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Topic: R.I.P. CHRIS ECONOMAKI.....A TRUE MOTORSPORTS LEGEND
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Page 1 of 1 of 17 replies
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September 28, 2012 at
08:04:09 AM
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We lost a good honest and admired man today. Mister Economaki will forever be remembered as a true auto racing icon. Thanks for the memories and all you did for auto racing Mister Economaki.
I miss my "paper version" of National Speed Sport News every week.
http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/more/chris-economaki-dies-at-age-91/
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September 28, 2012 at
08:10:35 AM
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This is a sad day indeed. R.I.P. Mr. Economaki, you will be missed.
Never hit stationary objects!
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September 28, 2012 at
08:39:42 AM
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Chris set the standard of motorsports coverage,never to be surpassed. Rest in true Peace my friend and Thank You for all those Editors Notebooks,truly missed today,tomorrow,and forever. Bet n Housen
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September 28, 2012 at
08:45:11 AM
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I was fortunate enough to get to interview Chris at the Bowl one year and visit with him a little while. One of the best thrills of my life. He was the best! God bless him and his family.
Sweeton
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September 28, 2012 at
08:54:37 AM
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I'll admit that I didn't much care for Mr Economaki....until I read his autobio "Let Them All Go!" with Dave Argrabright and watched his interviews with Dave Despain on Wind Tunnel.
What an amazing man who witnessed more auto racing history than anyone ever will. Not just a treasure, but a true motorsports icon, the likes of which we will never see again.
RIP Chris
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September 28, 2012 at
08:57:31 AM
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He came to Nodak Speedway back in 2002 during our 50th Anniversary celebration and was the keynote speaker and after that, he hung around and watched the races that night. He spoke about how he got his love for auto racing and got started in the business. It is truly an amazing story and to just think about all the legendary drivers he has interviewed, races and racetracks he has been to, and just to be able to watch the sport grow as it has. He will definatly be missed by everyone in the auto racing community. If you haven't already, pick up a copy of his book, "Let em all go." Very good read!!
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September 28, 2012 at
09:05:24 AM
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His is truly an amazing story, certainly epitomizes the American Dream.
He had the unique ability to be able to reach the average American and get them invested in becoming interested in the sport of auto racing - whether it be at a county fair or on TV.
May peace be with Corinne, friends and the racing community at this difficult time.
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September 28, 2012 at
11:04:52 AM
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God speed
They don't even know how to spell sprint car
much less chromoly...http://www.ycmco.com
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September 28, 2012 at
11:15:48 AM
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Rest in peace my friend.
Northern California Sprintcars
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September 28, 2012 at
12:05:51 PM
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This message was edited on
September 28, 2012 at
01:40:07 PM by thefirstturn
NSSN, Ye Editor's Column, true fan of "all" automobile racing and perhaps the most important attribute this man possessed........................................one of the last, if not the last, of the non-egg sucking, non-ass kissing pit lane race reporters! RIP. E-mods.
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September 28, 2012 at
01:02:53 PM
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I feel a deep sense of loss today over Chris Economaki's death.
In the early 1990s I had the pleasure of meeting Chris for dinner and drinks while on business in London. He claimed that he was there because he had a lot of frequent flyer miles and needed a new Burberry rain coat; however, I know he was there to interview Bernie Ecclestone. I will always cherish the memories of that time with him as I was like the proverbial little kid in the candy store listening to his tales. He actually had visited with the chef at the restaurant where we ate earlier in the day to order what he wanted that evening ahead of time.
About two weeks later I saw him again at one of the "Gilmore Roars Again" parties at the Farmers' Market in Los Angeles. The last time I saw him was at a sprint car at Perris Auto Speedway in 1994.
I was a nearly 50 year subscriber of "National Speed Sport News" and his column was always the first thing I read when I received the latest issue of the newspaper.
Chris Economaki truly was the dean of American motorsports writers.
RIP old friend.
Tucson Osty
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September 28, 2012 at
01:07:31 PM
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Met Chris a few years ago when he attended the NSCHoF Inductions. As someone in the media, he was one of the many I have looked up to as an inspiration. Thoughts and payers with his family.
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September 28, 2012 at
03:04:12 PM
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There will never be another one like him.
Tonight(Friday) on the Speed Channel at 11pm eastern they are repeating that excellent show they did about and with Chris a few years ago instead of the scheduled repeat of Trackside at....
I highly recommend watching and recording that show.
....Opperman forever!
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September 28, 2012 at
04:48:40 PM
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What a shame. Economaki was race fan to the core. He will be missed.
Cheers!
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September 28, 2012 at
08:31:08 PM
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Godspeed Mr Economaki. Some of the highlights of my youth were running to the mailbox after school on Thursdays to find NSSN, Midwest Racing news, and Sports Illustrated. It hurt when NSSN changed their business model this year, this hurts even more. The world could use more people like Chris Economaki.
Thank you Chris, I am going to reread some of the old NSSN's I have tonight and tip a cup to you.
ML
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September 28, 2012 at
10:17:57 PM
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The Karl Kinser of media guys.
Luna's Ford engine style that won 2 WoO titles and 3
Kings Royals before a weight rule against the best EVER
in their prime and now DOMINATES super dirt late model
racing is no longer allowed/wanted in a WoO sprint
car.... Was Luna a miracle worker?
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September 29, 2012 at
09:45:18 AM
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What a loss to all racing fans worldwide. Rest in peace & thanks for the wonderful memories Mr Economaki. May God's peace comfort his family in this time of sorrow.
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September 29, 2012 at
11:11:07 AM
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In '78 or '79 after the Saturday night racing of the Knoxville Nationals, I and two of my friends (all three of us were 17 or 18, depending which year it was) ran into Mr. Economaki beside the Arizona Barn. Having grown up reading my dad's NSSN papers, and seeing him on tv racing broadcasts, Mr. Economaki was as much a hero as the drivers themselves, so I approached him for an autograph. Expecting him to sign the paper and then be on his way, he ended up visiting with us, three teenagers, for 30 - 45 minutes. He asked where we were from, then started asking about many of our local drivers. We were amazed he knew so much about the racing in our small area of the world. I'm still amazed at his vast knowledge of all motorsports and the time he spent visiting with three starstruck kids. RIP Mr. Economaki, the racing world won't be the same without you.
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