It was another loud and raucous weekend in Daytona Beach as “The Great American Race” kicked off the NASCAR season. It marked the passing of the torch from one Super Bowl to another, albeit in a completely different sport. Millions gathered around televisions from coast to coast to watch their favorite drivers fly around the 2½-mile oval at speeds one can only imagine. Bringing their stories to life for the viewing audience begins two hours before the checkered flag, as Chris Myers welcomed fans around the world for the 23rd Daytona 500 broadcast on FOX Sports.
Since 2001, Myers has been one of three original members of the FOX NASCAR broadcasting team. He has hosted the prerace, postrace, and weather delay coverage of the annual event on FOX for more than two decades. However, the initial phone call to join the broadcast team in 2000 wasn’t one Myers ever expected.
“I had interviewed some guys like Dale Earnhardt and done highlights on SportsCenter, but I never really covered NASCAR before,” explained Myers. “They told me that they wanted a broader view to the broadcast. They wanted to make it a bigger event, not just for the race fan.”
From that call came an opportunity to add another layer to an already impressive broadcasting resume for Myers. His early background in sports radio helped elevate him to ESPN as a reporter and anchor. When he joined FOX Sports in 1998, the opportunity to be part of the “Super Bowl of racing” wasn’t on his radar.
Growing Into The Sport
Myers grew up more of a “stick and ball” kid. His father worked for Chrysler and had been into cars his whole life. Therefore, leaning on the knowledge and passion his father and brother had for the sport became a natural way to educate himself as he prepared for the FOX Sports broadcast.
“The unique part of the Daytona 500 is it’s the opening of the season for NASCAR, but it’s also the most important race,” says Myers. “There is more preparation. Having covered the World Series and the Super Bowl before, the magnitude of those events helped me relax a bit heading into my first Daytona 500. Now that we’re doing our 23rd on FOX Sports, you’re relaxed but it’s still a broadcast that’s very important.”
The depth of coverage has only grown with time and evolving technology. Today, access to drivers through live radio and video from the track gives audiences a perspective few sports can match. Enhanced audio capabilities further elevate the experience. Real-time conversations with crew chiefs about strategy add another dimension. The result is one of FOX Sports’ most distinctive broadcasts of the year.
“Each year we try to do things a little better. So people can enjoy watching their drivers without too much getting in the way of the viewing experience,” said Myers. “On the pre and postrace show, I wanted to get more people into the tent, so it’s not just a bunch of left turns. Let’s talk more about the strategy, and get to know the drivers a little more… The drivers have always been very cooperative.”
Being Ready For Anything
Myers’ work schedule in the early part of the year is never dull. He recently wrapped up another season calling NFL games for the network, working his 400th overall NFL broadcast and ranking 22nd all time among broadcasters for most NFL games called.
Versatility has allowed Myers to reach that milestone. He has evolved from reporter to sideline presence, studio host to play-by-play announcer. Moreover, he remains a student of his craft and approaches every opportunity like the Super Bowl.
“If you can do a lot of things good enough, you’re going to stay employed for a long time. As a sports fan, I would be bored with just one sport if they weren’t playing,” says Myers of his multiple roles working different sports for FOX Sports. “It’s important no matter the event. I try to put all of myself into thinking about what the viewer wants to see. Because it’s important to them and the people involved with the event.”
Myers admits he’s not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, and he doesn’t attempt to fool the viewer by sounding fully knowledgeable on every subject. Instead, his strength lies in his curiosity and his goal of asking the right questions of the right people. He focuses on connecting with the audience and enhancing the broadcast for a more enjoyable experience.
The Art Of The Critique
His play-by-play work for FOX Sports centers on the National Football League for the network, and he has also called Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason games since 2005. A role he’s held consistently for nearly two decades. As a public figure, every voice of the game faces criticism. Myers is no stranger to it and regularly reviews his work to find ways to improve. In fact, he welcomes a sincere critique from the viewing audience.
However, in recent years he has noticed that online criticism of his work and that of his colleagues across networks has grown louder and more hateful.
“There’s more ways to express yourself than ever, and they often criticize people more than they complement,” explained Myers. “The game should be the thing; I don’t want to be the story when we’re calling a game… It’s a little more intense and over the top hatred at some times with what’s going on. You just block it out. No one likes to be criticized in just a hateful manner.”
Myers understands that every viewer’s expectations differ. Thus, the search for a perfect call in the biggest moments is nearly impossible. Still, he has his own approach depending on which side of the field is involved.
“I’ve learned you can’t script anything, because it doesn’t sound authentic,” said Myers. “If it’s a home team that has the big play, the crowd is going to go crazy. I don’t want to be talking over that, and neither should our analysts. When it’s a road team, the fewer words the better but you’re excited either way.”
While Chris Myers is nationally known for his work on FOX Sports, he has also served as the local voice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason for more than two decades. He works alongside Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronde Barber on the local broadcast. That partnership has strengthened his connection with Buccaneers fans.
Entering this season, the Buccaneers franchise is searching for a new home radio voice after Gene Deckerhoff stepped down from his post following 37 seasons. Although his duties with FOX Sports remain, the idea of doing something more permanent in Tampa Bay isn’t off his radar.
“Right now, I’m committed to FOX, and I think the Buccaneers understand that. I’ve been in contact with them. I knew this was coming up. Ronde and I have talked about doing something together later down the road. Depending on who’s on the job,” said Myers. “If it was a different time in my career and not working NFL games for FOX Sports, then I would certainly be interested in the role.”
It’s been two days since the Daytona 500 checkered flag was stored away for another year. Now the NASCAR regular season is off to the races. For Myers, the opportunities that continue to roll in while working for FOX Sports remain a blessing. He became the first person to host coverage of both the Indy 500 and the Daytona 500, while also calling NFL play-by-play and handling baseball assignments in between.
Still, there’s one item Myers hopes to accomplish with FOX Sports before eventually enjoying retirement.
“I haven’t called an NFL playoff game. That would be nice to do on TV for FOX Sports,” said Myers. “Some things I’ve done kind of fell into place that weren’t on the bucket list to start, but now that they’re on there that’s special.”
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
