Byrnes Honored With NMPA Spirit Award

The late Steve Byrnes, a highly respected television broadcaster who covered motorsports for over 30 years, has been awarded the NMPA Spirit Award for the first quarter of 2015 by the members of the National Motorsports Press Association.

The award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports.

Byrnes’ began his broadcasting career in 1982 and joined Fox Sports in 2001.  He served as a pit road reporter for Fox’s coverage of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing from 2001-2014 and most recently anchored coverage of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races and co-hosted the NASCAR Race Hub program on Fox Sports 1.  Byrnes’ 32-year career as a member of the motorsports media included stints with CBS, TNN, WTBS and Fox networks.

March’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway was named the “Food City 500 In Support Of Steve Byrnes & Stand Up To Cancer,” honoring Steve’s battle against head and neck cancer.  Byrnes passed away two days after the race and is survived by his wife, Karen and son, Bryson.

Byrnes received votes on more than 92% of the ballots cast by the NMPA membership.