Statements from the racing world on the passing of Chris Economaki

Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch Statement on Passing of Chris Economaki

“Our hearts are heavy at the loss of Chris Economaki. Chris was a legend of motorsports media and will truly be missed. He touched so many lives during his time in our sport, not just those he that interviewed, but the thousands of readers and viewers who enjoyed his stories. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time.”

Statement From NASCAR Chairman And CEO Brian France On The Passing of Chris Economaki

“The passing of Chris Economaki is a tough loss for me on both a personal and professional level, having known Chris throughout my life. Many people consider Chris the greatest motorsports journalist of all time. He was, indeed, ‘the Dean.’ Chris was a fixture for years at NASCAR events, and played a huge role in growing NASCAR’s popularity. I’ll miss seeing him and of course, I’ll miss hearing that voice. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughters Corinne and Tina and the rest of Chris’ family.”

INDYCAR STATEMENT ON PASSING OF CHRIS ECONOMAKI

INDYCAR and the world of motorsports have lost a true friend with the passing of Chris Economaki. The Dean of American motorsports journalists, Chris dedicated most of his life to reporting the sport of auto racing and telling the stories of the heroes of our sport. He was truly one of a kind. We send our thoughts and condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

Statement from Ford Motor Company

Statement from Edsel B. Ford II:

“All of us at Ford Motor Company are sorry to hear of Chris Economaki’s passing last night. He was an icon of the sport of auto racing and a familiar, knowledgeable face and voice to millions of race fans around the world. His influence on the growth of auto racing in the United States cannot be underestimated. National Speed Sport News covered everything from the greatest drivers around the globe to the local short trackers who competed for their families and fans around this country. Chris respected and loved them all, and they loved him back.”

Statement from Kevin Kennedy, director, Ford Racing Communications:

“Chris’ passing marks the end of a great era of auto racing and how it was covered in this country. He truly loved the sport, probably more than any journalist I knew, but he also loved the people who made up the sport, and was quick to tell a great story, say a kind word to those new to the sport, and hold court on any subject the sport could dish out. I’ll miss that great voice, and the fabulous stories, the Monday morning calls as he was finishing his weekly column, and, of course, the manual typewriter that every media center kept for him. His influence on the media, and the PR people who work in the sport, will never be matched.”

Statement from President and CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Jeff Belskus

 “Chris was the dean of motorsports journalism,” said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and chief executive officer. “His accurate, incisive reporting helped increase the audience of the sport and put the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, its events and competitors into the global spotlight. He set a standard for others to follow for generations and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts, sympathies and prayers are with his family and friends.”

Statement from Jim Campbell VP Team Chevy Racing

“Chris Economaki made an impact in motorsports like no other. He was a trailblazer in journalism, and his passion and depth of knowledge across the spectrum of world-wide racing brought the sport to life for millions of fans. His contributions have been endless, and he will be deeply missed. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Chevrolet and Cadillac Racing are with his family and friends.”

“Chris Economaki made an impact in motorsports like no other. He was a trailblazer in journalism, and his passion and depth of knowledge across the spectrum of world-wide racing brought the sport to life for millions of fans. His contributions have been endless, and he will be deeply missed. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Chevrolet and Cadillac Racing are with his family and friends.”

Statement from Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood

“I am saddened by the news of the passing of Chris Economaki. Chris was a pioneer in motorsports journalism. Through his tireless work onNational Speed Sport News to his powerful voice on radio and television broadcasts, he made significant contributions to the growth of the sport. His passion for motorsports will be sorely missed. Daytona International Speedway extends its deepest condolences to the family of Chris Economaki.”

STATEMENT OF CONRAD CLEMENT, CHAIRMAN OF IOWA SPEEDWAY, ON THE PASSING OF CHRIS ECONOMAKI:

“Chris was a true friend of the Clement family, and of Iowa Speedway. I have known him well since Featherlite got into racing over twenty years ago, and I’ve been interviewed by him many times over the past two decades. He was fair and accurate as a reporter, editor and broadcaster, and he always acted in the best interest of motorsports. Chris was indeed ‘The Dean of Motorsports Journalists’, and he will be sorely missed by my family and me, as well as everyone involved in our sport. Our sincere condolences go out to Corinne and Tina and the entire Economaki family on the loss of their father and grandfather. Chris may be gone from us now, but his legacy will live on through the work of those he influenced and inspired.”

Statement from Bruton Smith – Chairman Speedway Motorsports Inc.

“Chris loved the racing business as much as anybody you’ll ever know. He was a great storyteller because he knew so much, and he’d seen so much. He was just so knowledgeable and must have visited nearly every race track in the world. He was a walking encyclopedia when it came to racing and probably knew more about motor racing than anybody who is alive today. It didn’t matter if it was open wheel, NASCAR or what happened at the local short track, Chris knew about it. He made it his business to travel all over the world and he saw it all. There was no form of motorsports he was not acquainted with.”

“He was a remarkable man. I enjoyed every moment I ever spent with him. We will miss him. I don’t know where you’ll ever find another Chris Economaki, but I wish we had more of him. He was a great reporter, a great writer and a great announcer. He was respected by everyone in the business, and he was just great for our sport.”

STATEMENT FROM DARLINGTON RACEWAY PRESIDENT CHRIS BROWNING ON THE PASSING OF CHRIS ECONOMAKI

“I have known Chris Economaki since I started my career in racing nearly three decades ago and I can honestly say that there wasn’t a more passionate person in the media who helped to propel the sport to new heights like Chris did. He was one of the most respected journalists in our sport and covered Darlington Raceway in a variety of ways, including providing expert commentary during ABC’s Wide World of Sports broadcast of the Bojangles’ Southern 500, during the early 1970s. He was a great man, great champion of our sport, and a mentor who I respected very much and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Statement from Jeff Gordon

“The passing of Chris Economaki is a tough loss for me on both a personal and professional level, having known Chris throughout my life,” said NASCAR chairman Brian France. “Many people consider Chris the greatest motorsports journalist of all time. He was, indeed, ‘the Dean.’ Chris was a fixture for years at NASCAR events, and played a huge role in growing NASCAR’s popularity. I’ll miss seeing him and of course, I’ll miss hearing that voice. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughters Corinne and Tina and the rest of Chris’ family.”

Statement from Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell on the passing of Chris Economaki

“When I was young, and I heard Chris Economaki’s voice on the radio or television, I knew I was going to get real racing. That was one of the many great things about Chris, he didn’t beat around the bush. And that’s one of the biggest things he did for our sport, he took the real story of racing to America.

“Chris and my grandfather (the late H. Clay Earles, founder of Martinsville Speedway) were great friends and I was fortunate to spend a lot of time around Chris. I’m going to miss him, and our sport is going to miss his great voice and talent.”

(In 2001 Chris Economaki was presented the H. Clay Earles Award, awarded each year to someone who had love and dedication for the sport and made a impactful contribution. He was only the second to receive the award; the first was NASCAR founder Bill France Sr.)