The six journalists honored Wednesday evening during the 21st annual presentation of the Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence in honor of Russ Catlin included a writer who detailed former driver Ward Burton's wildlife conservation efforts for the Richmond Times-Dispatch; and a Bristol, Va., television reporter who earned first-place in two categories for a story that allowed viewers to see in Rusty Wallace's face and hear in his voice his belief that son, Stephen, will carry the Wallace racing torch into the future.

The Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence traditionally recognize outstanding motorsports coverage in five categories while honoring the memory of Russ Catlin, a motorsports journalism pioneer. This year, two additional categories were added to recognize outstanding print and electronic coverage of Wallace's "Last Call," the 1989 series champion's final season of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup racing.

A record number of entries were submitted to the Indiana University School of Journalism where faculty members selected the winners.

Each winner received a plaque and a Rolex watch from Miller Lite NASCAR NEXTEL Cup driver Kurt Busch following a dinner at the Penske Racing South facility in Mooresville, N.C. The event was part of the NASCAR NEXTEL Media Tour hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway.

The 2005 Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence in honor of Russ Catlin winners:

Print - Daily
Nate Ryan - Richmond Times-Dispatch
Hometown: Richmond, Va.
Entry: "Call of the Wild (Ward Burton)"
Judges' Comments: Definitely not your traditional racing story. It's a different kind of story - with excellent history and context. The reader gets to really understand the focus subject (Ward Burton) and can actually get absorbed into wanting to be involved with him.

Print - Other
Mike Hembree - NASCAR Scene
Hometown: Spartanburg, S.C.
Entry: "The Driver and the Dandy"
Judges' Comments: Well-orchestrated piece that moves along like a good piece of music. Interesting weaving of Tom Wolfe and Junior Johnson with a unique focus that happened to be off the track. Excellent style. Kept readers' attention from start to finish. A very refreshing approach that wraps the reader fully into the article.

Print - "Last Call"
Rea White - NASCAR Scene
Hometown: Statesville, N.C.
Entry: "End of the Show"
Judges' Comments: Good development of a Rusty Wallace story with a unique approach. Wide variety of sources was a plus. The lead was interesting and drew readers in well. The ability to offer what judges felt was the complete story of the "Last Call" theme was impeccable.

Broadcast - National
Mike Massaro - ESPN "Outside the Lines"
Hometown: Ellington, Conn.
Entry: "Cheat to Win"
Judges' Comments: This is a good example of solid journalistic work. It's an important topic that was well researched. The information was meaningful without the artificial musical backgrounds that so many other entries had. The interviews were good, and the reporter was not the focus of the story. The simple techniques with solid video footage helped tell the story well.

Broadcast - Local
Paul Johnson - WCYB - TV
Hometown: Bristol, Va.
Entry: "The Crash"
Judges' Comments: Story was built around the devastating crash Rusty Wallace's son, Stephen, had at Bristol Motor Speedway one year earlier. An interesting angle; and a good idea for a story. Nice local angle to go back on year later to reconstruct the scene. The sound bites were good, and the reporting showed enterprise. It was an honest account, and the videos were appropriate for the nature of the story.

Broadcast - "Last Call"
Paul Johnson - WCYB - TV
Hometown: Bristol, Va.
Entry: "The Crash"
Judges' Comments: Of the 40-plus entries received in the "Last Call" broadcast category, no piece was able to capture the raw emotion evident on Rusty Wallace's face as this one did. This story was not simply a cloned tribute piece, it allowed the viewer to see in Wallace's face and hear in his voice his belief that son, Stephen, would carry the Wallace racing torch long after the "Last Call" Tour was over.

Photojournalism
Phil Rider - Sports Illustrated
Hometown: DeKalb, Ill.
Entry: "Fire Escape"
Judges' Comments: Spectacular picture of Ryan Briscoe's crash in the Indy Racing League event at Chicagoland Speedway. Great action shot that's nicely framed. Interesting and effective use of color with strong visual impact. A simple photo of a complex crash.

"With Rusty's 'Last Call,' 2005 was a special year and honoring these journalists for their outstanding work in covering the top motorsports stories is a great way to close the year and move into the new season," said Scott Bussen, director, mainstream brand public relations for Miller Brewing Co. "This is the 21st year for the Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Awards of Excellence and the quality and quantity of entries continues to increase, paralleling the growing popularity of American motorsports.

"Miller Brewing Co. is proud to continue its support of these awards that not only recognize the achievements of today's journalists, but honor the memory and accomplishments of Russ Catlin."