2011 TaxSlayer.com Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence Announced



Winners Picked Among Record-Setting Number of Entries


CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 24, 2012) – 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
PrintClyde BoltonBirmingham News
ElectronicKen SquierCBS Sports
1986
PrintSandra McKeeThe Baltimore Sun
ElectronicMark AllenSunbelt Video
1987
PrintBruce MartinGaston Gazette
ElectronicBob HiceWBTV
1988
PrintEd HintonThe Atlanta Journal
ElectronicRandy PembertonInside Winston Cup Racing
1989
PrintTom HigginsThe Charlotte Observer
ElectronicMark AllenSunbelt Video
1990
PrintDeb WilliamsWinston Cup Scene
ElectronicSteve PorterOn Pit Road Teleproductions
1991
PrintDeb WilliamsWinston Cup Scene
ElectronicBill WeberSunbelt Video
1992
PrintJoe SianoThe New York Times
ElectronicRandy PembertonInside Winston Cup Racing
1993
PrintCary D'AmatoThe Milwaukee Journal
ElectronicRalph SheheenInt'l Communications Group
1994
PrintRob SneddonStock Car Racing
ElectronicScott DowlessInside Winston Cup Racing
1995
PrintBones BourcierStock Car Racing
ElectronicRandy PembertonInside Winston Cup Racing
1996
Print - DailyLiz ClarkeDallas Morning News
Print - OtherBones BourcierStock Car Racing
Broadcast - NationalPamela BrannerRPM 2Night
Broadcast - LocalSean PraganoWCYB - TV
1997
Print - DailyLon WagnerVirginian-Pilot
Print - OtherBob ZellerCar and Driver
Broadcast - NationalJulie SmithRPM 2Night
Broadcast - LocalCharlie ShermanWMUR
PhotojournalismPhil CavaliNASCAR Winston Cup Scene
1998
Print - DailyBill KoenigIndianapolis Star
Print - OtherBob ZellerCar and Driver
Broadcast - NationalKathryn NixonRPM 2Night
Broadcast - LocalChuck HowardWCNC
PhotojournalismPhil CavaliNASCAR Winston Cup Scene
1999
Print - DailyJuliet MacurOrlando Sentinel
Print - OtherBruce MartinCircle Track/Stock Car
Broadcast - NationalDonald SchickRPM 2Night
Broadcast - LocalChuck HowardWCNC
PhotojournalismJim FluhartyNASCAR Winston Cup Illustrated
2000
Print - DailyAl LevineAtlanta Journal-Constitution
Print - OtherBob JuddRoad and Track
Broadcast - NationalMike MassaroInside NASCAR/TNN
Broadcast - LocalJohn Roberts and Clint WilesWBTV
PhotojournalismWill LesterInland Valley Daily Bulletin
2001
Print - DailyGodwin KellyDaytona Beach News-Journal
Print - OtherMike HembreeThe Sporting News
Broadcast - NationalRyan McGeeTotally NASCAR
Broadcast - LocalJoe DoddGame Day Productions
PhotojournalismBill AndersonNASCAR Winston Cup Scene
2002
Print - DailyDave KallmannMilwaukee Journal Sentinel
Print - OtherMark AshenfelterNASCAR Winston Cup Scene
Broadcast - NationalChrissy PellegrinoTotally NASCAR
Broadcast - LocalChuck HowardWCNC
PhotojournalismPhil CavaliNASCAR Winston Cup Scene
2003
Print - DailyLiz ClarkeThe Washington Post
Print - OtherGodwin KellyRacing Milestones
Broadcast - NationalRob NelsonSPEED ChannelR
Broadcast - LocalChuck HowardWCNC
PhotojournalismEarl MaNational Speed Sport News
2004
Print - DailySandra McKeeThe Baltimore Sun
Print - OtherGordon KirbyRoad & Track
Broadcast - NationalMatt DillnerTotally NASCAR
Broadcast - LocalJeff GravleyWRAL-TV
PhotojournalismChuck YadmarkNASCAR Illustrated
2005
Print - DailyNate RyanRichmond Times-Dispatch
Print - OtherMike HembreeNASCAR Scene
Broadcast - NationalMike MassaroESPN Outside the Lines
Broadcast - LocalPaul JohnsonWCYB-TV
PhotojournalismPhil RiderSports Illustrated
Last Call WritingRea WhiterNASCAR Scene
Last Call BroadcastPaul JohnsonWCYB-TV
2006
Print - DailyDavid PooleThe Charlotte Observer
Print - OtherSeth LivingstoneUSA Today Sports Weekly
Broadcast - NationalMike MassaroESPN Outside the Lines
Broadcast - LocalHeather WilliamsWTVC-TV
PhotojournalismWill LesterInland Valley Daily Bulletin
2007
Writing- DailyNate RyanUSA Today
Writing- OtherDavid CaravielloNASCAR.com
Broadcast - NationalDrew GallagherESPN, NASCAR Countdown
Broadcast - LocalBlair MillerWSOC-TV
PhotojournalismDavid GriffinNASCAR Scene
2008
Writing- DailySusan WadeNewark Star-Ledger
Writing - OtherMike HambreeNASCAR Scene
Broadcast - NationalTom RinaldiESPN, ESPN NASCAR Now
Broadcast - LocalKevin WrenWGHP TV
PhotojournalismWill LesterInland Valley Daily Bulletin
2009
Writing- DailyNate RyanUSA Today
Writing - OtherDavid NewtonESPN.com
Broadcast - NationalBonnie LarkinESPN
Broadcast - LocalBrian TetzlerKWGN - TV
PhotojournalismDavid MoulthropGater News
2010
Writing- DailyNate RyanUSA Today
Writing - OtherKris JohnsonNASCAR Illustrated
Broadcast - NationalLauren StowellESPN
Broadcast - LocalBrian TetzlerKWGN - TV
PhotojournalismMark RebilasUS Presswire
2011
Writing- DailyDon CobleMorris News Service/Florida Times-Union
Writing - OtherDavid CaravielloNASCAR.com
Broadcast - NationalJustin BurnettSPEED
Broadcast - LocalAlan CavannaWSOC- TV
PhotojournalismWill LesterInland Valley Daily Bulletin

For daily updates on October race activities, connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway by following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.
2011 TaxSlayer.com Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence Announced 2011 TaxSlayer.com Motorsports Journalism  Awards of Excellence Announced Reviewed by Admin on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 Rating: 5