Jackie Arute

Announcer, Broadcaster, Competitor
CLASS OF 2016

The University of Vermont graduate is the son of NEAR Hall of Famer Jack Arute. (In fact, his father is actually Jack Arute Jr, while Jackie is Jack Arute III). It was at his family’s Stafford Speedway where he started announcing, alongside future NASCAR on Fox’s Mike Joy during the 1970’s.

At the same time he was also a commentator for Motor Racing Network from 1972-1980. He was then a broadcaster for ABC/ESPN for 25 years starting in 1984, which included covering the Indianapolis 500. He briefly worked for Fox Sports during the 1999 season.

During the racing off-season, Arute would work as a sideline reporter for ABC’s college football coverage.

Arute was instrumental in the Legend Cars presence at southern New England tracks in the mid-1990’s. He also raced occasionally, in Legend Cars or sprint cars at tracks like Whip City Speedway in Westfield, MA.

Twice an Emmy nominee & author of “Tales of the Indy 500”, he was known for his pull-no-punches reporting style over the years. Following his long television career, Arute began producing auto racing content for satellite radio.