It is funny how some voices come to define certain times and certain places in your life. In my case, and the case of many BangShifters in their 30s, Gary Lee was a very welcome guest in our living rooms each week whether he was covering racing for ESPN’s Speedworld or later in his career at TNN as one of the primary guys on mud bog coverage, monster truck coverage, and pulling coverage. Oftem teamed up with Army Armstrong on the truck stuff, Gary Lee’s big voice came through the tv speakers and took us to places like the Hoosier Dome, the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, and in some of the video work he did, Bigfoot world HQ and other cool places. A native of Indiana, he was afflicted with the racing bug at an early age and basically grew up in a state that incubated that passion and clearly influenced his career path into the world of broadcasting. It is sad to know that we’ll hear his voice only in replays now and even sadder to realize that he was only 63 years old when he passed away. According to some reports, a heart attack is suspected.
Lee was one of those guys who I watched, listened to, and studied as a kid quietly wondering about how guys like Gary got to do what they did. The thing I really liked about Gary Lee is that he was not a catch phrase guy or someone who was over the top. The guy was just a straight ahead professional that used his awesome voice as a tool to convey the action to the assembled masses on the other side of the tv screen. The ability to have that audience connection (to me anyway) is what makes the great guys great. Anyone can stand up there and blather about what they are looking at, but when you actually engage people and get them paying attention you’ve really done something.
I’m sad to hear of the passing of Gary Lee. He was one of the voices that inspired me to pursue my so-called career both here on the keyboard and at race tracks on the microphone. I’ve included some vintage video of him slaying the mic as a bit of a stroll down memory lane. He will be missed by many.
Click here for a remembrance of Lee from the Indianapolis Star Newspaper
PRESS PLAY BELOW TO SEE AND HEAR GARY LEE DOING THE JOB WE REMEMBER HIM MOST FOR WHEN WE WERE KIDS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXtiZQQ2WpE
I will always remember him from the “Thursday Night Thunder” USAC races that used to be on ESPN. Gary, Larry Rice (who passed a few years back) and Dave Despain were EXCELLANT together. He truly had an awesome voice and such an enthusiasm for all motorsports in general. He also did sports for WTTV channel four out of Indiana for years.
I too remember Gary from the ”Thursday Night Thunder” races along with his commentary on other racing venues. Gary was so easy to listen to and was very knowledgeable in all the different series he reported on along with knowing the drivers and their history. May you rest in peace Gary and thank you for your contributions.
Gary was my wife’s only cousin…he was a great announcer and family member….it is really neat to see all the comments and video of his work. He was really a great representative of broadcasting and he loved racing. Thanks from my wife’s family for your rememberances.