I wanted to throw out a few more ideas of items available for this Christmas season that would make great gifts. You can find the necessary contact information for these businesses on their websites or Facebook pages.

One Zee Tees has specials on wearable merchandise for your favorite drivers, and Pangman Outdoor Power Motorsports in Cobleskill has pit bikes and a large selection of ATV/UTV. Stone

Motorsports in Rotterdam Junction, Andy's Speed Shop in Johnstown and Elmo's Speed and Supply in Burnt Hills all have items that would be a great gift for your favorite racer. And many of the modified and sportsman division teams are now offering the 1:24 scale replica models being produced by the staff at DMN KOOL Models in conjunction with DKM Fabrication and JK Signworks.

Utica-Rome Speedway has started to leak out a few teasers about its 2025 racing season. Friday, April 11, will be an open practice for all divisions, and Sunday, April 13, will begin the racing season with the annual "Honoring Alex" for the modified division headlining the program. Fonda Speedway is also scheduled to hold an open practice on Saturday, April 12, with its season opener on Saturday, April 19.

The membership of the Eastern Motorsports Press Association has just completed voting on the recipients of their 2024 awards.

The Hall of Fame inductees for this year include dirt modified driver Jimmy Horton III, journalist Mark "Bones" Bourcier, dirt modified driver Alan Johnson, sprint car driver Sammy Swindell, NHRA Funny Car driver Don "The Snake" Prudhomme and NASCAR Cup Series driver Steve Park. The Richie Evans Memorial Northeast Driver of the Year on Asphalt will go to Justin Bonsignore, and the Richie Evans Driver of the Year on Dirt will go to Mat Williamson. The Al Holbert Memorial National Driver of the Year on Asphalt is NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson, and the Al Holbert Memorial National Driver of the Year on Dirt is World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series champion David Gravel. The 2024 John Blewett III-Young Gun Award will be presented to multi-talented dirt and pavement racer Corey Day. Earning the Chris Economaki Memorial Newsmaker of the Year Award is veteran sprint car and NASCAR Cup Series driver Dave Blaney. The Junie Donlavey Memorial Spirit of the Sport Award recipient is Ryan Flores.

The EMPA Promotional Effort of the Year recipient is Doug Rose, who currently operates the Bridgeport Speedway in New Jersey. The World Racing Group has named BAPS Motor Speedway owner Scott Gobrecht as the recipient of the Jerry Reigle Outstanding Contribution to Sprint Car Racing Award. Elections also took place for the EMPA Board of Directors, and retaining their seats were current EMPA Vice President Karl Fredrickson and Secretary Carol Houssock.

During the formal awards dinner presentations in January, the EMPA will recognize the Jim Hunter Memorial Writer of the Year and the Ace Lane Sr. Memorial Photographer of the Year, along with others whose talents are recognized in the EMPA Pocono Raceway Writers Contest and the Brice's NAPA Auto Parts Photo Contest.

The 31st Annual New York State Indoor Kart Championship took place last Saturday and Sunday at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. A number of area drivers from various divisions were on hand to test and improve their skills during the cold December weather.

In no particular order, here are a few area drivers attending and some of their weekend results. On Saturday, Marc Johnson finished fourth in Champ Animal Black and first in Pro Champ Animal Black, Brayen Stratton finished second in Junior sportsman 206/Champ 325, Kirsten Swartz finished fourth in Clone Light and third in Pro Clone Light, Joey Williams finished first in Junior Clone Green, Tim Hartman Jr. finished fifth in Xtreme Budget Predator and Derrick McGrew Jr. finished second in Unlimited 4 Cycle.

Sunday's results had Kirsten Swartz finishing second in Clone Light and second in Pro Clone Light, Joey Williams won in Junior Clone Green, Brexley Hartman finished sixth in Junior Clone Red, Marc Johnson finished sixth in Champ Animal Black and fourth in Pro Champ Animal Black, Brayen Stratton won in Junior sportsman 206/Champ 325, Tim Hartman Jr. finished fourth in Xtreme Budget Predator and Derrick McGrew Jr. finished fourth in Unlimited 4 Cycle.