[Norris] McDonald, the influential journalist who became a giant of Canadian motorsports, died Sunday at age 81.
“If Norris was to have one thing written on his tombstone, it would be, ‘Norris McDonald, storyteller,’ ” said Mark Richardson, former editor of the Star’s Wheels section. “I wish I could hear them all at least one more time.”
In the Star newsroom, McDonald made it “very difficult to get any work done,” said Richardson, who sat behind him. When one asked the other a question, it inevitably led to a half-hour of captivating stories.
McDonald maintained encyclopedic knowledge of auto racing and was the authority on the sport in Canada. He was also a generous man with a booming voice, enthusiastic about journalism and gave advice to anyone who asked.
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In 2014, McDonald was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame.
— Toronto Star —
NASCAR Statement: “NASCAR is saddened by the passing of Norris McDonald, a true giant in motorsports journalism. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”