For the past 76 years, racing fans across the country were greeted by a familiar friend awaiting them in their mailbox or their local newsstand.
Every week, motorsports enthusiasts were treated with detailed race recaps and analyses of the world's fastest stars and unsung heroes who were a part of this fast and furious sport.
National Speed Sport News exemplified excellency through great writing and attention to detail under the care of longtime editor Chris Economaki, affectionately labeled by the racing community as "The Dean of Motorsports."
Whether it was the happenings in the NASCAR garage area or the latest rivalries in open wheel, quarter midget action somewhere in Midwest America, NSSN was there to cover it all for those who truly had "the need for speed."
However, on March 23rd, the famed publication decided to conclude its run as a weekly print paper, ending its longevity as a reliable print source for its in-depth perspective and stories about racing.
Although electing to continue the NSSN brand and tradition through its on-line efforts, current editor Corinne Economaki, through a statement on the official publication's website, said it was the "saddest day of her life."
"The sluggish economy has made it too difficult to continue publication and no matter how hard I try to make the numbers works - and believe me I have tried - it is just not feasible to keep the business going," Economaki said.
The news of NSSN's last weekly paper, dated March 23, 2011, racing fan Bucky Butler, per Twitter correspondence, said his mailbox "just won't be the same."
When asked about how long he had subscribed to the publication, Butler said, "Forever it seems. My dad was a subscriber going back to when I was a pre-teen in the 70's.
"Even though most of the news had already been covered online, I still looked forward to reading (the works of) Chris Economaki. The writing has always been great. It's for real motorsports fans, not these NASCAR-only, 'come-lately' that I see everywhere."
Racing journalist Bob Pockrass, the Associate Editor of SceneDaily.com and NASCAR Illustrated, sympathized with those who were a part of the National Speed Sport News over the years.
"Anytime a publication closes, it is not good for readers because there are fewer outlets to get information," Pockrass said via email. "I feel bad for all the people there because they poured their heart and soul into National Speed Sport News."
With the NSSN's end as a print publication, the question that comes to mind is, what will become of other periodicals in the racing world, or for that matter, any subject area in general?
Pockrass said that the means how people get their information changes, especially with the advent of the Internet.
"No matter whether it covers motorsports or politics or food, (it) has been heavily impacted over the last several years as people now have other ways to get the news and analysis quicker via the Internet," Pockrass said. "The costs for paper, printing, and distribution are not cheap, and it's been a challenge for many weekly publications to continue with a printed product."
Furthermore, Pockrass pointed out how motorsport publications "also have another hurdle as many natural advertisers, such as automobile products and parts manufacturers," who have additionally "faced financial challenges."
Monte Dutton, a NASCAR journalist for The Gaston Gazette, noted how the means of how readers obtained their information could change quickly.
"Who knows? The Internet may be obsolete (in the future)," Dutton said via email. "The world is changing rapidly. My concern is that we are becoming a spoon-fed society that tunes in what we already want to hear.
"I think all balanced information is an endangered species. You can't fight technology, at least in the long run, but it's sort of like taking a leap of faith."
Over the past few years, news and analyses about the racing world has been readily available for fans by the simple keyboard stroke on a laptop or computer.
Fans have access to web sites like NASCAR.com or Jayski.com, as well as social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to get information straight from the source, such as a PR firm or the racers themselves.
In some cases, readers have gotten their information through on-line blogs or fan sites, which in turn, have somewhat replaced the need for print publications to deliver and produce information on a weekly basis.
Essentially, this points out the concern of Dutton, with readers desiring "news on the go" rather than taking the time to digest a detailed but informative feature or news piece, be it print or on-line.
That said, the media has to find ways to "keep up with the Joneses," as Pockrass pointed out how those in the industry have to "meet the needs of our readers from an editorial standpoint and find ways to create value for advertisers."
Additionally, when asked about the future of print publications, Pockrass said, "I'd like to think there will always be a place for the printed product. What definitely won't go out of style is good reporting and good writing, which helps people understand more about their world and enjoy life."
Perhaps that's why those who work the 9-5 shift daily in the major hubs across the country, as well as those with the homely job in town, still visit the nearest magazine rack of a store or newsstand.
It is there that they'll buy the latest Sports Illustrated or Newsweek, where stories in those periodicals might be exclusively in those periodicals, not their on-line sites.
When you get your hands on any issue of NASCAR Illustrated, RACER magazine, or Speedway Illustrated, keep in mind of the labor of love that's put into each issue.
For as uncertain as the future of the print industry remains, the well-written and detailed stories in those publications await its readers much like the roar stemming from the engines of 43 stock cars, rumbling to life on pit road prior to every Sprint Cup race.
Turn the page and read on - a story is waiting to be read, requiring only your attention and imagination to lead you to the faces, the time, and place that'll enrich your mind.
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