2004 NMPA Contest Winners

Writing Division

Spot News

First Place       Al Thomy, Speedway Scene – Mark’s Not Retiring, He’s Just Retooling
Second Place   Monte Dutton, Gaston Gazette – Quite Simply Chaos
Third Place      Jim Utter, Charlotte Observer – Stewart Turns Into Victory

Feature

First Place       Al Thomy, Speedway Scene – For New NASCAR, A New Patron Saint
Second Place   Kenny Bruce, NASCAR Scene – Magic Milestones
Third Place      Bob Pockrass, NASCAR Scene – Hometown Team

Columns

First Place       Kenny Bruce, NASCAR Scene

• Too Much Junior?
• Show Mom You Really Care
• In NASCAR, You Get What You, And Sometimes Others, Pay For
• Where Have You Gone, Speedy, Crawfish and Burrhead?
• Of Farewells and Ferrets ...

Second Place   David Caraviello, Charleston Post & Courier

• After Texas Lawsuit, NASCAR Never Was The Same
• Richmond The Model Of What Darlington Could Be
• In Darlington, Quiet And A Sense Of Foreboding
• Dorton Legacy Lives Within Garage

Third Place      Ken Willis, Daytona Beach Journal

• Talladega And Ugliness
• Rusty And Tony
• Old Memories Still Race In Martha Earnhardt’s Heart
• Darlington, Rock Lose Races; Sport Loses, Too

Magazine

First Place      Monte Dutton, Racing Milestones – NASCAR’s Average Jeff
Second Place   Thomas Pope, NASCAR Illustrated – Open For Business
Third Place      Thomas Pope, Racing Milestones – Calling It Quits

Radio Division

Spot News

First Place       Mark Garrow, Performance Racing Network – NASCAR’s Darkest Day
Second Place   Steve Blevins, Motor Racing Network – NASCAR Today
Third Place      Kent Bernhardt, Performance Racing Network – The SpongeBob 300 Kidcast

Feature News

First Place       Steve Richards, Performance Racing Network – From Tragedy To Triumph
Second Place   Steve Blevins, Motor Racing Network – NASCAR USA: The Chase
Third Place      Ryan Horn, Motor Racing Network – Pepsi 400 Daytona: Salute To The King

Long Form Feature

First Place       Kent Bernhardt, Performance Racing Network – The Morgan Shepherd Story
Second Place   Chris Symeon, Motor Racing Network – Road To The Winston Cup
Third Place      Dave Moody, Motor Racing Network – Speedway Legend: Don Garlits

Television Division

Spot News

First Place       Joe, Ruth Kelly, RICH-TV – Legends One
Second Place   Joe, Ruth Kelly, RICH-TV – Legends Two
Third Place      Joe, Ruth Kelly, RICH-TV – Diversity

Feature News

First Place       P.J. Johnson, WCYB-TV – Build Another Bristol
Second Place   Joe, Ruth Kelly, RICH-TV – Only IHRA/NHRA Pro Stock Black American Racing Team

Photography Division

Portrait/Personality

First Place       Jim Fluharty, NASCAR Illustrated – Mr. Blue Eyes
Second Place   Bambi Mattila, NASCAR Scene – What Could Have Been
Third Place      Bambi Mattila, NASCAR Illustrated – Deep In Thought

Race Action

First Place       Chuck Yadmark, NASCAR Illustarted – Keeping Cool
Second Place   Bambi Mattila, NASCAR Scene – Battery Toss
Third Place      Mark Hawkins, NASCAR Scene – First Stop Indy

Feature

First Place       Mark Sluder, NASCAR Scene – A Head Above The Competition
Second Place   Bambi Mattila, NASCAR Scene – You Want A Piece Of Me?
Third Place      Mark Sluder, NASCAR Scene – Burns Hurt After Driver Change

Crash

First Place       Dale Barbee, NASCAR Scene – Up And Over
Second Place   Bryan Hallman, American Thunder – Going Bad
Third Place      Phil Cavali, National Speed Sport News – Up And Away, Again

Open

First Place       Bambi Mattila – Paintin’ The Town
Second Place   Tom Whitmore – Pit Perfection
Third Place      Kent Gilley – The Naval Prayer