The Eastern Motorsport Press Association has announced the latest inductees into its prestigious Hall of Fame in advance of the 51st EMPA Convention, which takes place Friday through Sunday at the Holiday Inn in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Health issues will keep me from attending but I am proud of the fact that I was one of the founders of the organization.
Voting was conducted by the EMPA membership and the select group elected to the Hall of Fame class of 2024 includes pavement Modified standouts George Kent and the late Ted Christopher. Both established themselves as outstanding competitors and achieved many victories every time they strapped into their racecars.
Two successful talents, no matter what they drove, are also entering into the Hall of Fame. For years, Brett Hearn and Billy Pauch, Sr. powered their way to countless wins and championships, most notably in dirt Modifieds. Their combined win total is staggering, and their careers will arguably go down in history among the best to ever wheel a racecar.
A past president of EMPA, Ron 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.
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 in 2023.
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, is going to 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney and dirt Late Model sensation Ricky Thornton Jr. I can remember years back when Al Holbert, located in Doylestown, was my go to guy for column material. He was such an outstanding racer.
The 2023 John Blewett III Young Gun awardee, is presented by New England Race Fuels, 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 75+ 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.
The annual convention begins with a Friday evening “Salute to the Champions” at which a number of local and regional driving titlists are invited to meet and greet with the press.
Saturday consists of press conferences and guest speakers. Noted award winning motorsports author Dave Argabright will be on hand to discuss the media’s role in racing. Dover Motor Speedway will serve as luncheon host. It all culminates with the evening’s Hall of Fame dinner and awards ceremony.
Founded in 1969, the Eastern Motorsport Press Association is an organization of professional writers, broadcasters, announcers, videographers and photographers working in the motorsports industry. It also includes associate and corporate members with backing from Dover Motor Speedway, Pocono Raceway, Brice’s NAPA Auto Parts, Wanick Construction, Belmont’s Garage, New England Race Fuels, Speedway Illustrated, Maple Grove Raceway, Buckley’s Automotive, Inc., and Himmer Graphics, who are among the supporters of the organization.
Belmont’s Garage re-ups in STSS
Belmont’s Garage, a staunch supporter of Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco Crate 602 Sportsman competition, has signed on for 2024.
A Langhorne, Pa.-based staple, Belmont’s Garage will again serve as title sponsor of the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman South Region, spanning geographically across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
The growing division features an eight-race schedule this year including two $4,000-to-win feature events – both at Port Royal Speedway in Juniata County, Pa.
At each Belmont’s Garage STSS Crate 602 Sportsman event, both the Hard Charger and first driver unable to qualify will receive $100, respectively, courtesy of Belmont’s Garage.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to give back to the sport,” Belmont’s Garage proprietor Andy Belmont said. “I’m very proud to be a small partner of the Short Track Super Series.”
Belmont’s Garage was founded in July 1965 by Chic Belmont. Andy Belmont now manages the Bucks County, Pa., business. Belmont’s Garage provides general auto and truck repair servicing all brands of vehicles, Pennsylvania-licensed RV and trailer inspection, Pennsylvania-licensed motorcycle inspection and serves as a certified emergency vehicle repair center. Belmont’s Garage utilizes ASE-certified technicians.
Belmont’s Garage is located at 633 W. Maple Avenue Langhorne, PA 19047. Visit www.belmontsgarage.com, call 215.757.3813 or like Belmont’s Garage on Facebook.
The Belmont name has long been associated with the area’s racing scene. Andy Belmont was the 1980 Nazareth, Pa., Sportsman champion and went on to national successes, He was the NASCAR Dash Series Rookie of the Year in 1987 and was the series’ championship car owner a year later with Larry Caudell driving.
Belmont ran his first NASCAR Cup Series event at Dover, Del., in 1989 and was the runner-up for the Cup Rookie of the Year in 1992. He placed inside the top-10 in ARCA points for a decade-long run.
In 2011, Belmont and his ARCA team were recognized with one of the circuit’s most prestigious honors: the Bill France 4 Crown championship with driver Chad McCumbee.
Flores wins TQ Midget feature
Ryan Flores of Davidson, N.C., who works full-time for a NASCAR Cup team, emerged the winner of a thrilling TQ Midget feature Saturday night in the Indoor Auto Racing Series Fueled By VP Racing Fuels second and final night of Ironton Global Allentown Indoor Races. This marked Flores’ seventh career Indoor Auto Racing win and his sixth inside the PPL Center in Allentown, PA.
Flores trailed Tommy Catalano and Andy Jankowiak for most of the race with the top three putting on some spectacular racing, often running three wide, and without running into one another. Flores set up his win with a decisive pass when it was all on the line.
“I knew I had to punch in there on the last restart, and that’s what I did,” Flores said. “The car stuck and I was able to hold on.”
Flores led only four laps this night, but they were the all-important last four.
Scott Neary won the Slingshot main event while Todd Crenshaw was the winner in the Champ Kart race.
The Indoor Auto Racing Series returns to action on Jan. 26-27 at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
Tanner VanDoren, a 15-year-old racer from Slatington, PA, shocked an Allentown crowd when he drove a backup Kluth Motorsports No. 44 TQ Midget to victory in Friday night’s Ironton Global Allentown Indoor TQ Midget Race.
VanDoren, who started third in the TQ feature, didn’t gain the lead in the race until lap 23 after a mechanical failure on Andy Jankowiak’s car sent him and challenger Ryan Flores spinning. The battle between Flores and Jankowiak – a mainstay rivalry in the Indoor Auto Racing Championship – took the stage for the better part of the 30-lap main event.
Over the final eight laps, Tim Buckwalter emerged as VanDoren’s toughest challenger. A restart with two laps left put the two side-by-side but VanDoren ran out the last few to register the surprise score.
Kyle Lick finished in the third position after battling for the early lead, Shawn Nye finished in the fourth position, and Flores, after his spin, completed the top five.
Todd Crenshaw of Winchester, VA gained top spot in the 20-lap Champ Kart feature early and once in front, put on a dazzling driving demonstration, knifing back through the 24-Kart effortlessly to prevail.
Brett Bieber of Oley, Pa., worked his way carefully to the front of the field in the 20-lap Slingshot main event. Bieber had won the Slingshot feature in 2022 in Allentown as well.
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Ernie Saxton is an auto racing contributor for MediaNews Group. He co-founded the Eastern Motorsports Press Association, served as public relations director for Grandview Speedway for 47 years, and is in multiple halls of fame for his promotion and journalism related to the sport. He has announced races at more than 100 tracks, and he is the only person to have announced a race at Madison Square Garden. Email him at ESaxton144@aol.com.
Source: Berkshire mont