NASCAR’s broadcast booth will lose one of its most enduring voices when Mark Garrow closes his microphone after the 2025 season. His decision signals more than a career change—it marks the fading of a generation that gave the sport its unmistakable sound. From historic calls to behind-the-scenes influence, Garrow’s work spans decades of NASCAR’s growth and leaves a legacy built on precision, passion, and a love for storytelling that fans have trusted for over 40 years.
Key Highlights
- Mark Garrow will retire from Performance Racing Network duties after the 2025 NASCAR season.
- Vermont native spent more than 40 years broadcasting Cup Series races and creating daily radio shows.
- Career milestones include Richard Petty’s 200th win and founding Winston Cup Today with Capitol Sports Network.
- Winner of the first Barney Hall Award and six National Motorsports Press Association Broadcaster of the Year honors.
- Garrow hints at future projects to stay connected to motorsports even after stepping away from race-day duties.
A Career Woven Into NASCAR History
Mark Garrow’s broadcasting journey began long before his first Cup Series call. Growing up around short tracks where his father waved the green flag and his mother kept score, he absorbed the rhythms of racing from childhood. Over four decades, he became one of the sport’s most recognizable voices, calling iconic moments including Richard Petty’s 200th victory and delivering nearly 10,000 daily radio shows. His early work at Motor Racing Network and later at Performance Racing Network helped shape how fans experienced NASCAR beyond the grandstands.
“To think I’ve been broadcasting Cup Series races for more than 40 years, that I was on the air when Richard Petty won his 200th race, that I have done close to 10,000 daily radio shows, and that I have worked with so many great people along the way has been a great blessing.” – Mark Garrow
Building a Lasting Legacy
Garrow’s influence reached well beyond the booth. He handled public relations at Dover Downs, contributed to Chuck Bown’s 1990 Busch Series championship, and founded Winston Cup Today through Capitol Sports Network, laying groundwork for NASCAR’s modern radio presence. Honors followed, including the inaugural Barney Hall Award and six National Motorsports Press Association Broadcaster of the Year titles. His colleagues credit him with bringing clarity and warmth to every broadcast while mentoring future voices.
“I’ve always appreciated Mike Joy and John McMullin opening the door for me to work at MRN and the folks at Capitol Sports for allowing me to build a radio network from the ground up.” – Mark Garrow
Reflections and Future Connections
Garrow announced his retirement Thursday on Facebook, explaining that the end of 2025 felt like the right time to close this chapter. His work with PRN, from turn announcer to booth partner with Doug Rice, stands as a benchmark for accuracy and insight. Even as he steps back, he signaled a desire to remain tied to the sport that has defined his life.
“I look back on my career starting as a short-track promoter and all of the things that have happened in between, it’s been an amazing ride.” – Mark Garrow
Parallels to Other Broadcast Changes
Garrow’s voluntary exit arrives in a year of upheaval for NASCAR broadcasting. In early 2024, NBC Sports declined to renew the contract of Rick Allen, who had called NASCAR’s biggest moments for nearly a decade. Allen’s sudden departure—without an on-air farewell—sparked fan frustration and highlighted the fragility of broadcast tenures. Allen has since taken his talents to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers as an entertainment PA announcer, returning to his roots as a stadium voice. His transition underscores the uncertainty and resilience that define careers behind the microphone.
News in Brief: PRN Broadcaster’s Farewell: NASCAR Loses a Hall-of-Fame Voice
Mark Garrow will retire after the 2025 NASCAR season, ending a 40-year broadcasting career that shaped how fans experienced the sport. From calling Richard Petty’s 200th win to building Winston Cup Today and earning six Broadcaster of the Year awards, his impact spans radio and trackside history. Garrow plans to remain connected to racing even as he leaves the Performance Racing Network booth. Celebrate his unmatched legacy and share your favorite Mark Garrow moments as NASCAR enters a new broadcast era.
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