Mahoning Valley Speedway’s Kyle Strohl nominated for EMPA John Blewett III Young Guns Award

Mahoning Valley Speedway’s Kyle Strohl nominated for EMPA John Blewett III Young Guns Award

Story By: Dino Oberto/Mahoning Valley Speedway – Photos By: Walt Smith/RacersGuide.com

Mahoning Valley Speedway’s Kyle Strohl has been nominated by the Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) as candidate for the John Blewett III Young Guns Award presented by New England Fuels.
The 17-year old Strohl, who is known as “The Real Deal” wrapped up his third year of racing an asphalt Modified at Mahoning Valley Speedway in a big way, winning a Race of Champions Tour 150-lap feature against a stellar field of competition.
It was also his third win of the season which enabled him to be a solid third in final points behind perennial kingpins Eric Beers and Earl Paules.
Strohl became the youngest driver in track history to win a Modified feature when in just his third start, at then age 13, he was in Victory Lane. He was also the youngest driver to reach 20 career wins and in five years has amassed 29 victories combined in Modifieds, Street Stocks and 4-Cylinder Stocks and one championship.
Also on the ballot are Matt Swanson, Max McLaughlin and Dillon Steuer.
Voting for the award is done amongst the EMPA membership and the winner will be lauded at the organization’s annual convention which takes place January 6-9 at the Crowne Plaza in King of Prussia.
Previous winners include Lucas Wolfe – 2006, Bob Santos III – 2007, Cody Darrah – 2008, Ryan Truex – 2009, Austin Hubbard – 2010, Justin Bonsignore – 2011, Kyle Larson – 2012, Mike Mahaney – 2013, Tyler Dippel and Anthony Perrago – 2014 and Freddie & Brandon Rahmer – 2015.
Since its founding in 1969, EMPA has grown from a handful of members to become one of the largest motorsports media organizations in the nation with more than 250 members.
EMPA holds the only annual working convention featuring seminars, press conferences with outstanding competitors, sponsors, organizers and promoters. Technical specialist present workshops. Photography, journalism and broadcasting competitions are sponsored to recognize excellence within each respective field. These competitions are judged by professionals, experts in the field that are not involved in the competition or member of the organization.