The Chrome Horn News

1/27/2008

EMPA CELEBRATES 40TH YEAR,
GREATS INDUCTED INTO EMPA HALL OF FAME,
SAXTON RE-ELECTED TO PRESIDENT

    The Eastern Motorsport Press Association celebrated their 40th anniversary at the organization’s annual convention held at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Trevose, PA this past weekend.
    A number of greats in the sport were inducted into the EMPA Hall of Fame as part of the NASCAR/EMPA Awards Dinner on Saturday evening. Inducted were:
* Roger Penske - his cars have won 14 Indianapolis 500 races, more than 250 events in IndyCar, NASCAR and American LeMans competition.
* Parker Bohn - past Modified champion at Wall Township Speedway, one of the first stars at the old Old Bridge, NJ Speedway and winner of many features at New Egypt, NJ Speedway. The 90-year-old racing legend received a standing ovation.
* Tom Skinner - mechanical and motor wizard behind the legendary white and black-trimmed No. 659 GMC driven by Parker Bohn
* Tim Sullivan - one of the most popular public relations figures in the industry for many years.
* Wally Parks - the man who gets credit for making drag racing what it is today. The founder of the National Hot Rod Association.
* Ned Jarrett - two-time NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup) champion who went on to become a popular figure on TV and radio.
* Glenn Donnelly - he brought northeast dirt modified racing to new heights.
* Alan Kreitzer - regarded as one of the most successful promoters in the sport. He has been responsible for the huge success of dirt track racing in Central Pennsylvania.
Other special awards presented during the weekend included:
* Wayne T. Robertson Newsmaker Award to Speedway Motorsports Inc. Chairman Bruton Smith
* Al Holbert Memorial/EMPA Driver of the Year Award to World of Outlaw sprint car racer Donnie Schatz.
* Frank Blunk Memorial/EMPA Journalist of the Year Award to Pete Schnatz of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
* John Blewett III Young Guns Award presented by New England Fuels went to Bobby Santos III.
* Richie Evans Memorial/EMPA Northeast Driver of the Year to Brett Hearn
*Junie Donlavey Spirit of the Sport Award presented to Bob Garbarino. His NASCAR Modified was driven to the championship by Donny Lia.
* Art McHugh Memorial Award presented to long time photographer Ace Lane Jr.
* Ace Lane Memorial/EMPA Photographer of the Year award presented to Howie Hodge.
* Jerry Glase Memorial Award, an award created by Marilyn and Ernie Saxton, went to veteran journalist and announcer Earl Krause.

    During the course of the three day convention there were a variety of presentations and news conferences presented to the more than 100 professional media that cover the sport on a regular basis.
    Supporting the weekend were Pocono Raceway, NHRA, NASCAR, SPEED Channel, Andy Belmont Motorsports, World Racing Group and the Indy Racing League. Representatives of ARDC, Dover International Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, Watkins Glen, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, ARCA, the new Thunderbolt Speedway, and others were on hand for the 40th anniversary convention.
    First place awards in the Valvoline/EMPA Writers Contest went to John Snyder for his column in Area Auto Racing News titled “It ain’t cheatin’ son…”, Rob Fisher for his feature article titled “Not Your Typical Race Shop” appearing in Circle Track Magazine, Dick Berggren for his “Remembering Bill France Jr.” personality profile in Speedway Illustrated, Dino Oberto for his “Martini cracks win column in ARDC” race report which appeared in the Hazleton, PA Standard-Speaker and Lenny Sammons for his News story in Area Auto Racing News titled “Szegedy Declared Winner In Race That Claims Life Of JB III.”

    First place awards in the Brice’s Auto Supply/NAPA/EMPA Photo Contest were earned by:
Rev. Dan Schafer - Action Photo - South Jersey Dirt Racing.com
Don Marks - Action Sequence - Area Auto Racing News
Chris Budihas - Crash Action - South Jersey Dirt Racing.com
Dave Delasandro - Feature - Area Auto Racing News
Mel Stettler - Picture Story - Area Auto Racing News
Bob Yurko - Portrait Personality - Area Auto Racing News
Todd Dziadosz - Pure Art and Unpublished color
Dave D’Alessandro - Portfolio of the Year
Rev. Dan Schafer - Best of Show

    “The convention was one of our best. It is hard to believe that it has been 40 years since the organization was first formed,” said President Ernie Saxton. “We are already busy working on the next convention. Our thanks to all who participated.”
    Saxton was elected to another two year term as president of the organization that he helped found. He has been the president all but one of the 40 years.
    Others elected to office include:
Vice President - Len Sammons
Northern Vice President - David Moulthrop
Southern Vice President - Monte Dutton
Board of Directors:
John Snyder
Ron Hedger
Jerry Reigle
Jeff Gromis
Herb Anastor
Ace Lane
Secretary - Marilyn Saxton
Treasurer - Bill Yoder
    Information on membership and other details about the EMPA is available from Saxton at Esaxton144@aol.com or telephone 215.752.7797.

THE END

Source:  Ernie Saxton / Eastern Motorsport Press Association PR
Posted:  January 27, 2008

©2008 GeeLaw Motorsports/Wolf Pack Ventures, Inc.