NASCAR broadcaster Steve Byrnes dies at 56 after battling cancer

Steve Byrnes, the longtime FOX Sports NASCAR broadcaster whose courageous battle against cancer drew support from every corner of stock car racing, died Tuesday at age 56.

Byrnes passed away just two days after the race at Bristol Motor Speedway, which was named the "Food City 500 in Support of Steve Byrnes." Though he was unable to attend the race, Byrnes watched it on TV and tweeted a response to a fan who asked if he made it through the entire rain-delayed event.

"I went the distance," Byrnes tweeted.

President Obama, who honored Sprint Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick at the White House on Tuesday, offered his condolences and called Byrnes a "legendary reporter and broadcaster."

"I know a lot of fans' thoughts and prayers today are with his wife, Karen, and his son, Bryson," Obama said.

NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said Byrnes' "work ethic and authenticity made him a beloved individual inside and outside the garage."

"His level of professionalism was matched only by the warmth he showed everyone he met," France said. "He battled cancer with tenacity, and was a true inspiration to everyone in the NASCAR family. Simply stated, we'll miss Steve dearly."

Reaction poured in from around the NASCAR world, as many drivers knew Byrnes from his 30 years of broadcasting, including as a reporter for FOX since it began covering the sport in 2001.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., whose late father was friends with Byrnes, tweeted: "My hope is Steve was able to see how much he was loved & appreciated by so many. Rest easy friend. Prayers to his family. #ByrnesStrong"

"So hard to hold back the tears and emotion," tweeted Elliott Sadler, who occasionally worked alongside Byrnes on trackside programming. "You were such a great man and amazing father. Fun co-worker and the best friend."

Byrnes was almost always seen with a smile on his face, and kept up a relentlessly positive attitude throughout his cancer fight. He often shared insights into his battle via social media, and a legion of #ByrnesStrong supporters tweeted their encouragement to him.

He usually responded, always grateful and appreciative of the well wishes.

Even when he learned his cancer had spread after a second full round of treatment, Byrnes showed no signs of giving up. During Sunday's race, crewmen from every team stood on the pit wall with signs from the Stand Up To Cancer organization that read "I stand up for Steve."

"Thanks to all for a remarkable day, my teammates @NASCARONFOX," Byrnes tweeted Sunday. "Miss you all. Thanks for your love."

The heartbreaking news came just two days later.

"Very sad to hear about our friend Steve Byrnes passing today," Tony Stewart tweeted. "Huge loss for our racing family. He was one of the best ever! We will miss you."

Seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty said Byrnes' passion is what made him stand out as one of the best in the profession.

"He was always humble, too," Petty said. "I never saw him treat anyone unfairly. That's just how he did his job and lived his life."

David Hill, the former FOX Sports chairman who is now the senior executive vice president for FOX, said Byrnes was "defined by his journalistic integrity and kindness."

"The consummate television professional, he established himself as a star on SPEED Channel, where viewers simply loved his knowledge, his sense of humor and his easygoing nature, becoming the Mr. Rogers of NASCAR — a warm voice everyone trusted," Hill said. "Even more impressive, and fully on display last weekend in Bristol, Steve was loved and respected by the entire NASCAR community, from the drivers to the team owners to the front office executives. I am devastated by his passing."