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2015 EMPA Pocono Raceway Writers Contest Award Winners
Judge’s overall comments:
2015 EMPA Pocono Raceway Writers Contest Award Winners
PERSONALITY PROFILE:
1. Mike Adaskaveg, Speedway Illustrated “Determined to Race” November 2014
Judge’s comment: A well-done human interest story…Tugged at my heart.
2. Karl Fredrickson, Speedway Illustrated “Earl Baltes Remembered” June 1, 2015.
Judge’s comment: Well-written tribute…concise…felt like I knew the subject personally.
3. Ron Hedger, Speed Sport Magazine “Mr. DIRT is Back With A New Plan” September 2015
Judge’s comment: Loved the imagery…Directions fly like machine-gun bullets balanced with solid quotes
RACE REPORT:
1. Len H. Sammons, Area Auto Racing News, “Where Did He Come From? Sheppard Surprises Wight On Final Lap” July 7, 2015
Judge’s comment: Writer put me in the bleachers. Described action well. Had strong quotes.
2. Kevin Kovac, DirtonDirt.com “Landers edges Richards for $40,000 at Knoxville” September 26, 2015.
Judge’s comment: Writer painted a fine picture of action going on. Well organized story.
3. Mark McKeon, Area Auto Racing News, “Todd Szegedy Disqualified, Pasteryak Wins VMRS Mod Race At Claremont” July 14, 2015
Judge’s comment: I probably would have changed the lead somewhat, but overall the writer covered the event very well.
COLUMN:
1. Dick Berggren, Speedway Illustrated Magazine, “Matter of Life and Death” October 2015
Judge’s comment: Concise. Informative. Writer used background info for full effect. Not afraid to voice strong opinion. Bravo!
2. Dick Berggren, Speedway Illustrated Magazine, “Facing Fact” April 2015.
Judge’s comment: Well-written opinion piece backed by facts. Makes readers relate with several well placed examples.
3. Karl Fredrickson, Speedway Illustrated, “All Are Welcome” December 2014.
Judge’s comment: Sensitive subject handled very well by writer. Like that it’s not terribly long. Keeps your attention from beginning to end.
FEATURE:
1. Mike Adaskaveg, Speedway Illustrated, “Safety for the BIG, TALL and SMALL” April 2015
Judge’s comment: Story broken down in segments makes it easy to follow…Lead pulled me right into story. Well done!
2. J.A. Ackley, Speedway Illustrated, “Truckin’ to Eldora” July 2015
Judge’s comment: Another story broken down makes it easy for readers to follow. Great scene setter. Too often we wrap ourselves up in what happened without thinking about what will happen.
3. Linda Mansfield, Speed Sport Magazine, “FLAGGERS The Role Of Racing’s Most Visible Official Has Changed” May 2015
Judge’s comment: Writer does a super job of highlighting under publicized aspect of sport.
NEWS:
1. Mike Adaskaveg, Speedway Illustrated, “Firestorm” June 2015
Judge’s comment: Powerful quotes at beginning hooked me right into story. Well done throughout!
2. Aaron Creed, Speed51.com, “Judge Lays Down “The Law” in Final Race of Career”, October 28, 2015
Judge’s comment: Writer did a nice job getting “story within story.” Not just another news story.
3. Kevin Kovac, DirtonDirt.com, “Richards-Roberts boils over on WoO tour” May 4, 2015
Judge’s comment: A little wordy but writer did a fine job outlining conflict between drivers and getting all sides to address it.