Much More Than 'Just A Race'

To those in the NASCAR community, the month of January may seem to stretch out to the edge of forever despite the action it is leading up to. Teams are busy getting back into the swing of things as they prepare for Speed Weeks in Daytona and the start of a new season. Drivers look to improve from the previous season, and keep up with all of the new rule changes. Team owners scramble to find sponsorship for the drivers who need it. Drivers who were released the season before work hard to prove they can earn a spot on a team.

The anticipation for the beginning of a new NASCAR season can be felt across not only the United States, but also over many foreign countries where fans anxiously await the drop of the green flag at the Great American Race—the Daytona 500—to officially start the season. Fans from all walks of life will set in front of a television and those lucky enough to watch from the stands gear up for what is sure to be a wild race.

A Look Back at 2011

Halfway through January, and I've decided to start a new blog. I had one before, but that one focused primarily on my love of NASCAR. I will more than likely have posts about the sport in this blog, but this one isn't specifically for any particular subject.

With that said, I thought it would be fun to give everyone a look at how 2011 was for me. I have to admit that, despite a few hang ups, it was one of the best years of my life!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

                Most of what I did for the first time in 2011 is NASCAR-related. I have always wanted to a track other than Bristol Motor Speedway, and I was fortunate enough to go to Nashville Superspeedway in April for the Camping World Truck Series and Nationwide Series race. I also attended the Coca Cola 600 in May at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Bank of America 500 in October as well.

                One of the things I’ve always wanted to do is ride with a driver (It didn’t matter who) around any track. In July, I met Austin Dillon at Bristol while he was there promoting the Truck Series race that would be run at the track in August. The fans who came to the track that day were able to ride with Austin for about 15 laps in a Chevrolet Silverado. Granted, it wasn’t the actual racetruck, but what did I care? I got to ride with a driver, now a Truck Series champion, around the World’s Fastest Half-Mile!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions and will you make more for next year?

                I never make new year’s resolutions. I just look at every new year as a chance to improve from the year before.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My uncle Hobie’s girlfriend Christy gave birth to their son Everett in June, just one day before my birthday!