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Walter Cronkite Was a Sporting Man in His Own Right

by Adam Jacobi • Jul 18, 2009 2:34 PM EDT

Cronkite, at far left, with racer Glen Roberts, Daytona Beach Speedway president William France and two reporters in 1958. As you'll see, Cronkite's presence with auto racing figures of the time was no coincidence. 

Some people mourn Walter Cronkite's passing today. Some express genuine surprise that the venerated newscaster was even still alive, decades after his last broadcast.

And one slice of the sports world is less rich today than it was 24 hours ago: auto racing.

As the Lawrence Review-Journal notes, Cronkite was a member of the Art Riley Motors team 50 years ago, and it wasn't just for publicity:
When Riley died earlier this year at 93, his obit briefly mentions Cronkite's involvement with the team and its successes behind the wheel of a Volvo PV444. The team campaigned and won races at Lime Rock's "Little LeMans" in 1957, '58 and '61. Cronkite was the only finisher in a five-car team one year, taking a B-division win and placing third overall. The two also teamed up to compete in the Trans-Canada rally.
Is there video? Oh yes; yes, there is.



Obviously, Cronkite had less of a presence (read: none) in auto racing in its current form; like with all other things, the man was strictly old school. Still, it's nice to see at least a reminder of a simpler time in sport,

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.

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