CONCORD, NC – Barney Hall has received his share of accolades through his half century of broadcasting NASCAR races; but the latest is his proudest.

Hall, of Elkin, NC, was awarded the Bill France Award during the annual NASCAR Awards ceremony held at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City on Friday night. The award is not presented every year; making the significance that much more special for Hall, booth announcer for the Motor Racing Network.

“I can’t believe this,” Hall said upon hearing his name. “I’m usually never at a loss for words, but I’m certainly at a loss for words tonight. I appreciate all my years with NASCAR and have made many good friends in the business.

“To win this award, from what Bill France meant to me, is something I will live with for a long, long time and certainly appreciate.”

Hall has been a part of MRN broadcasts since they took to the airwaves in 1970. And, his golden voice and tempered style have been a part of NASCAR coverage since. In January of 2007, Hall was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame. In October, the Barney Hall and Harry Howard studios were unveiled during MRN’s Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of its new studios and headquarters in Concord.

“Barney Hall has meant so much to MRN, and NASCAR as a whole, that I think it’s very deserved he was recognized with this award,” said David Hyatt, President of MRN. “His voice and delivery of NASCAR races sets a tone for our network that the rest of us try and live up to each weekend.

“I couldn’t be happier for Barney and the decision to recognize his service and dedication to our sport. When you think of MRN radio broadcasts, you think – and hear - Barney Hall.”

The 2008 NASCAR season will kick off with Hall fittingly calling the 50th annual Daytona 500 on February, 17. Past winners of the Bill France Award are Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, David Pearson and the Wood Brothers, to name a few