Dave Despain began his broadcasting career as a sophomore in high school, as a deejay and high
school sports reporter for KMCD radio in his home town of Fairfield, Iowa.
In 1975, while working for the motorcycle sanctioning body AMA, he was hired by "ABC Wide
World of Sports" as expert analyst for the "Daytona 200."
"My first TV job was standing alongside Keith Jackson wearing one of those blazers with the
big ABC crest on the pocket," Despain says.
"This proves once again there is no substitute
for dumb luck!"
In 1981 Despain was chosen to host "Motorweek Illustrated," racing's first
weekly highlight
show, which aired on Ted Turner's then-revoutionary "Superstation WTBS." In '87 he moved to
ESPN, hosting motorcycle programming, "Thursday Night Thunder" (featuring USAC midgets,
sprints and Silver Crown Cars), NASCAR's then-new Craftsman Truck Series and the Winston
Cup pre-race show.
In 1999 Despain moved to SPEED to host motorcycle programming and since 2003 has hosted
"Wind Tunnel," the network's Sunday night racing talk show.
When he's not on the air, Despain is usually riding one of his ten motorcycles.