NASCAR Anchor Barney Hall Dead at 83 following Medical Procedure

MStars News has learned that legendary Motor Racing Network and NASCAR anchor Barney Hall is dead at the age of 83 after he suffered complications from a recent medical procedure.

According to the Charlotte Observer, NASCAR chairman Brian France released a statement on the legendary anchor's death:

"The entire NASCAR family extends its condolences to the family, friends and fans of Barney Hall, a NASCAR broadcasting giant for more than 50 years,"

The statement goes on to say, "Barney's impeccable delivery and incredible storytelling skills left an indelible mark on the sport that he so clearly loved."

Hall was involved in broadcasting for racing events for over five decades. His first gig on the radio for NASCAR was the Daytona 500 in 1970. Hall has broadcasted all of the Daytona 500s except for three in his career. Hall had a famous network tagline, which was: "You're listening to MRN – the Voice of NASCAR."

NASCAR family, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski, and Jeb Burton, mourned the loss of Hall on Twitter.

Thank you Barney. You were a blessing and will be missed. https://t.co/0n52ssKUEQ

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) January 27, 2016

This is awful, awful news. Great guy & incredible spokesman for the sport for decades. I'll never forget that voice. https://t.co/SWB4ngmpZE — Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) January 27, 2016

Growing up listening to the race cheering for my dad as a kid Barney hall was one of the best on the radio. Prayers for him and his family. — Jeb Burton (@JebBurtonRacing) January 27, 2016

MRN president David Hyatt remembered Hall and said he was "perhaps the most trusted reporter of his day." Hyatt added, "Barney Hall was the true voice of NASCAR and although his own voice has gone silent, his presence will live on in the many current motor sports broadcasters who learned at the knee of such a great storyteller."

RIP