A NASCAR Fan Gives Thanks

This NASCAR fan (that’s what most of all of us so-called “media types’ are at heart) can find a number of things to be thankful for as he looks back over the 2009. As the holiday season and the NASCAR season’s end puts this observer in a reflective mood, here are the things he’s thankful for:

Tony Stewart’s Successful Venture. Knowing that the polished driver isn’t everyone’s cup of sunshine, I am thankful that Smoke gave them something to root for. Suffice it to say, he exceeded even the most optimistic expectation.

Mark Martin’s Revival. The driver once known as “The Kid” drank deeply from the fountain of youth, and pulled out a septet of victories and a darn good run a championship. This is the happiest I’ve seen the guy in years.

That Bobby Labonte, A.J. Allmendinger and David Gilliland all found rides.

I’m thankful David Reutimann and Marcos Ambrose picked up their racing a notch and look like bona fide contenders in 2010.

In spite of frightening wrecks, I’m thankful that Carl Edwards, Joey Logano and Ryan Newman are still alive and quite well.

I’m thankful for Dale Earnhardt Jr’s sake, his season is over and he gets a fresh start next year.

Have you ever met an obnoxious Jimmie Johnson fan? I haven’t. For their sakes, I’m thankful he got his 4-peat.

I’m thankful Jamie Mc Murray got a win on his way out.

Thank God for the double file re-start!

I’m thankful for Kyle Petty’s contributions in the broadcast booth. I look forward to seeing him refine his raw talent.

I’m thankful Iowa has racing now. That Nationwide Series race may have been the best I’d seen in 2009.

In spite of the lapses into bad behavior, I’m thankful Kyle Busch shows enough class to demonstrate he is not the complete jerk he sometimes appears to be.

I’m thankful Juan Pablo Montoya’s presence in the Chase spiced things up a bit.

I’m thankful Jayski found me a little less than a year ago, and the links from his articles page has opened up a whole new world of fans I’ve met.

I’m thankful for those brave souls who have been readers from the beginning. Thanks for your encouragement.

I’m thankful for all those people who’ve been such a big help as contributors and advisors: my wife Lynnae, Patrick Reynolds, Mustang Jackie Smith, John “Dawg” Chapman and Jeremy T. Sellers.

I’m thankful NASCAR has seen fit to let me be a part of their “Citizen Journalists Media Corp” and they’ve let me continue to be me.

Thank you readers. I’m just a guy making a bunch of noise in the corner without you. Thank you all for your contributions.

I also thank my wife Lynnae for our two wonderful kids.

I thank God for our men and women in uniform, whose service enablers us to keep doing what we’re doing.

I thank God for all He’s blessed me with- all the things in this life and the life to come.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!