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| Chris Economaki |
Chris Economaki, longtime editor and publisher of National Speedsport News, died this
morning at age 91. Economaki’s byline appeared in NSSN for more than 60 years,
and his weekly column, “From the Editor’s
Notebook,” was required reading for industry insiders and casual fans
alike. In addition to his print career, he served as a pit analyst and
commentator for ABC CBS and ESPN for four decades, becoming one of the most
respected and trusted personalities in the sport.
An “old school” reporter to the end, Economaki was famous
for pounding out stories on his Royal upright typewriter in a media center
filled with laptop computers. The son of a Greek immigrant father and the
great-niece of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, he witnessed his first live
auto race on the old Atlantic City board track at age nine. Soon after, he
began selling copies of NSSN at race tracks around the northeast, hitchhiking
both ways and pocketing a penny for every paper sold. He became a popular
columnist and reporter, was later named editor and eventually purchased and
oversaw the publication for nearly half a century.
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| Rest in peace, Chris |
At the recommendation of NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr.,
Economaki was chosen to serve on the broadcast team for ABC’s coverage of the
1961 Firecracker 250 at Daytona, the first nationwide broadcast of a NASCAR
race. Over the years, his distinctive, nasal delivery and dogged devotion to
the facts became a mainstay in the garage areas at NASCAR, CART, IndyCar, Formula
One and NHRA events. Once denied admission to the garage area for the lack of a
paper credential, Economaki huffed to the gate guard, “Young man, my face is my
credential.”
Christopher Constantine Economaki is survived
by his daughters, Corinne and Tina, and two grandchildren.
Sirius XM NASCAR Radio will honor Economaki’s life with a
special presentation of his Sirius XM
Speedway Legends interview, today at 6:25 PM ET on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio,
Channel 90.
I cant remember who said it this morning on the SIRIUS shows I listened to, but they said everyone has an Economaki story. My favourite was from about 1990/91. After Geoff Bodine was out of the race mid-race due to engine failure, Economaki was interviewing him on air, and I think it was Michigan mid season so silly season was in swing. Chris asked Bodine "so what about the rumors that have you leaving Junior Johnson at years end?" to which Bodine replied "Its just like the rumors of you runnin' around with all those women". I was shocked to see this, but Economaki, the professional he was, looked caught off guard, but smoothly transitioned back into the racing interview. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Economaki's. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteBack in August of 1981 Chris selected a photograph I had taken at a a promotional event with a local television station trying to increase attendance to regional sprint car races in NW Ohio and Michigan. He choose it to grace the front cover of NSSN. To have that honor given to me by the man who provided world wide coverage for every local track in the world as well as introduced millions of people to the sport of auto racing through TV was certainly the highlight of my photographic career. Thanks Chris. And thanks for leaving our sport in the hands of some great people you coached along the way.
ReplyDeleteI am saddenned to hear this, Dave. I'll never again be able to watch the opening moments of Speedweeks without having a moment of silence in honor of the man himself. I know he was a colleague and a mentor of yours, but more importantly, he was your friend. My condolences to his family, and to you Dave, as well as all of those who knew and loved him. Godspeed, Mr. Economaki.
ReplyDeleteAu revoir, Mr. Economaki.
ReplyDelete