Norm Froscher

Friend of NHRA, legendary motorsports reporter Norm Froscher dies at 79

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Norm Froscher, a longtime friend and supporter of NHRA Drag Racing who worked for several Florida newspapers, including the Gainesville Sun, and later as a freelance writer, died July 29. He was 79. The media center at NHRA's Gainesville Raceway, where Froscher tirelessly worked to cover nearly every edition of the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, is named in his honor.

“Everyone at NHRA is saddened by today’s news of the passing of Norm Froscher,” said Jerry Archambeault, NHRA vice president of communications and public relations. “Norm was a constant fixture at Gainesville Raceway, treating the facility as though it was his second home. He was not just a reporter but a friend to every racer that went down the dragstrip and everyone at NHRA. We will miss him, but his spirit will always be with us.”

Legendary racer Don "the Snake" Prudhomme, a five-time Gatornationals champ, added, "I am really sorry to hear about Norm. We became good friends through the years, and I always looked forward to seeing him each year in Gainesville. As far as I am concerned, he had a great deal to do with helping my career and the growth of drag racing from his articles about everything from race results to unique feature stories. I will always picture him in my mind walking around chewing on a cigar. He is just one guy that I always enjoyed speaking with. He always had some great questions, and I enjoyed answering them. I am going to miss him."

Froscher began his professional career as a newspaper sportswriter upon graduation from the University of Florida in 1953 and earned numerous awards, including the NHRA Media Award in 1975. He received the Ray Marquette Memorial Award and the Bloys Britt Memorial Writing Award for motorsports writing excellence and won awards at annual national press competitions for auto racing and thoroughbred horse racing reporting. In 2003, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Driver of the Year Foundation, joining Chris Economaki as the only two racing journalists to be so honored.

Froscher was a past president of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association and the Florida Sports Writers Association.

A free-lance magazine writer, Norm Froscher is in his 50th year writing, having began as a newspaper sports writer upon graduation from the University of Florida in 1953.

Through the years, Froscher, as a writer and editor, has been honored with the Ray Marquette Memorial Award, the Bloys Britt Memorial Writing Award (both for motorsports writing excellence), the NHRA media award , and a winner of national annual press competitions in both auto racing and thoroughbred horse racing.

The media center at Gainesville Raceway is named in his honor. He's past president of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association, and the Florida Sports Writers Association.

Most recently, last month he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Driver of the Year Foundation and presented a $2,000 Maurice LeCroix Swiss wristwatch by 12-time NHRA drag racing champion John Force and Barry Schmoyer, Driver of the Year president (see photo below).

Froscher joins Chris Economaki as the only two racing journalists to be so honored at this time.

Froscher’s latest honor was having one of his earlier stories included in the new book “Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul”.

Chris's Column By Chris Economaki March 19, 2003

A pat on the back for Norm Froscher on being honored by the Driver of the Year Award panel for his 30 years of tireless service to the organization. Froscher, a freelance writer, is past president of the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association and Florida Sportswriters Association. The media center at NHRA's Gainesville Raceway is named for him. Froscher will receive a Maurice LaCroix Swiss Watch emblematic of this honor.

NORM FROSCHER of Gainesville, Fla., was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Driver Of The Year Award panel. Froscher, 72, who is celebrating his 50th year as a writer, was presented the award by 12-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force and Barry Schmoyer, director of the Driver of the Year Award, on March 16 at the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville. Froscher is a past president of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association and the Florida Sports Writers Association. Froscher is now a freelance writer, whose work appears in NASCAR Magazine, Racing Milestones Magazine, the Gainesville Sun and the Summit Drag Race Central on-line site. April 21, 2003 www.SceneDaily.com