Jump to content

Dave Despain: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m WP:INFONAT cleanup - omit nationality/citizenship if same as birth country (via WP:JWB)
 
(47 intermediate revisions by 40 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American motorsports journalist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
'''Dave Despain''' (born 20 May 1946) is an American [[auto racing|motor sports]] journalist. He is the host of ''[[WindTunnel with Dave Despain]]'' on [[Speed Channel]], and formerly the host of ''[[Inside Nextel Cup]]'', until the latter underwent a format change at the beginning of the 2008 NASCAR Season.
{{Infobox person
⚫
| name = Dave Despain
⚫
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1946|5|20}}
| birth_place = [[Fairfield, Iowa]], U.S.
| other_names =
| occupation = [[auto racing|Motorsports]] journalist
| years_active=
| known_for = Host of ''[[WindTunnel with Dave Despain]]'' and ''[[NASCAR Inside Nextel Cup]]''
and ''[[Motoworld]]''
| spouse =
⚫
}}
'''Dave Despain''' (born 20 May 1946) is an American [[auto racing|motorsports]] journalist. He was the host of ''[[WindTunnel with Dave Despain]]'' on [[Speed Channel]], and ''[[NASCAR Inside Nextel Cup]]'', until the former was cancelled during the demise of Speed and the latter underwent a format change at the beginning of the 2008 NASCAR Season. On 14 December 2013 Despain announced on [[Twitter]] that he would be moving to [[MAVTV]] in 2014<ref>{{cite tweet|user=DaveDespain|author=Dave Despain|number=411880082417135616|date=14 December 2013|title=Thrilled to join MAVTV team! If you don't get MAV, complain to your cable company. Debut will be Chili Bowl 1/18 live on MAV. Can't wait!}}</ref> to provide color commentary during races held on the channel and host a show called ''The Dave Despain Show''.


==Early life and career==
==Early life and career==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:davedespain.jpg|thumb|right|Dave Despain]] -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:davedespain.jpg|thumb|right|Dave Despain]] -->
A native of [[Fairfield, Iowa]],<ref>{{cite news|title=BINGO PAYS DIVIDEND|first=RICHARD |last=HUFF|work=New York Daily News|date=January 18, 1998|page=69}}</ref> Despain worked for a time at KMCD-AM, the local radio station. His earliest work included a program called "Dave Despain's Record-Go-Round". Eventually he worked in all phases of KMCD's programming, and became known for a unique broadcasting style in which he vigorously nodded and bobbed his head while speaking. Despain, a former motorcycle racer, later joined the [[American Motorcycle Association]] in the public-relations department. One day in the 1970s, producers of ''[[ABC's Wide World of Sports]]'' asked him to appear on camera for its coverage of a prestigious bike race at [[Daytona International Speedway]]. Despain agreed, and a new career was launched. Throughout the 1980s and '90s, Despain was a pit reporter for both motorcycle and NASCAR races on [[TBS (TV network)|WTBS]] and [[CBS]].<ref>http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?racerid=62</ref>
A native of [[Fairfield, Iowa]],<ref>{{cite news|title=BINGO PAYS DIVIDEND|first=RICHARD |last=HUFF|work=New York Daily News|date=18 January 1998|page=69}}</ref> Despain worked for a time at KMCD-AM, the local radio station. His earliest work included a program called "Dave Despain's Record-Go-Round". Eventually he worked in all phases of KMCD's programming, and became known for a unique broadcasting style in which he vigorously nodded and bobbed his head while speaking. Despain, a former motorcycle racer, later joined the [[American Motorcycle Association]] in the public-relations department. One day in the 1970s, producers of ''[[ABC's Wide World of Sports]]'' asked him to appear on camera for its coverage of a prestigious bike race at [[Daytona International Speedway]]. Despain agreed, and a new career was launched. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Despain was a pit reporter for both motorcycle and NASCAR races on [[TBS (TV network)|WTBS]] and [[CBS]], including the [[1982 Individual Speedway World Championship|1982 World Speedway Final]] at the [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum|LA Coliseum]], the only time the World Final was held in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?racerid=62|title = Racer Details}}</ref>


==ESPN==
==ESPN==
He then moved to [[ESPN]] as host of its prerace show, ''NASCAR 2Day''. His final appearance on 12 November 2000, is still fondly remembered by both fans and critics. After that race, ESPN stopped carrying NASCAR races after being outbid for a new contract (although ESPN returned to NASCAR in 2007). Despain also hosted Motor Week and filled in for [[Bob Jenkins]] on ''[[SpeedWeek]]'', and hosted some programs featuring drivers walking away from scary crashes.
He then moved to [[ESPN]] as host of its prerace show, ''NASCAR 2Day''. His final appearance on 12 November 2000. After that race, ESPN stopped carrying NASCAR races after being outbid for a new contract (although ESPN returned to NASCAR in 2007). Despain also hosted Motor Week and filled in for [[Bob Jenkins]] on ''[[SpeedWeek]]'' and hosted some programs featuring drivers walking away from spectacular crashes. Also the host of ''[[Motoworld]]''


==Speedvision/Speed Channel==
==Speedvision/Speed Channel==
Despain joined Speed Channel in 2000 (then known as Speedvision). For some time Despain was one of several anchors of ''[[The Speed Report|Speed News]]'', Speed's racing newscast broadcast every weekend. In 2003, ''[[WindTunnel with Dave Despain]]'' debuted, which saw Despain preside over an hour racing-centric call-in show. He continues to host the series to this day.
Despain joined Speed Channel in 2000 (then known as Speedvision). For some time Despain was one of several anchors of ''[[The Speed Report|Speed News]]'', Speed's racing newscast broadcast every weekend. In 2003, ''[[WindTunnel with Dave Despain]]'' debuted, in which Despain presided over an hour racing-centric call-in show. Wind Tunnel ran from 2003 until 2013, when it was cancelled during Speed Channel's transition to [[Fox Sports 1]].


Despain became host of ''[[NASCAR Inside Nextel Cup]]'' in 2005, replacing the panel show's longtime host [[Allen Bestwick]]. Despain hosted the series until its cancellation in 2008, when it was replaced by ''[[This Week in NASCAR]]''.
Despain became host of ''[[NASCAR Inside Nextel Cup]]'' in 2005, replacing the panel show's longtime host [[Allen Bestwick]]. Despain hosted the series until its cancellation in 2008, when it was replaced by ''[[This Week in NASCAR]]''.


Dave Despain hosts a series of specials called ''Dave Despain On Assignment'' that has documented the history of the Daytona Beach course and [[Daytona International Speedway]], and the [[Talladega Superspeedway]].<ref>http://www.speedtv.com/programs/dave-despain-on-assignment/</ref> The episodes have appeared on the weekends of the [[Daytona 500]] and the [[Pepsi 400]], and the fall [[AMP Energy 500]].
Dave Despain hosts a series of specials called ''Dave Despain On Assignment'' that has documented the history of the Daytona Beach course and [[Daytona International Speedway]], and the [[Talladega Superspeedway]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.speedtv.com/programs/dave-despain-on-assignment/ |title=PROGRAMS - DAVE-DESPAIN-ON-ASSIGNMENT - the Motor Sports Authority - Auto Racing, Formula 1, Moto Racing, NASCAR, News, Photos, Videos, Blogs, & more... - |access-date=2010-12-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202020043/http://www.speedtv.com/programs/dave-despain-on-assignment/ |archive-date=2 December 2010}}</ref> The episodes have appeared on the weekends of the [[Daytona 500]] and the [[Coke Zero Sugar 400|Pepsi 400]], and the fall [[1000Bulbs.com 500|AMP Energy 500]].


==Personal life==
==MAVTV==
On 1 December 2013 Despain announced on Twitter that he would be moving to [[MAVTV]] in 2014. His first event with the network was to be the Chili Bowl on 18 January.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=DaveDespain|author=Dave Despain|number=411880082417135616|date=14 December 2013|title=Thrilled to join MAVTV team! If you don't get MAV, complain to your cable company. Debut will be Chili Bowl 1/18 live on MAV. Can't wait!}}</ref> Despain was to provide color commentary during races held on the channel and host a show called ''The Dave Despain Show''.
Despain lives in suburban [[Atlanta]], Georgia, with his wife Wendy, ten dogs and five potbellied [[swine|pigs]].

⚫
==External links==
⚫
*[http://www.speedtv.com/members/Dave%20Despain SPEEDtv.com profile] {{Dead link|date=December 2010}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

⚫
==External links==
⚫
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080526110053/http://www.speedtv.com/members/Dave%20Despain SPEEDtv.com profile]


{{NASCAR on CBS}}
{{NASCAR on CBS}}
{{NASCAR on Speed |state=collapsed}}
{{NASCAR on Speed |state=collapsed}}
{{ESPN SpeedWorld}}
{{NASCAR on TBS}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
⚫
| NAME =Despain, Dave
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
⚫
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
| date of birth= 20 May 1946
⚫
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Despain, Dave}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Despain, Dave}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Motorsport announcers]]
[[Category:Motorsport announcers]]
[[Category:Motorcycling media people]]
[[Category:Motorcycling mass media people]]
[[Category:People from Jefferson County, Iowa]]
[[Category:People from Fairfield, Iowa]]
[[Category:Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Dud Perkins Award winners]]
[[Category:People from Atlanta, Georgia]]
[[Category:Writers from Atlanta]]


{{US-journalist-1940s-stub}}

Latest revision as of 03:10, 18 June 2024

Dave Despain
Born (1946-05-20) 20 May 1946 (age 78)
Fairfield, Iowa, U.S.
OccupationMotorsports journalist
Known forHost of WindTunnel with Dave Despain and NASCAR Inside Nextel Cup and Motoworld

Dave Despain (born 20 May 1946) is an American motorsports journalist. He was the host of WindTunnel with Dave Despain on Speed Channel, and NASCAR Inside Nextel Cup, until the former was cancelled during the demise of Speed and the latter underwent a format change at the beginning of the 2008 NASCAR Season. On 14 December 2013 Despain announced on Twitter that he would be moving to MAVTV in 2014[1] to provide color commentary during races held on the channel and host a show called The Dave Despain Show.

Early life and career

[edit]

A native of Fairfield, Iowa,[2] Despain worked for a time at KMCD-AM, the local radio station. His earliest work included a program called "Dave Despain's Record-Go-Round". Eventually he worked in all phases of KMCD's programming, and became known for a unique broadcasting style in which he vigorously nodded and bobbed his head while speaking. Despain, a former motorcycle racer, later joined the American Motorcycle Association in the public-relations department. One day in the 1970s, producers of ABC's Wide World of Sports asked him to appear on camera for its coverage of a prestigious bike race at Daytona International Speedway. Despain agreed, and a new career was launched. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Despain was a pit reporter for both motorcycle and NASCAR races on WTBS and CBS, including the 1982 World Speedway Final at the LA Coliseum, the only time the World Final was held in the United States.[3]

ESPN

[edit]

He then moved to ESPN as host of its prerace show, NASCAR 2Day. His final appearance on 12 November 2000. After that race, ESPN stopped carrying NASCAR races after being outbid for a new contract (although ESPN returned to NASCAR in 2007). Despain also hosted Motor Week and filled in for Bob Jenkins on SpeedWeek and hosted some programs featuring drivers walking away from spectacular crashes. Also the host of Motoworld

Speedvision/Speed Channel

[edit]

Despain joined Speed Channel in 2000 (then known as Speedvision). For some time Despain was one of several anchors of Speed News, Speed's racing newscast broadcast every weekend. In 2003, WindTunnel with Dave Despain debuted, in which Despain presided over an hour racing-centric call-in show. Wind Tunnel ran from 2003 until 2013, when it was cancelled during Speed Channel's transition to Fox Sports 1.

Despain became host of NASCAR Inside Nextel Cup in 2005, replacing the panel show's longtime host Allen Bestwick. Despain hosted the series until its cancellation in 2008, when it was replaced by This Week in NASCAR.

Dave Despain hosts a series of specials called Dave Despain On Assignment that has documented the history of the Daytona Beach course and Daytona International Speedway, and the Talladega Superspeedway.[4] The episodes have appeared on the weekends of the Daytona 500 and the Pepsi 400, and the fall AMP Energy 500.

MAVTV

[edit]

On 1 December 2013 Despain announced on Twitter that he would be moving to MAVTV in 2014. His first event with the network was to be the Chili Bowl on 18 January.[5] Despain was to provide color commentary during races held on the channel and host a show called The Dave Despain Show.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Dave Despain [@DaveDespain] (14 December 2013). "Thrilled to join MAVTV team! If you don't get MAV, complain to your cable company. Debut will be Chili Bowl 1/18 live on MAV. Can't wait!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ HUFF, RICHARD (18 January 1998). "BINGO PAYS DIVIDEND". New York Daily News. p. 69.
  3. ^ "Racer Details".
  4. ^ "PROGRAMS - DAVE-DESPAIN-ON-ASSIGNMENT - the Motor Sports Authority - Auto Racing, Formula 1, Moto Racing, NASCAR, News, Photos, Videos, Blogs, & more... -". Archived from the original on 2 December 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  5. ^ Dave Despain [@DaveDespain] (14 December 2013). "Thrilled to join MAVTV team! If you don't get MAV, complain to your cable company. Debut will be Chili Bowl 1/18 live on MAV. Can't wait!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dave_Despain&oldid=1229674414"