Talk > Automotive Social > For us racing fans here.. RIP Chris Economaki

For us racing fans here.. RIP Chris Economaki

quote:

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DOVER, Del. -- Chris Economaki, known as the "Dean of American Motorsports Journalism," died Friday.

He was 91

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That's too bad. He was a great guy. I met him several times.

reply to CylonRed
A voice I can recall since childhood. I can just hear him in my head with his distinctive voice and relentless questioning. RIP, Chris.

reply to Bob
Interview from 2005 (2 pages) - »www.thevintageracer.com/words/wo···ki01.htm

He bought 200 copies of the first tabloid issue of National Speed Sport News in 1934 for 4 cents each, and sold them at a race for 5 cents each. He made $2.00!

reply to CylonRed
Dave Despain did an interview with him a couple years ago - quite cool. Video is likely on SpeedTv.com

reply to CylonRed
It's really sad to hear! For 60 years he really done a great job. RIP Chris Economaki!

reply to CylonRed
R.I.P Chris

reply to CylonRed
Wow! This is sad to hear about Chris Economaki. He will definitely be missed within the racing sport. Rest in peace Chris.

reply to CylonRed
He certainly was THE man in early televised US auto racing, especially in Indy cars. In about 1964 I went to the first closed circuit broadcast of the Indy 500 which back then certainly was THE US and probably the world's premier auto race. Economaki was the lead track and pit lane announcer. As the drivers were sitting in there cars near the start of the race Economaki went up to I believe Jim Clark and said politely, "Jim, can I talk to you for a minute?" Clark replied testily, "Yeah, what do you want?" The whole theater laughed. Economaki didn't miss a beat or get rattled in the least. (Unfortunately the race that followed was a fiery deadly and fatal disaster--quite the inaugural broadcast.)

He was a real pioneer and would have been a nationally recognized elite sportscaster had the sport enjoyed a greater national appeal and the state of broadcasting is what it is today.