WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — The usual highlight of Saturday’s Eastern Motorsport Press Ass’n convention was the induction of the EMPA Hall of Fame with longtime SPEED SPORT writer and columnist Ron Hedger at the head of the class.
Hedger, who has written for SPEED SPORT for more than 40 years, along with his fellow inductees, spoke a few words to those assembled for the 51st annual EMPA convention. In addition to his many years of covering motorsports, Hedger also served as president of EMPA.
Hedger shared Hall of Fame induction with photographer Ace Lane Jr., asphalt racers George Kent and Ted Christopher and dirt trackers Brett Hearn and Billy Pauch.
Matt Hirschman and Matt Sheppard were on hand, just as they were a year ago, to receive hardware for being voted the Northeast asphalt and dirt drivers of the year. Both repeated a prior season of excellence and incredible numbers.
Ryan Blaney and Ricky Thornton Jr. were voted the National asphalt and dirt drivers of the year. Blaney sent a video thanking the membership for their votes, saying it was special to receive this award from an organization where both his father and grandfather are in the EMPA Hall of Fame.
Earlier in the day, several press conferences and discussion panels were held with SPEED SPORT’s Dave Argabright serving as keynote speaker.
Hoseheads.com owner and SPEED SPORT contributor Allan Holland was recognized with the Jerry Reigle Outstanding Contribution To Sprint Car Racing Award.
As well, the results of the EMPA writing and photo contests were unveiled.
Hedger backed up his Hall of Fame election by taking first-place in the feature writing division and third place in the race report class.
SPEED SPORT contributors Paul Arch and Jack Kromer earned photographer awards, with Kromer getting first-place in the Feature category.
2023 Pocono Raceway/EMPA Writer’s Contest
Feature: 1st Ron Hedger (Speed Sport Insider), 2nd Thomas Pope (Speedway Illustrated), 3rd Mike Adaskaveg (Outsidegroove.com)
Column: 1st Dan Anderson (Speedway Illustrated), 2nd Scott Walsh (Scranton Times-Tribune), 3rd Karl Fredrickson (Speedway Illustrated)
Personality Profile: 1st Carol Houssock (Speedway Illustrated), 2nd Mike Adaskaveg (Outsidegroove.com), 3rd Bobby Chalmers (Race Pro Weekly)
Race Report: 1st Scott Walsh (Scranton Times-Tribune), 2nd Nick Graziano (Worldofoutlaws.com), 3rd Ron Hedger (Speedsport.com)
News: 1st Scott Walsh (Scranton Times-Tribune), 2nd Mike Adaskaveg (Outsidegroove.com), 3rd Len Sammons (Area Auto Racing News)
2023 Brice’s NAPA Auto Photography Contest
Action: 1st Brent Smith, 2nd Harry Meeks, 3rd Brent Smith, honorable mention Tommy Lane, Jack Kromer
Action Sequence: 1st Duane Canfield, 2nd Jim Smith, 3rd Harry Meeks, honorable mention Debbie Gastelu
Crash Action: 1st Bobby Chalmers, 2nd Todd Dziadosz, 3rd Peter MacDonald, honorable mention Evan Canfield, Bob Yurko
Feature: 1st Jack Kromer, 2nd Bob Yurko, 3rd Walt Smith, honorable mention Tommy Lane, Duane Canfield
Picture Story: 1st Bob Yurko, 2nd Erika Bye, 3rd Paul Arch, honorable mention Paul Arch (2)
Portrait & Personality: 1st Jack Kromer, 2nd Bob Yurko, 3rd Matt Butcosk, honorable mention Duane Canfield, Brent Smith, Matt Butcosk
Pure Art: 1st Duane Canfield, 2nd Matt Butcosk, 3rd Brent Smith, honorable mention Debbie Gastelu, Walt Smith, Kristen Cocca
Unpublished Color: 1st Brent Smith, 2nd Todd Dziadosz, 3rd Brent Smith, honorable mention Micah Adams, Todd Dziadosz, Jeremy Zarfus
Portfolio: Brent Smith
Best of Show: Brent Smith