Richard Lewis, Sr. (1960 – July 11, 2001) was an American radio announcer. For nearly two decades, Lewis served as the studio voice for the
Motor Racing Network
Motor Racing Network (MRN) is a U.S. radio network that syndicates broadcasts of auto racing events, particularly NASCAR. MRN was founded in 1970 by NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr. and broadcaster Ken Squier, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of N ...
(MRN).
Career
Lewis began working for MRN Radio in 1983. His signature voice introduced and closed out hundreds of race broadcasts on over 640 affiliates across
North America
North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...
. He was often credited for starting every race broadcast with the signature intro `M . . . R . . . N . . . radio presents'. His segments would be usually recorded the week before every race at a studio in what is now known as the
Daytona 500 Experience
The Daytona 500 Experience, formerly known as Daytona USA, was an interactive motorsports attraction and museum located at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Intrinsically linked to the Daytona 500, the museum primarily foc ...
, a
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. The privately owned company was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948, and hi ...
attraction located at
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, the most prestigious race in NASCAR as well as its season opening event. In addition to NA ...
.
Death
On July 11, 2001, Lewis was found dead in his home in
South Daytona, Florida
South Daytona is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 12,865 at the 2020 census.
History
South Daytona was once a town called Blake (named after wealthy Boston businessman Alpheus P. Blake), with some forty resid ...
of an apparent murder-suicide attempt involving his wife Wanda. He was 52 years old.
'Voice of Daytona' Rick Lewis shot to death
/ref>
References
1960 births
2001 deaths
2001 suicides
American radio sports announcers
Suicides by firearm in Florida
Motorsport announcers
People from Lake Wales, Florida
People from Volusia County, Florida
People from Winter Haven, Florida
Murder–suicides in the United States
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