Dick Berggren
Encyclopedia
Dr. Dick Berggren is a motorsports announcer and magazine editor from Manchester, Connecticut
in the United States. Born in Westerly, Rhode Island, he now lives in Ipswich, Massachusetts
with his wife Kathy. He is commonly seen wearing a trademark flat cap
.
. No college accepted him, so he accepted a job as an office boy at United Aircraft
. He later was accepted at Quinnipiac College
. Berggren transferred to Southern Connecticut State University
where his girlfriend Kathy was attending. He graduated with an bachelor's degree
in 1965. Berggren earned his doctorate
in psychology
from Tufts University
in 1970 with his dissertation on sleep deprivation
. He was a psychology professor at Emmanuel College
in Boston
for nine years.
One day the only vehicle available in his driveway was his truck which was still attached to his race trailer. He drove the truck to the college and parked it in the faculty parking lot. The racecar was covered in mud, but his name and sponsor decals were visible. Berggren was called to the University President's office and told to remove it immediately. "I knew right then and there that my academic career and my racing didn't go together anymore," says Berggren. "At the time, my racing was going incredibly well and I needed to do it while I was still young. I felt I could always go back to academia."
, stock cars
, and sprint cars
. He stopped racing after his racecar climbed a dirt bank at Boone Speedway
, causing over 200 people to scatter to avoid being hit.
magazine while teaching at Emmanuel College and racing on the weekends. He later became the magazine's editor. After working at the magazine for 22 years, he left the magazine in 1999 to start Speedway Illustrated in partnership with the owners of Down East, The Magazine of Maine
. The National Motorsport Press Association named Berggren the 1999 Writer of the Year. Both magazines cater to short track racing fans.
. He has announced in many genres of motorsports over the course of his career. He announced the 1979 Daytona 500
for the Motor Racing Network
radio network. He began his television announcer career at NASCAR races in 1981 as a pit road reporter for ESPN
. He has announced for NASCAR races at CBS
, TBS
, and TNN
. He has worked the pits for the Busch Series (now the Nationwide Series), and Craftsman Truck Series
(now the Camping World Truck Series), as well as the World of Outlaws
sprint cars. He also hosts the Speed Channel
show NASCAR Performance.
Currently, he is the lead pit reporter for NASCAR on Fox
. He covers events in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series from Daytona to Charlotte.
in 2008. Berggren received the 2007 Bobby Isaac
Memorial Award for his outstanding contributions to short track racing.
Manchester, Connecticut
Manchester is a township and city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 58,241.- History :...
in the United States. Born in Westerly, Rhode Island, he now lives in Ipswich, Massachusetts
Ipswich, Massachusetts
Ipswich is a coastal town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 12,987 at the 2000 census. Home to Willowdale State Forest and Sandy Point State Reservation, Ipswich includes the southern part of Plum Island...
with his wife Kathy. He is commonly seen wearing a trademark flat cap
Flat cap
A flat cap is a rounded men or women's cap with a small stiff brim in front. Cloths used to make the cap include original wool, tweed , and cotton. Less common materials may include leather. Cord flat caps are also worn in various colours. The inside of the cap is usually lined with silk for...
.
Academia
Berggren described himself as "the worst student" in high schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
. No college accepted him, so he accepted a job as an office boy at United Aircraft
United Technologies Corporation
United Technologies Corporation is an American multinational conglomerate headquartered in the United Technologies Building in Hartford, Connecticut...
. He later was accepted at Quinnipiac College
Quinnipiac University
Quinnipiac University is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational university located in Hamden, Connecticut, United States at the foot of Sleeping Giant State Park...
. Berggren transferred to Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University is one of four state universities in Connecticut, and is located in the West Rock neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut...
where his girlfriend Kathy was attending. He graduated with an bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in 1965. Berggren earned his doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
from Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
in 1970 with his dissertation on sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation is the condition of not having enough sleep; it can be either chronic or acute. A chronic sleep-restricted state can cause fatigue, daytime sleepiness, clumsiness and weight loss or weight gain. It adversely affects the brain and cognitive function. Few studies have compared the...
. He was a psychology professor at Emmanuel College
Emmanuel College, Boston
Emmanuel College is a coeducational Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded as a women's college by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1919 , Emmanuel became coeducational in 2001....
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
for nine years.
One day the only vehicle available in his driveway was his truck which was still attached to his race trailer. He drove the truck to the college and parked it in the faculty parking lot. The racecar was covered in mud, but his name and sponsor decals were visible. Berggren was called to the University President's office and told to remove it immediately. "I knew right then and there that my academic career and my racing didn't go together anymore," says Berggren. "At the time, my racing was going incredibly well and I needed to do it while I was still young. I felt I could always go back to academia."
Driver
Berggren began racing in 1967 and won 26 events before his driving career ended in 1981. He had raced SuperModifieds, ModifiedsModified racing
Modified stock car racing, also known as Modified racing or simply Modified, is one of the oldest types of racing in the United States, dating back to the days of the post-World War II coupes. The name for modified racing cars come from the fact that they are not stock but, rather, modified...
, stock cars
Stock car racing
Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing found mainly in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil and Argentina. Traditionally, races are run on oval tracks measuring approximately in length...
, and sprint cars
Sprint car racing
Sprint cars are high-powered race cars designed primarily for the purpose of running on short oval or circular dirt or paved tracks. Sprint car racing is popular in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa....
. He stopped racing after his racecar climbed a dirt bank at Boone Speedway
Boone Speedway
Boone Speedway is a 1/4-mile high-banked dirt oval raceway located in Boone, Iowa. Races are held on Saturday nights sanctioned by the IMCA. Regular events include modifieds, stock cars, hobby stocks, SportMods, dwarf cars, and four-cylinder front-wheel-drive cars.-SuperNationals:During the first...
, causing over 200 people to scatter to avoid being hit.
Editor
Dr. Berggren started out writing for local newspapers. He started working at Stock Car RacingStock car racing
Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing found mainly in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil and Argentina. Traditionally, races are run on oval tracks measuring approximately in length...
magazine while teaching at Emmanuel College and racing on the weekends. He later became the magazine's editor. After working at the magazine for 22 years, he left the magazine in 1999 to start Speedway Illustrated in partnership with the owners of Down East, The Magazine of Maine
Down East, The Magazine of Maine
Down East, The Magazine of Maine, also known as Down East Magazine, is the principal general interest monthly magazine covering Maine, according to Ulrich's Periodical Directory...
. The National Motorsport Press Association named Berggren the 1999 Writer of the Year. Both magazines cater to short track racing fans.
Announcer
Berggren started out announcing at Arundel Speedway in MaineMaine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. He has announced in many genres of motorsports over the course of his career. He announced the 1979 Daytona 500
1979 Daytona 500
The 1979 Daytona 500 was the second race of the 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup season. It was held on February 18, 1979. Critics consider the 1979 Daytona 500 to be the most important race in stock car history....
for the Motor Racing Network
Motor Racing Network
The Motor Racing Network is the principal radio broadcasting operation of NASCAR, promoting themselves as "The Voice of NASCAR." It broadcasts coverage of most major NASCAR races at the top three levels of NASCAR at tracks owned by International Speedway Corporation as well as Dover International...
radio network. He began his television announcer career at NASCAR races in 1981 as a pit road reporter for ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
. He has announced for NASCAR races at CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, TBS
Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. is the Time Warner subsidiary managing the collection of cable networks and properties started and acquired by Robert Edward "Ted" Turner starting in the mid-1970s. The company has its headquarters in the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. TBS, Inc...
, and TNN
The Nashville Network
The Nashville Network, usually referred to as TNN, was an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming included music videos, taped concerts, movies, syndicated programs, and numerous talk shows...
. He has worked the pits for the Busch Series (now the Nationwide Series), and Craftsman Truck Series
Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
(now the Camping World Truck Series), as well as the World of Outlaws
World of Outlaws
The World of Outlaws is an American motorsports sanctioning body. The body sanctions two major national touring series. It is best known for sanctioning a national tour of sprint cars. It later purchased a national tour of late model stockcars called the World of Outlaws Late Model Series...
sprint cars. He also hosts the Speed Channel
SPEED Channel
Speed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
show NASCAR Performance.
Currently, he is the lead pit reporter for NASCAR on Fox
NASCAR on Fox
NASCAR on Fox is the Emmy-winning branding used for Fox Sports's broadcasts of NASCAR races airing on the Fox network since 2001. The production has been in high-definition since 2005.-Background:...
. He covers events in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series from Daytona to Charlotte.
Awards
Dr. Berggren was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2002. He was inducted in the New England Auto Racers Hall of FameNew England Auto Racers Hall of Fame
The New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for racing-related people in the New England region of the United States. NEAR was established in 1981. The New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame was established in 1998 by the New England Antique Racers.-New England Antique Racers:The...
in 2008. Berggren received the 2007 Bobby Isaac
Bobby Isaac
Bobby Isaac is a former NASCAR Grand National champion.-Early life:Isaac grew up on a farm near Catawba, North Carolina, the second youngest of nine children...
Memorial Award for his outstanding contributions to short track racing.