Carol Houssock, the longtime "Voice of Chemung Speedrome" - Retirement Announcement
Carol Houssock, the longtime "Voice of Chemung Speedrome", announced on Friday night at the track that she is turning off the microphone for the final time at the end of the '25 season. Her season-ending banquet will be a career-ending duty for the veteran announcer. "I really had no idea 31 years ago, when I started, that I'd still be doing this every summer weekend," she stated.
Houssock, now from Horseheads, NY, started her lengthy motorsports career on the radio, hosting "Start/Finish Lines" in Pennsylvania. She then co-hosted "The Checkered Flag Racing Series" for a PA television station. From there she moved to doing play-by-play announcing at Evergreen Raceway in Drums, PA in 1995. Since then, she's worked almost exclusively without a partner in the booth at both asphalt and dirt tracks in NY and PA. She was the announcer at the old Shangri-la for two promoters, The Hill Speedway (PA) for two promoters, Shangri-la II, and at Clinton County Raceway (PA). She's also been a visiting announcer at Outlaw Speedway, Oswego Speedway (Race of Champions), Spencer Speedway, Woodhull Raceway, Holland Raceway, and New Smyrna (FL) Speedway. "I've enjoyed these 31 years. I've met race teams, fans, sponsor reps, and co-workers I'll never forget. But it's time for me to have some flexibility on weekends," she stated.
Carol's home is a tribute to her long career in motorsports work, with the following awards: 2005 Shirley Zacharias Memorial Award Honoring Women in Motorsports, Most Dedicated (Chemung) in 2008, Dedication to Motorsports (Chemung) in 2016 and 2022, and earlier this year Chemung presented to her a plaque recognizing 30 Years Announcing Local Racing. "I treasure those awards, which I've received from four promoters. I'm so grateful to them, and their trust in me to represent them professionally and to promote their business partners."
A longtime member/Board member/Officer of the Eastern Motorsport Press Association, Houssock is also a member of Women in Motorsports North America, and the Society of Professional Motorsports Journalists.
Carol Houssock is open to filling in at tracks in the area, as her new schedule permits. "Like my colleagues who have been doing this for years, it's hard to completely walk away. But my priority is spending time with my grandchildren and attending events that conflict with a weekly commitment," she added.
While she will leave Chemung's tower as the "Voice of the Speedrome", she'll continue to be a contributing writer for Speedway Illustrated magazine. "I've won several writing awards for work I can do at my convenience and from home. I really enjoy seeking out or being assigned a story, doing the research, and putting together something I feel would interest people anywhere. I appreciate the opportunity that writing for such an exceptional magazine was provided to me."
From a timid rookie 31 years ago, Carol perfected her craft into that of a solid professional. "For me, going from someone full of doubt to someone full of confidence has been my greatest reward in this business."
