John Close, who made a career in motorsports, to receive 2024 UWO Distinguished Alumni Award this fall

John Close of Charlotte, North Carolina, a 1976 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh radio TV film program, will be honored next month with the UWO 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award. Close is retired after a lengthy career in motorsports as a NASCAR journalist, author of five books, marketer, team member and race day spotter.

Beth Hubbard, associate professor of the UWO radio TV film program, provided numerous examples of Close's professional excellence, personal contributions to the field and his alma mater, his community engagement and his influence on the lives and careers of countless individuals.

"John's career, which intriguingly sparked my interest as a fellow motor racing enthusiast, is a testament to his remarkable dedication and skill. …he has impressively built a hall of fame career in motorsports media," she said.

Hubbard noted that Close's professional activities extended beyond personal achievements-he pioneered media coaching for aspiring drivers that set new standards in the field as he blended his expertise in communications with a deep understanding of motorsports dynamics.

He has brought innovative strategies and insights with his extensive work in public relations and marketing for top-tier NASCAR teams and his books and articles serve as foundational texts that guide newcomers and veterans alike.

Hubbard is impressed the empathy and kindness shown, as Close focuses on the needs and development of others. She said recognizing him on 60^th anniversary of the RTF program honors his achievements and is symbolic of the lasting impact of dedicated alumni like Close on the program.

"During his guest lectures in my Quest I class and other courses, he focused not on his own storied career, but on the students, their work and their potential," she said of his profound impact as a mentor and educator.

Matt Kenseth, 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup champion, provided a letter of nomination for Close, whom he met when he was a 13-year-old aspiring racer in Wisconsin.

"Later, when I debuted as a driver at age 16, John wrote the first-ever story about me and continued to publicize my efforts over the years leading up to my entrance into the NASCAR professional driver ranks in 1997," Kenseth said, adding that Close wrote a cover story about him for Stock Car Racing magazine in 2003 and Kenseth returned the favor contributing the introduction to Close's third book-On the Spot.

"It is safe to say my career would have been different without John's personal involvement and professional assistance," Kenseth said.

Close said he is proud of being a good son, husband, father and now grandfather as well as a child of the 1960s, that he's lived a life of peace, treating people of all races, genders, nationalities and religions respectfully recognizing their individual worth and dignity.

Professionally he took great pride in his ability to work hard and take a leadership role and overcome when things don't go as planned.

He said he is extremely proud to have fulfilled his father's legacy in-and his love of-motorsports by fashioning a career that began nearly 45 years ago as a stringer writer to retiring at one of the top levels of professional auto racing as a respected journalist, author, marketer and team member.

UWO foundation

"UWO has been central to my life for more than 50 years," Close said.

The general classroom education along with his studies in the radio TV film major provided an atmosphere for him to "explore, learn and lead."

He credited Robert Snyder, RTF department founder, to help him learn to take chances creatively and develop self-confidence to weather challenges.

"My UWO RTF background also produced a willingness to embrace new technologies that over 40 years ranged from typewriters to tablets, from fax machines to the World Wide Web. That willingness extended my career while many of my contemporaries-who weren't as educationally grounded and less adventurous technologically-saw their career end prematurely."

His membership in Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and professor Sherman Randerson provided direction in choosing his RTF major and led to a career he said, "he could have never imagined for himself."

In retirement, Close enjoys traveling and disc golf and serves as publicist for his high school 50^th reunion and UWO Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, as noted by fraternity brother Jim Rath, who nominated Close for an alumni award.

Close also has found time to be a presenter at the Learning in Retirement speaker series, spoke in UWO classes and mentored UWO students.

Close said he often quotes his father and adopts as one of his life mantras, "We all stand on the shoulders of others," he said.

"While I do celebrate my personal and professional life achievements, I am proud of the fact I have always understood that my successes are not singularly mine, but rather the product of many."

The UW Oshkosh Alumni Association will celebrate the talents and successes of 13 alumni during Homecoming weekend Oct. 18-19. There are four, including Close, receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award, two recognized with Alumni Outstanding Service Awards and seven being honored with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

Learn more:

International studies, political science alumna Dahse earns 2024 UWO Outstanding Young Alumni Award

UW Oshkosh nursing alumnus Carter to be honored with 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award

13 UWO alumni to be honored at Alumni Awards Celebration Homecoming weekend

UW Oshkosh Homecoming

UWO Alumni Relations

UWO medical technology alumna Nussbaum earns Outstanding Young Alumni Award

UWO radio TV film alumnus Freitag to be honored with Distinguished Alumni Award

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