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Jim Smith Photo
(Wilkes-Barre, PA) The 52nd gathering of the Eastern Motorsport Press Association brought together a wide range of motorsports professionals at the Holiday Inn East Mountain in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The weekend blends work with celebration, made possible because of support from the business community and individuals involved in some aspect of motorsports.
Inducting outstanding individuals into the EMPA Hall of Fame is the weekend’s crown jewel event at a celebratory banquet. This year two dirt racers (Alan Johnson and Jimmy Horton III), NHRA drag racing legend Don ‘The Snake’ Prudhomme, asphalt star Steve Park, sprint car great Sammy Swindell, and renowned motorsports writer Bones Bourcier have joined other legends in the Hall.
Friday evening, attendees heard from several drivers who were invited to Champions Night, presented this year by new sponsor The Wire Guys from Hazle Township, PA. They included Zane Zeiner, Jeff Strunk, Ken Duke, Jr., Steve Shultz, Scott Riggleman, Logan Watt, John Scarborough, Parker Hendricks, Sam Ryan, and Stephen Kopcik.
Saturday’s agenda included workshops for both writers and photographers, the popular photo contest, and keynote speaker, Paul Page. As the longtime voice of the Indy 500, his blend of humorous anecdotes and sage advice was well received. He then joined Hall of Fame inductee Bones Bourcier in a panel discussion facilitated by EMPA Vice President Karl Fredrickson. Topics ranged from the absolute necessity in being factual and the importance of building trust with your audience. “Please thank your members for the wonderful hospitality they gave me. I really enjoyed the event. Your attention to detail is amazing,” Page stated.
Dino Oberto, EMPA President, provided a ‘State of the Organization’ address to highlight the many changes that have taken place in recent years. He also thanked some key individuals for their work in various initiatives. Oberto then presented an Ernie and Marilyn Saxton Service to EMPA award to longtime sponsor Dover Motor Speedway. Mike Lewis accepted.
Saturday evening’s Hall of Fame dinner celebrated racing’s past, with six new inductees, and its present, with a host of special awards to members and others in the sport. Each of the Hall of Fame inductees recognized the accomplishments of all the others and expressed the personal honor of being included among so many talented professionals.
Early indications are that EMPA again scored a big win with the weekend’ lineup. The 53rd convention will be held at the same location. Additional information on EMPA can be found at https://empamedia.com.
2023 Pocono Raceway/EMPA Writer’s Contest
Feature: 1st Thomas Pope (Speedway Illustrated), 2nd Ron Hedger (Speed Sport Insider), 3rd Scott Walsh (Scranton Times-Tribune)
Personality Profile: 1st Dan Anderson (Speedway Illustrated), 2nd Carol Houssock (Speedway Illustrated), 3rd Thomas Pope (Speedway Illustrated)
Column: 1st Bruce Bennett (Speedway Illustrated), Dan Anderson (Speedway Illustrated), 3rd Jason Beck (Speedway Illustrated)
Race Report: 1st Scott Walsh (Scranton Time-Tribune), 2nd Lenny Sammons (Area Auto Racing News), 3rd Dino Oberto (Hazleton Standard-Speaker)
News: 1st Kevin Kovac (DirtonDirt.com), Scott Walsh (Scranton Time-Tribune), Mike Adaskaveg (Outsidegroove.com)
2024 Brice’s NAPA Auto Photography Contest
Action: 1st Dave Dellinger, 2nd Jack Kromer, 3rd Dave Pratt (Honorable Mention: Dave Dellinger, Matt Butcosk, Dave Pratt)
Action Sequence: 1st Dave Dellinger, Pete McDonald, Stefanie Canfield (Honorable Mention: Deb Gastelu, Deb Gastelu
Crash Action: 1st Jack Kromer, 2nd Pete McDonald, 3rd Dave Pratt (Honorable Mention: Kristen Cocca, Joe Kaminski, Dave Pratt)
Feature: Pete McDonald,2nd, Todd Dziadosz, 3rd Matt Butcosk (Honorable Mention: Dino Oberto, Matt Butcosk, Walt Smith, Jim Smith, Brent Smith, Harry Meeks)
Picture Story: 1st Dave Dellinger, Bobby Chalmers, Todd Dziadosz (Honorable Mention: Erika Bye, Duane Canfield, Bob Yurko, Michael Casey, Bob Yurko)
Portrait & Personality: 1st Harry Meeks, 2nd Tommy Lane, Jack Kromer (Honorable Mention: Duane Canfield, Erika Bye, Jack Kromer, Matt Butcosk, Matt Butcosk, Pete McDonald
Pure Art: 1st Todd Dziadosz, Brent Smith, Harry Meeks (Honorable Mention: Duane Canfield, Todd Dziadosz, Tommy Lane, Pete McDonald)
Unpublished Color: 1st Todd Dziadosz, 2nd Brent Smith, 3rd Stefanie Canfield (Honorable Mention: Tommy Lane, Rick Sweeten, Rick Sweeten)
Portfolio:Pete McDonald
Best of Show:Dave Dellinger
Other Awards:
EMPA Hall of Fame: Bones Bourcier (Journalist), Jimmy Horton III (dirt), Alan Johnson (dirt), Steve Park (asphalt), Don Prudhomme (drag racing), Sammy Swindell (sprints)
Junie Dunlevy Spirit of the Sport: Ryan Flores
Janice Brice photo award: Duane Canfield
EMPA Promotional award: Doug Rose
John Blewett III Young Gun, Presented by New England Race Fuels: Corey Day
Jerry Reigle Outstanding Contribution to Sprint Car Racing: Scott Gobrecht
Richie Evans Northeast Asphalt Driver of the Year: Justin Bonsignore
Richie Evans Northeast Dirt Driver of the Year: Mat Williamson
Al Holbert National Dirt Driver of the Year: David Gravel
Al Holbert National Asphalt Driver of the Year: Kyle Larson
Chris Economaki Newsmaker of the Year: Dave Blaney
Ace Lane, Sr. Photographer of the Year: (tie) Rich Corbett, Tommy Lane
Jim Hunter Writer of the Year: (tie) Ted Schmidt, Keith Waltz
Howie and Mary Hodge Photo: Bob Yurko
Ernie and Marilyn Saxton Service Awards: Dover Motor Speedway, Bill Brice
