HAZLE TOWNSHIP, Pa. – When the Eastern Motorsport Press Ass’n holds it’s convention the weekend of Jan. 14-16 at the Genetti Hotel & Conference Center, the latest honorees into the EMPA Hall of Fame will be inducted during the formal Saturday evening awards dinner.
They include the long-time voice of the NHRA, Bob Frey, Modified stock car great Bob Rossell, legendary promoter Howie Commander and open wheel standouts Van May and Don Krietz Jr.
Frey served as an announcer for the National Hot Rod Association for 46 years (1966-2012) and during that time he brought with him a new level of excitement and knowledge that served the sport and business of Drag Racing very well.
First beginning at the Atco (N.J.) Dragway in 1966, Frey never missed announcing a race there for the next 18 years; even when he served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at near-by McGuire Air Force Base. And his efforts were of such quality at the South Jersey track that he was asked to announce special Drag Racing events for the International Hot Rod Association, American Hot Rod Association and NASCAR.
But the unassuming and approachable Frey – who is blessed with a silky-smooth voice and a wonderful sense of humor – really made his mark from 1985-2012 as “The Voice of Drag Racing” for all of the NHRA’s National Events. He also served Drag Racing with distinction as a columnist for NATIONAL DRAGSTER (“Bob Tales”) and Dragracecentral.com (“Did You Know?”) and hosted the national television coverage of NHRA Sportsman Drag Racing on TNN’s “NHRA Today” and ESPN2’s “NHRA2Day.”
Rossell was a pioneer race driver and builder of stock cars. He began is successful career in 1958 with just a Chevy and an engine. A few years later he’d find himself at the top of the list with the big names in the class.
Rossell was talented on both dirt and asphalt. He was a member of the All Star League from 1967-71, tallying nearly 50 wins including two Wall Stadium 300 lappers as his biggest victories.
His chassis building skills where considered by many one of the best. Names like Cagle, Brenn and Manchester had much success in a Rossell built car. Rossell is also a distinguished member of the Northeast Dirt Hall of Fame.
Ever since his Uncle Harry gave him a box of Sugar Daddy candies and suggested he try selling them to fellow elementary school students at a small profit, which he did, business success has come with hard work by this industrious promoter.
Commander, at 77, is just as energetic today as when he began taking care of the concessions at Lebanon Valley Speedway 60 years ago.
In 1962, Commander’s family recognized that the 18-year-old’s skills and work ethic would be of great benefit to the track. His Uncle Lou asked him to come along to Chicago, so they could attend one of the first-ever racing promoters’ workshops.
In the spring of 1970, Commander became general manager of the speedway and took over operations while still prepping the track each week. His first step was to raise first-place money to $1000, among the highest in the nation, especially for the track’s headline division which had rules designed for cars that could be competitive on a reasonably-affordable budget.
In the 50 years since, Commander has made speedway success look easy, surrounding himself with quality officials while regularly improving the track experience for fans and teams. His effort, dedication, and willingness to apply his own resources for the benefit of racers, fans, and the sport in general have never wavered.
Acting on the advice of older brother Dub, May moved from his El Paso, Texas, home to Pennsylvania 50 years ago to pursue a career as a full-time Sprint Car racer.
May’s skill behind the wheel is highly regarded, yet his first four years in Pennsylvania produced only a single win. Even so, some of the on-track achievements are legendary, like the time he balanced a Sprinter on its right front and rear wheels, since the left front had come off, in order to qualify for a feature.
Such talent netted championships at Susquehanna in 1981 and at Lincoln the following year. He has 74 victories including a Williams Grove National Open win in 1977, the final year it was 150-laps, and a $10,000-to-win score at Zanesville, Ohio in 1979 as part of a dozen victories that year. He was also a winner in Midgets.
And despite suffering traumatic injuries, including the 1987 one in which he lost an eye and ended his race-driving career, May remained an enthusiastic supporter of Sprint Car racing. Over the years he’s sought other ways to be involved and support the sport he loves including as a maker of clever racing components and tools as well as a race photographer.
Second generation racer Kreitz did it his way as a driver/owner earning 200 Sprint Car wins including the 1986 $50,000 Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway.
After starting his career in the Modifieds at Big Diamond, Grandview and Reading in 1978 as a 16-year old and recording 13 wins, Kreitz moved to the Sprint Cars in 1983 with the United Racing Club where he grabbed eight club wins and won the season’s championship along with Rookie of the Year honors.
That quickly led to a move to the 410 Sprints and his list of accomplishments from there are impressive including track titles at Selinsgrove (’85 and ’86), Williams Grove (’90, ’91, ’92, ’93), Susquehanna (’92 and ’03) and the 1992 Central PA Overall title.
He amassed wins in eight states including 10 World of Outlaw A-Mains, two WoO Preliminary features and eight All Star Circuit of Champions main events.
He has continued as an owner of a Sprint Car team that today includes his long-time mechanic Davey Brown and driver Lance Dewease. Kreitz was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2015.