DALLAS (September 30, 2024) – In 2007, the Texas Auto Writers Association launched the Excellence in Craft Competition with the goal of recognizing and encouraging excellence in automotive journalism. In tandem, the Texas Truck Invitational competition invites TAWA members, along with non-members worldwide, to enter their works in exclusive truck-writing categories.
Once again, the competition was high quality and fierce. A big thanks to all of our judges for spending time reading, watching, and listening to all of this great work: Kevin McCarthy, Nicole Wakelin, Amelia Dalgaard, Kimatni Rawlins, Harvey Briggs, Jared Rosenholtz, Cherise Threewitt, and Daryl Killian.
TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION
Writing: Feature category
3rd: Natan Tazelaar, “The story of Ferrari’s Three-Liter Superamerica”
2nd: Chris Collard, “Thorny Devils and Blue Tongues”
1st: Mercedes Lilienthal, “The Land of Fire and Ice: Iceland Versus the Lilienthals”
Our judges said of the winning entry, “Excellent storytelling and descriptions of a beautiful place.” 
Writing: Reviews
3rd: Amy Plemons, ”2024 Acura MDX Type S”
2nd: Holli Fourniquet, "2023 Lexus RX 350h"
1st: Mercedes Lilienthal, “Ineos Grenadier at the 2024 Alcan 5000 Rally”
The judge commented, “One part adventure story, one part review, Mercedes wove her review of the Ineos Grenadier into an engaging rally adventure.”
VIDEO
3rd: Joe and Lori Raiti, “Why did I buy a Chevrolet C4 Corvette Z51 instead of a 2024 C8 Stingray?”
2nd: Holli Fourniquet, “Why is the 2023 Toyota Sienna So Popular? We Find Out!”
1st: Tim Esterdahl and Jill Ciminillo, “Toyota Tacoma vs Ford Ranger Raptor vs Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison Midsize Battle!”
One judge lauded Tim and Jill’s podcast with these words: “Expert talk with the knowledge required to understand overlanding and off-roading features.”
RADIO/PODCAST
3rd: In Wheel Time, “EV fires - a new solution to a burning question”
2nd: Cory Fourniquet, “Vehicle Safety with Mazda's Head of Safety Jennifer Morrison”
1st: Jerry Reynolds, “Why Americans are NOT buying electric cars”
“Jerry consistently delivers knowledge and insight and delights us once again this year,” the judge commented.
PHOTOGRAPHY: STATIC
3rd: Cory Fourniquet: “Hyundai Ioniq 5 N”
2nd: Mercedes Lilienthal: “Mystery Glacier and RAV4 Rental Car”
1st: Elias Garcia: “Mazda CX-50”
Our judge said Elias’ entry was “A very nice, heroic shot, at the right time of day, captured purposefuly and with intention. We know what the subject is, but we can see enough of the surroundings to be an interesting scene, and a shallow depth of field prevents things in the background from being distracting.”
PHOTOGRAPHY: ACTION
3rd: Elias Garcia, “BMW M2”
2nd: Chris Collard, “Frozen South”
1st: Mercedes Lilienthal, “The 56th-Annual Baja 1000 Race: a Momentous Occasion of Epic Proportions”
“A front-quarter panning shot is tricky to pull off, and this does it perfectly,” our judge said. “The blurred crowd and bystanders help show the frenetic energy of the event, and the perspective brings us into the action.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
3rd: Sean Tajipour, “Family Christmas Wish List”
2nd: Joe and Lori Raiti, “Raiti's Rides Nissan Tokyo Trip”
1st: Mercedes and Andy Lilienthal, “A State of Shock and Total Redemption”
One judge said, “This is such a cool set of posts, showing a tough event that looks like it required physical and mental strength.”
TEXAS TRUCK INVITATIONAL
3rd: Cory Fourniquet,”King Of The Hammers Founder Dave Cole Is A Real-Life Dom Toretto”
2nd: David Boldt, “Ford Bronco: The Original SUV”
1st: Mercedes Lilienthal, “The Land of Fire and Ice: Iceland “
“Unique story and an appropriate use of first person,” the judge said. “Plus, gorgeous photography.”
And the overall winner of the Texas Truck Invitational and cash prize goes to: Mercedes Lilienthal for her piece called “The Land of Fire and Ice: Iceland”
TAWA EVENT COVERAGE
3rd: Natalie Merola-Garcia, Off-Roading in the '24 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 at the TAWA TX Truck Rodeo"
2nd: Amy Plemons, "2024 Texas Auto Roundup Winners And Our Notable Mentions"
1st: Cory Fourniquet, "2024 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate vs. Toyota Tundra 1794 Limited Edition | Western Themed Trucks"
TAWA JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
For 2024, TAWA added a new award for the person who contributed the most to TAWA’s event coverage for the 2023 Texas Truck Rodeo and 2024 TAWA Auto Roundup. The inaugural award goes to Cory Fourniquet for his quality and body of work for the past year.
Thanks to everyone who submitted their work. We look forward to seeing next year’s entries!