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.

Streamline Hotel Sold

Dave Moody reports in the March 15 issue of Area Auto Racing News that the Victory Lane Racing Association has purchased the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach. The Streamline was the site of meetings in December 1947 that led to the formation of NASCAR. The Victory Lane Racing Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help racing families in need.

Morgan Shepherd Runs Down Teenaged Shoplifter

Veteran driver Morgan Shepherd assisted police in capturing a shoplifter recently. The 69-year-old, who competes full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, caught a fifteen-year-old shoplifting suspect at a Las Vegas Walmart.

Said Shepherd, "I went across the parking lot diagonal to them and I caught the guy right before he got to a wall. The officer must have thought I was a military guy because I had on a camouflage long-sleeve shirt and vest....I said, 'Throw me some cuffs,' and he threw me some cuffs. The security people were giving me the thumbs-up because I caught the guy." Shepherd is in great shape and is known for roller-skating around NASCAR garages.

Piedmont Racing Expo on January 14-15, 2011

A large motorsports trade show and auction will be held at the Raleigh (North Carolina) State Fairgrounds on January 14-15, 2011. A number of drivers will be present and available for autographs, including Burt and Jason Myers from television's Madhouse, the series featuring racing at historic Bowman Gray Stadium. Admission costs are $10 daily for male adults, $5 for male children 12-15, and women and all children under 12 free. For more information, go to http://piedmontracingexpo.com .

Stock Car RacersReunion Connects Fans

Have you visited Stock Car RacersReunion? It is a social networking site for race fans. Stock Car RacersReunion has forums for specific drivers and tracks, general topics, etc., and includes a wonderful audio and video archive. RacersReunion Radio is available there. Click on the Radio button in the top center for more information, including a schedule of live shows. Try Stock Car RacersReunion at http://racersreunion.ning.com .

New History of NASCAR Available

Deb Williams, a longtime motorsports writer and a member of the Stock Car Racing Collection Advisory Committee, has authored a new history of NASCAR just in time for the Christmas season. The History of NASCAR Vault recounts the early history the sport and its growth to national prominence. The lavishly illustrated volume contains never before published photographs, artwork, and memorabilia. As they delve into the scrapbook format, readers will find dozens of pockets containing such fascinating items as a 1940s Bill France Sr. business card, a 1959 program from the first Daytona 500, and a 1974 NASCAR driver's license. Published by Whitman, the book is available on Amazon and from bookstores throughout the country.

Dick Beaty Items Donated to the Stock Car Racing Collection

The family of Charlotte area racer and longtime NASCAR official Dick Beaty has donated materials to the Stock Car Racing Collection. Beaty's children, Carolyn Torrence and Don Beaty, donated a number of items from their father's collection, including issues of racing magazines and newspapers, a large collection of race programs, and some personal memorabilia and correspondence related to his career in racing. The magazines,  newspapers, and race programs will expand the Collection's holdings in these areas. Plans for the items directly documenting Beaty's racing career are to organize them for public access and post a descriptive guide of the material on the Collection's web site.