Randy Hallman was a true giant in the field of motorsports writing for the now defunct afternoon Richmond News Leader. Although a "southern" writer,Randy's talents spanned the auto racing world. Hence, while the late Harold Pearson, Hallman's counterpart at the morning Richmond Times Dispatch, was serving as president of the stock car National Motorsports Press Association - NMPA, Randy at the same time was president of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association - AARWBA -that also took in the IndyCar, sports car and drag racing arenas, in addition to stock cars.
In 1980 Randy was awarded the prestigious Bloys Britt Award by AARWBA. The award was named for the late Associated Press auto racing editor, Bloys Britt. Randy Hallman's name was added to the perpetual trophy that is an old AP Teletype machine which has been displayed in the Houston Lawing Press Box at Daytona International Speedway. That was an honor of the highest magnitude for a racing writer or broadcaster.
Those of you who've ever been to the Dover track may be familiar with the huge photo tower structure at the exit of Dover's pit road and the entrance to the Cup garage heading into turn 1. While in that structure, a railing collapsed and Randy almost fell to his death. His back was broken and he missed a year and a half on the auto racing beat. That was our loss and it was also our loss as racers when he moved from sports to news and business. My hat is off to one of the greatest auto racing writers who ever pounded a keyboard.
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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
