By Paul Kelly
indy500.com
Saturday, May 27, 2006
The Trackside Conference Room at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was renamed May 27 in honor of legendary motorsports journalist Chris Economaki.
The Economaki Press Conference Room is located on the first floor of the media center and is the site of all major press conferences and media interviews. IMS Chief Executive Officer Tony George announced the renaming at the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association breakfast May 27 at IMS, an annual event during the Indianapolis 500.
"I'm touched and deeply honored, not only because my name is on the press room but because the concept of that room has done so much for motorsport around the world," Economaki said. "That's where writers can sit down and have give and take with drivers. We don't have that at any other facility in the country. This was the pioneer.
"To me, that's important that racing treats the press properly. I've been to races in North and South America, Asia, Africa and Europe, and nowhere are the press treated as well as they are here. So I'm quite thrilled."
Economaki, 85, has been the dean of motorsports journalism for more than 50 years, covering races all over the world. His bylined column appeared in National Auto Racing News, the precursor to National Speed Sport News, in his teens. He became editor of National Speed Sport News in 1950 and still serves as editor and publisher emeritus of the weekly auto racing publication. Economaki still writes the popular and influential "The Editor's Notebook" every week.
Early in his print journalism career, Economaki also worked as a track announcer. That, combined with his award-winning work as a print journalist, led to numerous roles as a reporter and commentator on televised racing broadcasts starting in 1961, a side of his career that lasted more than 30 years. He appeared on racing broadcasts on such networks as CBS, ABC, ESPN and Speed Channel.
Economaki also has worked on racing radio broadcasts. He still serves as a commentator on the IMS Radio Network broadcast of the Indianapolis 500.
***
Indy 500 tickets on sale: Tickets for the 90th Indianapolis 500 remain available Race Morning. Fans wanting to attend the race need to go to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office at the corner of 16th Street and Georgetown Road or at one of the three satellite ticket offices, located at Gates 3, 6, and 9. Tickets start at $20 for general admission and $40 for reserved seats. All ticket offices will open at 6 a.m. and remain open until 1 p.m.
Share:
| Indianapolis 500 Talkback | Post Comment |
|
|
|