By J.N. Campbell
Veteran track announcer Vic Stauffer will take the microphone when Lone Star Park opens its Thoroughbred season Apr. 13 in Grand Prairie, Texas, the track's Brandon Leigh confirmed in a phone call Thursday.
Stauffer was let go by Oaklawn Park earlier this month, a position he held since 2017. Lone Star's regular voice Jim Byers replaced him in the booth in Hot Springs, but is expected to return to Grand Prairie when Oaklawn's meet closes on Kentucky Derby Day. Stauffer will also join Rick Lee, morning-line oddsmaker and Rodney Nelson, social media and marketing manager, for Lone Star's handicapping show.
Leigh, director of marketing and player development said, “Vic is going to fill-in for us until Jim [Byers] returns. We know we are getting an accomplished announcer and we are happy to have him on board for the second half of April and into May.”
Before his time at Oaklawn, Stauffer called races at a number of venues starting in the mid-1980s, including a stretch at Hollywood Park from 2001 until its closure in 2013. Working in several sectors of the industry, he also served as a member of the TVG broadcast team and for a time was a jockey's agent.
“I've been a huge fan of Lone Star ever since the 2004 Breeders' Cup,” said Stauffer via text. “I've actually called one race there during the All-Star Announcer's Day before that 2004 Breeders' Cup, and I am looking forward to sharing Texas racing with their excellent fans. I appreciate Lone Star affording me the opportunity.”
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