Dear Five-Year-Old Me...

It’s been close to two years since I’ve posted, and much has happened during that time. As I move forward in new directions, I thought I would close my blog out with one more entry.

The 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season ended with a historic moment and I’m very excited for the future of the sport. There is much I could say about that, but instead I want to look back on my motorsports journey and write a letter to the girl whose passion for racing led to this blog: My five-year-old self…
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Dear five-year-old me,

You are as wild and fast as the race cars that have exhilarated your heart and mind. You are enthralled by the symphony of engines that roar on your television. The speed excites you. The competition intrigues you. You’ve gravitated to it like a magnet. It’s 2004 and you are just beginning to learn about the sport and community that will have a big impact on your life – more than you might imagine now.

But there is one car that holds your attention. I don’t know why, but you are just drawn to it. I think you like the colors – Or maybe it was just meant to be. Your favorite car – some vehicle dawning blue and white, with a number on the side and top emblazoned in yellow…

“48”

You learned of the driver – some rookie named Jimmie Johnson. That’s your favorite driver – the one you cheer on every week.

Now, I know there is a question that you sometimes think about – I remember it clearly. You wonder if your favorite driver will ever be remembered. Or will he, 30 years from now, be just another number in the history book. I’m snickering as I write this – you’ll understand one day. But you need to understand that, regardless, this driver is going to mean a lot to you.  

You’re going to look up to him – he’s your No. 1 role model (after your parents of course). The way he conducts himself on the track – his cool-headed attitude while under intense pressure – it’s something that you will admire for years, perhaps all your life. In fact, the characteristics he displays are traits you will write about for a speech class in 8^th grade: determination and humility.

Through all the battles on track that you will observe, that guy behind the No. 48 is going to stand out, not only to you, but to everyone. The team will set a high standard for their competition, and even when it seems like it’s over – they strike back, because they never give up. Their unwavering mental focus amidst great uncertainty is a quality you will try your best to mimic. It’s something you’ll remember on a few of your worst days.  “Jimmie wouldn’t let this bother him”, you’ll say, “So why should I let it bother me?”

And through it all your driver is going to be successful…. Very successful. But it won’t go to his head. No, he will still have a classy, humble, grateful persona. Last Friday, as he gave an acceptance speech for his seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship (yes, he really won seven), that humility could be seen.

“I might have won as many championship as Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt,” he said, “But I will never be “the King” or “the Intimidator” – I’m just a guy from California who always wanted to race.”

His love of racing stemmed your love of racing. Over the years, you will open your eyes to the entire world of motorsports. It’s going to take you on a great journey. You will have great opportunities, meet amazing people, and learn so much from them. You are going to grow immensely, professionally and personally, through these experiences. And after a while, you’ll realize the journey is coming to an end and you are being led to another path. Nevertheless, you will cherish the memories and remember the skills learned as your next journey awaits.

Just know, the passion for racing still remains – and I think it always will.

But all of this starts right now, in 2004, where you are – supporting your favorite driver as his remarkable career is just beginning. You are going to have many great memories watching this sport, and even a few that will take your breath away. You will laugh, cry, and smile – sometimes all in one race. Haha. But you’re going to enjoy every minute of it. The future of racing will be different than what you might expect, but it is most certainly bright.

And as to your question: Will your favorite driver ever be remembered?

Honey, trust me, you needn’t worry about it. He’s doing just fine.

A New Era is Coming

For many, their love for NASCAR begins with a driver.

You’re a kid mesmerized by the sweet roar of the engine. Sitting in the stands watching the cars race past you is exhilarating. But the fan experience isn't complete without that one guy/girl you root for – week in, week out. The person who you cheer for when they win, and defend when in the midst of controversy. In NASCAR the connection between fan and athlete is closer than almost any other sport. That is one of the many remarkable things of NASCAR.

But time goes on. You grow older, they grow older. Wins go by, rivalries and on-track battles go by, for some - championships go by. Then you find yourself in the situation so many fans are in right now.

Last month, Jeff Gordon announced that 2015 would be his last full-time year in NASCAR – possibly his last time piloting a stock car. That revelation became a little more real as the drivers took to the track Friday.

Every passionate NASCAR enthusiast has been a fan at some point in their life. We each have had a special connection with one particular driver. And to see that driver face his last year in the sport must be incredibly bittersweet.

Gordon is not only a driver with many fans, but a true legend of the sport. He is a pioneer that changed the face of NASCAR in more ways than one. Whether you are a part of “Gordon Nation” of not, it is hard to imagine a race without him.

The four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion has driven in the sport longer than I have been alive. Every race I have witnessed has included him in the field. His talent is incredible and I will certainly miss watching him battle on the track every week.

As I reflected on this, I realized Gordon’s absence will mark the beginning of a very strange event. It won’t be instantaneous, but the next decade will likely mark the end of an era – the passing of the torch. Several drivers who make up the top ranks of the Sprint Cup Series are not far behind him in age - 43.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart have left their mark on the sport, racing at the highest level for more than 13 seasons. Johnson and Stewart have recently discounted retirement plans, while Kenseth hasn't made any mention. However, that day is approaching, most likely within the next 10 years. This phase begins with the man who ushered in that era more than 20 years ago: Jeff Gordon.

However, this is not necessary a sad event. While no one can ever replace drivers like Gordon, , Kenseth, Johnson, or Stewart, NASCAR has developed a truly remarkable class of young talents ready for their shot at one of the most competitive motorsports series in North America.

And so it continues, just like when Gordon was the new kid with that interesting mustache. What prevailed was excellence throughout a remarkable career. That kind of excellence is about to happen again, with a new face, new name – perhaps more than one.

NASCAR’s future is certainly a bright one – one filled with many more battles, rivalries and wild, exciting moments. Another era will soon be in the record books, but a bright new chapter is about to begin.

Thanksgiving Reflections - Things I am Thankful For

Ah, yes. Today is Thanksgiving and another NASCAR season has already been completed. I have been reduced to once again piping team numbers instead of belt buckles on my pilgrim hat s’mores (a festive treat my family does for the holiday).

During this time of year, people of America remember and cherish all the things they are thankful for. Admit it or not, living in this county is something to be thankful for in and of itself. I hope, like mine, being thankful for family and friends is on your list, as well. I am thankful for a lot of things, but wanted to share some of the NASCAR-related ones with you.

So here you have it, five things about NASCAR I am thankful for this year.

My Popular Speed Family
Of course, these awesome people are at the top of this list. I am honored to be a part of the staff and have enjoyed seeing the website grow every step of the way. I, in turn, have grown along with it and can’t wait to see where the next year leads us both.

The New Chase Format
Whether you are a fan of the new system or not, you are probably tired of hearing everyone talk about it, but please hear me out. I was skeptical at the first of the year to mid-way through the Chase, but in the end I have come to enjoy the new Chase system.

Like anything brand new, it certainly needs some tweaks, but its potential is great. It brought more intense competition throughout the entire season and especially during the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. That trend is always welcome in the sport.

Young Talent in the Lower Ranks
If you watch the NASCAR Nationwide Series or Camping World Truck Series you should be well aware that the sport has no shortage of young talented drivers. Several drivers, some who are still in high school, are thriving as they climb the NASCAR ladder. Many are competing with veterans of the sport almost every week of the season – and every once in a while the student out-duels the master. Some even make history.

One day, these fresh faces will make up the majority of the field in the premier series of NASCAR. They will be battling each other for positions, victories, and championships. Indeed, we have a lot to look forward to. The sport’s future seems very bright with many exciting days ahead.

Tony Stewart Smiling Again
At one point, I was concerned that I wouldn’t say this for a long time. Little explanation is needed to tell how Stewart has had an incredibly tough year. When he returned to the track nearly a month after being involved in a very difficult incident, he seemed different. The driver/team owner carried a burden which oppressed the fiery yet fun personality he normally conveyed.

But with time and a good support system, healing comes. Slowly, glimpses of Stewart’s infectious grin came back and by the end of the season, he was standing on stage as the championship-winning team owner. For that moment he was happy, and the NASCAR community seemed to be along with him. Which brings me to my final point.

The NASCAR Community
I am thankful for the NASCAR community because it has something very unique and special about it. Yes, there are many times that we argue, become frustrated with each other, or have differing opinions on matters concerning the sport, but there is something that separates us from the typical sports community.

Like other sports, every fan has their favorite driver that they cheer for every race day. But when a hard time or tragedy befalls in the community, there is a sense of family found in no other sport but NASCAR. While opinions may contrast, we all have one thing in common – we love racing. That one interest connects us, and brings us together.

I think one way to sum up this list is to say that I am thankful for such a great sport. With that, I hope you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy an amazing off-season. 

2014 Mid-Season Standouts: Most Improved List

This season, like many, has been filled with surprises. There are the usual ups and downs, but some teams have stood out with an up-swing in their on-track performance. The July race at Daytona marked the halfway point of the season which is a perfect time to review those who have improved the most as compared to this point last season.

My evaluation of “most improved” is not only defined by wins and placement in the standings. It is also defined by consistent finishes, team cohesiveness, a noticeable increase in competitiveness compared to this point last season.

With that explained, here are four race teams and one organization I think have made noteworthy advancements in the first 18 races.

No. 22 Team - Joey Logano
In 2013, Logano had his best Sprint Cup Series season after leaving Joe Gibbs Racing to race for Team Penske. He seems to have already topped that within the first half of the 2014 season. Currently, Logano has collected six top-fives and nine top-10s along with two trips to victory lane. The triumphs mark the first time Logano has won multiple races in a season during his Sprint Cup Series career. In comparison to this point last year, the 24-year-old had collected five top-fives, eight top-10s, and no wins (his only 2013 victory came later in August).

Additionally, Logano has also led more laps in the first half of this season than in the entire 2013 season. The Middletown, CT native is currently sixth in the point standings whereas last season he was 15^th. The No. 22 team has quickly proven that they are shaping up to become a championship contender - maybe not this year but certainly in the future.

No. 24 Team - Jeff Gordon
Gordon has also improved immensely when compared to last year’s first half of the season. By this time in 2013, the four-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion had accumulated four top-fives, six top-10s, five DNF’s and no wins (his only 2013 victory came later in October). Additionally, he nearly missed the Chase, which would have been his first absence since 2005.

The first 18 races of this season have been the complete opposite. Gordon has one victory, six top-fives, and 13 top-10s. He also has an average finish of 8.7 and no DNF’s. Currently leading the point standings, the team is locked into the Chase and has successfully turned their on-track performance around.

No. 27 Team - Paul Menard
Last year, Menard compiled three top-fives and nine top-10s in the 2013 season. Halfway through 2014, the Richard Childress Racing driver has matched his previous stats exactly. In the third race of the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Menard captured a third place finish - his best since the 2012 October race at Kansas Speedway.

Currently the No. 27 Team sits 10^th in the point standings, 10 positions better than this time last year. With a much stronger on-track performance, Menard and company may find themselves competing in their first Chase this season.

No. 88 Team - Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt Jr. began the 2014 season with a bang, winning his second Daytona 500 and ending a one-and-a-half year winless streak. From there he led the point standings for three races - something the 39-year-old has not done since 2004. Currently, Earnhardt Jr. has collected two wins, nine top-fives, and 12 top-10s. In comparison to the halfway point of the 2013 season, the driver had accumulated four top-fives, nine top-10s, and no victories.

Earnhardt Jr. is currently second in the point standings, 27 points from leader Jeff Gordon. He, crew chief Steve LeTarte, and the entire No. 88 Team have continued to improve in each of their seasons together. As a result, they have also become one of this year’s top picks for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

JTG Daugherty Racing
Of all the teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, one stands out to me as an organization who has made considerable improvement. Many details have changed for JTG Daugherty Racing in the past year. A new driver, AJ Allmendinger, replaced Bobby Labonte in piloting the No. 47 Chevrolet. A less obvious change was their new technical alliance formed with Richard Childress Racing.

Both adjustments to the team have proven beneficial thus far. In 2013, their best finish was 15^th collected in the season-opening Daytona 500. By the halfway mark, they had suffered four DNF’s, accumulated an average finish of 27.7 and were 30^th in the point standings.

This season to date has been the team’s best in four years. Allmendinger drove the No. 47 Chevrolet to a season-best fifth place finish at Talladega Superspeedway and has captured two other top-10 finishes throughout the first 18 races. The team’s current average finish is 21.2 as they sit 24th in the point standings. They also have only one DNF which came last week at Daytona. The progress JTG Daugherty Racing has made in the last year is exceptional and could continue in the months to come.

Ryan Preece a Busy Driver this Weekend

Current NASCAR Next member Ryan Preece has a busy schedule this weekend as he plans to compete in four different NASCAR sanctioned races, concluding with the NASCAR Nationwide Series race this Saturday.

On Friday, he will begin with the NASCAR Whelen Modified All-Star Shootout at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The race is comprised of the biggest names in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. The 20 driver lineup has collected a combined total of 16 series championships and 132 wins. Later on in the day, Preece will travel to Stafford, CT to participate in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified Divisions race at Stafford Motor Speedway.

The following day, the 23-year-old will be heading back to New Hampshire to race in the Whelen Modified Sunoco 100. Once the event is over, Preece will have a few minutes to rest before preparing to get back inside a race car. This time, he will be driving Tommy Baldwin Racing’s No. 36 Chevrolet for the Nationwide Series STA-Green 200.

East West Marine will be sponsoring Preece’s car and is pleased to have him in the driver’s seat.

“We are very excited to be able to support Ryan’s continued progression through the NASCAR ranks and once again be a partner with Tommy Baldwin Racing,” said Brian Slaga, President of East West Marine. “We fully support Ryan’s career through the various racing series that he participates in. He is a great ambassador for East West Marine and we are proud to have him wave our flag. We look forward to his continued success for many years to come.”

Preece is the current Whelen Modified Tour champion after posting four wins and 10 top-fives in the 14-race season. He has a career total of nine wins and 58 top-10s in the series. Additionally, the Kensington, CT native has one previous Nationwide Series start which took place at New Hampshire as well. Last year he raced at the track for Tommy Baldwin Racing where he finished 24^th.

The upcoming race at New Hampshire will be the first of two Nationwide Series events Preece is scheduled to compete in this year. He is also slated to drive in the Virginia529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway on Friday, September 5^th.

“I can’t wait, and I’m very happy to have this chance again,” Preece said. “You never know if your first race in a car, could be your last one. Making the best of the opportunity is key. I’m very lucky to have someone like Tommy pushing and supporting me. He has given me a ‘true’ opportunity that is very hard to come by in today’s racing. There aren’t very many car owners that will put you in a car like he is doing. I’m looking forward to getting back in a full body car and doing what I love to do.”

The Nationwide Series STA-Green 200 will be broadcasted live on Saturday, June 12 with coverage beginning at 3:00 PM EST on ESPN2.