DALLAS (September 25, 2024) –The Texas Auto Writers Association launched the Excellence in Craft Competition in 2007 with the goal of recognizing and encouraging excellence in automotive journalism. Casting a wider net across the industry, the Texas Truck Invitational competition invites TAWA members and non-members worldwide to enter their works in an exclusive writing category relating to just trucks and SUVs.
TAWA is proud to see the level of competition this year, which was high quality and diverse. A big thanks to all our judges for spending time reading, watching, and listening to all of this great work: Chris Collard, Nicole Wakelin, Amelia Dalgaard, Harvey Briggs, Kristin Shaw, and Jared Rosenholtz.
TAWA EICC WINNERS
Writing: Features
3rd: Natan Tazelaar, Tazio magazine: “Charge of the bright brigade” (print)
2nd: Adam Moore, TXGarage: “ Chevy’s Bolt EV and EUV: Still Shocking – and Sticker Shocked"
1st: Tim Esterdahl, Pickup Truck + SUV Talk: “ ARE DELETED DIESEL TRUCKS LEGAL AFTER EPA DEREGULATION NEWS?"
Our judges said of the winning entry, “Tim's breakdown of the change to the law takes a complex topic and makes it easy to understand.”
Writing: Reviews
3rd: Amy Plemons, CarPro: “ 2024 Genesis G70 2.5T RWD Sport Prestige Review ”
2nd: Mercedes Lilienthal, OVR Magazine: “ Real-Life Comparison: 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz EV from North America vs. the 2024 ID. Buzz Pro German-Market Model ”
1st: Jill Ciminillo, freelancer at The Drive “ 2025 Ram 1500 RHO First Drive Review: So Good You Don’t Need a Hellcat V8 ”
The judge in this category commented, “Jill's technical knowledge shines through in a way that's relatable whether you've spent time behind the wheel of a performance truck or are dreaming of the chance one day.”
VIDEO
3rd: Adam Moore, TXGarage: “ 2025 Equinox EV: Can Chevy’s All-Electric SUV Handle a Texas-Sized Road Trip?"
2nd: Brian Hodges, ROMR Reviews: “Deep Dive with Dre! Exploring Scout Motors UX”
1st: Tim Esterdahl, “Top GM 3 0L Duramax Diesel Questions Answered - DEF, Regen, Oil, Additives”
One judge said of the winning video: “Tim does a great job responding to questions from his audience and explaining the answers in a way that’s easy to understand.
RADIO/PODCAST
3rd: Michael Marrs, In Wheel Time: “ Adventures at the Big Bend Open Road Race with Rhonda! ”
2nd: Jill Ciminillo and Tom Appel, Car Stuff Podcast: “ New Forester Hybrid, A Conversation with Chrysler CEO Chris Feuell”
1st: Jerry Reynolds, CarPro: “ Interview with Ford Motor Chief Communications Officer Mark Truby”
“Informative, high-level guest, to the point, and offers an insight into car companies that most people don’t get,” the judge said about Jerry’s winning entry.
PHOTOGRAPHY
2nd: Mercedes Lilienthal, OVR Magazine: “Waves Crash as San Francisco Greets the New 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz EV”
1st: Cory Fourniquet, GT: Garage Talk: "McLaren 750S"
“As automotive photographers, we must offer the viewer unique and varying perspectives of a given subject,” our expert judge said about Cory’s winning photo. “Shooting long and low, cropping in on specific details such as the photographer has done with this image, evokes emotion and visions of stabbing the brakes to set up for a hard drifting corner.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
1st: Mercedes and Andy Lilienthal, “Nine Countries, 16 Days, and 4,771 Electrified Miles, Competing in the World’s Northernmost Rally in with a 2024 German-Spec Volkswagen ID. Buzz EV”
Details –
Day 2 the Kindness of Strangers and Hitting our Groove: from Falkenburg, Sweden to the Outskirts of Oslo, Norway https://www.instagram.com/p/C-ED27ASBti/
Day 8 Longest Drive Day and (Narrowly) Reaching the Top of the World at Nordkapp, Plus Bug-Infested Camping: Skibotn, Norway to Karasjok, Norway https://www.instagram.com/p/C-eWnvyxBpw/
Day 16 a Nail-Biting Victory After Many Uphill Battles and Charge Challenges: Berlin, Germany to Hamburg, Germany and Finish Line https://www.instagram.com/p/C_EtvTqNq08/
One judge said, “An absolutely epic journey, captured in exciting reels that gave us a taste of the Lilienthal’s adventure.”
TEXAS TRUCK INVITATIONAL
Grand Prize Winner: Jill Ciminillo, freelancer at The Drive “2025 Ram 1500 RHO First Drive Review: So Good You Don’t Need a Hellcat V8”
“It was clear that Jill’s thorough coverage and personal experience with this vehicle combined for an excellent story that’s both informative and riveting,” the judge said. “Beautiful work.”
TAWA JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
In 2024, TAWA added a new award for the person who contributed the most to TAWA’s event coverage for the 2024 Texas Truck Rodeo and 2025 TAWA Auto Roundup. This year, the award goes to Adam Moore of TXGarage for his quality and body of work for the past year. Adam, TAWA thanks you for your dedication to our association events with complete and thoughtful coverage.
TAWA appreciates everyone who submitted their work for 2025. We look forward to seeing next year’s entries!