Let ’Em All Go!
by Chris Economaki
This reviewer can say to you, unequivocally, that Let ’Em All Go! by and about Chris Economaki, with Dave Argabright, is a one of those “must acquire and read” books if you have any interest whatsoever in any aspect of motorsports. There are few who have seen as much, experienced as much, or spent as many years in racing—and, in fact, across all facets of the sport and business as Chris Economaki. There are fewer still as able to lucidly and entertainingly communicate those experiences than Economaki. One page will have you guffawing, then a page or two later you’re seriously contemplating a point that he’s just made.
Chris Economaki knew he wanted motorsports to be his life’s work right from his very first experience at age 12 in 1932 at the local New Jersey Ho-Ho-Kus Driving Park—he just didn’t know how or in what capacity. Along the road to finding and identifying his niche he was a race team gofer, a wrench and crewman, and all the while hawking the forerunner of National Speed Sport News part time at the local race tracks.
Shortly after returning from wartime military service, Economaki was hired as a consultant and contributor by that same publication he once sold. Then in April of 1950, he was offered the full editorship of SSN. That then-new medium called television found motorsports, and when it did, it also quickly found Economaki. Chris was knowledgeable about all aspects of the sport which was just as rapidly becoming a business. He knew all of the people who were involved in it, plus he was personable. In other words, he had all the skills and attributes that made him a great on-air commentator and the broadcasting didn’t interfere with his work as the editor and guiding hand of the weekly Speed Sport News.
So who better to spin the yarns, tell the stories—and discuss the business—of and surrounding racing than Chris Economaki? In this book he looks back on his long career and in 31 chapters remembers people, places and events while discussing what might and ought be the future of motorsports as well.Let ‘Em All Go! is both entertaining and thought provoking.
Copyright 2009, Helen V Hutchings (speedreaders.info)
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Helen is correct–this book is a “must” biography. I was lucky enough to meet Chris a few times, and he was always fun to be around. What many don’t know is that he was a wine expert. One of auto racing’s most colorful and unusual characters!