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Amid Legends Painful Health Scare, Mike Joy Pens Cathartic Message, RevealingOne Wish

Ken Squier’s name will stand tall in history as the one that played a crucial role in transforming NASCAR into a popular sport across America. The beloved sports commentator has been one of NASCAR’s supporting pillars over the last several decades. So naturally, the latest news that came out about him shattered the hearts of many, including Mike Joy.

MRN announcer and SiriusXM host Dave Moody recently took it to his “X” handle to share the news of Squier’s failing health. With the racing community beginning to showcase its love and support for this legend, the broadcasting veteran joined in to shoulder the strength of his friend and former colleague as well.

Mixed emotions after spending an amazing day at the New England Racing Museum honoring my friend, mentor and former boss Ken Squier. Shared some great stories with co-honorees Mike Joy, Dr. Dick Berggren, Jack Arute and emcee Alan Bestwick… pic.twitter.com/8GxxZYmVKU

— Dave Moody (@DGodfatherMoody) November 13, 2023

Veteran broadcaster Mike Joy sends Ken Squire an emotional message

Ken Squier was recently honored for his contribution to the sport at the New England Racing Museum at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. A part of this Legend’s Day occasion was honorees, including Mike Joy and Allen Bestwick. Since Squier himself was not able to be present, everyone who was there sorely missed him. It was during the event that Dave Moody shared the news of the legend’s ill health.

Amid all this, Mike Joy took it to his own social media handle to voice his thoughts for Squier. He wrote, “We sure wished Ken Squier was well enough to join us there. Ken largely made it possible for all today’s honorees to have great careers bringing racing into your living room.”

Today was a wonderful “Legends Day” at the New England Racing Museum at @NHMS… we sure wished Ken Squier was well enough to join us there.
Ken largely made it possible for all today’s honorees to have great careers bringing racing into your living room.

— Mike Joy (@mikejoy500) November 13, 2023

Squier had been affected by COVID-19 back in 2021. Adding upon to his poor health, which was declining due to age, the virus had an intense effect on his well-being. Despite his seeming recovery at the time, he was hit by a minor stroke and a fall accident that caused him a fractured pelvis. As revealed by Dave Moody, another recent issue appears to have sent the 88-year-old icon into a worse condition.

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How did Ken Squier and Mike Joy change NASCAR for good?

A native of Vermont, Ken Squier was the first of the broadcasters who made the effort to bring NASCAR to television. Without him, there would have been no flag to flag coverage of the 1979 Daytona 500. Interestingly, Squier had termed ‘Daytona 500’ the “Great American Race”.

Mike Joy began his career around the same time as Squier. Over 50 years, he has turned out into an equally celebrated and influential announcer as Squier. He anchored ESPN’s first Cup Series telecast in 1981 and then moved to Fox Sports in 1998. Earlier that year, Ken Squier and Mike Joy worked together with CBS, where the former was a studio host and the latter, the lap-by-lap announcer.

Talking about the impact of Squier on NASCAR, Joy, a few years back, said, “Absent Ken Squier, it would have taken this sport probably another decade to find its way onto national television and radio. With his knowledge of the business, his diplomacy, and his deep relationships in the sport, there was nobody else who had that combination and the drive to try and propel their sport forward like he did.” 

While it certainly is saddening to watch the suffering of someone who had played a crucial role in popularizing NASCAR, the current times call for the icon’s name to be honored and thrown light on. Our prayers go out to his family and for his hopeful recovery.

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