Thursday, April 7, 2011

National Speed Sport News Publishes Its Last Issue

National Speed Sport News, the preeminent weekly motorsports periodical, published its last issue on March 23, 2011. The newspaper, a staple for both fans and members of the motorsports industry for seventy-seven years, was synonymous with Chris Economaki, who went from selling a motorsports newspaper at Hohokus Speedway in New Jersey as a 14-year-old to writing articles for the one page paper. The publication grew in size and stature, and Chris became the editor of the full-fledged racing weekly. A highlight of each issue was his column. Chris continued to guide NSSN until his "promotion" to publisher emeritus a few years ago, when his daughter Corrine took over day to day duties. It had become increasingly difficult to make the paper a financially viable product, so the decision was made to cease publication. I feel as if a good friend has died suddenly.