[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1236-E1237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING CHRIS ECONOMAKI, THE 2009 RECIPIENT OF POCONO RACEWAY'S 
                    BILL FRANCE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Chris 
Economaki, the dean of motorsports journalists, who has dedicated 
himself to the promotion of a national sport that has enriched the 
lives of countless people for more than 60 years.
  Mr. Economaki is the first journalist to receive this award, first 
presented in 1977, which is dedicated to the memory of William H. G. 
France, the founder of NASCAR. This award is presented annually to a 
person, organization or corporation that has made outstanding 
contributions to the sport of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing.
  Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1920, Mr. Economaki's father was a 
Greek immigrant while his mother was a great niece of Robert E. Lee. He 
witnessed his first auto race in Atlantic City at the age of nine and 
was immediately hooked on the sport. He started his career at the age 
of 13 selling copies of National Speed Sport News newspapers. He wrote 
his first column at the age of 14 for the National Auto Racing News. In 
1950, he became editor of the National Speed Sport News. He began a 
column for that publication, titled ``The Editor's Notebook,'' that he 
still writes more than 50 years later. He eventually became owner, 
publisher and editor of the National Speed Sport News. His daughter, 
Corinne Economaki, is the current publisher and the paper is still 
considered ``America's Weekly Motorsports Authority.''
  His autobiography is entitled ``Let Em All Go: The Story of Auto 
Racing by the Man Who Was There.''
  Mr. Economaki worked as a race track announcer in the 40s and 50s. He 
covered races at Indianapolis, Daytona, LeMans and many other 
locations. His motorsports coverage on radio and television became 
legendary.
  Mr. Economaki has been the recipient of numerous major motorsports 
award and he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America 
in 1994. The Economaki Champion of Champions Award is named after him. 
A day at the Dodge Charger 500 at the Darlington Speedway race weekend 
is named ``Chris Economaki Day.'' The press room at the Indianapolis 
Motor Speedway was named the ``Economaki Press Conference Room'' in 
2006. He appeared as a pit reporter in two motion picture films, 
``Stroker Ace'' and ``Six Pack.''

[[Page E1237]]

  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Economaki on this 
notable occasion. His contributions to the motorsports industry have 
been economically rewarding to countless families across America and 
have improved the quality of life for so many. Mr. Economaki epitomizes 
the spirit of American entrepreneurs and his example is inspirational 
to the generations who will follow him.

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