Welcome to EMPA
Eastern Motorsports Press Association
The mission of the Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) is to foster a better understanding of the sport gaining recognition for the motorsports press, improving working condition for the working racing media and honoring deserving individuals who make or have made contributions to the sport.
About EMPA
Since its founding in 1969, EMPA has grown from a handful of members to become one of the largest motorsports media organizations in the nation with more than 250 members.
EMPA holds the only annual working convention featuring seminars, press conferences with outstanding competitors, sponsors, organizers and promoters. Technical specialist present workshops. Photography, journalism and broadcasting competitions are sponsored to recognize excellence within each respective field. These competitions are judged by professionals, experts in the field that are not involved in the competition or member of the organization.
EMPA recognizes the responsibility and its unique position to bring divergent motorsports positions together whenever possible. Supplemental events are planned throughout the year to coincide with major racing programs in the East. At these events, members are given an opportunity to receive information first hand from noted racing personalities, thereby gaining a greater perspective of new developments in the motor racing world. A regular newsletter also keeps members informed of the happenings within the organization.
Direct all inquiries to the EMPA Media Office:
John Snyder tel- 845-225-3560 email- jbsnyder@bestweb.net
Postal address: P.O. Box 8547 Trenton NJ 08650
ADAM, SMITH, BLANEY, AND PATRICK NEWEST MEMBERS OF EMPA HALL OF FAME
Jimmie Johnson and Ted Christopher named Drivers of the Year
TREVOSE, PA (January 16)……..Three outstanding drivers and a pioneer auto racing trade newspaper publisher are the newest inductees into the Eastern Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame. The inductions took place Saturday evening during the EMPA’s annual convention held at the Radisson Hotel in Trevose, Pennsylvania. Joining the EMPA Hall of Fame were Modified driver Fred Adam, sprint car standout Steve Smith, sprint car and Modified stalwart Lou Blaney (posthumously), and Gater Racing News founder Norm Patrick.
As voted by the EMPA membership, NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson was named the Al Holbert Memorial National Driver of the Year, and Ted Christopher, the 2009 winner of the most races in the region, was on hand to accept his trophy as the Richie Evans Northeast Driver of the Year.
Other special awards handed out at the annual NASCAR/EMPA banquet included the John Blewett III Young Guns Award presented by New England Racing Fuels to Ryan Truex, at age 17, the NASCAR Camping World East champion; the T. Wayne Robinson Newsmaker Award to Jim Morton, who resurrected New Jersey’s Wall Stadium from almost certain closure; and the Junie Donlavey Spirit of the Sport Award to Wade Cole, a true low-budget racer who has supported the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour since 1987.
Bob Pleban, the Pocono Raceway Vice President of Administration received the EMPA Art McHugh Memorial Award for his long and outstanding support of the organization. EMPA members Jerry Reigle---the Frank Blunk Memorial Award (journalism)---and Jim Smith---the Ace Lane Memorial Award (photography)---were recognized by their peers for that outstanding contributions to the sport.
In the annual Pocono Raceway/EMPA Writers Contest, first place awards were presented to Chuck Givler (column), Chris Romano (feature), Jonathan Monfiletto (news), Bruce Bennett (personality profile), and Bill Huneke (race report).
Photographers cited for their work in the Brice Auto Part/NAPA Photo Contest included first place winners Todd Dziadosz (single action and pure art), Ace Lane (action sequence, feature, picture story, and portfolio of the year), Dave Moulthrop (single action crash, Dave Pratt (unpublished color), and Bob Yurko (portrait and best in show).
During the Saturday media conferences presentations were made by NHRA and Top Fuel racer Anton Brown, Evan Jones of Maple Grove Raceway, driver Charlie Kimball and Arni Sribhen of the Indy Racing League, and Don Radebaugh of ARCA as well as ARCA team owner Andy Belmont.
Charles Paquin, President of ModSpace and primary sponsor of the No. 1 Andy Belmont Racing Ford driven by Nick Igdalsky, announced that 2010 race proceeds won by the team would be donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
Speaking for Northeast NASCAR Sprint Cup tracks were Joe Heller of Dover International Speedway, Bob Pleban representing Pocono Raceway, and Jerry Gappens of New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
World Racing Group (DIRTcar) was represented by Kevin Kovacs and Jen Brown, while French Grimes and Joe Grandinetti discussed the 305 sprint cars, and Tracy Chirico recounted the story of New York’s Bethel Motor Speedway..
From a different perspective, the attending journalists and photographers heard a presentation from Lenny Miller, the author with Andrew Simon of a new book, Racing While Black.
NASCAR’s Kerry Tharp---filling in for Jim Hunter, NASCAR Vice President of Administration---gave the keynote speech during the Saturday NASCAR Philadelphia Style Luncheon.
NHRA, NASCAR, IRL, and SPEED were among the Convention event sponsors. Pocono Raceway and Brice Auto Parts/NAPA sponsored members’ contests. World Racing Group (DIRTcar) and Andy Belmont ModSpace Racing hosted the Hospitality Rooms.
The entire membership of EMPA recognized and thanked retiring President Ernie Saxton and his wife Marilyn Saxton, EMPA’s Executive Secretary, for their long and dedicated service to the organization. As a founding member, and with the exception of one two-year term, Saxton was the EMPA’s president during its entire existence.
The EMPA wishes Ernie and Marilyn all the best in their retirement.
The current EMPA Board and committee chairmen will oversee the association during a period of reorganization, with elections of new officers and board members to take place later in the year.
For further information Please Contact:
EMPA Media Office- John Snyder tel- 845-225-3560 email- jbsnyder@bestweb.net