Dean McMartin Inducted into
 Hall of Fame

by Jill Funke

While attending the National Speedway Partnership (NSP) Hall of Fame banquet in Kansas City in February, Larchwood resident Dean McMartin had no idea that he would take home the NSP Hall of Fame trophy. The NSP organization hired him two years earlier to announce at their events, and Dean didn’t feel that his time with the organization was enough time to impact the sport at a Hall of Fame level. Prior to his position with NSP, Dean had been announcing at races for about 7 years and had come to know many people in the industry. His enthusiasm for the sport made him a natural as a racing announcer, and NSP appreciated Dean’s commitment to racing.

Dean always liked sports, and his outgoing personality was perfect for a job that required a microphone. Following his graduation from West Lyon in 1976, Dean studied broadcasting in Minneapolis. This prepared him to work in radio. He loved to be on-air announcing sporting events, cherishing the chance to narrate the play-by-play format of games. Over his twenty years in radio, Dean announced at a few types of races. In 1995, he moved back to the area when he secured a job at a radio station in Sioux Falls. He worked there until 2002, when he left to work for Fastek Products in Canton. While keeping his full-time job at Fastek, Dean continued to be involved with racing. When NSP formed their racing organization, they needed an announcer and felt that Dean was the perfect person for the job. Yet, Dean wasn’t convinced that he wanted to take on the assignment. NSP brought more to the bargaining table, offering to make Dean a non-voting partner in the organization. Considering the new benefits, Dean accepted the position which has him spending one weekend each month traveling to an event. Staying within the Midwest, the races take Dean to Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota. Understanding that people may have an outdated idea of go-kart racing, Dean strives to point out that electronic scoring and the latest available technology make the events similar to NASCAR races. There are different classes of races, with the youngest held for 8-10 year olds. The majority of racers are within the 16 to 30 year-old bracket, yet there is no age limit for participation.

Being involved in go-kart racing is very exciting for Dean. He enjoys the people he meets, and especially likes interviewing the racers. Dean says that if the race is close, he is just as excited as the crowd. Yet the only difference to him is that he has a microphone and is describing the race as it unfolds. According to Dean, some of the most thrilling experiences are not always the contest for first place. Once, a young driver started the race in 25th place, only to pass several cars to capture a 5th place finish. Focusing the audience’s attention on what is happening behind the lead is something Dean strives to do.

Listening to him give accounts of racing experiences, Dean’s passion for the sport is contagious. The NSP must agree, as they inducted him into their Hall of Fame for 2007. Dean was co-hosting the NSP Hall of Fame annual banquet completely unaware that he would even be considered for the award. Surprised and overjoyed, he brought home a large trophy that bears the name of only one other Hall of Fame inductee. The award is given to anyone in the industry whose contribution to the sport has a substantial impact on it.