(Photo: NHRA) Some sad news from the world of drag racing today, legendary announcer and NHRA former executive Bernie Partridge has died at the age of 79. As the lead announcer for NHRA national events for many years, Partridge’s voice was familiar to many fans and racers across the country. Famously, it was Partridge who gave Don Garlits the nickname, “Big Daddy” during the 1962 NHRA U.S. Nationals. He was known for his sense of humor and quick wit on the microphone. Named NHRA chief announcer in 1958, he led the “holy trinity” of announcing crews when joined by Dave McClelland and Steve Evans. There will never be a three man team to surpass that. Like the famous “murderers’ row” of the 1927 Yankees it was an assemblage of talent and panache that only seems to come together once in a lifetime.

On the business side of the NHRA Partridge was the first NHRA Division 7 director in the early 1960s and in the late 1970s took on the job of the NHRA’s national field administrator, later being promoted to the position of VP-field administration, working with facilities all over the country to help the sport and its racers continue to grow. By all accounts he was a great guy and his wife PJ, also an NHRA employee was his perfect foil.

As an announcer, guys like Bernie Partridge paved the way for us to do what we do today. I cannot imagine how exciting and crazy it must have been to ride the roller coaster of professional drag racing’s growth in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Bernie Partridge had the best seats in the house and the best job in the known universe, in my opinion.

I’m sure he’s calling a Pro Stock match up between Grumpy Jenkins and Ronnie Sox right about now.

Here’s a link to NHRA’s release about Partridge’s passing