Steve Byrnes loses battle with cancer

Steve Byrnes ( Fox Sports)
Steve Byrnes ( Fox Sports)
Steve Byrnes ( Fox Sports)

Steve Byrnes beloved member of the NASCAR family lost his battle with cancer Tuesday. Fox Sports announced the news in an emailed press release. The news came only days after the entire NASCAR community showed its support of Steve at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Steve was part of the FOX NASCAR broadcast team since its inaugural year of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series coverage in 2001. He been fighting the disease for several years. Several weeks ago he learned that he would need to continue chemotherapy after what he termed a “disappointing” scan. Last year he returned to broadcasting after getting the all-clear early in 2013. However later that year he was told that the cancer had returned and he would need more medical treatments. There were also reports that the cancer had spread to his lungs. The outpouring of support for Byrnes has been evident among NASCAR competitors, media and fans. Drivers have put “Steve Byrnes” on helmets and racecars and media and fans have shown support on various social media platforms.

On April 10, NASCAR and Bristol Motor Speedway said they would rename its race in honor of Steve. The event which was held last Sunday was renamed April 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 in Support of Steve Byrnes and Stand Up to Cancer. Tributes were shown all weekend for Steve as he was readmitted to the hospital. MORE>>>

Greg Engle
About Greg Engle 7421 Articles
Greg is a published award winning sportswriter who spent 23 years combined active and active reserve military service, much of that in and around the Special Operations community. Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.