Eastern Motorsports Press Association Hosts Annual Convention; Celebrates 2025 Season

Story By: CAROL HOUSSOCK / EASTERN MOTORSPORTS PRESS ASSOCIATION – 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 53^rd time, EMPA members, award winners and guests met to honor excellence in motorsports. This year’s convention took place at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

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 on Friday evening that kicked off the convention.

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 then 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 (IHRA) 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-ever announcer roundtable. Moderated by EMPA’s Secretary and longtime announcer Carol Houssock, the panelists addressed many aspects of the job. These included preparation, delivery, equipment failures, working solo or with a partner, and overall advice to those new to the microphone, among other topics.

The evening Hall of Fame and Awards banquet highlighted the day for attendees. EMPA’s Hall of Fame now includes six new names. Frank Cozzen, 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. Winners of the latter two awards are revealed at the event, and both winners were overcome with emotion and thanked the organization and its members for the recognition.

All of the organization’s award winners are listed below.

“We had an amazing convention, and I can’t say enough about how great the whole weekend went. I wish to thank everyone who had a hand in making our 53^rd annual EMPA Convention one of the best yet, from our sponsors, guest speakers, especially Dave Moody and Rex Merritt, and to each and every member and guest who attended,” said EMPA president Dino Oberto.

Based on the number of attendees at the seminars, the banquet, and from feedback over the weekend, those who were there for any part of it said the convention met or exceeded their expectations.

Work on the 54^th convention commenced on Sunday morning, with members offering suggestions and comments to make what was great even better next year.

“Congratulations to all the deserving award winners and Hall of Fame inductees. I am very proud of what this organization stands for and represents in motorsports media.”

 

2025 EMPA/Pocono Raceway Writer’s Contest

Feature: 1^st Linda Mansfield (Groundskeeping is a Huge Undertaking”, speedsport.com); 2^nd Steve Barrick (“A Baby Boom”, AARN); 3^rd Carol Houssock (“Cleanup Crews Play a Major Role at Race Tracks”, Speedway Illustrated)

Column

1^st 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

1^st Scott Walsh (“Zilsch Grabs Win With Help From Dale Jr.”, Scranton Times-Tribune; 2^nd Len Sammons (“Selinsgrove Mayhem”, AARN; 3^rd Dino Oberto (“Worth the Trip: Flud Claims Big Payday”, Bloomsburg Press Enterprise)

News

1^st Jeremy Elliott (“Emotional Moment: Brad Sweet Walks Away”, SprintCarUnlimited.com); 2^nd Steve Barrick (“Gil Tegg Jr. Contemplates Future”, AARN; 3^rd Mallory Kutz (“Jennifer Flanagan Kutz: A Ten Year Legacy”, AARN

 

EMPA/Bill Brice Photography Contest:

Action: 1^st Brent Smith (Sprint Car Unlimited), 2^nd Matt Butcosk (3 Wide Picture Vault), 3^rd Brent Smith (Dirt Track Digest), Honorable Mention Jim Smith, Harry Meeks

Action Sequence: 1^st Todd Dziadosz (3 Wide Picture Vault), 2^nd Debbie Gastelu (Speedway Illustrated), 3^rd Debbie Gastelu (Speedway Illustrate), Honorable Mention Harry Meeks

Crash Action: 1^st 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

 

EMPA Hall of Fame: Kenny Bernstein, Frank Cozze, Rick Ferkel, Jan Leaty, Paul Page, Steve Smith, Jr.

EMPA Al Holbert National Driver of the Year: Kyle Larson

EMPA John Blewett III Young Gun presented by New England Race Fuel: Alex Payne

EMPA Richie Evans Memorial NE Asphalt Driver of the Year: Austin Beers

EMPA Richie Evans Memorial NE Dirt Driver of the Year: Anthony Macri

EMPA Chris Economaki Memorial Newsmaker of the Year: Halmar/Friesen Racing

EMPA Junie Donlavey Memorial Spirit of the Sport: Rex Merritt

EMPA Promotional Effort of the Year: Kolten Gouse (BAPS Motor Speedway)

Jerry Riegle Contribution to Sprint Car Racing presented by World Racing Group: Kolten Gouse

EMPA Jim Hunter Memorial Writer of the Year: Ken Bruce

EMPA Ace Lane, Sr. Memorial Photographer of the Year: Walt Smith