Checkered Past: Dec. 1, 1963 – Wendell Scott Breaks the Barrier

Mural of Wendell Scott
Photo credit: NASCAR via Getty Images/Rainier Ehrhardt

In October at Martinsville Speedway, Darrell Wallace Jr. became just the second African-American driver to win in NASCAR’s top-tier series and the first in nearly 50 years. Wallace Jr.’s historic Camping World Truck Series victory for Kyle Busch Motorsports put him in the spotlight as the second Drive for Diversity graduate to win in 2013, following in the footsteps of fellow D4D grad Kyle Larson. Before Wallace Jr., Larson and other minority drivers visited the fast tracks of NASCAR, however, Wendell Scott blazed a trail of his own, helping them make their dreams a reality.

Wendell Oliver Scott was born Aug. 29, 1921. Due to the segregation of the era, Scott would not get a chance to race until he was in his 30s, spending his early years in the blacks-only section of the bleachers in his hometown of Danville, Virginia, watching “the good ol’ boys” compete. He competed for the first time in 1952, driving on the Dixie Circuit, then a regional NASCAR competitor.

After competing in his first Dixie Circuit race, he took his car to a NASCAR-sanctioned race at Winston-Salem, but NASCAR officials refused to let him race – black drivers weren’t allowed. After this happened a second time, Scott decided to avoid NASCAR and stick with the Dixie Circuit for the time being, where he was rewarded with his first victory – an amateur class heat race – just 12 days into his career.

In 1953, Scott still had NASCAR aspirations, and packed up his car to visit the 0.25-mile dirt oval at Richmond Speedway for a NASCAR-sanctioned race. He was granted a NASCAR license by track steward Mike Poston, who later took heat for granting the license to Scott.

Scott spent nine years in NASCAR’s regional levels, winning races, fans and two championships in spite of the prejudice he still faced. In 1961, he moved into the Grand National Division (now Sprint Cup Series), and on Dec. 1, 1963, Scott took home the checkered flag from Speedway Park in Florida, becoming the first, and thus far only, African-American driver to win in NASCAR’s highest series.

In 13 years (1961 to 1973) in the Cup Series, Scott amassed 147 top-10 finishes. He passed on Dec. 23, 1990 from spinal cancer.

Learn more about Scott at his induction page for the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (inducted 1999).

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Faith on the Frontstretch: Resting and Refueling in the Off-Season

‘Twas the month before Christmas and all through the track, not an engine was stirring, nor a lugnut or jack.
The fire suits were hung in the haulers with care, as pit crews went home, time with family to share.
Photo credit: Debbie Ross for Skirts and Scuffs   

“ ... and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1b

Two Sundays have come and gone without a stock car engine stirring in NASCAR’s highest series. Tracks like Texas Motor Speedway, pictured above, are mostly quiet this time of year. Some eager fans are already counting down the days until the 2014 Daytona 500. Others commiserate on Twitter, lamenting the race-free weekends ahead.

But nine months is a long time for the travelling NASCAR personnel to live on the road. It’s a lengthy list of Sundays for fans to watch from their living rooms, too. The truth is, taking a break from our favorite sport is a healthy thing - physically, mentally and even spiritually.

Before anyone throws rubber marbles in protest or declares that all true fans should hate the off-season, consider this. The off-season provides a war wagon full of tools racing folks and fans can use to power down. We can use the next few months to:

Rest. After months of intense physical and mental strain, racing people desperately need a respite. The familiarity of home brings comfort and relief from everyday work-related burdens. They can sleep in their own beds for weeks without having to pack, unpack or use a port-a-potty.

Rekindle. Time at home allows the rekindling of family relationships in a more normal setting. Other than drivers whose families live in the motorhomes with them, many racing folks are away from loved ones for about half of the week. The off-season allows them to renew and revitalize day-to-day connections with relatives, friends and neighbors. Is there anyone you need to reconnect with?

Refuel. Time off from the race circuit provides time for other hobbies and activities. Engaging in favorite pastimes is a way for the weary to refuel their spirits. Spending time with God and doing things we love is a great way for us to renew our souls, too.


Photo credit: Lisa Janine Cloud for Skirts and Scuffs

Regroup. For race teams and media folks, the off-season can be a time of reflection and reorganization. Sometimes taking a step back helps put things in perspective and we see where changes are needed.

Rekindle. Refuel. Regroup. The prefix “re-” means to do something again or even “again and again.” Just as our bodies need sleep every 24 hours, we need bigger chunks of rest periodically as well – maybe one day or a week’s vacation or the whole off-season.

A traditional day of rest, called the Sabbath, is an idea God programmed into the universe. In the beginning, after working on creation for six days, He rested on the seventh day. God doesn’t need to rest, but He knew we humans require it, so He set an example for us. It’s almost like He was saying, “Take a day off each week to refuel your tank, and don’t feel guilty about it.”

Taking a Sabbath rest is a gift from God that many of us never unwrap. Instead we push, push, push ourselves past the fuel window and end up sputtering along on fumes.

There’s a way to remedy the exhaustion and refuel our souls - spending quiet time with God. Talking with Him leaves us refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to face whatever lies ahead in the race of life.

During the off-season, each of us has a chunk of time on weekends that we’d normally spend watching a race or two. Each of those Sundays is a Sabbath day full of promise. How will you spend that extra time?

Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. ~ Genesis 2:3
---------------------------------------------------

“Faith on the Frontstretch” appears every 1st & 3rd Wednesday and explores the role of faith in motorsports. Comments or twitter follows welcome: @bbreinke. See you on the Frontstretch!

Want more racing devotions? When you donate $25 to Skirts and Scuffs, we’ll send you a complimentary copy of Beth’s book, Race Fans’ Devotions to Go, a month-long, pocket-sized devotional book for female racing fans.

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Fast Facts: 2013 Camping World Truck Series Champ Matt Crafton

credit: NASCAR via Getty Images/Chris Graythen

Camping World Truck Series veteran Matt Crafton, driver of the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra for ThorSport Racing, was recently crowned the 2013 Truck Series champion, his first title in 13 full-time seasons on the circuit. Revisit the career of this California-born driver in this special Truck Series champion edition of Fast Facts.

• Matthew Crafton was born June 11, 1976 in Tulare, California. He began racing go-karts at age 7, progressing to midgets by age 15 after winning regional and national championships. In 1996, he moved up to the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series for the season’s final three races, subbing for his father, Danny, who was injured; the younger Crafton won the series’ title in 2000.
• In 2000, Crafton also made his Truck Series debut in the season finale at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana with ThorSport, qualifying 17^th and finishing ninth. After three full-time seasons with ThorSport, he joined Kevin Harvick Incorporated in 2004, but was released at the end of the season in spite of a fifth-place finish in points and 17 top 10s. He rejoined ThorSport in 2005.
• Crafton earned his first Truck Series pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2005, followed by his first victory in 2008 at Charlotte. He earned his second career win in 2011 at Iowa Speedway, and his third at Kansas in 2013 on his way to the title.
• In 2013, Crafton scored one win and 19 top 10 finishes in 22 Truck Series races on his way to the championship. He also made his Nationwide Series debut, racing three times for Richard Childress Racing in the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet Camaro; he finished with three top 10 finishes, including two third-place finishes at the two races at Kentucky Speedway.
• Find out more about Crafton at his website, www.mattcrafton.com. 

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Change of Pace: Five Questions for NASCAR

November, Texas Motor Speedway
Credit: Debbie Ross/Skirts and Scuffs

Life is too short.

It’s a song that needed one more bar of music to be complete. It’s that guy you dated in middle school that only came up to your ribcage (trust me, slow dancing was so awkward). It’s every late-night conversation you’ve had that was more stimulating than good coffee.

There’s been a moment in everyone’s lives where everything is put into perspective. For some, it’s a family emergency. For others, it’s a book or movie. A lot of people wait until Thanksgiving day to determine what they are grateful for at that moment.

Here’s some advice: don’t be one of those people. There is nothing more unnerving than realizing how selfish you’ve become. You’re going through every day, laughing and working and not thinking of tomorrow, and it’s easy and carefree until something stops you in your tracks.

And then you realize you’ve been kicking around the fragile package of life like a soccer ball.

I couldn’t imagine where I would be without the amazing family, opportunities, and readers that I’ve been blessed with this year. I’m thankful for the police officers, firefighters, soldiers who risk their lives every day. I’m thankful for scientists who are trying to cure cancer, and for the doctors who are helping people fight it.

Most of all, I’m thankful for those who are attempting to make a difference in the world. They are the greatest gift of them all.

So don’t wait until Thanksgiving to express your gratitude. Don’t wait until Christmas to spread cheer. Don’t wait until New Year's to make a resolution. Don’t wait until any predetermined day to change your ways. There is no excuse; the time will pass anyway, so why not start now?

Speaking of making a change, it’s time for a change of pace in NASCAR. The season is over, yet there are so many questions still hanging in the air. I chose five of them to ask the sanctioning body in this special edition of Five Questions.

Was the Gen-6 really a success? After so much hype, the latest car model debuted in the Sprint Cup Series. Its true talent didn’t shine at the Daytona 500; in fact, it was very disappointing. The sport’s representatives came out and said they were happy with how the Gen-6 raced the entire year. However, it was also revealed that drastic changes will be made to the aerodynamics. I guess they weren’t that confident in their new design.

Is there consistency in the future? The 2013 season will be known as The Year of Confusion due to various inconsistencies, from restart rules to penalties to conduct off the track. Nothing bums the mood out more than indecisiveness. It’s time for a major sit-down to clarify the rulebook, the intentions, and the logistics of the entire corporation.

Why did you purchase Iowa Speedway? When it was announced earlier this week that NASCAR -the actual sanctioning body- bought the 7/8-mile track east of Des Moines, eyebrows were raised as to what it meant. People have been saying that the track should be added to the Sprint Cup schedule: it produces great racing and crowds. The response? “This isn’t the first of many. This is a unique situation.” A special event will be held at the speedway on December 12th to discuss the future plans, so we will know then.

When are you shaking up the Cup schedule? If they decided to add Iowa to the schedule, it would obviously have to wait until 2015; the schedules for all three series were released weeks ago, and not much changed - to fans’ dismay. “We’re happy with the tracks we have now,” NASCAR executives said at the schedule reveal, “And the fans are, too.” Uh, what? No. The consensus has been that there needs to be a road course in The Chase, along with other changes that didn’t go through. Major moves need to happen next time.

Does it matter what the fans think? It’s weird that NASCAR thinks the fans are happy with the track lineup, because that’s definitely not the impression watchers have been giving off for the past two years. Every time a questionable move is made, it is heightened by the array of opinions that light up comment sections and Twitter feeds. When someone within the sport reads a fan’s thought, do they store it in their mind to dwell on later? Or do they just scroll on by and shrug it off? That’s an answer I’d love to hear.

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Happy Thanksgiving to our readers

Tracks sit silent and empty during the off-season.
Credit: Beth Bence Reinke for Skirts and Scuffs    

If you’re celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday today, you know it’s a time for family, friends and thankful hearts. We enjoy yummy traditional foods such as turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie. We share hugs and laughter and reflect on the blessings in our lives.

Although we don’t gather around the same dinner table, the staff of Skirts and Scuffs is thankful for you – our readers. You’re part of the Skirts and Scuffs extended family and we give thanks for your faithful readership and support.

As much as we prefer the rumble of engines over the stillness of an empty track, the off-season helps us appreciate the family-oriented sport we hold dear. While we share more weekends with our loved ones, the drivers and crews devote time to their families, too.

Over the next few months, as our preparation for 2014 begins, we hope you’ll pop in to read our columns. We wish you a happy, healthy holiday and an enjoyable off-season.

In case you missed them, enjoy these Thanksgiving tweets from NASCAR notables:

Monica Palumbo ‏@MonicaPalumbo : I want to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!! Spend it with the ppl you love. Or that can at least cook well, ha! Thankful for you all.

Pete Pistone ‏@PPistone : Thanks for listening - Happy Thanksgiving weekend everyone! @SiriusXMNASCAR

Kenny Wallace ‏@Kenny_Wallace : I am THANKFUL our friends @KevinHarvick and @DeLanaHarvick and Family are SAFE after a scare with a fire in their house

Steve Post ‏@ThePostman68 : Headed to PA for Thanksgiving in just a bit, going to be a bit of a wintery adventure along the way. Elbows Up!!!

Mike Kelley ‏@CrewChiefNSCS17 : Getting up at 4am to load the bird in the smoker. Love cooking for the Holiday. @danagvazquez lets me be the boss for the day!!!

A Checkered Flag ‏@acheckeredflag : Happy Thanksgiving to you all...and thanks for following me!

Elliott Sadler ‏@Elliott_Sadler1m : Happy thanksgiving from the Sadler Family... pic.twitter.com/FLn25fXywH

Dave Moody ‏@DGodfatherMoody : Happy Thanksgiving to all, and many thanks for all your support in 2013. It's been an adventure!

Darrell Waltrip ‏@AllWaltrip : Good Morning America, twitterville, race fans, it's the day before Thanksgiving but I'm starting to make a list of things I'm thankful for!

Hendrick Motorsports ‏@TeamHendrick : The No. 48 @LowesRacing #ChevySS is getting some final touches before the #Thanksgiving holiday as well! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/gEtux2l64I

tom jensen ‏@tomjensen100 : I love family holidays. Have a great Thanksgiving, friends!

TheNASCARFoundation ‏@NASCAR_FDN : Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at The NASCAR Foundation! #NASCAR #Thanksgiving

Steve O'Donnell ‏@odsteve : Happy Thanksgiving everyone-Thankful 2 have time w/family-Thank u 2 all our troops home & abroad-ur service lets us have this day #NASCAR

Krissie Newman @NewmanKrissie : Happy Thanksgiving! Hope your day is filled with love, laughter and blessings (good food too)

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Checkered Past: The 2006 Chase and Johnson's First Title

Another difference from 2006 to 2013:
In 2006, the NASCAR Awards Banquet was
held in New York City, not Las Vegas.
Champion Jimmie Johnson at 48th and 1st -
Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR/
Chris Trotman

Things were different when Jimmie Johnson won his first championship in 2006. One, it was the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup – the Sprint Cup came into existence in 2008. Two, there were only 10 participants – not the 12 we’ve become accustomed to (or the lucky 13 we had in 2013). Three, it was contested under the old points system. Four, some of the names were even different.

Conspicuously absent in the 2006 Chase: 2005 champ Tony Stewart, who was the only defending champ until Brad Keselowski in 2013 to be unable to defend his title. Also missing: 2005’s second- and third-place finishers, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards, respectively.

Five of the 10 Chase races were won by non-Chasers, led by Stewart with three (Kansas, Atlanta and Texas). Brian Vickers took his first career win at Talladega and Biffle won the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Denny Hamlin became the first rookie to make the Chase, finishing third on his way to the Rookie of the Year Award. Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch and Jeff Burton also qualified for their first Chase.

In addition to Stewart, Biffle and Edwards, other drivers not in the Chase who had made previous Chase appearances included Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman and Jeremy Mayfield.

The top 10 in points for the 2006 Chase for the NEXTEL Cup – 1) Johnson (2013 – first), 2) Matt Kenseth (2013 – second), 3) Hamlin (2013 – not in Chase), 4) Harvick (2013 – third), 5)Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2013 – fifth), 6) Jeff Gordon (2013 – sixth), 7) Burton (2013 – not in Chase), 8) Kahne (2013 – 12^th), 9) Mark Martin (2013 – not in Chase) and 10) Kyle Busch (2013 – fourth).

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NASCAR purchases Iowa Speedway

 Sean Gardner/Getty Images

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 27, 2013) – In a strategic move designed to expand its commitment to enhancing event experiences and fan engagement, as well as solidify the future of one of the premier racing and entertainment facilities in the Midwest, NASCAR announced today that it has purchased Iowa Speedway. The agreement, finalized today under a wholly-owned subsidiary, Iowa Speedway, LLC, is effective immediately.

“Iowa Speedway is a great entertainment facility with a very bright future,” said Eric Nyquist, NASCAR vice president, strategic development. “The facility has the support of the region, it’s positioned well in the heart of the Midwest, and year in and year out it provides great short-track racing action for motorsports fans.


“NASCAR ownership will allow us to draw on the entire resources of our company. It also provides us with the opportunity to execute first-hand a number of entertainment ideas and engagement opportunities with fans – much of which we have outlined repeatedly as the core of our Industry Action Plan.”

The facility, located 30 miles east of Des Moines in Newton, features a fast, .875-mile asphalt paved tri-oval designed by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace. The Speedway released its 2014 schedule earlier this month, encompassing three weekends, one each in May, July and August. The schedule will include two NASCAR Nationwide Series races, a combination NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and IndyCar Series weekend, plus two additional NASCAR K&N Pro Series support races. NASCAR has no plans for Iowa Speedway to host a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race next year or in the immediate future.

NASCAR will host a special event in Des Moines on Thursday, Dec. 12, to outline additional details on the purchase and plans for the future. Information on this event will be announced soon.

The 2014 Iowa Speedway season opens May 17-18, with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East versus West Challenge on Saturday night. The stars and cars of the NASCAR Nationwide Series then will battle on Sunday in a 250-lap, high-speed contest. The race marks the only Sunday afternoon event of the season at Iowa Speedway.

The new NASCAR Camping World Truck Series / IndyCar Series race weekend at Iowa Speedway is slated for July 11-12. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will race Friday night and feature short-track racing action that has become synonymous with the series in the American Ethanol 200. The first-ever Iowa Corn Indy 300 will follow on Saturday night.

On Friday, Aug. 1, a second NASCAR K&N Pro Series East versus West challenge race will be held followed by a second NASCAR Nationwide Series 250-lap event on Saturday under the lights.

Season ticket holders may renew their tickets for the 2014 season, and will have an exclusive right to secure their current seats until Dec. 14. All other seats are available for purchase immediately, with season ticket prices starting at $95. All season tickets will include a guaranteed seat location, complimentary Casey’s Fan Walk pass and an opportunity to participate in pre-race ceremonies. Season tickets, parking passes and onsite camping options are available online atwww.iowaspeedway.com, or by calling the toll-free ticketing hotline, 866-RUSTY-GO (787-8946). 


Iowa Speedway’s ticketing office, located at 3333 Rusty Wallace Drive in Newton, also will be open to assist customers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, holidays excepted.

2014 IOWA SPEEDWAY EVENT SCHEDULE

Saturday, May 17 – NASCAR K&N Pro Series East vs. West Challenge

Sunday, May 18 – NASCAR Nationwide Series

Friday, July 11 – American Ethanol 200, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Saturday, July 12 – Iowa Corn Indy 300, IndyCar Series

Friday, August 1 – NASCAR K&N Pro Series East vs. West Challenge

Saturday, August 2 – NASCAR Nationwide Series

About Iowa Speedway

Iowa Speedway, a state-of-the-art motorsports and entertainment facility, is located 30 miles east of Des Moines at I-80 Exit 168 in Newton, Iowa. The track was designed by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace, now an anchor and analyst for ESPN. Call 1-866-RUSTY-GO, or visit www.iowaspeedway.com to learn more.

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Fast Facts: 2013 Nationwide Series Champ Austin Dillon

Richard Childress (l) celebrates at Homestead
with his grandson, Nationwide Series champ
Austin Dillon
credit: NASCAR via Getty Images

Austin Dillon, who drove the Richard Childress Racing No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro in the Nationwide Series in 2013, picked up his second NASCAR top-tier championship with his recent Nationwide Series title. Learn more about this third-generation driver and newest Nationwide Series champ in this special champion’s edition of Fast Facts.

• Austin Dillon was born April 27, 1990 in Lewisville, North Carolina. He is the grandson of Richard Childress, son of Mike Dillon (former Busch Series driver and current general manager for RCR), and brother of NASCAR driver Ty Dillon.
• From 2005 to 2007, Dillon raced Bandoleros, Legends and Dirt Late Models. In 2008, he moved up to the NASCAR Camping World East Series, finishing second in points and winning Rookie of the Year.
• Late in 2008, Dillon made his Nationwide Series debut at Richmond International Speedway and finished fourth at Memphis (TN) Motorsports Park in October. As an RCR development driver in 2009, Dillon raced in four series: Camping World Trucks, Nationwide, Camping World East, and ARCA.
• Dillon moved to the Truck Series full-time in 2010, earning seven poles and winning twice. He became the second rookie in nine seasons to finish the season in the top five in points.
• In 2011, Dillon competed full-time in the Truck Series again and raced in four events for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the Nationwide Series. He took the Truck Series title with two wins, 16 top 10 finishes and five poles, and earned three top 10 finishes in his four Nationwide Series starts. Dillon also made his Sprint Cup Series debut, finishing 26^th at Kansas.
• In 2012, Dillon moved up to the Nationwide Series with RCR, picking up the Rookie of the Year title and two wins on his way to a third-place finish in points. He also made his second Cup Series start, finishing 24^th at Michigan.
• 2013 saw Dillon win his second championship in three seasons, this one in the Nationwide Series. Dillon was held winless on the season in the Nationwide Series, ending the season with 22 top 10 finishes and seven poles. He also made 11 Cup Series starts, picking up a career-best finish of 11^th at Michigan in June, and returned to the Truck Series for three races for the first time since 2011; he picked up the win in the inaugural event at Eldora Speedway.
• An announcement is expected soon on Dillon’s 2014 plans, including whether he will bring the iconic No. 3 back to the Cup Series for the first time since Dale Earnhardt’s death in February 2001.
• Find out more about Austin Dillon at www.rcrracing.com and www.teamdillonracing.com.  

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Mr. Six-Pack

Credit: NASCAR via Getty Images

The 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was one for the history books. In an eventful season one event still lingers: watching Jimmie Johnson become a six-time Sprint Cup Champion. Now, instead of Ol' Five-Time, he’s Mr. Six-Pack.

NASCAR via Getty Images 

When it comes to Johnson’s success, everyone seems divided. Sometimes I can’t understand why. When I look at Johnson and his whole 48 crew, when I look at his crew chief Chad Knaus, I see fire. I see passion. I see all the elements that make him a winner and a champion. I see a driver and a crew chief who won’t back down, who defeated the odds by winning five Sprint Cup championships in a row.

I see a crew chief who sometimes crosses the line. I see a crew chief who takes just as much pressure as his driver. I believe the chemistry between Knaus and Johnson is the reason they are so good. They trust each other, and at the end of the day, trust is what matters between driver and crew chief.

But there’s more to Johnson than just being a driver. I think the one element I like most about him is his love for his family - “his girls” - as he calls them. Seeing his daughter Evie and wife Chani in Victory Lane is always fun, especially watching the curiosity of a little girl wondering why all these people are cheering for daddy - it’s such a cute sight. He has a new addition to his family, daughter Lydia. I’m sure before we know it we'll be seeing her curiosity like her big sister's.

Johnson is one in a million. His success and talent are beyond words. He does things with that car that I don’t think we’ll see in a long time - maybe never. He’s truly a great champion, one I’m proud to call Six-Pack.

I’m eager to see what 2014 brings. Johnson looks to be king of the Cup but I am curious to see if the driver who finished second in 2013 will be able to dethrone him.

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Checkered Past: 2013 in the Rearview Mirror

The Camping World Truck Series saw a major influx of youth, the Nationwide Series saw its share of Cup veterans and the Sprint Cup Series saw one of its champs return to the top after a two-year hiatus. In between, there were injuries, moments of name-calling and other announcements that were shocking and not-so-shocking. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights – and lowlights – of NASCAR’s 2013 season.

“DanicaHouse” – shortly after Danica Patrick announced her divorce from her husband of seven years, Paul Hospenthal, she made another announcement: she was dating fellow Cup Series Rookie of the Year candidate Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Patrick went on to bring home the pole award from the Daytona 500, but Stenhouse Jr. took home the Rookie title.

Injuries and maladies galore – first it was Denny Hamlin with a compression fracture in his back following an on-track incident with Joey Logano in March. Then Tony Stewart broke his leg in a sprint car accident in August. Later that month, Martin Truex Jr. broke his wrist at Bristol. But the problems weren’t all on the track. Brian Vickers missed the final few races of the season in both the Cup and Nationwide Series after doctors revealed a blood clot in his right calf, similar to the issue he had in 2010. And just days before the season ended, 2011 Daytona 500 champ Trevor Bayne revealed he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Also of note: at the season finale of the IZOD IndyCar Series in October, former NASCAR driver and four-time IndyCar champ Dario Franchitti suffered extensive injuries in a last-lap crash at the Houston Grand Prix. He announced his retirement five weeks later due to the injuries.

Jason Leffler
Credit: Getty Images/Jason Smith

Losing “LefTurn” – as fans of the sport, we know there are dangers, but it’s still a difficult thing to process when a talented driver is taken from us too soon. On June 12, NASCAR driver and open-wheel champ Jason Leffler died from injuries suffered in a sprint car crash. Leffler was 37 years old and left behind a five-year-old son, Charlie Dean.

The kids are alright – before the 2013 season got underway, NASCAR lowered the age limit for drivers to participate in the Truck Series to 16, with 16- and 17-year-olds allowed to race on tracks of one mile or less and on road courses. This led to the youngest winner record being broken twice: first by Chase Elliott in September and later by Erik Jones in November. In addition to these two youngsters, there were wins by Kyle Larson, Jeb Burton, Ty Dillon, Ryan Blaney and Darrell Wallace Jr.

Bristol in March:
Kyle Busch celebrates one of 12 NNS wins
Credit: Getty Images/Jared C. Tilton

“Busch-wacked” – in 2010, Kyle Busch won 24 races across NASCAR’s top-three divisions. In 2013, he came oh-so-close to that number again, with 21 wins across the three series: four in Sprint cup, 12 in Nationwide and five in the Truck Series.

Busch wasn’t the only “invader” to find the winner’s circle in the Nationwide Series this season – in 33 races, only one race was won by a driver with no Cup Series experience – Ryan Blaney at Kentucky. Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, A.J. Allmendinger, Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart and Trevor Bayne were among the Cup Series regulars or part-timers to win this season, while former Cup Series drivers Sam Hornish Jr. and Regan Smith also found victory lane.

“Rich kids” and rough words – Kevin Harvick didn’t appreciate “being dumped,” as he termed it, by Ty Dillon in the Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville in October, and had some choice words about the two grandsons (Ty and Austin) of his team owner, Richard Childress:

“(Dillon) just dumped me. Exactly the reason why I’m leaving RCR because you’ve got those kids coming up, and they’ve got no respect for what they do in this sport and they’ve had everything fed to them with a spoon…It’s a shame you’ve got to get taken out by some rich kid like that.”

Dillon retorted that Harvick was “kind of hogging the bottom, and I just kept diving to the inside…he kept chopping down, chopping down.” Dillon also added, “I’m sure he's tweeting something now about it.”

Richard Childress celebrates with grandson
Austin Dillon, the 2013 Nationwide Series champ
Credit: NASCAR via Getty Images

Whether all was truly forgiven or not, Harvick did apologize for the outburst. While Ty Dillon will move up to the Nationwide Series in 2014 for RCR and brother Austin will run in the Cup Series for his grandfather’s team, Harvick will shift gears and move to Stewart-Haas Racing.

The champs – Truck Series veteran Matt Crafton took home his first title, while Austin Dillon picked up his second top-tier NASCAR title with his Nationwide Series championship. Jimmie Johnson returned to the top of the Chase for the Sprint Cup for the sixth time in the last eight years, putting him one behind the record of seven titles held by Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.

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Faith on the Frontstretch: Being vanilla is the best thing about Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson celebrates his sixth Sprint Cup championship.
Credit: NASCAR via Getty Images     

“ ... and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1b

Another NASCAR season has raced by us, culminating in Jimmie Johnson hoisting the 2013 Sprint Cup championship trophy. Whether you’re a Johnson fan or not, it’s hard to deny he's an amazingly talented racecar driver who is making history with his No. 48 team.

Johnson’s nickname of “Five-Time” has officially retired as the “#6pack” hashtag has become a reality. Oddly enough, despite the respect he has earned with his on-track dominance - winning six championships in the last eight years - a segment of fans still insist on using the term vanilla to describe Johnson.

And they don't use the word in a positive way. It's used to mean Johnson has a bland personality or lacks the exciting persona of a celebrity. Jimmie Johnson as plain and boring? That just doesn’t ring true. The vanilla-sayers are mistaken on multiple levels.

Vanilla isn’t the absence of flavor, it is a flavor. Did you know vanilla is the most popular flavor of ice cream in America? There’s a reason for that. Vanilla is soothing and mellow. It’s calm, smooth and goes well with other desserts.

Is Jimmie Johnson vanilla? If vanilla describes a humble guy with a positive outlook, then yes, he’s vanilla.

During the post-race press conference at Homestead-Miami, both crew chief Chad Knaus and team owner Rick Hendrick had lots to say about Johnson. Knaus complimented Johnson on his low-key personality and his optimistic attitude:

“The thing I think that's the best about Jimmie is he always has the positive outlook,” Knaus said. “When we get into situations where they aren't the most comfortable, things are a little bit stressed, it's really a good spot because I can look at him and he has been a mentor for me in understanding there's more to life than just racing.”

Hendrick commented on Johnson’s calm demeanor. “If you monitor every driver out here all through the race all year long, you see how many times they get excited, go off on the radio, lose their composure - you won't ever hear Jimmie do that,” Hendrick said.

Is Jimmie Johnson vanilla? If vanilla describes a person who cares about people and quietly takes care of them, you bet he’s vanilla.

According to Rick Hendrick, Johnson does good deeds without bragging about it. In fact, his foundation’s charity work and relief efforts after tornadoes ravaged his wife’s home state of Oklahoma led to Johnson being named NASCAR Illustrated 2013 Person of the Year.

“He does so many things for charity, Make a Wish,” Hendrick said. “They raise money, build houses, do things. He doesn't try to do things to gain attention or say, ‘Look at me.’ He's more about letting his actions speak for himself.”

Is Jimmie Johnson vanilla? If vanilla describes a guy who chooses the high-line when insulted, then he’s vanilla for sure.

You probably heard former quarterback Donovan McNabb’s assertion that Jimmie Johnson is not an athlete, which rallied NASCAR Nation to Johnson’s defense on Twitter. Johnson’s comeback tweet was courteous, yet clear:

“The debate continues... Everyone is entitled to an opinion. #DriversAreAthletes”

When a fan replied to Johnson, “don’t be vanilla now” and urged him to counter McNabb’s claim, Johnson’s answer displayed the wisdom of Proverbs 15:1, A gentle answer turns away wrath.

He tweeted: “I choose to be respectful. There is way too much venom spewed these days.”

If being “vanilla” means being humble and optimistic, helping others and responding calmly when people speak foolishly, bring it on. The world could use a little more vanilla.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. ~ Proverbs 15:1
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Still not convinced that Johnson’s brand of vanilla is a good thing? ESPN’s Marty Smith describes in vivid detail why Johnson’s greatness as a human being is even bigger than his talent behind the wheel.
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“Faith on the Frontstretch” appears every 1st & 3rd Wednesday and explores the role of faith in motorsports. Comments or twitter follows welcome: @bbreinke. See you on the Frontstretch!

Want more racing devotions? When you donate $25 to Skirts and Scuffs, we’ll send you a complimentary copy of Beth’s book, Race Fans’ Devotions to Go, a month-long, pocket-sized devotional book for female racing fans.

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Fast Facts: 2013 Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson

credit: NASCAR via Getty Images

We can’t call Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson “Five-Time” anymore – that’s because he just wrapped up his sixth Cup Series championship in eight seasons. Catch up with Johnson in this special Sprint Cup Series championship edition of Fast Facts.

• Jimmie Kenneth Johnson was born Sept. 17, 1975 in El Cajon, California (near San Diego), and attended Granite Hills High School. 
• He began his racing career at age 5 on 50cc motorcycles, moving to 60cc bikes at age 8. He went on to compete in off-road racing on four wheels, and took numerous wins and championships in the SODA, SCORE, and Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group series.
• He switched to stock cars in 1998, racing in the American Speed Association (ASA) and later in the Nationwide Series, winning the ASA Rookie of the Year award in 1998. When his Busch (now Nationwide) Series team lost their sponsor, Johnson looked to Cup Series veteran Jeff Gordon for advice; they kept in touch afterward, and Hendrick Motorsports later signed Johnson to a development deal on Gordon’s recommendation. He began his full-time Cup career in 2002 in the familiar No. 48 Lowes Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, a team and a sponsor he drives for to this day.
• Through the 2013 season, Johnson has 66 wins and 272 top 10 finishes in the Sprint Cup Series, along with six titles (2006 through 2010 and 2013). He is the first NASCAR Sprint Cup champion to win five consecutive titles. Johnson was also named the 2009 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year and is a four-time Driver of the Year (2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010).
• The Jimmie Johnson Foundation, founded in 2006, assists children, families, and communities in need around the country, working with Make-A-Wish, the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and the Victory Junction Gang Camp among others.
• Johnson is married to the former Chandra Janway (December 11, 2004), and is the father  of two daughters – Genevieve and Lydia. He is a football and baseball fan, following the Atlanta Braves, the Carolina Panthers, and his hometown teams, the San Diego Chargers and San Diego Padres.
• Find out more about Johnson at www.jimmiejohnson.com, www.lowesracing.com, www.hendrickmotorsports.com, and jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org. 

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