“David was one of the most colorful characters I’ve ever met in the world of sports. He had a rough outer edge, but once you got to know him, he had a heart of gold. More than anything, when David spoke, he was respected by everyone. I take pride in having patterned myself after him, someone who wrote what he believed, backed it up with facts, and then stood his ground to defend every word, sentence, paragraph and story he ever put in print.” —Jerry Bonkowski.
David Poole, a well-known motorsports writer for the Charlotte Observer and co-host of “The Morning Drive” on Sirius NASCAR Radio, died Tuesday of a heart attack. He was 50.
The Observer reported that Poole was at his Stanfield, NC home when the heart attack occurred. After his daughter called 911, emergency crews transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Poole became the newspaper’s NASCAR writer 13 years ago. He was a four-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association’s George Cunningham Award as that organization’s writer of the year. Kansas City Star
Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, in response to the passing of longtime motor sports journalist David Poole:
“David was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and he was exceptionally passionate about this sport that we all care so deeply for. His voice was unique, his opinions were his own, and his abilities as a writer and journalist were unsurpassed. He had the courage to say what others would not, and he was deeply respected for it. Without driving a car or turning a wrench, David Poole was a racer, and he will be sincerely missed.”
Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO said: “The NASCAR community is stunned and saddened by the loss of David Poole. David was as passionate about NASCAR as anyone and had very definitive opinions about the sport. He served the industry, and most importantly the fans, through his reporting and commentary in the Charlotte Observer and Sirius Satellite Radio. Our thoughts and prayers go out to David’s family and friends. He will be missed.”
“The passing of David Poole is a tragic loss for the entire motorsports community. David was dedicated and passionate about the sport he covered and his contributions will certainly be missed. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Darlington Raceway are with the Poole family during this difficult time.” said Darlington Raceway President Chris Browning.
“I am very saddened to hear of David Poole’s passing. My thoughts are with his wife and family, and you – his extended circle of colleagues and friends.”
“David was THE authority on NASCAR and I could tell by his columns and the way he covered NASCAR that he had a true and honest passion for our sport and the people in it. He made our sport better by expecting as much out of us as he did himself and, believe me, he was never shy about holding us to his standard.”
“He made a significant impact on our business and I know that he will be missed. I, for one, will miss seeing him in the media centers, reading his columns and listening to his commentary.” said Roger Curtis, President of the Michigan International Speedway.
Gateway International Raceway Vice President and General Manager Lenny Batycki’s comments on the passing of motorsports journalist David Poole:
“David was a fixture in the new millennium of NASCAR. His never-ending vigilance and his passionate beliefs on what was right for the sport is what made him the true professional he was. Like so many behind-the-scenes giants who made their mark on the sport of auto racing and left us too soon, he will be missed.”
Homestead-Miami Speedway President Curtis Gray, on the passing of David Poole:
“In one sense, you could call David the ‘Voice of the Fan’ because he exemplified what really was an unparalleled passion for motorsports. But to stop there would be to undersell all he delivered to an international audience. Be it through his writing, his on-air contributions or his live presence at the track, David probably has done as much to educate fans on motorsports than anyone who has set foot on the track. He was an expert in his industry and influenced a generation of motorsports fans.
“To his family, our most sincere condolences. We’ll carry forward our fondest memories of David, but the Homestead-Miami Speedway media center will be missing a most significant presence during Championship Weekend.”
The following is a statement from Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway, about the passing of motor-sports journalist David Poole:
“NASCAR racing was David Poole’s world and that world is a lesser place without David in it. David’s writing and analysis was always accessible to the casual racing fan, but his real talent was as a contrarian, raising the kinds of thought-provoking questions that could engage the people whose lives revolve around the sport.
David always told me his trips to the Northern California coast were the ones he looked forward to most every year. Although we never quite sold him on the virtues of road racing, I always figured we needed just one more race here to bring him around. I’m sorry we won’t have that chance.”
The following is a statement from ARCA RE/MAX Series and part-time NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Patrick Sheltra on his reaction to the news Tuesday of the loss of NASCAR columnist (Charlotte Observer and Thatsracin.com) and Sirius Satellite Radio personality David Poole:
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Mr. Poole. He was an ambassador in his field of Motorsports for decades and his face, personality, voice, presence and commentary will be genuinely missed. I didn’t know Mr. Poole very long but he was concerned about my well-being following my accident in Daytona this year. He stayed in constant communication with our race team and was one of the first to praise my return to stock car racing. That is a memory I will cherish forever. My sincerest thoughts and prayers are with his family, his colleagues and his fans through this most difficult time.” – Patrick Sheltra, Indiantown, Florida.
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