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Chris Economaki Obituary

ECONOMAKI
Chris, The Dean of American Motorsports Journalism, who began selling single copies of National Speed Sport News at age 13 and eventually became the publication's editor, a position he held for 60 years, died September 28, 2012 at age 91.
His column, the Editor's Notebook, was the most read feature in National Speed Sport News for six decades, and while Economaki's contribution had been minimal in recent years, the Notebook, as it is called by readers, continues to be the most meaningful read in the newspaper, which debuted in 1934 when Economaki was 13 years old.
Economaki was also well known for his unique, recognizable voice, which he used first as a track announcer and later through nearly 40 years on television.
He worked with ABC's Wide World of Sports, he was with CBS and ESPN, and it can be said he was one of the catalysts in bringing racing to television. It is not an oversimplification to say he knew racing and knew how to speak about it.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1920, Economaki's father was a Greek immigrant and his mother was a great-niece of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Economaki spent his childhood in Ridgewood, NJ, and saw his first race at the Atlantic City board track when he was 9 years old.
He was hooked and by his 14th birthday he was a fixture in the racing world. Economaki sold his first copies of NSSN at Ho-Ho-Kus Speedway in northern New Jersey when he was 13. Papers sold for a nickel and Economaki got to keep a penny.
"I sold 200 papers," Economaki recalled. "That was $2. An incredible amount of money in 1934."
Economaki soon began writing his own column, known then as Gas-O-Lines, while continuing to peddle newspapers.
Much of Economaki's knowledge about racing cars - and people for that matter - was acquired during 1938 and 1939 when Economaki traveled the Eastern half of the United States as a "stooge" [mechanic] for legendary midget racer Duane Carter.
"He would pay me $15 a week when he could, which was rarely," Economaki liked to say when recalling his days busting his knuckles and learning "tricks of the trade."
After serving in the Army during World War II, including a stint in the European Theater of Operation, Economaki returned to New Jersey and rekindled his passion for auto racing, selling newspapers and announcing at race tracks throughout the East.
"I had guys selling them for me. I was selling 700 to 800 copies a week. Business was excellent," Economaki said. "One weekend, I can't remember where I was, it was 1947, I sold a lot of papers on a Friday night, and Saturday night 50 miles away at another track, with even more people, I sold fewer than 100, and I couldn't understand that.
"It dawned on me that the difference was the announcer."
So began his career as a track announcer.
After more than a decade announcing at tracks and working as editor of NSSN where he took the reins in 1950, Economaki got his big break when NASCAR founder William H. "Big Bill" France recommended Economaki be part of ABC's first telecast from Daytona Int'l Speedway in 1961. Prior to that, Economaki had announced the famous beach races in Daytona for France.
Economaki worked races around the world for ABC through the 1983 season when he made the jump to CBS where he appeared through the mid 1990s. He also worked worldwide Formula One telecasts for ESPN in 1987 and 1988.
"If he wasn't aware of you, you simply were not a factor in the sport," World Driving Champion, Indy 500 and Daytona 500 winner Mario Andretti said in 2004. "If you weren't on Chris Economaki's radar screen, you probably weren't on anybody's."
And that feeling was common throughout the motorsports industry.
In recent years, he continued to appear occasionally on Speed and more regularly on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network. All the time he continued to write the Editor's Notebook and promote what had become known as "his" newspaper.
Through the years Economaki has received countless awards including the NASCAR Award of Excellence, and been elected to numerous Halls of Fame, most notably the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
Economaki appeared as himself in the racing movies Stroker Ace and Six Pack. His voice was also used in Winning.
He was preceded in death by his wife Tommye and is survived by his two daughters - Corinne Economaki of Davidson, NC, and Tina and husband Jeff Riedl of Midland Park, and two grandchildren; Alexis and Christopher Riedl.
Visiting Hours will be Monday, October 1st from 4-8 PM at Church of the Nativity, 315 Prospect St., Midland Park. The Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, 10:30 AM at Nativity Church, with interment to follow in Valleau Cemetery, Ridgewood. Arrangements entrusted to Feeney Funeral Home, Ridgewood.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Chris Economaki's name to the International Motor Racing Research Center, 610 South Decatur Street, Watkins Glen, NY 14891. www.feeneyfuneralhome.com

Published by The Record/Herald News on Sep. 30, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
for Chris Economaki

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Dear Economaki family and friends. I am truly sorry to hear of your loss of your loved one. May constant Prayer and our Heavenly Father and fond memories of Mr. Chris comfort you as you go thru these difficlt times.-Psalm 65:2.

Lynn Harmon

February 2, 2013

We will always remember meeting you at The "500"Motel Lounge, and we will miss hearing your great voice.

Jim and Donna Brett

October 8, 2012

Condolences to the family. I will never foget that voice. Rest in peace and love with our LORD.

Mary Jane Reed

October 7, 2012

Sending you love and prayers through this difficult time. May your sorrows turn to the fond and happy memories soon.

Sandy

October 6, 2012

You have my deepest sympathy. May good memories provide solace for your family during this challenging time; and may God provide you with the assurance that you will see your loved one again in paradise. John 17:3

October 6, 2012

Condolences to the Economaki family. My wife and I, had the honor and pleasure, of a dinner with Chris some 9 years pasted. As a guest of Steve Earwood and his family, we were regaled with motor-sports, and personal stories. An evening that is permanently etched in my memory. Rest in Peace...John and Brandee Cox Reno, NV

John Cox

October 4, 2012

It is because of Chris way back in the early sixties, that I have been a follower of ALL things motor racing. Thank You and God Speed

Timothy Vallo

October 3, 2012

"Editor" Chris, Rest In Peace. You were the best! Thanks for all your hard work.
We enjoyed every minute of it !

Alan Liebl

October 2, 2012

Chris & Jim McKay made the Indy 500 a can't miss event .They don't make them like those guys anymore.You will be missed.God Bless!

John Bradwell

October 2, 2012

Lub-a-luba

Purple lips Bean

October 2, 2012

God Speed Chris! Mark Runyon

Mark L. Runyon

October 2, 2012

You will be sadly missed

Jr. Myers

October 1, 2012

My condolences to the family of Chris. May the God of all comfort be with the family.

Roy

October 1, 2012

Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.

Harry Simpson

October 1, 2012

I made friends with Chris when I was racing with Tiny Lund. He was a true gentleman. Regards, Tubby Crosby

H G tubby Crosby

October 1, 2012

My condolences to Chris' family. He will certainly be missed. May you draw peace and comfort from his memory.

October 1, 2012

His voice has been silenced but it will linger in our ears for years to come. Rest In Peace Chris!

B. Cross

October 1, 2012

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Stewart Thomas

October 1, 2012

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.All of us at Solution Finish loved to here THAT voice he was Racing to us.

chris west

October 1, 2012

Offering my deepest condolences during this difficult time, I'm so very sorry for your loss, death is something we are never prepared for, but please find comfort in knowing God has promised He will do away with sickness, pain and death for His word is truth.

October 1, 2012

My sincere condolences to the Economaki family. Our heavenly Father is a refuge and strength for us during our distresses-Psalm 46:1-Erma L. Davis, Park Forest, IL.

October 1, 2012

good bye chris.thank you for all memories

ron comfort

October 1, 2012

He introduced me to motorsports and made is very enjoyable.

October 1, 2012

A great voice on ABC and a legend for the motorsport aspect of racing. Rest in Peace.

October 1, 2012

I send my sympathy to the Economaki's, Chris was one of a kind, there will never be another one like him. His iconic voice will never be forgotten, as well as his style of reporting as well. Chris was truly racings "Carnival Barker". I can imagine he's up their in heaven, right now trying to get his next story. God Speed Chris Economaki.

September 30, 2012

i can still hear his voice right next to jim on the wild world of sports, my condolanceses to his family.thanks for the him for the exitment of race reporting

howard parry 111

September 30, 2012

You will always live in our hearts and prayers.

joe myers

September 30, 2012

I have been researching the AAA midget races in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1938. Chris was very kind to allow me access to his collection for information. My uncle Jack Morrissey and Chris sold the the Bergen Hearld racing supplement at the local tracks when they were teen agers We had a pleasant conversation at Hinchliff Stadium two years ago when he viewed the restored "White Phantom", Driven by Bill Morrissey. Chris helped to load the cars on the S.S. Argentina in 1938 and had fond memories of the racers and mechanics of "Gasoline Alley" in Paterson,NJ. Chris never forgot these early years and the people involved. God Bless him and my he rest peacefully to the roar of the mighty midgets.

Richard Pender

September 30, 2012

Our deepest sympathy to the family
Wiley and Mary Younce and family
St Simons Island, Ga

Mary Younce

September 30, 2012

Chris was an icon to NASCAR..........

Condolences to his family

Bruce Hux

September 30, 2012

i will forever hear the sound of his voice in my mind. tl conkle wichita ks

terry conkle

September 30, 2012

You will be missed buy your voice will be forever heard. Thank You for the wonderful memories.

Jerry Stewart

September 30, 2012

Remember listening to him announcing races at Dover Speedway in NJ and had an interesting conversation with him at Amelia Island Concours .Always ready to talk to anyone about the sport.Godspeed

Ed Neighbour

September 30, 2012

As a little kid, watching on TV, I was always worried that he was standing too close to the track and was going to get hit by a car.

Tim

September 30, 2012

godspeed the racing world has lost a legend

September 30, 2012

He was dedicated to the World of Nascar and his voice brought the sounds of the tracks into so many lives...fans of his. I will always count him as a portion of my proud Southern heritage that means so much to me and sooo many others....May God comfort his family and friends as they recall special memories of their time together.

Button Benton Boyd

September 30, 2012

I grew up listening to you and marty glickman call fb games in the nyc area. you were great. my condolences to your family.

jim griffin

September 30, 2012

May the God of all comfort be with you. Romans 15:33

September 30, 2012

Go with "God's Speed" Chris. We will miss you.

Tom Boesman

September 30, 2012

Mr. Economaki has certainly left his imprint on the motor world. May the family find comfort by looking to the future with confidence that you are not alone. Our Creator is described as being the "Hearer of Prayer." May you feel comforted knowing that he knows your pain and is there for you.

September 30, 2012

David J Bhaltazhar Esq

September 29, 2012

I am sadened by the passing Mr. Economaki, I can remember with great fondness a time of wacthing the races when I was a kidd with my father and seeing andb hearing him on the tv. Hearing his voice has alway brought back the fond memories of those days and will always. Good Bye and Gog Bless

September 29, 2012

The Best Motorsports Writer Ever..period R.I.P. Chris

Don Conley Sr.

September 29, 2012

The racing community has lost a legend.I like a lot of fans grew up and learned racing from Mr Economaki.and I love the sport because of him.My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Ronald Betts Sr

September 29, 2012

Rest in Peace

Biltcliffe Don

September 29, 2012

My condolences are with your family during your time of grief. Mr. Economaki will be missed but not forgotten.I know that the God of peace
and comfort will be with you during your loss.(Phil.4:7)

Sarah Hall

September 29, 2012

I grew up listening to Chris and learned so much about racing from him. R.I.P.

dan gillen

September 29, 2012

Chris will surely be missed but his knowledge of racing over the decades will always live through his work that he did over the years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Eastern Museum of Motor Racing
Lynn Paxton

September 29, 2012

Rest in Peace.

Sandra

September 29, 2012

Thanks for all the great memories, Chris. You were the best! Rest in Peace, our friend!

John & Sandra Sours

September 29, 2012

I enjoyed hearing Chris way back when he was on ABC's Wide World of Sports,and on other racing broadcasts. He will be missed.I pray God's peace and comfort on his family.
Bill Henderson
Danville,Va

September 29, 2012

Editor's Notebook in NSSN was always a must read. Glad I'll be able to hear your voice in my mind as I re-read "Let 'Em All Go!" RIP Chris.

David Leeth

September 29, 2012

Chris all those Sunday dinners we enjoyed when you walked across the street with that bottle of wine that you and Denise enjoyed while I fixed Sunday dinners and that great failure we had trying to make Yorkshire Pudding at Christmas will be remembered for the good times. Heaven is a great place for a great person!

Tina & Corrine enjoy the history and look forward to the future.

Our Best
John & Denise - Charlotte, NC

John Szabo

September 29, 2012

Chris, you gave me my 1st job 45 years ago at Langhorne Spdwy. Selling Speed Sport. It put me in a great direction. Always enjoyed speaking with you at the track. Rest in peace, you're a hero to many. Gods Speed!?

Jim Lynch

September 29, 2012

Rest in peace Chris. You were one of the true pioneers in 'our' sport.One could trust in your words,No fancy flourishes,just truth in your reporting.We have lost a true friend of racing.

Barbara Durbin

September 29, 2012

HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST ,THERE WILL NEVER BE ANY ONE TO FILL HIS SHOES ,I WILL MISS mr chris. he was the best , r.i.p. chris .

PEGGY SAVAGE

September 29, 2012

Was a huge fan......r.i.p. chris

dan

September 29, 2012

It was my pleasure to have known Chris for many years. It is a great loss to all of us who enjoy the sport of racing.

Stuart Colvin

September 29, 2012

You were the best! Give all the racers in Heaven a hard time.
Tim Delrose
Joliet, ILL

September 29, 2012

Please accept my deepest sympathies. Chris was the voice of auto racing that I will always remember.

Ray Perkins

September 29, 2012

RIP

James Crest

September 29, 2012

Met this gentleman in 1989 at a Super Car race in Mexico City. Very nice, you will be missed.

Kenn

September 29, 2012

May the God of all comfort be with you at this time of grief, may all Chris's memories stay close to your hearts. Psalms 46:1 joanna

September 29, 2012

Chris Economaki was the epitome of what a sports commentator should be.True professional. Condolences to his family and friends. Gone but not forgotten.

Dennis Patterson

September 29, 2012

Rest in Peace Chris Economaki.

Mike

September 29, 2012

Oh how I loved listening to you on TV. You made racing so much more exciting. Thanks for your contagious passion for racing!! A fan of your, Annette

September 29, 2012

I LEARNED TO LOVE NASCAR AS A 13 YEAR OLD KID IN 1968 LISTING TO THE RADIO AND READING STOCKCAR MAGIZINE AND GOING TO THE DIRTTRACKS IN GA. WITH MY FATHER. HIS VOICE WAS NASCAR THEIR WAS HARDLEY ANY TV COVERAGE JUST MR ECONOMAKI AND THE MONDAY NEWSPAPER TO GET THE STOREY.THANK YOU A STOCKCAR FAN
FOR MANEY YEARS.

DANNY THURSTON

September 29, 2012

God will hold you close and protect you, Chris. We'll miss you!

Mike B

September 29, 2012

An amazing sports announcer who's voice I can vividly remember when watching Indy car races with my Dad.

Mark Stage

September 29, 2012

RIP we will miss you on tv.The pray is with the family. god bless your family

leon monnin

September 29, 2012

Rest in peace Mr. E. You brought class to everything you were associated with.

Dave Johnson

September 29, 2012

He did his thing.

May GOD keep his soul in the
palm of his hand.

Bro. Bill Frazier

September 29, 2012

I'll always associate the distinctive voice of Chris Economaki with the NASCAR races on TV. He was truly a pro in the world of motorsport reporting and broadcasting.

Les Breese

September 29, 2012

Gone but never forgotten, God bless you rest in peace and thank you for the memories!---John Micco FL.

John Decaneas

September 29, 2012

My condolences to the family of Chris. My late husband Wally Campbell thought the world of him. Sincerely, Theresa Campbell

Theresa Campbell

September 29, 2012

To the the family of Chris Economaki - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will be missed by many.

September 29, 2012

The racing world has lost a tremendous reporter and storyteller. He brought auto racing to the national spotlight at a time when it was largely local and regional. Our sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues.

Harry & Lucille VanDusen

September 29, 2012

Chris is really missed, he had the heart of racing, just last Friday when climbing the steps at Charlotte Motor Speedway from the track up to the inner grandstands, I remembered Chris walking slowly ahead of me a few years ago, told myself to call him, missed that chance, sad, a really decent man with great compassion, Tom Fraser

September 29, 2012

My husband said it perfectly-"his voice sounded like racing"...RIP

Mary Macaluso

September 29, 2012

One of the great names in Racing! RIP Chris

Don McPeak Sr.

September 29, 2012

RIP Chris. Racing was part of your life. Now your in the winners circle with god

Paul

September 28, 2012

I have many fond memories of your racing days, including working radio broadcasts with you, including that road course in Augusta in the earlt 60's..Your contributions to racing will never be forgotten...and my memories of knowing and working with you will last forever...God Bless

Eael Kelley

September 28, 2012

Thanks Chris and family for inlightening us all with your joy of motorsport and sharing that with us drawing us in so well Gods speed .

Jerry Mogg

September 28, 2012

I'm very sorry to hear of the passing of your dear loved one. May "The God of all comfort" bring your family peace during this time. 2 Cor.1:3

M. Williams

September 28, 2012

God bless And God speed we will miss you Chris.

David Quick

September 28, 2012

Thank you for your pioneering work in motorsports broadcasting. You brought us news back in the "dark ages". RIP friend.

Thomas Payne

September 28, 2012

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