National Speed Sport News, a publication that covered the racing scene in America for nearly 80 years has announced that this week’s issue will be the last print version ever sent to the printing press. The paper’s most famous and enduring name was that of Chris Economaki, who sold the first issue in 1934 as a kid and then began to write for NSSN before being named editor in 1950. Over the next 30 plus years Economaki became the most respected and influential name in the motorsports media. Working on the broadcast team for many major events, like the Indy 500 and others, he was well known for his high pitched voice, awesome knowledge, and fantastic relationships in the various genres of racing in America.
NSSN’s appeal to us was always the fact that they covered virtually everything. From the action of professional drag racing to the dusty scrums on dirts tracks across the country, National Speed Sport News was there to cover the action. The publication covered the rise of auto racing in America from a side show attraction to a major industry and a leading form of entertainment. They documented the careers of the racing greats we all admire and look back on with reverence. Economaki and his staff covered the sport with honesty and without an agenda. Reading NSSN meant getting the straight scoop, whether it was going to be pleasing to either the sanctioning body or the fan base.
The NSSN website will still be up and running, but the print end of things is 100% over. We don’t need to cite the obvious reasons for this decision, as you’ve heard them all for the last several years from nearly every company that has downsized or closed their doors.
Chris Economaki is 90 years old now. As we understand it, Chris does not have a day to day role at NSSN any more, but his daughter Corinne has been running the company for some years. She is unsurpisingly sad about this turn of event.
We’re glad that the website will still be up, but this pit in the bottom of our stomach will take some time to go away.
LINK:
End Of An Era: NSSN Ceasing Publication
