more of that now." The Speedway Illustrated founder says that in addition to contributing stories and columns to the publication, he very well may continue to pop up on pit road at NASCAR races periodically. But he also has set in motion lofty goals and projects to which he can dedicate his newfound extra time. The Massachusetts resident has founded a corporation with the intent of building an auto racing museum at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He already has acquired an agreement with the speedway, tax-exempt status from the IRS and the support of a powerful Board of Directors. "Life will be different without FOX," Berggren expressed. "I'm very proud of having been part of the NASCAR on FOX broadcasts from the beginning. I'm dreading the 2013 Daytona 500 because I won't be there on pit road as part of that team. That will be hard, but nothing is forever and I understand that. I'm looking forward to walking into the museum on the day it opens. That's a whole new challenge and one I fully expect to conquer. But it's time to move on. I'm ready. However, it would be nice to pick up a few TV things here and there. I'd really like that."(quotes and more at SPEED.com)(5-25-20102)
 
I guess we'll get a statement soon if its true. If it is I hope he just wants to enjoy life after a very long and very good run. The above article was posted at the time I was writing mine. Sounds good to me.
 
I posted the comment below on another thread, best wishes to Berggren

Greg said:
LOL for the Bergren jabs.
But I do respect the man, back in the 70's and 80's the only reliable media I had was MRN, the weekly racing news flyer's sold at the tracks, and Stock Car Racing Magazine.
SCR in my opinion was the best stuff in print during those days. I read and digested every page from the cover to the back including the small print and advertising. Because a racing junkie has to know who the vendors are, Heck someday maybe I would need something built by Sweet Manufactoring, Howe, Port City, Dillion, or Troyer etc. just like the big dogs. I even cut out some ads and made my racing decals for the model car.
Bergren had good articles, editorial ops etc, and they wrote the tech stuff that made me feel like I could build a racer as well.
Tip of the hat to Big Nosed Bergren, he inspired many, if I had his address I would write a letter and tell him thanks.
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Oddly , another great broadcaster announced his retirement at the end of this season today .Bob Jenkins.
 
ted@economy said:
Oddly , another great broadcaster announced his retirement at the end of this season today .Bob Jenkins.
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I think Bob Jenkins is done well before the end of the season. Not sure why Berggren is retiring, but sadly Jenkins is going to tend to his wife, who is suffering from advance brain cancer.
 
ted@economy said:
Oddly , another great broadcaster announced his retirement at the end of this season today .Bob Jenkins.
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He was horrible. If it wasn't for Ned Jarrett, Bob would be at the local Roller rink calling the action...
 
Man, 2 classics retiring. Maybe Dick can come back for selective big races? It will be different not seeing his happy red nose on TV...
 
Magnethead said:
Man, 2 classics retiring. Maybe Dick can come back for selective big races? It will be different not seeing his happy red nose on TV...
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lol This comment brought back memories of the pain I experienced as a child when Rudolph was retired to Venison Jerky plant 13.
 
I agree about Dilner.
My least favorite is Marty Reid. He seems to never have a clue as to what's going on.
 
Stewart Fan said:
Yeah he's always clueless but he's still not as bad as Kyle Petty or Adam Alexander.
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Kyle Petty is my favorite because he speaks his mind and he doesn't give a rats ass if NASCAR doesn't like it. I loved it when he'd sarcastically say "Shootout Style!".

And I like Adam Alexander. We don't agree at all on this, do we? LOL
 
Matthew2470 said:
Kyle Petty is my favorite because he speaks his mind and he doesn't give a rats ass if NASCAR doesn't like it. I loved it when he'd sarcastically say "Shootout Style!".

And I like Adam Alexander. We don't agree at all on this, do we? LOL[/quot

I agree about KP.
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Matthew2470 said:
Kyle Petty is my favorite because he speaks his mind and he doesn't give a rats ass if NASCAR doesn't like it. I loved it when he'd sarcastically say "Shootout Style!".

And I like Adam Alexander. We don't agree at all on this, do we? LOL
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I agree , too . Even though I don't like Kyle much , he is like Jimmy Spencer , you never know what he is going to come up with . His take is often very different from anybody else . Makes you think . We just can't afford to lose the few contraversial drivers , owners or media people that we have left in this sport . There are no new ones coming up ,except maybe Pastrana .
 
Matthew2470 said:
Kyle Petty is my favorite because he speaks his mind and he doesn't give a rats ass if NASCAR doesn't like it. I loved it when he'd sarcastically say "Shootout Style!".

And I like Adam Alexander. We don't agree at all on this, do we? LOL
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Honestly, I'd be happy with no TV guys. Just cars on track with text across the bottom updating things lol
 
Jenkins and Nuber, in my opinion, helped to make NASCAR what it is today. There were many who didn't like Nuber, but I liked him. I'll always remember the show the two of them had about NASCAR.
 
Dick Berggren‏@DickBerggren
I AM NOT RETIRING. Dover my last NASCAR on FOX race but will still be heavily involved in racing.
 
Clutch said:
Dick Berggren‏@DickBerggren
I AM NOT RETIRING. Dover my last NASCAR on FOX race but will still be heavily involved in racing.
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So he's just done with Fox. Maybe DW has another relative who needs a job.
 
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