Dave McClelland
One of the most recognized voices in drag racing belongs to Dave McClelland most commonly known as “the voice of NHRA”, who for over 40 years was one of the premier race announcers at the track, on radio, and on TV. However, Dave is not just announcer, he is also an enthusiast. Dave’s career in motorsports has paralleled his participation in the radio and television field, which began at Iowa State University in 1955. Dave announced his first drag race in 1959 and honed his skills as a race track announcer throughout the South and Southwest with a major portion of his early career experience coming from his work in Louisiana. Dave’s career received a major boost in 1961 when he was given the job of announcing the NHRA Nationals in Indianapolis.
In 1969, Dave resigned his post as program director of an NBC TV affiliate to begin a full-time career in racing, starting has the track manager in Houma, Louisiana in 1971 Dave joined the NHRA working in its promotions department. His tenure at NHRA lasted seven years, during which time he worked as Publicity Director, Public Relations Director, and Communications Director. In addition to these duties, Dave was also responsible for the production of NHRA’s radio and TV commercials and worked on the syndication of the Championship Drag Racing television series. Dave’s career as an announcer also includes working as masters of ceremonies and voiceover talent for a wide variety of clients including: NHRA, SEMA, NASCAR, ISCA, AARWBA, PWA, R.J. Reynolds, International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, Championship Auto Shows, Peterson Publishing, Emap, Primedia, Promedia, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Castrol, Mopar, Meguiar’s The California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation, Los Angeles Orthopedic Hospital, and other organizations too numerous to list.
Dave’s Master of ceremonies duties have also included work for the prestigious Meadowbrook Hall Concours D’ Elegance and the Cranbrook Concours D’ Elegance out of Detroit and as the Sport Class announcer for the National Air Races in Reno.
In 1978 Dave went to work at Argus publishing as an advertising account executive but didn’t confine his talents to just selling ads. While at Argus, he took on the responsibility of special projects which included the creation and development of the Super Chevy Sunday series of automotive events and the popular television series, Performance Plus from Popular Hot Rodding, a program that enjoyed an extended run on TNN. In 1984 Dave resigned from Argus to form his own company, Dave McClelland Enterprises, which serves a broad range of clients both in and out of the motorsports industry.
As a further indicator of the fact that Dave is and enthusiast he served on the announcing staff at NHRA Powerade Championship Drag Racing events and was the on-camera host for the Hot Rod Magazine television series seen on the Outdoor Channel. Dave served as the anchor play-by-play host of the NHRA Speed World coverage on ESPN and ESPN2 for over 27 consecutive years. He also served as co-host of the NHRA Today program that aired weekly on TNN and the voiceover host of the Hemmings Roadshow and The Classics Road Show both seen on Speed Channel. In addition to his work in the world of drag racing and car shows, Dave also did announcing for radio television coverage of other motorsports including Formula One Grand Prix, NASCAR, SCCA, IMSA, AMA motorcycles, sprint cars, midgets, short track stock cars, and even tractor pulls.
Ever the enthusiast, Dave successfully campaigned a Fiat altered coupe for over 10 years, with a high point win at the 1998 March Meet at Bakersfield California. Dave placed the completely restored car on display in the NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona California. He also owned numerous cars including: a big block powered 1955 Chevy Delray, a 1970 GS 455 Buick convertible with a factory four-speed, a 2005 C-6 Corvette, and even constructed a 1951 Chevy Sedan Delivery. Somehow during all of his activities, Dave managed to find time to marry his wife Louise, and they are the proud parents of three children who have expanded the McClelland plan with six grandchildren.