Eastern Motorsport Press Association to add Announcer of the Year Award during annual convention named in honor of Mike Joy
2026-08-01 12:32
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(HAZLE TOWNSHIP, PA 7-31-26) The Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) has focused over the years on working amongst individuals within the media side of auto racing from writers, photographers and more.
Writers and photographers specifically are recognized for their work through contests held during the organization's annual convention each January as well as naming a writer and photographer of the year.
Starting with the 54th Annual EMPA Convention taking place the weekend of January 15-17 at the Double Tree by Hilton in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., track announcers will be among the list of award recipients with the presentation of the very first EMPA/Mike Joy Announcer of the Year.
"This is something that has been on our plate for the past few years with EMPA wanting to do something with race track announcers and recognizing those individuals who play a vital role as not only the voice of their respective tracks that they serve but also as a key members of the motorsports media," noted EMPA president Dino Oberto.
"And we are privileged to have this award named in honor Mike Joy who began his distinguished career as a local track caller and has since become one of the most recognizable and respected voices behind a microphone when it comes to calling races."
To decide who receives the EMPA/Mike Joy Announcer of the Year the organization feels it would best be an open choice by fans themselves since they are the ones who are most served by track announcers.
Starting in August and ending in September, fans can nominate their favorite track announcer by way of a special link soon to be provided to the public. Afterwards the top nominees will be on a ballot along with other award candidates and voted on by the organization.
"I'm honored and humbled by the naming of this award, while I'm delighted that EMPA desires to include track announcers in our membership and at our annual convention," stated Joy.
"Public address announcers are the show's direct link to the fans in attendance. Aside from the drivers, no one is more responsible for fueling fan passion and enjoyment. A great announcer can be the difference whether the casual fans decide to return to the track for the next race."
As a gesture to all track announcers EMPA is sending out an open invitation to attend the 2027 convention and take part in the weekend activities plus there will be a special seminar for them on Saturday morning conducted by Joy himself.
"To help EMPA recruit track announcers I'm offering to host an Announcers Seminar during the next EMPA convention. I think there are lots of great ideas and best practices we can all share and exchange, and I'm very much looking forward to it," added Joy.
The annual EMPA convention starts with a Friday evening social gathering. Saturday morning and early afternoon will be workshops aimed towards learning opportunities in an effort to educate and bring a better awareness and understanding in today's world of motorsports media relations.
Saturday evening is the formal Hall of Fame and Awards ceremony where the EMPA/Mike Joy Announcer of the Year will be revealed along with other special award winners and Hall of Fame inductees.
"We are so excited to present the very first EMPA/Mike Joy Announcer of the Year at the upcoming convention and it's something we feel is long overdue in recognizing those individuals who put in countless hours to make sure fans have an enjoyable time at the track," said Oberto.
"We really want fan engagement on this and to send in their picks, there are so many amazing race callers out there and this is a great way to showcase them. And it is quite formidable to have Mike Joy's name attached to this award, he's by far one of the best to ever get behind a microphone."
Details on fan selection for their favorite announcer will be released very soon. You can also contact Oberto on further details at 570-401-8168 or email at dlmo@ptd.net.
EMPA's mission is to recognize excellence in motorsports, enhance motorsports reporting through collaboration between experienced and new media members, and promote positive relationships among race tracks, sanctioning bodies, and the motorsports media.
Founded in 1969, the Eastern Motorsport Press Association is an organization of professional writers, broadcasters, announcers, videographers, and photographers working in the motorsports industry.