2012 Charlotte Motor Speedway Russ Catlin Awards for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism Announced

Charlotte Motor Speedway announced today the winners of the 28^th annual Charlotte Motor Speedway Russ Catlin Awards for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism. The honorees were Thomas Pope (Fayetteville Observer), Kris Johnson (NASCAR Illustrated), Andrew Doud (WSOC-TV, Charlotte, N.C.), Rosie Barresi (SPEED) and Gary Nastase (National Dragster) for their contributions to motorsports journalism in 2012. To view the winning entries, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/catlinaward/2012winners.

For decades, Russ Catlin was one of the best known racing writers and historians, contributing articles and information to Speed Age, Automobile Quarterly, Open Wheel and numerous other publications. Catlin was a pioneer of motorsports public relations and served as publicist for Darlington Raceway during the 1960s. He also guided several influential figures in the motorsports field, including former Charlotte Motor Speedway General Manager Humpy Wheeler, who established the awards in his honor. The awards recognize the best motorsports coverage in five categories: Daily and Non-Daily 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.

"Charlotte Motor Speedway is proud to honor the very best in motorsports journalism," said Scott Cooper, Vice President of Communications at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "This year's winners were selected from a highly competitive field. We received nearly 150 top-notch entries from journalists covering drag racing, stock car racing, dirt racing and IndyCar racing. To stand out among such a talented group of professionals is extremely impressive."

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 Charlotte Motor Speedway in their names to the school of their choice. Their names were also added to a perpetual trophy housed at the track that lists all past winners.

"Granting the scholarships has been a very rewarding part of curating the Charlotte Motor Speedway Russ Catlin Awards for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism," continued Cooper. "It's extremely gratifying to know that we're helping support journalism for years to come."

The award has been among the most coveted in motorsports journalism since it began in 1985. Reporters from top media outlets such as USA Today, CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated and The Washington Post have all been past winners. The 2012 Charlotte Motor Speedway Russ Catlin Awards for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism are as follows:

Writing - Daily

            Thomas Pope - Fayetteville Observer

Entry: "Rock of Ages"

Judges' Comments: The reporter brings Bowman Gray Stadium to life, revealing the culture of grassroots racing with plenty of local color. Whether readers are racing fans or not, they will recognize the passion and connection to place as universal human experiences.

Scholarship: Methodist University

Writing - Non-Daily

            Kris Johnson - NASCAR Illustrated

            Entry: "Skin in the Game"

Judges' Comments: This story explores the intersection of gender, fame, sponsorship and legacy through multiple perspectives. The reporter shows the complexity of a controversial issue that has wide-reaching implications.

Scholarship: Middlebury College

Broadcast - Local

        Andrew Doud - WSOC-TV, Charlotte, NC

            Entry: "Pit Crew Training"

Judges' Comments: This story has everything a great broadcast feature needs: quality reporting, great interviews and natural sound, effective editing and videography. This report makes clear the importance of teamwork in racing. The audience "walks" in the pit crew's shoes.

Scholarship: Elon University

Broadcast - National

        Rosie Barresi - SPEED

            Entry: "Pass in the Grass"

Judges' Comments: Entertaining story that provides context for multiple elements of NASCAR history: Dale Earnhardt's legendary status, the coining of a famous phrase, and the role of rivalries in racing. Broadcast on the 25th anniversary of the "pass in the grass," this piece is both timely and timeless, balancing ample research and reporting with humor and good storytelling.

Scholarship: Columbia College Chicago

Photojournalism

        Gary Nastase - National Dragster

            Entry: "Funny Car Explosion"

Judges' Comments: An aesthetically pleasing photo rife with visual intrigue and definite "stopping power." Although the situation is not unique, the photographer captured an image that also functions as spot news.

Scholarship: Mt. San Antonio College

 

Charlotte Motor Speedway Russ Catlin Awards for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism Journalism 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 - TV

 

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 - Non-Daily:                      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 - Non-Daily:                      Bob Zeller                                 Car and Driver

Broadcast - National:                Julie Smith                                RPM 2Night

Broadcast - Local:                    Charlie Sherman                        WMUR - TV

Photojournalism:                       Phil Cavali                                 NASCAR Winston Cup Scene

 

1998

Print - Daily:                             Bill Koenig                                Indianapolis Star

Print - Non-Daily:                      Bob Zeller                                 Car and Driver

Broadcast - National:                Kathryn Nixon                           RPM 2Night

Broadcast - Local:                    Chuck Howard                           WCNC - TV

Photojournalism:                       Phil Cavali                                 NASCAR Winston Cup Scene

 

1999

Print - Daily:                             Juliet Macur                              Orlando Sentinel

Print - Non-Daily:                      Bruce Martin                              Circle Track/Stock Car

Broadcast - National:                Donald Schick                          RPM 2Night

Broadcast - Local:                    Chuck Howard                           WCNC - TV

Photojournalism:                       Jim Fluharty                              NASCAR Winston Cup Illustrated

 

2000

Print - Daily:                             Al Levine                                   Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Print - Non-Daily:                      Bob Judd                                 Road and Track

Broadcast - National:                Mike Massaro                           Inside NASCAR/TNN

Broadcast - Local:                    John Roberts & Clint Wiles        WBTV - TV

Photojournalism:                       Will Lester                                 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

 

2001

Print - Daily:                             Godwin Kelly                             Daytona Beach News-Journal

Print - Non-Daily:                      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 - Non-Daily:                      Mark Ashenfelter                       NASCAR Winston Cup Scene

Broadcast - National:                Chrissy Pellegrino                     Totally NASCAR

Broadcast - Local:                    Chuck Howard                           WCNC - TV

Photojournalism:                       Phil Cavali                                 NASCAR Winston Cup Scene

 

2003

Print - Daily:                             Liz Clarke                                  The Washington Post

Print - Non-Daily:                      Godwin Kelly                             Racing Milestones

Broadcast - National:                Rob Nelson                               SPEED Channel

Broadcast - Local:                    Chuck Howard                           WCNC - TV

Photojournalism:                       Earl Ma                                     National Speed Sport News

 

2004

Print - Daily:                             Sandra McKee                          The Baltimore Sun

Print - Non-Daily:                      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 - Non-Daily:                      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 White                                 NASCAR Scene

Last Call Broadcast:                  Paul Johnson                            WCYB - TV

 

2006

Print - Daily:                             David Poole                              The Charlotte Observer

Print - Non-Daily:                      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 - Non-Daily:                   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 - Non-Daily:                   Mike Hembree                           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 - Non-Daily:                   David Newton                           ESPN.com

Broadcast - National:                Bonnie Larkin                            ESPN

Broadcast - Local:                    Brian Tetzler                              KWGN - TV

Photojournalism:                       David Moulthrop                       Gator News

 

2010

Writing - Daily:                          Nate Ryan                                 USA Today

Writing - Non-Daily:                   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 - Non-Daily:                   David Caraviello                        NASCAR.com

Broadcast - National:                Justin Burnett                            SPEED

Broadcast - Local:                    Alan Cavanna                            WSOC - TV

Photojournalism:                       Will Lester                                 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

 

2012

Writing - Daily:                          Thomas Pope                           Fayetteville Observer

Writing - Non-Daily:                   Kris Johnson                             NASCAR Illustrated

Broadcast - National:                Rosie Barresi                            SPEED

Broadcast - Local:                    Andrew Doud                            WSOC - TV

Photojournalism:                       Gary Nastase                            National Dragster

 

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