How fitting that Bob Newton and Chris left this world with in days of each other...They were such great innovators for the sport of auto racing......R.I.P. Guys...You will be missed....

At times, we wonder if our fan base is diminishing because they are passing on without being 'replaced'(Yikes! That sounds terrible!).

Sometimes I feel that the same thing may be happening when we lose a Bob Newton, or a Chris Economaki, J.W Hunt, Dave Calderwood, Pat Kehoe, etc. Innovators, supporters, owners...............

Maybe today's reporters(Oldham, Burton, Morrison to name a few), photographers(Merritt, Pederson, Sink etc.), and videographers and radio hosts(D.O.) are the modern equivalent to the NSSN and others. I dunno. What do you guys think?

Sam I believe in principle you are exactly right. No one will discount the memories and legacies of any great figure in this or any sport.

The names of today you mention would collectively agree that while any, to many, if not all of them are involved to the level they are because of the influence of someone. But I also believe they are content to be the first edition of their own selves, as they would be the last to compare in the superlative to their predecessors.

Just as we watch and have watched the likes of Kyle Larson mantled "the next" so-and-so, it is enough in my opinion to let the champions of word and deed be compared to themselves alone.

All of that being said, any man or woman who weaves together so noteworthy a life of longevity and charisma, filled with so mant unique experiences and relationships, that person, if they ever come to exist, will still not be Chris Economaki.

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