HAZLE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The Eastern Motorsport Press Association has announced their latest inductees into its hall of fame in advance of the 51st EMPA Convention, which takes place January 12-14.
The select group elected to the hall of fame class includes pavement modified standouts George Kent and the late Ted Christopher. Brett Hearn and Billy Pauch Sr. join as dirt modified competitors.
Ron Hedger, a past president of EMPA, also joins the 2024 class. Hedger is one of the most respected motorsports journalists in the business. His fair and unbiased reporting of the sport has, for years, given readers an accurate and detailed account whether it be a race report or profile. Hedger is a contributor to SPEED SPORT.
Award winning photo journalist Ace Lane Jr. will also be inducted, joining his late father, Ace Lane Sr., who was voted to the hall of fame in 2011.
EMPA members also voted to recognize several individuals and organizations for excellence this year.
Matt Hirschman and Matt Sheppard have been voted as repeat winners of the Richie Evans Memorial Northeast Driver of the Year respectively in asphalt and dirt. For Hirschman, it is his unprecedented fifth consecutive time receiving the honor while Sheppard has earned his fourth.
The Al Holbert Memorial National Driver of the Year, one each in asphalt and dirt, will go to NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney and dirt late model sensation Ricky Thornton Jr.
The John Blewett III Young Gun awardee is asphalt modified racer Austin Beers. Beers is coming off a breakout year on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour with a pair of wins and a solid third in the championship standings.
High Limit Racing was the top vote-getter for the Chris Economaki Memorial News Maker of the Year while the EMPA Outstanding Promotional Effort of the Year will be presented to the Indoor Racing Series and Len Sammons Productions.
Legendary Red Farmer, the 91-year old original member of the infamous “Alabama Gang,” will receive the Junie Donlavey “Spirit of the Sport” award for his 77-plus years of racing.
During the formal awards dinner the organization will also recognize many of their own including the Jim Hunter Memorial Writer of the Year and Ace Lane Sr., Memorial Photographer of the Year, plus several others whose talents are showcased in the EMPA Pocono Raceway Writers Contest and the Brice’s NAPA Auto Parts Photo Contest.