Two Stock Car Racing cover stories took top honors in the 15th AnnualInternational Automotive Media Awards competition, announced lastNovember in New York City. The IAMA draws thousands of entries frombooks, magazines, newspapers, television and advertising/publicrelations writers. It is one of the few competitions not restricted toone form of media. The December 2003 SCR special report on "What's WrongWith NASCAR Safety" was the competition's highest ranked entry in thegeneral motorsports division. It took a critical look at the state ofsafety in stock car racing, from local bullrings to NASCAR's top series.It also compared NASCAR's safety record and developments to those ofother racing series. A July 2004 profile on "The Men Behind Dale Jr.'sSuccess" beat all other entries in the personality profile category. Thestory followed the unique relationship between Dale Earnhardt Jr. andcrew chief Tony Eury Sr., his uncle, and carchief Tony Eury Jr., hiscousin, as they struggled through the annual trek to Daytona that endedwith Junior winning the Daytona 500. Both stories were written by JerryF. Boone and were illustrated with photos by Boone and June M. Boone,his wife, who have been contributors to the magazine since 2000. Jerry, acolumnist for The Oregonian, is a previous award winner, having won fourgold awards for writing that appeared in The Oregonian.