There’s something eternal about the voice of an announcer at a dragstrip. Long after the last burnout is laid down, long after the sun sets over the tower, and long after the last pair goes down the lanes… the sound of that voice lives on. It echoes in our memories, dances across the pits, and sits permanently in the soundtrack of our racing lives.
The sounds of a racetrack are unmatched — the scream of revving engines, the slap of slicks in a burnout box, the cheers from the crowd — but somehow, above it all, the voice of an announcer cuts through the chaos. It elevates the atmosphere. It gives the race a heartbeat.
Our Life’s Narrator
In the ’80s and ’90s, announcers weren’t just calling races — they were larger-than-life figures. They were entertainers, walking encyclopedias of racers and rides, carrying the energy of an event on their shoulders. Back then, a good announcer made you feel like you knew the car in the water box. Today, that tradition continues — and one voice that stands out is Jared “Jed” Pennington.
Jed is a racer from Alabama with a voice that feels like home. It’s got that smooth Southern drawl — not too heavy, not too light — just the right mix of charm and comfort. Listening to Jed is like sitting on a porch rocking chair with a glass of sweet tea, catching up with an old friend about life… and race cars.
Jed’s hero in the world of announcing was Freddie Cain, the voice of Green Valley in Alabama. Cain was the one who lit the spark in Jed — the one whose cadence and charisma showed him that announcing could be something more than commentary. It could be an art.
Jed’s journey to the mic is a story in itself. In 2010, at the Spring Fling in Bristol, TN, he was helping run the event when legendary announcer Alan Reinhart needed a break. Peter Biondo handed the mic to Jed — and from the first few words, it was clear: Jed wasn’t just filling in. He belonged behind that microphone. Since that day, it’s been history in the making.
For me personally, Jed’s voice is the voice of the sport. Everyone has their favorite announcer. Jed is mine.
Evolution of Announcing
As the sport has evolved, so has the role of the announcer. With the rise of live streaming, announcers are no longer just speaking to the tower and the stands — they’re speaking to the world. Now, when I can’t be at the race across the country, I’ve got the stream playing on my back porch. Grill’s hot, kids are running around, and there’s Jed’s voice coming through the speakers — making me feel like I’m there.
Jed once told me something that stuck with me: “Not everyone sees every pass, but they still want to feel it. They want to picture it through the words.” That’s what makes a great announcer. The ability to describe the thousandths, the hole shots, the heartbreaks, and the hero runs in a way that brings it all to life.
He realized early on that he was really just talking to racers — to his people. It was okay to use deep racing terminology. Okay to break down the numbers and margins. Because the folks listening? They get it. And that authenticity is what keeps us tuned in.
I asked Jed where his favorite place to announce is. Without hesitation, he said: “Bristol. Thunder Valley. No doubt about it.” And who could blame him? There’s a magic to that place — and Jed adds to it.
Complications Announcing
But it’s not always easy. Jed will be the first to tell you that announcing brings its own challenges. Concentration in the tower can be tough — with people walking in and out, asking questions, cheering for their drivers. It’s hard to know who’s there for what. Are they asking for a parts call? Just listening in? That distraction can sometimes lead to missed calls — and that weighs on a pro like Jed.
Ideally, those needs go through the promoter — but Jed’s humble enough to recognize that it’s also a blessing that people feel connected to the announcer. That they trust him.
Late rounds bring another challenge — filling the downtime. When the action slows, the pressure rises to keep the energy alive. That’s where experience, personality, and pure love for the sport come into play.
And let’s not forget — many announcers, like Jed, are racers too. That dual role makes things even more complex, especially as events grow and the need for full-time announcers increases. Hearing Jed in the booth is one thing, but hearing Jed pull up in the late rounds with Sweet Home Alabama playing from his cars speakers is another.
But if anyone’s up for it, it’s Jed. He sees every run. Every issue. He’s got the eyes — and voice — of a true professional. And now, JJ is stepping in alongside him, writing the next chapter in this incredible story.
Passing on a Legacy
But perhaps the most special part of Jed’s story is what’s happening now. His son, JJ, has picked up the mic. And when I say they have the exact same voice… I mean it. It’s uncanny. JJ’s got big shoes to fill, but he’s got the best mentor in the game. More importantly, he’s got the same passion.
There’s something special about legacy in this sport. We talk a lot about passing on race cars and traditions, but Jed is passing on something just as meaningful — a voice. A calling. A connection to the community that will last generations.
The truth is, announcers like Jed and JJ Pennington do more than narrate races. They preserve them. They connect generations. They build a bridge between the pits and the porch. And in doing so, they create something timeless.
Because heroes get remembered. Legends never die.
And voices like Jed’s?
They live forever.
