RON HEDGER INDUCTED INTO EASTERN MOTORSPORT PRESS ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME

Hedger, a member of the Saratoga Automobile Museum’s board of trustees and a renowned veteran motorsport journalist, lauded by peers covering motorsports

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (Jan. 24, 2024) – Ron Hedger, a renowned veteran motorsport journalist and a member of the Saratoga Automobile Museum’s board of trustees, has been inducted into the Eastern Motorsport Press Association Hall of Fame.

The Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA), founded in 1969, is committed to recognizing excellence in motorsports reporting and those who have excelled on the track.

Hedger was inspired to write his first column on track safety more than 40 years ago, after a series of crashes over one summer took the lives of NASCAR modified driving legend Freddy DeSarro and driver Mike Grbac and injured Hedger's brother Randy. Hedger submitted the column to National Speed Sport News (now Speed Sport) under the ownership of the late, legendary Chris Economaki, beginning a colorful career covering the sport.

“We could not be prouder of our very own Ron Hedger being inducted into the EMPA Hall of Fame,” said Megan Hennessey, executive director. “Ron’s contributions to the motorsport industry are prolific, but even more so, his contributions as a board trustee – from providing articles, context of the history of the sport, and volunteering here at the Museum – are immeasurable.”

“On behalf of the entire board of trustees here at the Saratoga Automobile Museum, we heartily congratulate Ron Hedger on his induction into the EMPA Hall of Fame. Ron’s commitment to the motorsport industry is reflective of his volunteer work here at the Museum and we are fortunate to have him among our ranks,” said David DePaulo, board chair.

Hedger joined the Museum as a member during its first year of operation in 2002, becoming a board trustee a few months later.

As past president of EMPA, Hedger is considered one of the best in motorsport journalism, earning a reputation for “fair and unbiased reporting” of the sport for years, providing those who race or who spectate a detailed and descriptive account of races, profiles, and news. Hedger was inducted in a ceremony in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. earlier this month.