When "Thank You So Very Much" is not enough...
One question I get most of the time when someone finds out that I announce motorsports for a living is: "So how did you get started? It sounds like a great job!". That question is not easily answered but the passing of Cameron Argetsinger just a couple of days ago put more focus on it for me.
My local announcing career began in 1987 when I asked Bob & Donna Metcalfe if I could try out for them announcing drag races at New York International Raceway Park. They agreed to give me a shot and from there, things happened pretty quickly. The following year, the Spencer Brothers (Del, Walt and Merle) hired me to announce their stock car program following the untimely death of veteran announcer Arnie Pugh. In 1992, the track was sold and the next track to hire me was Lancaster Raceway Park, just outside of Buffalo NY. The Friesen family (Stan, along with sons Alex, Jamie and Joel) conducted racing there at the time and while employed by them, they helped me to attain the next stage of my racing career. Alex also promoted races in the region and I was asked by him to help him announce two dirt track shows, one at the renowned Williams Grove track and the other at Grandview, both in PA (and that experience gave me a taste of what travelling announcers have to go through). The other thing the Friesen family did was to encourage me to pursue drag racing announcing at a national level. To that end, Alex paid my way to allow me to attend the NHRA Dave McLelland announcing school, held in 1994 at Englishtown NJ. That led to me being hired by NHRA for their national event announcing team in 1997-2000.
Three other entities have to be mentioned here: the Bennett family at Holland Speedway (Ron Sr., Tim and Ron Jr.) have always shown me nothing but professionalism and respect when they hired me to announce races there and I was able to polish my skills at their facility. Another couple gave me a real shot in the arm when he hired me for their special events: Canadian drag racing promoters John & Sharon Fletcher. They brought me over for some of their biggest races and always showed me fantastic hospitality. The other is Howie Commander at Lebanon Valley Speedway and Dragway. His no-nonsense yet friendly approach to the promotion of motorsports has been an inspiration to me as well.
All of the people I have mentioned so far deserve my sincere gratitude for the various early stages of my race announcing career. But, back to Cameron Argetsinger...
For those who don't know who Cameron Argetsinger was, he was a Youngstown Ohio attorney who had an extreme passion for motorsports following World War II. It was that passion that led him to compete in various races at the time. That passion also fueled his dedication to organizing the race through the streets of the village of Watkins Glen NY in 1948 (consequently, he moved to the area). Because of him, that event continued until tragedy struck in 1952 when spectators were killed during the running of the race. Faced with the possiblity that his love for motorsports in the Watkins Glen might end, he continued to press for a permanent facilty to safely conduct racing. He, along with others, formed the original Watkins Glen Grand Prix Corporation and he was named Executive Director. The property we now know as Watkins Glen International was purchased in the mid '50's and the first road course, 2.3 miles in length, was built. Racing soon began there but Cameron was not yet finished. He continued to tirelessly work to bring the pinnacle of the sport, Grand Prix (now known as Formula 1), to the facility. Watkins Glen became the home of the U.S. Grand Prix in 1961 and held that distinction until the end of the 1980 season.
Because of his extraordinary passion for the sport, the facility we know now as Watkins Glen International took shape following a tragic final race through the streets in Watkins Glen village in the early '50's (racing there could have very well ended following that incident).
Because of his tireless dedication, NASCAR and the IRL came back to race at WGI, the only series stop in New York State for each sanctioning body. (Other NASCAR Series have also made stops there: Modifieds, the former Busch East Series (now called the Camping World Series and making a return visit to the Glen this year), Craftsman Trucks, etc.
Other great sports cars series have also competed over the years at WGI--Trans-Am, FIA Sports Cars, Formula 5000, IMSA Camel GT, Firestone Firehawk, Grand-Am (and more). Race fans from all over this country, and indeed, the world, have Cameron Argetsinger to thank for that great facility!
For me, because of his foresight, a wide-eyed 16 year-old motorhead from Meadville PA got to witness his first professional sports car race, the 1969 SCCA Can-Am race featuring the Team McLaren "Bruce & Denny Show"--the awesome, nearly unlimited, high-wing sports cars dominated that year by Bruce McLaren & Denny Hulme--and that 16 year old began to dream about the possibilities of motorsports announcing while attending nearly every race at the Glen since. Because of Cameron Argetsinger's legacy, I was able to begin working for Watkins Glen International in 1984 and eventually realized my dream in 1995! But it wasn't over yet--my involvement with the Glen allowed me to be considered for a tryout with Daytona International Speedway in 1999--which turned into a permanent and continuing relationship to this day!
I am not exaggerating when I say that I owe my very professional announcing career primarily to Cameron Argetsinger and his unique vision. Thankfully, a few years back, the opportunity came about at Watkins Glen International to shake his hand and express my gratitude to him personally.
Thank you so very much--and Godspeed, Cameron!
Mike Paz, Motorsports Announcer
