Why I Love NASCAR: You the Reader

Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images for NASCAR

As 2011 comes to a close I have much to be grateful. In this year I have found many new friends, rediscovered past passions, and explored new avenues of creativity. Working at Skirts and Scuffs and writing my column “Why I Love NASCAR” by Chief 187 has to be one of the highlights of this past year.

Although 2007 is when I dusted off my fandom for NASCAR that had lain dormant for six years, it wasn’t until this year that my fandom was reignited. By covering each race, writing race recaps, and, specifically, writing my column for this site, I became engrossed in NASCAR. Each week left me hungry for the following week’s race. I started to become acquainted with drivers’ personalities, track facts, and the intricacies of racing for a championship. I paid rapt attention to Twitter for up-to-the-moment news whether it be from Dustin Long, Bob Pockrass, Tom Jensen, Kyle Petty, Buzz Cutler, Bass Masters, Amanda Ebersole, Rebecca Kivak, Unique Hiram, or Katy Lindamood. I took to Facebook to post questions, request comments, or break news to the NASCAR fans among my friends. And, I finally felt like a part of the fabric of NASCAR, the enormously big extended-family that exists among those who call themselves “NASCAR Fan”.

It was dumb luck that 2011 was one of the most exciting ever in NASCAR history. From first time winners, upstarts, and (I choke as I write this as he and I are contemporaries) veterans like Jeff Gordon turning in stellar performances, to hard-working consistent drivers like Carl Edwards having to bow to the unprecedented miraculous Chase performance of Tony Stewart it was a year to remember forever! Even the antics of Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch will stayed etched in the minds of us fans long after the green flag of Daytona drops in February 2012.

There is no telling what kind of season to expect next year, but I can be sure I will be watching, listening, and writing about it! For every “popular driver” there is a newbie, for every regular team there is a switch that can bring magic to the track, and for every reign of Jimmie Johnson there is someone who breaks through. Will Carl Edwards bring the mettle this year and go for broke to get the wins he needs to bring home a Sprint Cup? Will Jimmie Johnson refuse to lose and take back his familiar seat atop NASCAR’s elite? Will Kyle Busch harness his talents to finally bring home a much anticipated Cup? Will Kurt Busch land on his feet and learn to speak nicely to people? Will Tony Stewart be a contender again? So many questions yet unanswered.

I want to publicly thank all of you who have read my column throughout the year. I appreciate every view, every comment, and every share and tweet. It is my pleasure to continue writing “Why I Love NASCAR” by Chief 187 to explore ever more topics in the ensuing months.  I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a very Happy New Year. My column will return the first week of January so I may take a small hiatus to enjoy my three young children, my husband, and my extended family during the holidays. But, when I return, I hope to have you all there to read! Blessings to you all and my sincerest thanks again. You all are one of the most important reasons why I love NASCAR.