Winners received their awards at Richard Childress Racing shop
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- As hundreds of writers, broadcasters and photographers began the 31st NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway, several of the journalists left the first day with an extra gift in the form of one of the most prestigious motorsports awards.
The Russ Catlin Award for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism recognizes 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.
This year’s winners -- the 28th -- were Thomas Pope (Fayetteville Observer), Kris Johnson (NASCAR Illustrated), Andrew Doud (WSOC-TV, Charlotte, N.C.), Rosie Barresi (SPEED) and Gary Nastase (National Dragster).
Russ Catlin was one of the best-known racing writers and historians, contributing articles and information to several publications. He was also 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 Indiana University School of Journalism judged the award entries. The recipients were honored at a ceremony held at Richard Childress Racing during 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.
-- Russ Catlin, circa 1960
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
| 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 Smith | 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 | ||
| Print - Daily: | Nate Ryan | USA Today |
| Print - 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 | ||
| Print - Daily: | Susan Wade | Newark Star-Ledger |
| Print - 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 | ||
| Print - Daily: | Nate Ryan | USA Today |
| Print - Non-Daily: | David Newton | ESPN.com |
| Broadcast - National: | Bonnie Larkin | ESPN |
| Broadcast - Local: | Brian Tetzler | KWGN-TV |
| Photojournalism: | David Moulthrop | Gator News |
| 2010 | ||
| Print - Daily: | Nate Ryan | USA Today |
| Print - Non-Daily: | Kris Johnson | NASCAR Illustrated |
| Broadcast - National: | Lauren Stowell | ESPN |
| Broadcast - Local: | Brian Tetzler | KWGN-TV |
| Photojournalism: | Mark Reblias | US Presswire |
| 2011 | ||
| Print - Daily: | Don Coble | Morris News Service/Florida Times-Union |
| Print - 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 | ||
| Print - Daily: | Thomas Pope | Fayetteville Observer |
| Print - Non-Daily: | Kris Johnson | NASCAR Illustrated |
| Broadcast - National: | Rosie Barressi | SPEED |
| Broadcast - Local: | Andrew Doud | WSOC-TV |
| Photojournalism: | Gary Nastase | National Dragster |