2023 EMPA Pocono Raceway Writers Contest & Brice's NAPA Photo Contest Award Winners
Feature
1st place Ron Hedger
“LIKE A KIDNEY STONE”
Speed Sport Insider, March 6, 2023
Judge’s comment: “Author wrote on topic key to racing but rarely talked about in detail. Well-written feature…use of outstanding sources that spanned the country and many levels and types of racing. Fun story!”
2nd place Thomas Pope
“The Scarlet Letters”
Speedway Illustrated, September 2023
Judge’s comment: “Interesting topic. Well-written feature with great use of source; had me interested from start to finish. Great read!”
3rd place Mike Adaskaveg
“Easton Riedner, 12, Helps Save Life of Racer Larry Richards”
Outsidegroove.com, September 5, 2023
Judge’s comment: “Headline brought me in, and after did a nice job telling the story of a 12-year old hero, and the racer he helped save. Feel-good story!”
Column
1st place Dan Anderson
“My First Times”
Speedway Illustrated, June 2023
Judge’s comment: “Entertaining first-person account of the author’s lifelong association, and all of his ‘firsts.’ Had me interested all the way through. Well done!”
2nd place Scott Walsh
“Pocono Weekend Produces Little Of Everything”
Scranton Times-Tribune, July 25, 2023
Judge’s comment: “Well-written. Author captured the entire Pocono race weekend. Excellent day-after column.”
3rd place Karl Fredrickson
“I’ve Learnt:”
Speedway Illustrated, November 2023
Judge’s comment: “Entertaining and interesting column with great insight on lessons learned in auto racing, and in life.”
Personality Profile
1st place Carol Houssock
“From Horses to Horsepower…Marlin Yoder left his Amish community to go racing”
Speedway Illustrated, August 2023
Judge’s comment: “Super job of storytelling. Author really did a good job of highlighting the many hurdles this Amish man had to overcome to realize his dream. Story kept me riveted throughout!”
2nd place Mike Adaskaveg
“Ken Squier: Remembering the Extraordinary Man”
outsidegroove.com, November 17, 2023
Judge’s comment: “Great read covering every aspect of this legendary broadcaster’s life. Well-done!”
3rd place Bobby Chalmers
“Success In Racing Isn’t All About Wins & Losses; HBR Proved That Wednesday In Cato, NY”
Race Pro Weekly, June 9, 2023
Judge’s comment: “Feel-good story…shows the positive side of sports, and the influence drivers and race teams can have on the youth of the community. Enjoyable read!”
Race Report
1st place Scott Walsh
“Seven Eleven: Hamlin Shoves Way To Victory At Pocono”
Scranton Times-Tribune, July 25, 2023
Judge’s comment: “Author did a nice job highlighting the key moment in the race, and expand that, telling both sides of the controversial incident. Well-written race day story.”
2nd place Nick Graziano
“1HUDDY: O’NEAL GETS FIRST WORLD OF OUTLAWS WIN, BECOMES 100TH SERIES WINNER; MCCREADIE AWARDED BIG GATOR
Worldofoutlaws.com, February 19, 2023
Judge’s comment: “Creative and catchy lead took me in, and author was able to use the ‘rocket landing’ & ‘rocket launch’ themes perfectly to tell this story about the Rocket Racing Team and its Florida track history.”
3rd place Ron Hedger
“Cummins Runs Down Bacon For $10,000”
Speedsport.com February 19, 2023
Judge’s comment: “Good, creative lead, and well-written race-day story. Piece flowed well, telling the reader everything without getting long and wordy.”
News
1st place Scott Walsh
“No ARCA Event In Long Pond In 2024”
Scranton Times-Tribune, November 9, 2023
Judge’s comment: “Well-written story. Good job recapping ARCA’s rich history at Pocono Raceway, and its importance as a pipeline for drivers to NASCAR’s top Series’.”
2nd place Mike Adaskaveg
“Left-Side Panhard Bars Banned: In-Depth Analysis”
outsidegroove.com, November 15, 2023
Judge’s comment: “Writer did a good job of covering all angles of this story. Excellent use of many sources.”
3rd place Len Sammons
“Bridgeport’s Suspension of Ryan Godown Produces STSS Withdraw from Race Weekend”
Area Auto Racing News, March 28, 2023
Judge’s comment: “Author does good job telling the story in what was not your normal racing story. Used multiple sources from both sides of the argument to produce an interesting piece.”
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