Veteran motorsports broadcaster Gary Lee passes away - MotorSportsTalk

Sad news as one of the voices of the popular “Thunder” short-track series, Gary Lee, passed away on Monday. He was 63. More here from the Indianapolis Star’s Curt Cavin.

Here’s a quick video of the first “Thursday Night Thunder” show, from 1988, where Lee anchored alongside veteran open-wheel driver Steve Chassey.

Reactions have already started coming into the news. Here’s a quick roundup.

“Gary Lee was one of the most passionate supporters of all types of auto racing from grass roots competition to the international stage of the Verizon IndyCar Series. The enthusiasm and excitement his voice conveyed to the radio listener and television viewer added much to the drama and excitement of our sport. As a former member of the IMS Radio Network broadcast team, Gary helped deliver legendary moments of the Indianapolis 500 to millions of listeners around the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and legion of fans. He will be missed.” -J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president

Sad to hear about Gary Lee’s passing. He was a special friend & very important part of @ESPN‘s “Thunder” broadcasts. pic.twitter.com/ukKtApTrVS

— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) July 15, 2014

Sad to hear of the passing of Gary Lee… RIP Gary!

— Ralph Sheheen (@ralphsheheen) July 15, 2014

Sad to hear about Gary Lee. Some of my favorite memories are racing with @JeffGordonWeb on Thursday Night Thunder and seeing Gary. — Andy Graves (@AndyJGraves) July 15, 2014

Sad news. Indy broadcaster. Sat Night Thunder on ESPN too MT @EliGoldBama: RIP Gary Lee. Was always quick w/smile. 1 of the nice guys in biz — Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 15, 2014

RIP Gary Lee. Was always quick with a smile. One of the nice guys in the business.

— Eli Gold (@EliGoldBama) July 15, 2014

“@curtcavin: Gary Lee, motor sports broadcaster, 63 http://t.co/ET6XeY4g5M” Terrible news. Always enjoyed talking w/ Gary. Great broadcaster

— Kevin Lee (@KevinLee23) July 15, 2014

My condolences to everyone in the racing world who is hurting tonight. I never knew Gary Lee, but have many friends who did. Rest in peace. — Pippa Mann (@PippaMann) July 15, 2014

RIP and Godspeed to a mentor and dear friend. I’ll miss you Gary Lee. pic.twitter.com/aNLL8ZAhhx — Mark Jaynes (@JaynesMar) July 15, 2014

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Last week, Red Bull Racing revealed their new car, the RB19, and a new relationship with US-based Ford Motors in a press event in New York City complete with drivers Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Team Principle Christian Horner. They are the only Formula 1 team to launch in the United States, but even that small move of the needle reflects a major shift in the attitude of both F1’s management and their teams – and the extent to which the American audience has fully embraced the sport.

“It’s something fantastic and unique, for the sport to be able to break it into the U.S,” Perez told NBC Sports. “The market is huge and it’s a huge opportunity for everyone involved, for the drivers, for the team. It’s always a huge market.”

Verstappen Perez United States — *Sergio Perez finished fourth in the Unites States Grand Prix, but he was first with the fans. – Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images*

In 2023, Formula 1 will race three times in the United States and five times in North America. The Circuit of the Americas will host their 11th consecutive race in October before heading south to Mexico City. Miami returns for a second time in May on a temporary street course around the Hard Rock cafe and the third addition is in downtown Las Vegas in November.

With the Canadian Grand Prix on the schedule for June and the Brazilian Grand Prix in November, American fans are now in the ballpark of Europeans, who have eight events on the continent and one in England.

In 2022, Verstappen won every race in North America. He was kept from sweeping the hemisphere only by George Russell, who won in Brazil. That fact is less remarkable when one considers that Verstappen won 15 times in the season – nearly two-thirds of the races on the schedule.

By the time Formula arrived in Austin for Round 20 of 23, Verstappen had already wrapped up his second consecutive championship.

“Sometimes it can be hard to replicate the season, but I think it’s the same as with the car, right? You always try to improve it,” Verstappen told NBC Sports. “And I always look at the little details that even when you have had a good race, you could have done better. And then of course you also learn from the bad races. So we always try to look for these little improvements and general experience you gain year after year.

“You try to do better, but of course it also depends a lot on the package you have.”

Now Verstappen’s thoughts will inevitably turn to establishing a dynasty – and America will again play a pivotal role.

“I just enjoy what I’m doing,” Verstappen said. “After the years in Formula One, when you have to be on top of your game and you gain a lot on your experience – in that sense nothing really can get to you anymore. Every year you just try to do the best you can. But a lot depends on the material around you. It’s always a bit of a guess. Start the season as fit as you can be and be well prepared. But if you don’t have the car, you’re not going to win the championship.”

Perez added two wins to Red Bull’s total, at Monaco and the Marina Bay Street course. With two of the US 2023 races on street courses, Perez hopes to close the gap on Verstappen and potentially be his principle rival for the championship.

“The strategy is clear; it is to maximize the potential of the car – and we believe we have a good car, but how good?,” Perez said “We don’t know what the competition is doing. We just give our best in building this car and we hope that it’s good enough to get us to win races.

“I think we have to work together as a team. At the same time. We both want to win the championship. It’s just having good compromise. The competition will be really strong out there, so we really need everything we possibly can get from each other.”

Formula One returns to the United States for Round 6 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 7.

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