Jan C. Gabriel
Encyclopedia
Jan C. Gabriel, was a Chicago
-area motorsport
announcer who is best known for popularizing the motorsport phrase "Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!"
. He graduated from Sandburg High School. Gabriel produced commercials for Community Discount stores and worked behind the microphone at WJOB
in Hammond as a disc jockey
.
In the 1950s, Gabriel had billed himself as "Chicago's youngest teenage DJ" when he started at record hops. It wasn't until 1968 that he combined his love of announcing and racing into a stint at Santa Fe Speedway in Hinsdale, IL. While other announcers would usually just do a play-by-play at other racetracks, Gabriel would usually go wild with his announcing duties, usually being in the middle of track while announcing.
, wanted to advertise and make it known that his tracks was open on Sundays. He enlisted the help of Steve Cronen at Starbeat Recording Studios in Deerfield, Indiana
. Originally, the idea for the tagline was to have two announcers trade intonations of "Sunday!"
After dismissing nearly 50 announcers because they weren't vibrant enough, Gabriel's announcing was picked as the iconic tagline by Cronen. The spots ended with "Where the great ones run!", read and echoed by Gabriel. His deep voice and tagline was extensively used by Christ in many of his other racing venues advertisements, with Gabriel often recording fresh tracks up until the 1980s.
The tagline was often imitated by other racetrack announcers and in popular culture till its decline in the 1980s as many small tracks and drag strips closed down or were absorbed by other organizations.
, Gabriel underwent a kidney transplant. Another transplant was needed and setup in 2004, but Gabriel was unable to find a suitable donor. His legs were amputated below the knee in 2005.
Gabriel was the host and producer of the syndicated TV show The Super Chargers Show, which ran from 1982 to 1994. The show covered many aspects of Motorsport and car culture along with celebrity guests. Gabriel is credited in bringing both NASCAR
and the National Hot Rod Association
on television, as well as popularizing Monster Trucks.
Still connected to motorsports, he helped to transfer Team Demolition Derby
, a Santa Fe Speedway standby, to Route 66 Raceway
in Joliet, IL. In 2003, Gabriel invited drivers from Canada, Australia and New Zealand to compete in the Team Demo Association World Championship. In the first Championship, the USA team won.
Gabriel received The World of Wheels "Lifetime Achievement Award" in 2008.
and complications from peripheral artery disease. Funeral services were held on Sunday, January 17 at his home in Lombard, Illinois
. He is survived by his wife, Teresa (who is now the president of Team Demolition Derby), and a daughter, Amanda.
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
-area motorsport
Motorsport
Motorsport or motorsports is the group of sports which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles, whether for racing or non-racing competition...
announcer who is best known for popularizing the motorsport phrase "Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!"
Early life
Gabriel was born in 1940 in Wisconsin and grew up in Palos Heights, IllinoisPalos Heights, Illinois
Palos Heights is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 11,260 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 12,561 in 2005.-Geography:Palos Heights is located at ....
. He graduated from Sandburg High School. Gabriel produced commercials for Community Discount stores and worked behind the microphone at WJOB
WJOB
WJOB is a news/talk formatted radio station in Hammond, Indiana. The present tower of the station is 124 Meters tall and the station is a 24 hour operation broadcasting with 1000 Watts of power.-The Beginning:...
in Hammond as a disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
.
In the 1950s, Gabriel had billed himself as "Chicago's youngest teenage DJ" when he started at record hops. It wasn't until 1968 that he combined his love of announcing and racing into a stint at Santa Fe Speedway in Hinsdale, IL. While other announcers would usually just do a play-by-play at other racetracks, Gabriel would usually go wild with his announcing duties, usually being in the middle of track while announcing.
"Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!" phrase
In 1968, Ben Christ, the track owner of the U.S. 30 drag strip in Hobart, IndianaHobart, Indiana
Hobart is home to many thriving businesses in its downtown shopping district, including the historic Art Theatre.Hobart is also home to the Westfield Southlake Shopping Mall and many surrounding retailers and restaurants, although most businesses are required to list their addresses as Merrillville...
, wanted to advertise and make it known that his tracks was open on Sundays. He enlisted the help of Steve Cronen at Starbeat Recording Studios in Deerfield, Indiana
Deerfield, Indiana
Deerfield is an unincorporated town in Ward Township, Randolph County, Indiana....
. Originally, the idea for the tagline was to have two announcers trade intonations of "Sunday!"
After dismissing nearly 50 announcers because they weren't vibrant enough, Gabriel's announcing was picked as the iconic tagline by Cronen. The spots ended with "Where the great ones run!", read and echoed by Gabriel. His deep voice and tagline was extensively used by Christ in many of his other racing venues advertisements, with Gabriel often recording fresh tracks up until the 1980s.
The tagline was often imitated by other racetrack announcers and in popular culture till its decline in the 1980s as many small tracks and drag strips closed down or were absorbed by other organizations.
Later life
In 1980, suffering from polycystic kidney diseasePolycystic kidney disease
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is an inherited systemic disorder that predominantly affects the kidneys, but may affect other organs including the liver, pancreas, brain, and arterial blood vessels...
, Gabriel underwent a kidney transplant. Another transplant was needed and setup in 2004, but Gabriel was unable to find a suitable donor. His legs were amputated below the knee in 2005.
Gabriel was the host and producer of the syndicated TV show The Super Chargers Show, which ran from 1982 to 1994. The show covered many aspects of Motorsport and car culture along with celebrity guests. Gabriel is credited in bringing both NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
and the National Hot Rod Association
National Hot Rod Association
The National Hot Rod Association is a drag racing governing body, which sets rules in drag racing and host events all over the United States and Canada...
on television, as well as popularizing Monster Trucks.
Still connected to motorsports, he helped to transfer Team Demolition Derby
Demolition derby
Demolition derby is a motorsport usually presented at county fairs and festivals. While rules vary from event to event, the typical demolition derby event consists of five or more drivers competing by deliberately ramming their vehicles into one another...
, a Santa Fe Speedway standby, to Route 66 Raceway
Route 66 Raceway
Route 66 Raceway is a motorsports facility located in Joliet, Illinois. The facility consists of a dragstrip and a dirt oval. The drag strip hosts several drag racing events including the NHRA. The dirt oval hosts many weekly dirt racing events...
in Joliet, IL. In 2003, Gabriel invited drivers from Canada, Australia and New Zealand to compete in the Team Demo Association World Championship. In the first Championship, the USA team won.
Gabriel received The World of Wheels "Lifetime Achievement Award" in 2008.
Death
Gabriel died on Sunday, January 10, 2010, from polycystic kidney diseasePolycystic kidney disease
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is an inherited systemic disorder that predominantly affects the kidneys, but may affect other organs including the liver, pancreas, brain, and arterial blood vessels...
and complications from peripheral artery disease. Funeral services were held on Sunday, January 17 at his home in Lombard, Illinois
Lombard, Illinois
Lombard, "The Lilac Village", is a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County, Illinois. The population was 42,322 at the 2000 census. The United States Census Bureau estimated the population in 2004 to be 42,975.-History:...
. He is survived by his wife, Teresa (who is now the president of Team Demolition Derby), and a daughter, Amanda.