The History of the EMPA​

 
  The 1970's   The 1980's   The 1990's   The 2000's   The 2010's   The 2020's  
 
2010
January 15-17 2010- Held at the Trevose PA Radisson Hotel
As published in the Jan 19 issue of AARN.
Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award- Jerry Reigle of Area Auto Racing News
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award- Jim Smith
Hall of Fame- Fred Adam, Steve Smith, Lou Blaney, Norm Patrick
Al Holbert Driver of the Year Award- Jimmy Johnson
Richie Evans North East Driver of the Year- Ted Christopher
Art McHugh Award- Bob Pleban of Pocono Raceway
T.Wayne Robertson Newsmaker Award- Jim Morton, Gen. Manager of Wall Stadium
Junie Donlavey Spirit of the Sport Award- Wade Cole
John Blewett lll New England Fuels Young Gun Award- Ryan Truex
Ernie and Marilyn Saxton resign their postions in the EMPA organization permanently.
During the Spring of 2010 EMPA undergoes a reorganization and Lenny Sammons is elected as the new President of EMPA.
 
2011
January 7-9 2011- Held in the Liberty Convention Center at the Crown Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia PA
As published in the Jan 11 issue of AARN.
Frank Blunk Writer of the Year Award- Brett Deyo
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award- Dave Pratt
Hall of Fame- Ace Lane Sr., Ernie and Marilyn Saxton, Geoffrey Bodine, Lindy Vicari.
Al Holbert Driver of the Year Award- Dario Franchitti
Richie Evans North East Driver of the Year- Stewart Friesen
Art McHugh Award- John Snyder
T.Wayne Robertson Newsmaker Award- Floyd “Chip” Ganassi
Junie Donlavey Spirit of the Sport Award- Rick Lafferty; Owner/Driver of the # 0 Pennsylvania 410 Sprint Car
John Blewett lll New England Fuels Young Gun Award- Austin Hubbard


Earl Krause was presented the Ray Gasteleu memorial award
Board of Directors: Len Sammons, Dino Oberto, Ron Hedger, Earl Krause, and Bob Yurko
President- Len Sammons
Vice President- Bill Yoder
 
2012
January 6-8 2012- Held in the Liberty Convention Center at the Crown Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia PA
As published in the Jan 10 issue of AARN. (Note: 2012 is the 50th anniversary of Area Auto Racing News)
Jim Hunter Writer of the Year Award- Jerry Reigle
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award- Lee Smith
Hall of Fame- Frank Blunk, Jim Hunter, Jack Johnson, Merv Treichler, Jack Arute Sr. and Bill Singer
Al Holbert Driver of the Year Award- Tony Stewart
Richie Evans North East Driver of the Year- Rick Eckert
Art McHugh Award- Dick Greenawalt
T.Wayne Robertson Newsmaker Award- Randy Bernard
Junie Donlavey Spirit of the Sport Award- Stan Lobitz
John Blewett lll New England Fuels Young Gun Award- Justin Bonsignore
Jerry Reigle Outstanding Contribution to Sprint Car Racing presented by the World of Outlaws- Alan Kreitzer.
President's Award- Outgoing EMPA Treasurer- Bill Yoder
Inaugural Janice Brice Honorable Mention Photography Award- Jim Smith


Board of Directors: Len Sammons, Dino Oberto, Ron Hedger, Earl Krause, and Bob Yurko
President- Ron Hedger
Vice President-Dino Oberto
 
2013
January 4-6 2013- Held in the Liberty Convention Center at the Crown Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia PA
Jim Hunter Writer of the Year Award-Steve Barrick
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award-Dave Moulthrop and Todd Dziadosz (tied in ballot)
Hall of Fame-Drivers Tony Siscone and Doug Wolfgang, driver and speedway operator Stan Friesen, car owners Lou Cicconi Sr. and Ken Tremont Sr., and track operator Paul Kuhl.
Al Holbert Driver of the Year Award- Brad Keselowski
Richie Evans North East Driver of the Year- Brett Hearn
Art McHugh Award- Robin Ervin
T.Wayne Robertson Newsmaker Award- Roger Penske
Junie Donlavey Spirit of the Sport Award-Al Robinson
John Blewett lll New England Fuels Young Gun Award- Kyle Larsen
Jerry Reigle Outstanding Contribution to Sprint Car Racing presented by the World of Outlaws-Jim and Laura Allebach, owners of Lucas Wolfe’s car
President's Award- Gary Rowe.
Board of Directors: Len Sammons, Dino Oberto, Ron Hedger, Earl Krause, and Bob Yurko, Dave Delasandro elected to the board of directors for the coming year, replacing outgoing Bob Yurko.
President- Ron Hedger
Vice President-Dino Oberto
Media Award Winners:
American Honda Motor Company/EMPA Video and Broadcast Contest
Broadcast Division
NEWS SEGMENT (1) Brian Unangst, (2) Sean Siff
GENERAL RACING PROGRAMS (1) Siff, (2) Unangst, (3) Mike Feltenberger
SINGLE EVENT COVERAGE (1) Unangst, (2) Siff
Non-Broadcast Division
SINGLE EVENT COVERAGE (1) Matt Thomas
GENERAL RACING COVERAGE (1) Mel Thomas, (2) Unangst
 Pocono Raceway/EMPA Writers Contest Award Winners
RACE REPORT (1) Bill Huneke, (2) Ron Hedger, (3) Dino Oberto
PERSONALITY PROFILE (1) Jim Donnelly, (2) Len Sammons, (3) Dave Reininger
FEATURE (1) Bruce Bennett, (2) Toby LaGrange, (3) Robin Ervin
COLUMN (1) Herb Anastor, (2) JR Kennerup, (#) Matt Noles
NEWS (1) Dino Oberto, (2) John Snyder, (3) Steve Barrick
 Brice’s Auto Parts, Inc./NAPA/EMPA Photography Contest Award Winners
ACTION (1) Dave Dalesandro, (2) Pete MacDonald, (3) Pete MacDonald, (Hon. mention) Brent Smith
ACTION SEQUENCE (1) Tommy Hein, (2) Dave Pratt, (3) Julia Johnson, (Hon. Mention) Dick Ayers and Bill McGaffin
CRASH ACTION (1) Loren Carmen, (2) Bruce Bennett, (3) Paul Arch, (Hon. Mention) Mike Petrucci, Todd Dziadosz, Rick Sweeten
PICTURE STORY (1) Paul Arch, (2) Paul Arch, (3) Dave Dalesandro, (Hon. Mention) Paul Arch
PORTRAIT AND PERSONALITY (1) Brent Smith, (2) Dave Pratt, (3) Mike Petrucci, (Hon. Mention) Rick Sweeten and Rebecca Eisele
FEATURE (1) Rebecca Eisele, Pete MacDonald, (3) Todd Dziadosz, (Hon. Mention) Dave Pratt, Julia Johnson, Rebecca Eisele
UNPUBLISHED COLOR (1) Dick Ayers, Dave Dalesandro, (3) Loren Carmen, (Hon. Mention) Debbie Gastelu
PURE ART (1) Bob Yurko, (2) Brent Smith, (3) Bob Yurko, (Hon. Mention) John Lane, Todd Dziadosz
PORTFOLIO OF THE YEAR: Brent Smith
BEST OF SHOW: Rebecca Eisele
JANICE BRICE “HONORABLE MENTION” AWARD: Todd Dziadosz

 
2014
January 4-6 2014- Held in the Liberty Convention Center at the Crown Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia PA

Jim Hunter Writer of the Year award-Jim Donnelly and Mike Mallett (tie)
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award-Brent Smith
Hall of Fame-Len Boehler, Jim Reed, Freddy DeSarro, Dave Lape, Ron Bouchard
Al Holbert Driver of the Year Award- Daryn Pittman
Richie Evans North East Driver of the Year- Fred Rahmer
Art McHugh Award -Steve Barrick
Starting in 2015, the Art McHugh Award (for behind the scenes service) was changed to the Ernie and Marilyn Saxton Award.
T.Wayne Robertson Newsmaker Award -Tony Stewart 
Junie Donlavey Spirit of the Sport Award- Don and Marilyn Toal
John Blewett lll New England Fuels Young Gun Award-  Mike Mahaney
Jerry Reigle Outstanding Contribution to Sprint Car Racing presented by the World of Outlaws- Fred Rahmer
President's Award- Mike Colsten
Board of Directors:
President-Ron Hedger Ron Hedger
Vice President-Dino Oberto
Secretary-Carol Houssock
Treasurer-Jeff Gromis
Board Members: Brett Deyo, Earl Krause, Len Sammons, Dave Dalesandro and Dave Moulthrop
 
2015
Jan 2-4th 2015 Held in the Liberty Convention Center at the Crown Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia PA

Jim Hunter Writer of the Year-Lenny Sammons
Ace Lane Photographer of the Year Award- Mike Pettrucci
Hall of Fame-Mike McLaughlin, Barney Hall, Tom Curley, Frank Manzo, Doug Hoffman
Al Holbert Driver of the Year Award-Donnie Schatz
Richie Evans North East Driver of the Year-Stewart Friesen
Ernie and Marilyn Saxton Award-Carol Houssock
Junie Donlavey Spirit of the Sport Award-Patrick family/Gator Racing News
John Blewett lll New England Fuels Young Gun Award-(Tied) Tyler Dipple and Anthony Perrago
Jerry Reigle Outstanding Contribution to Sprint Car Racing presented by the World of Outlaws-Paul Arch
President's Award-Kerry Tharp and Tim Southers


President- Ron Hedger
Vice President-Dino Oberto
Secretary-Carol Houssock
Treasurer-Jeff Gromis
Board Members: Earl Krause, Len Sammons, Dave Dalesandro and Dave Moulthrop
 
2016
Held in the Liberty Convention Center at the Crown Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia PA

President- Ron Hedger
Vice President-Dino Oberto
Secretary-Carol Houssock
Treasurer-Jeff Gromis
Board Members: Earl Krause, Len Sammons, Dave Dalesandro and Dave Moulthrop
 
2017
Held in the Liberty Convention Center at the Crown Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia PA Jan 6-8 2017
​Convention news and award highlights published in the Jan 10 2017 edition of the Area Auto Racing News.

President- Ron Hedger
Vice President-Dino Oberto
Secretary-Carol Houssock
Treasurer-Jeff Gromis
Board Members: Earl Krause, Len Sammons, Dave Dalesandro and Dave Moulthrop
 
2018
Held in the Liberty Convention Center at the Crown Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia PA Jan 11-13 2019.
​Convention news and award highlights published in the Area Auto Racing News.

President- Dino Oberto
Vice President- Earl Krause
Secretary-Carol Houssock
Treasurer- Jeff Gromis
Board Members: Earl Krause, Jeff Gromis, Carol Houssock, Karl Fredrickson

Jim Hunter Writer of the Year Award-Karl Fredrickson
Ace Lane Sr. Photographer of the Year Award-JJ Lane
Al Holbert Driver of the Year Award-Martin Truex jr
Richie Evans North East Driver of the Year-Lance Dewease
Ernie & Marylyn Saxton Service Award-Jim Smith
Newsmaker Award-Ryan Preece
Junie Donlavey Spirit of the Sport Award-Warren Olsten
John Blewett lll New England Fuels Young Gun Award-Tanner Gray
Jerry Reigle Outstanding Contribution to Sprint Car Racing presented by the World of Outlaws-
 
2019
Held in the Liberty Convention Center at the Crown Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia PA Jan 10-12 2020..
​Convention news and award highlights published in the Area Auto Racing News.

President- Dino Oberto
Vice President- Earl Krause
Secretary- Carol Houssock
Treasurer- Jeff Gromis
Board Members: Earl Krause, Karl Fredrickson, Jeff Gromis, Carol Houssock


Jim Hunter Writer of the Year Award- J.A. Ackley
Ace Lane Sr. Photographer of the Year Award-Duane Canfield
Al Holbert Driver of the Year Award-Scott Dixon
Richie Evans North East Driver of the Year
1st year this category was divided into two. Asphalt-Matt Hirschman
Dirt-Mat Williamson
Ernie & Marylyn Saxton Service Award-Karl Fredickson
Newsmaker Award- Roger Penske
Junie Donlavey Spirit of the Sport Award-Kenny Wallace
John Blewett lll New England Fuels Young Gun Award-Tyler Thompson
Jerry Reigle Outstanding Contribution to Sprint Car Racing presented by the World of Outlaws-Bruce Ellis
 
 
 
 
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