2024 News

 
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11/11/2024

Greetings all,

Just wanted to send out a note to remind everyone about sending in your 2025 membership dues, which are now due.

In order to vote or be in any contests you must have your '25 membership dues paid.

Remember, you can go to the Speedway Illustrated website and renew online. If you do, you will also get a free one-year subscription to the magazine. 

https://speedwayillustrated.com/product/2021-membership-to-the-empa/

 

Otherwise, please send check payable to:

Eastern Motorsport Press Association

Mail to:

Dino Oberto

211 Columbus Avenue

Hazle Township Pa 18202

 

Also, for those of you who are planning to participate in the EMPA/Pocono Raceway Writers Contest you need to hustle and get those entries in ASAP as the deadline is nearing.

Here is the link to the contests for both writers and photographers from our website.

https://empamedia.com/conventioncontestrules.html

 

And it would be in your best interest as well to make your hotel reservations for the convention, which is January 10, 11, 12 at the Holiday Inn Wilkes-Barre

East Mountain, 600 Wildflower Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702

Room Block for reservations is active. Phone code is EMS and online https://tinyurl.com/EMPABlock

Hotel office:

570-970-1152

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/HolidayInnWilkesBarreEastMountain/

 

Finally, we are putting the final touches on the soon-to-be-released ballot for the Hall of Fame and other awards.

When you get it, which will be by email, PLEASE take the time to look over and review ALL the selections.

YOUR VOTE MATTERS!

More news will be on the way, but until then

Peace, out

Dino

10/25/24

Greetings all,

This is just a quick reminder for those who are planning to enter the EMPA Pocono Raceway Writers Contest to please start sending in your entries.

Once the deadline is passed there will be no exceptions.

Remember also you must have your 2025 dues paid in order to enter the contest.

Here is the link for the rules:

https://empamedia.com/conventioncontestrulesEMPAWritersContest.html

Photographers you can find the rules for the EMPA Brice’s NAPA Auto Parts Photo Contest here:

https://empamedia.com/conventioncontestrulesEMPAPhotographersContest.html

 

Thanks, Dino

10/15/24

Mike Harris Named 2025 Squier-Hall Award Recipient

Harris spent three decades as lead motorsports reporter for The Associated Press

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate long-time EMPA memeber Mike Harris on being named as the 2025 Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence.

Well earned Mike!

The following is the official announcement from NASCAR Communications.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 13, 2024) — Longtime The Associated Press (AP) reporter Mike Harris was named recipient of the 2025 Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence becoming the 13th winner of the prestigious award.

Harris joined the AP in 1969 and became lead motorsports reporter in 1980, a role he held until retirement in July 2009.

“Mike Harris was a trusted voice inside the NASCAR garage for decades," said Jim France, NASCAR chairman and CEO. "Mike's nationwide reach coincided with NASCAR’s enormous popularity growth, and his coverage and feature stories for the world's largest news-gathering organization brought NASCAR and our drivers into the homes of millions of fans across the country. Mike is a true professional, a gentleman and a legend in his field.”

Harris began his full-time journalism career in 1967 with The Rockford (Ill.) Morning Star and Register-Republic before joining the AP Chicago Bureau in Feb. 1969. He covered a variety of sports and served as Indiana Sports Editor prior to finding his home in motorsports.

Harris is the 1985 recipient of the American Motorsports Media Award of Excellence (previously called the Henry T. McLemore Award). In 1987 and 1994 he won the Jim Hunter Writer of the Year Award given by the Eastern Motorsport Press Association.

The Squier-Hall Award is voted upon by a panel of NASCAR and NASCAR Hall of Fame executives, active and retired media members, and former NASCAR competitors and industry leaders. Harris will be honored during NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony festivities on Feb. 7, 2025 and featured in an exhibit in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Tickets to the Induction Weekend events are available at NASCARHall.com.

The Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence was named after legendary NASCAR media figures Ken Squier and Barney Hall, the first two recipients of the award.

9/26/24 Good afternoon, all. 
First, our thoughts are with our members, family and friends in or near the path of Hurricane Helene. We hope you all remain safe.
Dino is preparing another newsletter and we'd like to include news or items of interest in your lives to share with the membership. As always, you can simply hit 'reply' and I'll forward on to Dino, or email him directly at dlmo@ptd.net. Try and do that within the next week or so.
In the meantime, please 'save' January 10 - 12, 2025 for our convention in Wilkes-Barre. We'll have more on that in the upcoming newsletter(s).
Carol Houssock
8/8/24

On behalf of the Eastern Motorsport Press Association we would like to extend our sincere condolences on the passing of Chuck Givler.

Chuck was a longtime fixture with the Easton Express newspaper and not only did he do an amazing job of covering the local and regional sports scene, he made certain motorsports got a fair and equal share as part of it.

Chuck was also a fixture in the Media Center rooms at Pocono Raceway, Dover Motor Speedway and Nazareth Speedway, always front and center.

As a member of EMPA he was always a great guy to hang with during the yearly conventions and in 2003 he was named as the Jim Hunter Memorial EMPA Writer of the Year.

He will be missed by all who knew him. A great reporter and great guy.  Dino

https://obits.lehighvalleylive.com/us/obituaries/etpa/name/floyd-givler-obituary?pid=207379860

8/1/24

The following is a statement from EMPA President Dino Oberto on the passing of Evan Canfield:

All of us at the Eastern Motorsport Press Association are deeply saddened by the news on the passing of member Evan Canfield who died unexpectedly early this morning.

Evan was an amazing young talented photographer, with a passion that was passed on to him by his parents Stephanie and Duane Canfield.

He took great pride in his work that was always exceptional and garnered several awards from the organization for that work.

His crowning achievement came this past January at the EMPA convention when Evan was named the Ace Lane Sr. Memorial EMPA Photographer of the Year.

The organization is always looking for young talent such as Evan who is able to share the message of EMPA, and he proudly did just that.

The Canfield family is a true testament of what professionalism stands for within motorsports and all with a heart of gold.

We ask that you please take a moment to remember Evan and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

May he rest in peace.

Sending Donations in the name of Evan Canfield:
Dino Oberto c/o Eastern Motorsport Press Association
211 Columbus Avenue
Hazle Township, PA 18202

Pic 1: Evan Canfield receives the Ace Lane Sr. Memorial EMPA Photographer of the Year award from last year’s winner, Harry Meeks during the organization’s January convention. (Photo by Bob Yurko)

Pic 2: After receiving the prestigious Ace Lane Sr., Memorial EMPA Photographer of the Year award, Evan Canfield got a big hug from his proud mom, Stephanie. (Photo by Karl Fredrickson)

 
7/18/24 Hi, everyone! I keep hearing it's  "Christmas in July", which means, among other things, that our next convention is less than 6 months away! 

At this time we're seeking nominations for our Hall of Fame. Narrowing down the list of nominees for your votes is one of many difficult tasks the Board conducts prior to the convention. Between now and mid-September, please send the name and bio of each person you'd recommend for consideration to Dino at dlmo@ptd.net, or to me and I'll forward on to him.

Take a moment to look over those currently in our Hall, listed by last name on our website https://empamedia.com. We will consider every name and bio we receive from you in the next two months. Last year's list included roughly 90 names, so we have to begin now.

Here's hoping the weather hasn't affected any of you too terribly. I think we can all agree it's been a HOT summer!

Take care, and we'll be in touch with other news.

Carol Houssock
4/26/24 From Bob Yurko:
As we move forward to put our home on the market could you please put
in the newsletter we need someone to take over taking the boards and stands to the
convention.Hopefully someone volunteers to take over .

No sense waiting - here's your chance to help out! Just reply to me and I'll let Bob know.

Carol
2/29/24 Hi, everyone - Dino is preparing the next newsletter and we want to include items you'd like to share, including any leftovers you may have from the convention last month. You can either send your new/pics to me or directly to Dino at dlmo@ptd.net (or both) and we'll be sure to include it. 

Hope you had fun in the south if you ventured there to get the racing season underway.

We'll all be busy really soon, and that's a great thing!

Take care - 
Carol Houssock
1/15/24

Eastern Motorsport Press Association Celebrates Excellence and Professionalism at 51st Convention

(Wilkes-Barre, PA)   When Jonathan Swift said ‘everything old is new again’ in the 1700’s, the 51st Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) convention proved he was right. With new business sponsors joining our longtime supporters, new winners of the organization’s various contests, a new Saturday format, new Association members in attendance, and a new venue, superior teamwork combined to make what several said was the best-ever EMPA convention. That’s a home run in another sport, but for motorsports professionals it was a checkered flag.
Members and supporters gathered at the Holiday Inn East Mountain in Wilkes-Barre, PA for a weekend that annually blends work with celebration. The event is made possible because of support from the business community and individuals involved in some aspect of motorsports.
The induction of outstanding individuals into the EMPA Hall of Fame is the weekend’s crown jewel event. This year two asphalt racers (George Kent and the late Ted Christopher), two dirt racers (Brett Hearn and Billy Pauch, Sr.) and two motorsports professionals (writer Ron Hedger and photographer Ace Lane, Jr.) received the most votes from EMPA members and are now in the hall.
Hearn remarked that when you’re racing you don’t think about what you’ve done, you think about what you’re going to do. Pauch said the EMPA membership made drivers like him heroes by what they wrote and the pictures they took. Emotions took over during a pair of acceptance speeches. Mike Christopher accepted the award for his late twin brother, Ted, while Lane mentioned how many photographers his late father had inspired during his own Hall of Fame career.
EMPA’s President, Dino Oberto, kicked things off by welcoming everyone to the convention during the Friday evening Belmont’s Garage Champions Night. This event was added several years ago as a way to interview various track champions during the recently completed season. He, Carol Houssock and Earl Krause interviewed Micah Adams (Evergreen Raceway), Brett Tonkin (Penn Can/Afton), Zane Zeiner (ROC Modified Series), Logan Watt (Grandview), Nick Robinson (Chemung Speedrome), Josh Patterson (East Coast TQ Midgets), Ryan Godown (Georgetown/New Egypt), and Buddy Sload (ATQMRA).
Saturday morning press conferences featured Mike Lewis from Dover Motor Speedway, Kyle Taraska from the ATQMRA, Chris Dolack from World Racing Group, and Steven Ovens from Land of Legends Raceway. Each spoke highlighted 2023 and provided information on the upcoming season. Ovens presented data from their video coverage, which is free and proving beneficial for racers seeking sponsorship.
EMPA’s Vice President, Karl Fredrickson, introduced the keynote speaker, Dave Argabright. He spoke about his entrance into motorsports and how communicating with the public has changed over the years. He kept the audience engaged with his light-hearted stories of working with the likes of Chris Economaki, as a columnist and later as author of a book on the legendary man. Argabright told the members that you have to be unique, entertaining, relevant and informative. He added that he is most proud that the racing community accepted him.
Bob Stephens, a retired pilot and former race car owner, joined Argabright and Ovens in a panel discussion on the changing world of motorsports media. Stephens, who spent years as a member of the distinguished Blue Angels and flew for Southwest Airlines for over 30 years, shared what he sees as almost one-to-one similarities between being in the military and NASCAR Cup racing. He stated that each requires a high level of professionalism and reliance on a team for success. The panel then discussed artificial intelligence, which is certain to infiltrate and appeal to some who accept nonsense. Argabright added the importance of works like credibility, accountability and integrity when putting your name to what you write or shoot as a photographer. Ovens emphasized the importance of getting the word out.
Oberto mentioned three awards to close out the morning session. He recognized Rich Corbett, now living in Florida, with a President’s Award for his dedication to, and marketing of, EMPA. Corbett recruits new members on an ongoing basis. Carol Houssock accepted George Kent’s Hall of Fame award. Kent had planned to attend but a medical issue prevented travel. She will present the statue to Kent at the upcoming Chemung Speedrome banquet. Pete MacDonald received the Howie and Mary Hodge photography award from Mike Jaworecki, Sr.
Oberto facilitated an engaging afternoon discussion among three book authors in attendance. Dave Argabright, Buffy Swanson, and Jim (JK) Kelly spoke of the arduous task of actually writing a book, from coming up with the idea or subject, through distribution. They agreed there is no one way to do. Those writing fiction have to paint the whole story, while non-fiction books required careful photo selection. Even coming up with a title can be as simple as hearing a phrase or having ideas just come to them. This discussion was very well received by the membership.
Saturday evening was all about awards. Those going in the Hall of Fame received their hardware and spoke a few words. Emcee and President Dino Oberto then moved in to the presentation of driver, member and other awards listed below. Matt Hirschman and Matt Sheppard were on hand, just as they were a year ago, to receive hardware for being voted the Northeast asphalt and dirt drivers of the year. Both repeated a prior season of excellence and incredible numbers. Ryan Blaney and Ricky Thornton, Jr. were voted the National asphalt and dirt drivers of the year. Blaney sent a video thanking the membership for their votes, saying it was special to receive this award from an organization where both his father and grandfather are in the EMPA Hall of Fame.
Reviews of the weekend have come in swiftly, with many saying they had attended the best convention ever. EMPA remains dedicated to promoting the best in motorsports through its professional, associate and corporate members. 

2023 Pocono Raceway/EMPA Writer’s Contest
Feature: 1st Ron Hedger (Speed Sport Insider), 2nd Thomas Pope (Speedway Illustrated), 3rd Mike Adaskaveg (Outsidegroove.com)
Column: 1st Dan Anderson (Speedway Illustrated), 2nd Scott Walsh (Scranton Times-Tribune), 3rd Karl Fredrickson (Speedway Illustrated)
Personality Profile: 1st Carol Houssock (Speedway Illustrated), 2nd Mike Adaskaveg (Outsidegroove.com), 3rd Bobby Chalmers (Race Pro Weekly)
Race Report: 1st Scott Walsh (Scranton Times-Tribune), 2nd Nick Graziano (Worldofoutlaws.com), 3rd Ron Hedger (Speedsport.com)
News: 1st Scott Walsh (Scranton Times-Tribune), 2nd Mike Adaskaveg (Outsidegroove.com), 3rd Len Sammons (Area Auto Racing News)

2023 Brice’s NAPA Auto Photography Contest
Action: 1st Brent Smith, 2nd Harry Meeks, 3rd Brent Smith, honorable mention Tommy Lane, Jack Kromer
Action Sequence: 1st Duane Canfield, 2nd Jim Smith, 3rd Harry Meeks, honorable mention Debbie Gastelu
Crash Action: 1st Bobby Chalmers, 2nd Todd Dziadosz, 3rd Peter MacDonald, honorable mention Evan Canfield, Bob Yurko
Feature: 1st Jack Kromer, 2nd Bob Yurko, 3rd Walt Smith, honorable mention Tommy Lane, Duane Canfield
Picture Story: 1st Bob Yurko, 2nd Erika Bye, 3rd Paul Arch, honorable mention Paul Arch (2)
Portrait & Personality: 1st Jack Kromer, 2nd Bob Yurko, 3rd Matt Butcosk, honorable mention Duane Canfield, Brent Smith, Matt Butcosk
Pure Art: 1st Duane Canfield, 2nd Matt Butcosk, 3rd Brent Smith, honorable mention Debbie Gastelu, Walt Smith, Kristen Cocca
Unpublished Color: 1st Brent Smith, 2nd Todd Dziadosz, 3rd Brent Smith, honorable mention Micah Adams, Todd Dziadosz, Jeremy Zarfus
Portfolio: Brent Smith
Best of Show: Brent Smith

EMPA Hall of Fame: Ted Christopher, Brett Hearn, Ron Hedger, George Kent, Ace Lane, Jr., Billy Pauch, Sr.
Junie Dunlevy Spirit of the Sport: Red Farmer
Janice Brice photo award: Matt Butcosk
John Blewett III Young Gun, Presented by New England Race Fuels: Austin Beers
Jerry Reigle Outstanding Contribution to Sprint Car Racing: Allan Holland 
Richie Evans Northeast Asphalt Driver of the Year: Matt Hirschman
Richie Evans Northeast Dirt Driver of the Year: Matt Sheppard         
Al Holbert National Dirt Driver of the Year: Ricky Thornton Jr.
Al Holbert National Asphalt Driver of the Year; Ryan Blaney
Chris Economaki Newsmaker of the Year: High Limit Sprint Car Series
Ace Lane, Sr. Photographer of the Year: Evan Canfield                                              
Jim Hunter Writer of the Year: Bruce Bennett
President’s Award: Rich Corbett

Howie and Mary Hodge Photo: Pete MacDonald
1/10/24 I'm sharing a note from Board Member, Karl Fredrickson, and I've attached the weekend schedule again for those who didn't catch it the first time. Carol

Good Day All:

As Dave Argabright and I have been conspiring to present something of value to media professionals on Saturday morning, this note is to inform you that Dave just sent a rough draft of what he's been working on. 

I'm writing to encourage you to share with colleagues that what he has to say is among the most insightful, powerful, and inspiring words I've read. I am eager to hear them in person. The notion that a Q&A will be available afterwards is an extraordinary opportunity that only rarely comes along. 

If you want to become or improve your skills as a professional in the media, some of the best, most formative, and insightful guidance you'll ever receive will be presented on Saturday morning at the Holiday Inn, Wilkes-Barre.

As my friend Russ, one of the greatest promoters ever, would say: Tell your friends!

Looking forward to seeing each of you on Friday.

Karl
1/8/24
1/4/24

Greetings all,

We’re just one week away from the convention and everything is really coming together nicely.

As a matter of fact, we have our best attendance numbers in some time, and we’re not taking any more requests at this time.

Friday night is jam packed, Saturday morning will have a bit of a new look to the press conferences, the photo contest is going to have some amazing entries, and the awards dinner is shaping up to be a great and memorable affair.

We’re very much looking forward to seeing you all, and we’ll have the complete weekend itinerary out following this weekend.

Peace, out

Dino

 
 
 
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