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Pocono Raceway’s Bob Pleban Lauded by EMPA
By Dino Oberto ……. “Keeping Track”
The Eastern Motorsports Press Association (EMPA) was founded in 1969 and since then has become one of the largest and most respected motorsports media organizations in the nation. The mission of the EMPA is to foster a better understanding of the sport gaining recognition for the motorsports press, improving conditions for the working racing media and honoring deserving individuals who make or have made contributions to the sport.
Each January an annual working convention featuring seminars, press conferences with outstanding competitors, sponsors, organizers and promoters takes place.
 Held at the Radisson Hotel in Trevose, the three day affair also features photography, journalism and broadcasting competitions which recognize excellence within each respective field. These competitions are judged by professionals, experts within that discipline that are not involved in the competition or member of the organization.
The highlight of the weekend is the Saturday night awards banquet which pays tribute to a number of past and present racing individuals and also acknowledges the work of its members through a variety of special awards.
At last weekend’s convention a very deserving individual among the host of awardees was Bob Pleban of Weatherly who was named the recipient of the Art McHugh Award.
Pleban is the Vice President of Administrations at Pocono Raceway but to most everyone in the racing media he is best known as Pocono’s head of PR.
Art McHugh was a tireless supporter of EMPA who worked behind the scenes to make EMPA a success. This award, named in his honor, is given to a commendable person to thank them for all the hours they worked behind the scenes so that their efforts will not go unnoticed and no one could be more praiseworthy than Pleban.
Behind the scenes that makes Pocono Raceway one for the most popular stops on the NASCAR calendar each year is Pleban and from the late 1970’s to the present he has been tirelessly striving at his position to see to it that all facets of the media are well taken care of as well as many others intricacies not seen by the average fan.
Anyone who knows Pleban also knows him as a very humbling person and one who never takes credit despite the enormous task that goes into every big race weekend which is a year-round job.
In typical Pleban style he was reluctant when told of his honor and actually refused at first to come to the convention and accept the award.
“I think we talked on the phone three or four times and this was the first time in all the years that we’ve had this organization that we actually had to beg someone to come and accept an award,” said retiring EMPA President Ernie Saxton.
“He didn’t think he was deserving and he said that he works for the Mattioli family and they certainly have been very good to us (EMPA) over the years but behind the scenes there’s a real good guy in Bob Pleban who does a lot for EMPA and is very much deserving of this award.”
Saxton’s words are well spoken indeed. Pleban has worked hand in hand with the EMPA and his support of the organization and many others through his work with Pocono has always been valued.
“I would like to thank the EMPA for the honor of this prestigious award. As you know Pocono Raceway has been a long time supporter of EMPA and because of that relationship I’ve had the good fortune of working with them on a number of EMPA sponsored Pocono events,” said Pleban.
“At those events I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a lot of members and have become good friends with quite a few. It was through Ernie (Saxton) and his wife Marilynn that I have made great friendships which I truly appreciate.
“I want to thank all of the EMPA members for acknowledging me and Pocono Raceway for our contributions to the EMPA,” he continued. “The real powers behind all this are Dr. Joe and Dr. Rose (Mattioli) or else I would not be here today and I want to acknowledge them.”
Since its inception the EMPA has enjoyed a lasting relationship with the Mattioli family and Pocono Raceway while together they have benefitted from the unrelenting work efforts of Pleban.
On behalf of everyone in the racing media, congratulations Bob Pleban, you are richly deserving of this award.
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