RPW Exclusive: The Champ Trail: EMPA Announces Award & Hall Honorees, Florida Countdown & More…

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Column Compiled By: PHIL SMITH / RPW – WESTERLY, RI – Believe it or not only 11 weeks remain before the flat lands of central Florida come alive with the sound of race car engines at the New Smyrna Speedway and the official start of the World Series and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series.

The World Series runs from Feb 9 thru Feb 17. The Whelen Modified Tour Series event is scheduled for Saturday night, Feb 10. For the third consecutive year, the Tour will open at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida as part of the track’s “World Series of Asphalt Stock Cars Racing” during NASCAR’s Speedweeks, racing under the lights.

The 66th running of the DAYTONA 500 at nearby Daytona International Speedway then takes place a week later to conclude the opening week of NASCAR action.

As of last Friday, 12/22, the entry list of tour type modifieds totals 17. This does not include entries for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event scheduled for Saturday, Feb 10. Of the 17 tour type modifieds entered four of them are Catalano family members from up state NY, Tommy Catalano, Amy Catalano, Trevor Catalano and Tyler Catalano. Recent additions include Eric Goodale, Ron Silk, Ronnie Williams nd Ptrick Emerling.

The entire World Series is expected to be live streamed by FloRacing.

With time running out in 2023 its time to look back at some of the individuals who made up a season to remember. At the top of the list is Matt Hirschman. Hirschman who won. Like a modern-day Eastern Bandit, Hirschman literally cleaned house wherever he chose to race. Earning the nickname “Big Money Matt”, Hirschman raced his way to victory on 19 occasions. Despite missing races because of a broken arm at Thompson in August Hirschman ran 11 of the 18 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events scheduled, winning three. In the Monaco Tri-Track Series Hirschman won three of the six events run and, in the process, won the series championship. Hirschman also raced and won in the New York based Race of Champions Series.

For Todd Owen and the #81 Cooker Construction team, 2023 at Stafford Speedway was a historic season that saw Owen become the first driver in the 42-year history of the SK Modified® division to win three consecutive championships. The 2023 season also saw Owen finish in the top-10 in each of the 17 races held and extended a streak of consecutive top-10 finishes to 34 consecutive races, dating back to June of 2022. Putting a stamp on how consistent Owen has been during his 3-season championship run, he has placed in the top-10 in 55 of 58 races. Owen also became the first driver to win three championships in a row at the New London – Waterford Speedbowl.

Coming into the 2023 season, Owen made the decision to sell his 2-time championship winning car from 2021 and 2022 and build a brand new car for the 2023 season. After some minor struggles to get the car dialed in to his liking, Owen and the #81 team hit upon a setup that allowed them to show the true speed of the new car.

While Owen was once again displaying his amazing consistency with top-10 runs in each of the first 10 races to kick off the 2023 season, he had yet to win a race going into the August 4 NAPA SK 5k. Owen took the checkered flag to win the race for the first time in his career after several near misses and that victory propelled him 5 consecutive top-5 finishes, including a second win, before a 10th place finish in the second to last race of the season clinched the championship. With the championship already wrapped up, Owen put an exclamation point on the end of his championship campaign with his third win of the season in the NAPA Fall Final feature event.

Honorable mention goes out to Stafford SK Light Champion George Bessette Jr and to Meghan Fuller who displayed true grit as she recorded her first ever feature win.

Congratulations to Champion Crew Chief Phil Moran on his seventh Whelen Modified Tour Championship. Moran cut his teeth working on the Modifieds of Jerry Pearl and Art Barry back in the 1970’s.

Finally a big thank you and congratulations to FloRacing for bringing short track Modified racing into our homes with knowledgeable announcers.

The Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) announced the latest inductees into its prestigious Hall of Fame in advance of the 51 st EMPA Convention, which takes place January 12-14 at the Holiday Inn in Wilkes-Barre, PA. 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.

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” presented by Belmont’s Garage, where 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.

The all new book, The Modified Years At Stafford, by the Grace of God and 600 hp, is gaining interest and has become a must have in race fans and competitors library. Race by Race, Year by Year, it’s all there. Read all about it! Books are now available on Amazon.com and Coastal 181 (877-907-8181 toll free) and are available thru Stafford’s web site in their store. Order yours now. Makes a great gift!

With the cooperation of the Arute family another book has been published with pictures and biographies of the 50 Greatest Drivers at Stafford.

The Stafford Motor Speedway had become the epicenter of NASCAR Modified racing in the northeast by the late 1980’s. From its dirt beginnings to its lightning-fast asphalt, Stafford had become the toughest and most gratifying track to score a victory. The Arute family which has owned and guided the destiny of the facility commissioned their thousands of loyal fans to name their favorite drivers. In alphabetical order so as not to offend anyone:

Tom Baldwin, Gene Bergin, Brett Bodine, Geoff Bodine, Ken Bouchard, Ron Bouchard, Mario “Fats” Caruso, Rene Charland, Ted Christopher, Leo Cleary, Tim Connolly, Jerry Cook, Corky Cookman, Pete Corey, Fred DeSarro, Richie Evans, Mike Ewanitsko, Ed Flemke, Sr., Jeff Fuller, Rick Fuller, Ernie Gahan, Bill Greco, Bo Gunning, Ray Hendrick, George “Moose” Hewitt, Tony Hirschman, George Janoski, Charlie Jarzombek, George Kent, Buddy Krebs, Randy LaJoie, Jan Leaty, Jerry Marquis, Mike McLaughlin, Ray Miller, Steve Park, Bob Polverari, Bob Potter, Brian Ross, John “Reggie” Ruggiero, Greg Sacks, Ollie Silva, “Wild” Bill Slater, Jimmy Spencer, Mike Stefanik, Carl “Bugsy” Stevens, George Summers, Jamie “The Jet” Tomaino, Maynard Troyer and Satch Worley.

Books are priced at $17.95 each and be purchased at the track at the Novelty Booth or at the Stafford Motor Speedway on line store. Books are also available at Amazon.com and at Coastal181 (877-907-8181).