WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Fifty-three looks good on the Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA), as the professional organization wrapped up another successful convention.
For the 53rd time, EMPA members, award winners and guests met to honor excellence in motorsports. This year’s convention took place at the DoubleTree by Hilton.
Friday night EMPA honored champions from the recently completed racing season. Eight drivers, along with a ninth who announced an advancement in her career, recapped their seasons and spoke of things to come in 2026. EMPA thanks Steve Shultz, Aiden Grover, Tyler Truex, Ken Duke, Jr., Trevor Gach, Zach Sobotka, Austin Beers and Sarabeth Mesko for their participation.
Saturday morning traditionally divides members into two rooms. Photographers view their contest to hear comments about their entries from independent judges, while writers and broadcasters attend workshops relevant to their work.
Len Sammons from Area Auto Racing News and the Scranton Times-Tribune’s Scott Walsh facilitated the opening session dealing with sending copy to news outlets. Walsh and Karl Fredrickson, EMPA’s Vice President and Publisher of Speedway Illustrated Magazine, then spoke about ethics in the media. Much of their discussion related to the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists: seek the truth and report it, be independent, minimize harm, and be accountable. EMPA board member and owner of DirtTrackDigest.com Mike Mallett, and BAPS Speedway’s Promoter Kolten Gouse spoke about what promoters expect from the media. Both groups need each other for the health and continuance of the sport.
Scott Woodruff and Doug Foley, representatives of the International Hot Rod Association explained the recent explosion of activity in the sanctioning body by new owner Darryl Cuttell. He purchased IHRA and several tracks as an investment in the sport for the future, and to provide a safe place for families. Their new Stock Car Series is geared to local racers, keeping costs down for them, and providing payouts more rewarding of their work.
Rex Merritt, recipient of this year’s EMPA/Junie Dunlavey Memorial Spirit of the Sport Award, provided some inspirational messages that guided his remarkable contributions as a driver and innovator in the mid-west.
Dave “The Godfather” Moody, longtime announcer/protégé of the late Ken Squier lead turn announcer for the Motor Racing Network and host of XM Speedway on Sirius Radio (channel 90), engaged the audience with a blend of the serious work of an announcer along with some lighter moments he’s experienced. He also drove home the importance of being right rather than being first in sharing news, regardless of the format.
In the afternoon Moody, Mike Warren from the Super DIRTcar Series, and veteran announcer Barry Angstadt participated in EMPA’s first announcer roundtable.
The evening Hall of Fame and Awards banquet highlighted the day for attendees. EMPA’s Hall of Fame now includes six new names. Frank Cozze, Jan Leaty and the family of the late Rick Ferkel were on hand to accept those honors. Kenny Bernstein, Paul Page and Steve Smith Jr. could not attend but sent messages of thanks. Racers Austin Beers and Alex Payne accepted awards for excellence in the 2025 season, while Kyle Larson and Anthony Macri were unable to attend.
EMPA members were also recognized for their professional work in motorsports. Several members won cash prizes for creativity either behind a keyboard or a camera. The organization is indebted to Pocono Raceway and Bill Brice for sponsoring the writers and photographers contest for professional members.
Halmar/Friesen Racing won the Chris Economaki Memorial Newsmaker award, Rex Merritt won the Junie Donlavey Memorial Spirit of the Sport award, and BAPS Speedway Promoter Kolten Gouse picked up a pair of awards: the EMPA Promotional Effort of the Year and the Jerry Riegle Contribution to Sprint Car Racing award presented by World Racing Group.
Finally, by membership vote, Ken Bruce is the Jim Hunter Memorial Writer of the Year and Walt Smith is the Ace Lane, Sr. Memorial Photographer of the Year.
Longtime SPEED SPORT writers Linda Mansfield and Ron Hedger each earned writer’s awards. Mansfield took first place in the feature class, while Hedger earned first place in the Column classification.
2025 EMPA/Pocono Raceway Writer’s Contest
Feature: 1st Linda Mansfield (Groundskeeping is a Huge Undertaking”, speedsport.com); 2nd Steve Barrick (“A Baby Boom”, AARN); 3rd Carol Houssock (“Cleanup Crews Play a Major Role at Race Tracks”, Speedway Illustrated)
Column: 1st Ron Hedger (“The Excitement is Still There”, speedsport.com); 2nd Bruce Bennett (“Racing is Weird”, Speedway Illustrated; 3rd Scott Walsh (“Pocono Win Validates Briscoe’s Hiring at JGR”, Scranton Times-Tribune
Personality Profile: 1st Thomas Pope (“Never Too Old”, Speedway Illustrated); 2nd Earl Krause (“Photographer Scott Racz”, AARN); 3rd Bruce Bennett (“The Legend of Russ Meyer”, Speedway Illustrated)
Race Report: 1st Scott Walsh (“Zilsch Grabs Win With Help From Dale Jr.”, Scranton Times-Tribune; 2nd Len Sammons (“Selinsgrove Mayhem”, AARN; 3rd Dino Oberto (“Worth the Trip: Flud Claims Big Payday”, Bloomsburg Press Enterprise)
News: 1st Jeremy Elliott (“Emotional Moment: Brad Sweet Walks Away”, SprintCarUnlimited.com); 2nd Steve Barrick (“Gil Tegg Jr. Contemplates Future”, AARN; 3rd Mallory Kutz (“Jennifer Flanagan Kutz: A Ten Year Legacy”, AARN EMPA/Bill Brice Photography Contest:
Action: 1st Brent Smith (Sprint Car Unlimited), 2nd Matt Butcosk (3 Wide Picture Vault), 3rd Brent Smith (Dirt Track Digest), Honorable Mention Jim Smith, Harry Meeks Action Sequence: 1st Todd Dziadosz (3 Wide Picture Vault), 2 nd Debbie Gastelu (Speedway Illustrated), 3rd Debbie Gastelu (Speedway Illustrate), Honorable Mention Harry Meeks
Crash Action: 1st Todd Dziadosz (AARN), Jim Smith (3 Wide Picture Vault), Harry Meeks (AARN), Honorable Mention Jim Smith, Duane Canfield, Kristen Cocca
Feature: Pete MacDonald (AARN), Todd Dziadosz (Competition Plus), Matt Butcosk (3 Wide Picture Vault), Honorable Mention Pete MacDonald, Duane Canfield, Matt Butcosk, Debbie Gastelu, Walt Smith
Picture Story: Bob Yurko (3 Wide Picture Vault), Pete MacDonald (AARN), Erika Bye (AARN), Honorable Mention Debbie Gastelu Portrait & Personality: Jack Kromer (3 Wide Picture Vault), Harry Meeks (AARN), Duane Canfield (Race of Champions), Honorable Mention Debbie Gastelu, Jack Kromer, Pete MacDonald, Matt Butcosk (2)
Picture Art: Todd Dziadosz, Erika Bye, Christine Johnson, Honorable Mention Walt Smith, Kristen Cocca, Christine Johnson (2)
Unpublished Color: Brent Smith, Christine Johnson, Todd Dziadosz, Honorable Mention Erika Bye, Christine Johnson
Portfolio: Brent Smith
Best of Show: Jack Kromer
Mary and Howie Hodge Award: Pete MacDonald
Janice Brice Memorial Award: Kristen Cocca
