NASCAR on TV this week

Throwback Thursday: Top Ten NASCAR Driver Letters To Santa

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_Attention, NASCAR fans… welcome to Throwback Thursday! Every week, from now until the start of the 2013 season we’ll be giving you, our readers the favorite stories we treasure from our writers over the past few seasons. Today we focus on Amy Henderson, a former NMPA Award Winner and one of the site’s Managing Editors who shares some pieces near and dear to her heart._

_From Amy: I chose this piece because, well, ’tis the season, and even though it’s a little dated (it was, after all, written in 2006!), it brings back memories of races, rivalries, commercials, and sponsors past, and it still makes me laugh out loud. It’s also interesting to see, all these years later how much has changed in the sport … and how much has stayed the same._

Help From A Friend: How Casey Mears Is Saving Brian Vickers — And Himself

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_Attention, NASCAR fans… welcome to Throwback Thursday! Every week, from now until the start of the 2013 season we’ll be giving you, our readers the favorite stories we treasure from our writers over the past few seasons. Today we focus on Amy Henderson, a former NMPA Award Winner and one of the site’s Managing Editors who shares some pieces near and dear to her heart._

_From Amy: I chose this piece just because it’s one of my favorites. I think this piece shows a side of Casey Mears, as well as of Brian Vickers and Jimmie Johnson, that people might not know about, which is something I like to do._

Dear Santa…

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Your kids aren’t the only ones wishing for presents this month! During the busy holiday season, our IZOD IndyCar staff sat down and composed letters to Santa. They decided to ask for what they most want for some of the best drivers in the world and for the series as a whole.

*From Matt…*

Mirror Driving: Champions, Challenges, And NASCAR’s Memorable Moments

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*Brad Keselowski is the 2012 Sprint Cup champion, and is a bit polarizing with his “Bad Brad” moniker. How do you think Keselowski will be remembered as champion…and how many more will he win?*

Phil: Especially since Brad’s only 28, it’s a little early to say how many he’ll win. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he snags a couple of more.
Mike N.: Keselowski is going to be a great spokesperson for the sport. I believe he’ll be able to effect change, unlike some other champs because he is extremely smart and very introspective. I believe he’ll be remembered for changing the social media aspect of the sport, making it mainstream and speaking his mind. That, and drinking out of the biggest Miller Lite glass he could find after winning.

An IndyCar Season to Be Thankful For…

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Thanksgiving is tomorrow and it’s a time when we all think back on our lives, and especially the last year and consider all of the people and things we are thankful for. The Frontstretch IndyCar staff decided to look back at the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season and do the same thing. So, here are the IndyCar things each of our writers are thankful for.

*From Matt…*

* I’m thankful for the fact that IndyCar will finally see the return of the Triple Crown in 2013. Indianapolis, Pocono, and Fontana give IndyCar three major races that will help keep the series in the news throughout the year.

Professor Of Speed: Smitten With The Mitten

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As a Michigander (albeit a 1995 transplant from Pennsylvania by way of Ohio), I watched with great pride as Brad Keselowski won the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup championship at Homestead. His success – the first Cup title for a Michigan native – saved what has been a lackluster year for professional sports in our state.

The Detroit Lions are having yet another sluggish season. It’s become a holiday tradition to watch our NFL franchise suffer Thanksgiving losses (my students on Monday swapped stories about how watching the Lions tended to ruin otherwise pleasant family gatherings). It’s difficult to celebrate our nation’s abundance when victories are in such short supply.