Eastern Motorsports Press Association

13/01/2025

Eastern Motorsport Press Association’s 52nd Convention Recognizes Excellence & Professionalism

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 MacDonald, Stefanie Canfield (Honorable Mention: Deb Gastelu, Deb Gastelu
Crash Action: 1st Jack Kromer, 2nd Pete MacDonald, 3rd Dave Pratt (Honorable Mention: Kristen Cocca, Joe Kaminski, Dave Pratt)
Feature: Pete MacDonald,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 MacDonald
Pure Art: 1st Todd Dziadosz, Brent Smith, Harry Meeks (Honorable Mention: Duane Canfield, Todd Dziadosz, Tommy Lane, Pete MacDonald)
Unpublished Color: 1st Todd Dziadosz, 2nd Brent Smith, 3rd Stefanie Canfield (Honorable Mention: Tommy Lane, Rick Sweeten, Rick Sweeten)
Portfolio of the Year: Pete MacDonald
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

Photos by: Jim Smith

13/01/2025

An honor to accept the Eastern Motorsports Press Association Richie Evans Northeast Asphalt Driver of the Year last night. A special group of award winners to be part of! 🏆

12/01/2025

Thank you to everyone who attended our convention this weekend. We hope you all enjoyed yourselves and can’t wait to see you all again soon.

12/01/2025

We finish off the 2025 Eastern Motorsports Press Association convention today.

Sunday, January 12
7:00 am to 10:00 am – Breakfast served to EMPA hotel guests in Wildflowers
9:30 am – General membership meeting Grand Ballroom

12/01/2025

Congratulations to all of our award winners tonight!

11/01/2025

Our 52nd annual convention Hall of Fame dinner is underway.

11/01/2025

Our keynote speaker, ‘The Voice of the Indy 500’ in Paul Page has taken to the stage.

11/01/2025

Mike Lewis from Dover Motor Speedway has been awarded the Ernie & Marilyn Saxton EMPA Service to the Organization award.

11/01/2025

EMPA President Dino Oberto is giving his State of the Organization address.

11/01/2025

The NAPA Brice’s Auto Supply photo contest is underway. There is so much talent in this room. Who will walk away with the big money?

11/01/2025

We are all set for day two of the 2025 Eastern Motorsports Press Association convention.

Saturday, January 11
7:00 am to 10:00 am – Breakfast served to EMPA hotel guests in Wildflowers

9:00 am – Brice’s NAPA Auto Parts Photo Contest begins in Grand Ballroom Southeast

9:00 am – Mike Lewis/Dover Motor Speedway in Grand Ballroom

Workshop Breakout Sessions:
9:30 am – 9:50 am Mike Mallett: Technology in writing
9:55 am – 10:15 am Jeremy Elliott: How to prepare a press release and column
10:25 am – 10:45 am Kevin Kovac: Ethics in writing
10:50 am – 11:10 am Kolten Gouse: What race tracks expect when approving media credentials

11:15 am – EMPA State of the Organization address, Dino Oberto

11:20 am – Keynote speaker Paul Page followed by Q & A

12:05 pm – Dover Motor Speedway luncheon buffet served in Grand Ballroom

Award presentations during lunch - Mary and Howie Hodge Award presentation and other awards

1:10 pm – Roundtable discussion Paul Page, Karl Fredrickson, Bones Bourcier: Topic…The Society of Motorsports Journalists & The Eastern Motorsport Press Association in Grand Ballroom

1:10 pm – 2:00 pm Brent Smith & Bob Yurko: Go beyond: growing your photo creativity & basic camera setting Pennsylvania Room

5:00 pm – Cocktail hour Grand Ballroom (cash bar)
5:55 pm – Writer and Photographer awards
6:00 pm – Dinner followed by start of all other awards
Hospitality rooms open after dinner in Pennsylvania Room

10/01/2025

Tonight’s The Wire Guys/EMPA Champions Salute driver line-up:

Friday, January 10, 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm

Zane Zeiner – RoC Modified Tour champion

Steve Shultz – Evergreen Raceway 602 Crate Modified champion

Scott Riggleman – Wall Stadium Factory Stock champion

Parker Hendricks – Greenwood Valley Action Track 600cc Micro Sprint champion

Ken Duke Jr. – Port Royal Speedway & PASS 305 Sprint champion

John Scarborough – Maryland State IMCA & Laurel Highlands Sprint champion

Logan Watt – Grandview Sportsman/SSTS 602 South champion

Danny Creeden – Penn Can Modified champion

Sam Ryan – Challenge Cup Series champion

Jeff Strunk – Grandview Speedway 358 Modified champion

Stephen Kopcik – Wanick Motorsports

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

10/01/2025

Welcome everyone to the 2025 Eastern Motorsports Press Association convention. Here is the schedule for tonight Friday, January 10.

5:00 pm – Registration/sign-ins begin outside of Grand Ballroom
Photo room opens for contestant entries Grand Ballroom Southeast
Food and beverages served in Pennsylvania Room ​
5:55 pm – Welcome from President Dino Oberto to membership and guests
6:00 pm – 7:15 pm The Wire Guys Champions Salute interviews Grand Ballroom
7:15 pm – 8:30 pm…. socializing Grand Ballroom
8:30 pm – Hospitality rooms open Pennsylvania room

10/01/2025

Safe travels everyone to this weekends convention. We’ll see you in a few short hours!

19/12/2024

Just want to send out this update on the hotel.
For those who have yet to make your reservations at the Holiday Inn, it is unfortunately sold out.

However, the folks at the Holiday Inn have been kind enough to reach out to another local IHG hotel and they have us booked at the Hilton Garden Inn in Wilkes-Barre. It's a very easy drive of just 3.4 miles. It is the same rate plus breakfast.

When you call the Hilton, ask for the EMPA rate or Eastern Motorsports.

Below are the link to the Hilton, the address, and the phone number.

Book your stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Wilkes Barre in the Pocono Foothills and you'll be just minutes from Mohegan Sun Casino and Pocono Downs.

18/12/2024

Eastern Motorsport Press Association Welcomes The Wire Guys As Salute To The Champions Sponsor
Hazle Township, PA - The Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) is happy to announce that the Salute to the Champions, taking place on Friday, January 10, and kicks off the organization’s annual convention, is being presented by The Wire Guys of Hazle Township, Pa.

The Wire Guys have been a longtime supporter of Evergreen Raceway as well as 2024 602 Crate Modified champion Steve Shultz.

“We are so thrilled to have The Wire Guys come onboard with us for the upcoming convention. I know they have been huge race supporters of local racing here in northeast Pa., for a long time and it’s great to see them step in and be part of our Salute to the Champions,” said EMPA president Dino Oberto.

“We are very fortunate to have so many great supporters who are dedicated to this organization and believe in what we stand for and we’re certainly proud to bring along The Wire Guys as part of the 52nd annual EMPA convention coming up in just a few weeks’ time.”

A division of Arc Electric Co., The Wire Guys is geared towards residential clientele. The company was created to properly serve homeowners in Northeast Pennsylvania by giving them the focus they deserve. Founded in 2006, The Wire Guys was launched to provide a dedicated, qualified team to serve residential customers. They provide a wide array of services including electrical panel installation and upgrades, backup generators, lighting, wiring your homes security system, and much more. Their mission is to service each client with a highly trained and courteous technician that is dependable and always trustworthy.

They are located at 1338 North Church Street, Hazle Township, Pa. You can also find them online at https://www.homewireguys.com/our-team/

The EMPA convention takes place January 10-12 at the Holiday Inn in Wilkes-Barre. The weekend begins with a Friday evening “Salute to the Champions presented by The Wire Guys” where local and regional driving titlists have a meet and greet with the press followed by socializing.

Saturday will consist of morning press conferences, workshops, and guest speakers. The “Voice of The 500” Paul Page, is this year’s keynote speaker on Saturday following the workshop sessions and then the Dover Motor Speedway luncheon. The gathering culminates with that evening’s Hall of Fame dinner and awards ceremony.

14/12/2024

Media invited to Eastern Motorsport Press Association Workshops

(HAZLE TOWNSHIP, PA 12-14-24) The Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) is extending an open invitation to all race track media individuals including PR/announcers/photographers to come and be part of the organization’s Saturday morning, January 11, workshop sessions, which is in conjunction with the 52nd EMPA Convention taking place at the Holiday Inn in Wilkes-Barre, PA that same weekend.

The workshops are being organized by dirttrackdigest.com editor Mike Mallett, who has put together a selection of leading media personal who will be conducting scheduled work sessions that will cover writing, photography, credentialing, and ethics.

“We’re really looking forward to having these work sessions with not only our members who are already in attendance at the convention but also to those who would like to come out and learn from some of the best in the business on these related topics,” said EMPA president Dino Oberto.

“Mike (Mallett) has done a great job of putting this all together and we’re happy to extend an invitation to those who would like to learn from this as well see what EMPA all is about.”

The workshops will begin at 9:20 am and continue through 10:50 am.

“I’m looking forward to the workshops on Saturday as we've been able to line up some of the best people in the industry,” stated Mallett.

“We have former EMPA writer of year winners Kevin Kovac, Jeremy Elliott, and myself leading the writing workshops along with EMPA photographer of the year winners Brent Smith and Bob Yurko leading the photo workshops. Kolton Gouse of BAPS Motor Speedway is also coming to discuss the credentialing process and expectations for our members. It should be a very informative morning.”

Those attending will also get to sit in afterwards for the keynote speaker presentation with “The Voice of The 500” Paul Page.

Lunch will be provided courtesy of Dover Motor Speedway. Following the luncheon there will be a roundtable discussion with Page and EMPA Vice President Karl Fredrickson on the teamwork between the Society of Motorsports Journalists and EMPA.

Anyone who would like to attend the EMPA work sessions is asked to contact Dino Oberto at [email protected]

12/12/2024