2011 TaxSlayer.com Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence Announced

TaxSlayer.com and Charlotte Motor Speedway announced today the winners of the 27th Annual TaxSlayer.com Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence in honor of Russ Catlin presented by Charlotte Motor Speedway. This year marked the most competitive contest to date, as a record-setting 200 entries were submitted.

The 2011 honorees were Don Coble (Morris News Service/Florida Times-Union), David Caraviello (NASCAR.com), Alan Cavanna (WSOC), Justin Burnett (SPEED) and Will Lester (Inland Valley Daily Bulletin) for outstanding motorsports coverage in 2011. To view the winning entries, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/catlinaward/2012winners.

The TaxSlayer.com Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence recognize the best motorsports coverage in five categories: Daily and Other Writing, Local and National Broadcast and Photojournalism. Entries are open to all forms of motorsports coverage, and no affiliation or membership is required for participation. 

“It’s an honor for TaxSlayer.com to recognize the best in motorsports journalism,” said Daniel Eubanks, Director of Motorsports for TaxSlayer.com.  “We’re thrilled to distinguish the journalists who stood out among their peers. We’re also excited to contribute a scholarship in each winner’s name to help perpetuate journalism excellence for years to come.

”As in years past, the Indiana University School of Journalism judged the award entries. The recipients were honored at a ceremony held in conjunction with the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway. Winners received a trophy and $1,000 scholarship from TaxSlayer.com in their names to the school of their choice. Their names were also added to a perpetual trophy housed at Charlotte Motor Speedway that lists all past winners.

“It was an especially exciting year for the Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence,” said Scott Cooper, vice president of communications for Charlotte Motor Speedway. “We received 200 entries from journalists covering drag racing, dirt racing and several forms of stock car racing. It was certainly representative of the best in motorsports coverage. We’re excited to honor the winners and keep up the tradition of awarding top-notch journalism.” 

Since 1985, the award has been among the most coveted in motorsports journalism. The 2011 TaxSlayer.com Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence winners are as follows:

Writing – Daily
Don Coble – Morris News Service/Florida Times-Union
Entry:  “Moment of Impact”
Judges’ Comments:  Of all the death-of-Dale-Earnhardt stories, this one took the most courage to report. Using an unusual angle in covering this tragic anniversary, the writer captures the universal theme of guilt as experienced by survivors/those left behind. Thanks to seamless storytelling, readers have the opportunity to walk in Sterling Martin’s shoes, to relive the accident as if they were on the track themselves.
Scholarship:  Edward Waters College; Jacksonville, FL

Writing – Other
David Caraviello – NASCAR.com
Entry:  “The Road to Relevance”
Judges’ Comments:  This in-depth, behind-the-scenes piece about a NASCAR underdog provides an unvarnished look at the racing world. Without the exceptional narrative writing skills of this reporter, the story would not have been effective. However, the story’s strengths are two-fold: an interesting and relatable main character, plus a narrative structure that reveals the writer invested great time and energy in research, observation and interviews. 
Scholarship:  University of South Carolina; Columbia, SC

Broadcast – Local
Alan Cavanna – WSOC, Charlotte, NC
Entry:  “NASCAR in the Classroom”
Judges’ Comments:  This story stood out because it appeals to a broader audience, thereby making racing more accessible. The reporter shows the complexity of racing by providing a behind-the-scenes look at the science and math engineering involved in the sport. Local viewers can see real-life application of concepts learned in academic classes by students who will be racing’s future, a unique approach to covering the sport.
Scholarship:  Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Broadcast – National
Justin Burnett – SPEED
Entry:  “Veterans Day Feature”
Judges’ Comments:  A timely feature that demonstrates racing’s contributions beyond the track, this story’s effectiveness lies in its use of multiple sources and themes. It addresses a serious social issue with an updated approach and shows how racing can benefit society. This story meets all technical requirements while telling an inspiring story. 
Scholarship:  Nash High School; Bailey, NC

Photojournalism
Will Lester – Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Entry:  “Blown Up”
Judges’ Comments:  Captures action not commonly seen in such photos. Excellent framing creates a sense of suspense and relates a story. Photo has “stopping power” — causes a person to pause and examine the details.
Scholarship: California State University, Fullerton; Photocommunications Dept.

TaxSlayer.com Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence Past Winners

1985
Print	Clyde Bolton	Birmingham News
Electronic	Ken Squier	CBS Sports

1986
Print	Sandra McKee	The Baltimore Sun
Electronic	Mark Allen	Sunbelt Video

1987
Print	Bruce Martin	Gaston Gazette
Electronic	Bob Hice	WBTV

1988
Print	Ed Hinton	The Atlanta Journal
Electronic	Randy Pemberton	Inside Winston Cup Racing

1989
Print	Tom Higgins	The Charlotte Observer
Electronic	Mark Allen	Sunbelt Video

1990
Print	Deb Williams	Winston Cup Scene
Electronic	Steve Porter	On Pit Road Teleproductions

1991
Print	Deb Williams	Winston Cup Scene
Electronic	Bill Weber	Sunbelt Video

1992
Print	Joe Siano	The New York Times
Electronic	Randy Pemberton	Inside Winston Cup Racing

1993
Print	Cary D’Amato	The Milwaukee Journal
Electronic	Ralph Sheheen	Int’l Communications Group

1994
Print	Rob Sneddon	Stock Car Racing
Electronic	Scott Dowless	Inside Winston Cup Racing

1995
Print	Bones Bourcier	Stock Car Racing
Electronic	Randy Pemberton	Inside Winston Cup Racing

1996
Print – Daily	Liz Clarke	Dallas Morning News
Print – Other	Bones Bourcier	Stock Car Racing
Broadcast – National	Pamela Branner	RPM 2Night
Broadcast – Local	Sean Pragano	WCYB – TV

1997
Print – Daily	Lon Wagner	Virginian-Pilot
Print – Other	Bob Zeller	Car and Driver
Broadcast – National	Julie Smith	RPM 2Night
Broadcast – Local	Charlie Sherman	WMUR
Photojournalism	Phil Cavali	NASCAR Winston Cup Scene

1998
Print – Daily	Bill Koenig	Indianapolis Star
Print – Other	Bob Zeller	Car and Driver
Broadcast – National	Kathryn Nixon	RPM 2Night
Broadcast – Local	Chuck Howard	WCNC
Photojournalism	Phil Cavali	NASCAR Winston Cup Scene

1999
Print – Daily	Juliet Macur	Orlando Sentinel
Print – Other	Bruce Martin	Circle Track/Stock Car
Broadcast – National	Donald Schick	RPM 2Night
Broadcast – Local	Chuck Howard	WCNC
Photojournalism	Jim Fluharty	NASCAR Winston Cup Illustrated

2000
Print – Daily	Al Levine	Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Print – Other	Bob Judd	Road and Track
Broadcast – National	Mike Massaro	Inside NASCAR/TNN
Broadcast – Local	John Roberts and Clint Wiles	WBTV
Photojournalism	Will Lester	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

2001
Print – Daily	Godwin Kelly	Daytona Beach News-Journal
Print – Other	Mike Hembree	The Sporting News
Broadcast – National	Ryan McGee	Totally NASCAR
Broadcast – Local	Joe Dodd	Game Day Productions
Photojournalism	Bill Anderson	NASCAR Winston Cup Scene

2002
Print – Daily	Dave Kallmann	Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Print – Other	Mark Ashenfelter	NASCAR Winston Cup Scene
Broadcast – National	Chrissy Pellegrino	Totally NASCAR
Broadcast – Local	Chuck Howard	WCNC
Photojournalism	Phil Cavali	NASCAR Winston Cup Scene

2003
Print – Daily	Liz Clarke	The Washington Post
Print – Other	Godwin Kelly	Racing Milestones
Broadcast – National	Rob Nelson	SPEED ChannelR
Broadcast – Local	Chuck Howard	WCNC
Photojournalism	Earl Ma	National Speed Sport News

2004
Print – Daily	Sandra McKee	The Baltimore Sun
Print – Other	Gordon Kirby	Road & Track
Broadcast – National	Matt Dillner	Totally NASCAR
Broadcast – Local	Jeff Gravley	WRAL-TV
Photojournalism	Chuck Yadmark	NASCAR Illustrated

2005
Print – Daily	Nate Ryan	Richmond Times-Dispatch
Print – Other	Mike Hembree	NASCAR Scene
Broadcast – National	Mike Massaro	ESPN Outside the Lines
Broadcast – Local	Paul Johnson	WCYB-TV
Photojournalism	Phil Rider	Sports Illustrated
Last Call Writing	Rea Whiter	NASCAR Scene
Last Call Broadcast	Paul Johnson	WCYB-TV

2006
Print – Daily	David Poole	The Charlotte Observer
Print – Other	Seth Livingstone	USA Today Sports Weekly
Broadcast – National	Mike Massaro	ESPN Outside the Lines
Broadcast – Local	Heather Williams	WTVC-TV
Photojournalism	Will Lester	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

2007
Writing- Daily	Nate Ryan	USA Today
Writing- Other	David Caraviello	NASCAR.com
Broadcast – National	Drew Gallagher	ESPN, NASCAR Countdown
Broadcast – Local	Blair Miller	WSOC-TV
Photojournalism	David Griffin	NASCAR Scene

2008
Writing- Daily	Susan Wade	Newark Star-Ledger
Writing – Other	Mike Hambree	NASCAR Scene
Broadcast – National	Tom Rinaldi	ESPN, ESPN NASCAR Now
Broadcast – Local	Kevin Wren	WGHP TV
Photojournalism	Will Lester	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

2009
Writing- Daily	Nate Ryan	USA Today
Writing – Other	David Newton	ESPN.com
Broadcast – National	Bonnie Larkin	ESPN
Broadcast – Local	Brian Tetzler	KWGN – TV
Photojournalism	David Moulthrop	Gater News

2010
Writing- Daily	Nate Ryan	USA Today
Writing – Other	Kris Johnson	NASCAR Illustrated
Broadcast – National	Lauren Stowell	ESPN
Broadcast – Local	Brian Tetzler	KWGN – TV
Photojournalism	Mark Rebilas	US Presswire

2011
Writing- Daily	Don Coble	Morris News Service/Florida Times-Union
Writing – Other	David Caraviello	NASCAR.com
Broadcast – National	Justin Burnett	SPEED
Broadcast – Local	Alan Cavanna	WSOC- TV
Photojournalism	Will Lester	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

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