Bob Varsha has been in the spotlight as a professional auto racing broadcaster since the 1980s, but the Northport, New York native will now have to put his career on hold as he battles an aggressive and rare form of prostate cancer. Varsha, who has worked for such networks as ESPN, NBC Sports, Speed Channel, and Fox Sports, will require intensive chemotherapy over the next several months. It's expected that the 68-year-old will not be able to travel or continue his broadcasting work until June at the earliest.
A GoFundMe page was started to support the Varsha family during this difficult time, and, so far, more than $23,000 has been raised. Following the news of Varsha's diagnosis, a number of members of the racing community, from racers to journalists, sent their best wishes to the motorsports icon.
Any race fan who has been lucky enough to watch a race called by Bob Varsha or driver who he?s covered over the years please read below and help if you can. https://t.co/gBA6GjmVke
— Dario Franchitti (@dariofranchitti) January 6, 2020
As I wrote prior to this news, @bobvarsha is one of the finest talents I?ve ever worked with, and one of my best friends in this business. ??? https://t.co/MVdnXJj90x
— Mike Joy (@mikejoy500) January 6, 2020
So sorry to hear this. I?ve worked with Bob Varsha on different events since my first days covering motorsports. He?s as good as they come. Sending strength your way Bob! (Thx Marshall for alerting us). https://t.co/LCgcgiorSW
— Jamie Little (@JamieLittleTV) January 6, 2020
An admired professional, one of the best racing voices ever, is fighting cancer. My sympathy to Mr. @bobvarsha great person who I met and follow many years broadcasting races in the US.
If anyone wishes to collaborate with his strugglehttps://t.co/TJb2HFewzS
Please share.Thnx pic.twitter.com/xigQPOWqia— Luis Manuel López (@chacho_lml) January 6, 2020
You can support Bob via his gofundme link here: https://t.co/JGuynGZLA6
— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) January 6, 2020
The voice of my childhood. Praying for you @bobvarsha . For those willing/can help, in this article is a link to a GofundMe for Bob. https://t.co/KIkcCTDYS0
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) January 6, 2020
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Bob Varsha's Broadcasting Career
While Bob Varsha didn't get his start in the motorsports world until relatively later in life, you could say he's pretty much always had a passion for racing. Of the track and field variety, that is. He won varsity letters in cross country and track during his undergrad years at Dartmouth College, and while attending Emory University School of Law, he made the finals of the U.S. Olympic Trials marathon event twice. In 1980, Varsha won the inaugural Peach Bowl Half Marathon.
He began his career as a broadcaster in the 1980s, after TBS asked him to cover the Peachtree Road Race, which he helped organize as a member of the Atlanta Track Club. This led to a part-time gig at TBS, and then in 1986, Varsha joined ESPN, hosting the network's Formula One coverage as well as commentating on such events as gymnastics, figure skating, track and field and 24 Hours of Le Mans. So much for that law career.
Varsha's career as a racing broadcaster really took off when he joined the now-defunct Speed (back when it was SpeedVision) in 1999. During his tenure at Speed, he covered Formula 1, hosted the network's Champ Car coverage, was a part-time host of the World Rally Championship, and also commentated on the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction.
Later, Varsha got gigs at Fox Sports as the lead broadcaster for Formula E, WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and FIA World Endurance Championship. He also hosted several races for NBC Sports and was the play-by-play radio announcer for the 2014 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
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