2011: A year to remember and forget

This year has been one that has had the highest of highs.  This includes Trevor Bayne's incredible Daytona 500 win that no one seen coming, Dan Wheldon's improbable 1 off ride to win the Indianapolis 500 in the most unimaginable, dramatic way possible, Tony Stewart's incredible run in the Chase to win the Sprint Cup title by winning the final race and beating out Edwards, Sebastian Vettel's utter domination of F1 that rivals that of his idol Michael Schumacher.  On the local level, several drivers around me either scored their first wins at tracks, won their first ever races, or won their first championships.  However, the sport experienced the lowest of lows this year as well.  I think it's safe to say the death of the Indy 500 champion Dan Wheldon tops this list just for the absolute irony of it all.  Other huge lows include the death of MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli, freestyle motocross rider Jim McNeil, the loss of THE voice of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Tom Carnige are just a few of the lows the sport have seen this year.  This sport is very bi-polar in nature, and event's can change one's thoughts and moods on an instant.  It truly offers a roller coaster experience rivaled by nothing else I can think of on this planet.  The highs are what we love to see and experience, but the lows, however grim and dismal they may be, bring us all together and make us truly appreciate the highs that much more.  This year was one I hope we don't have to experience for a LONG time, as the lows were especially painful.  What happened afterwards was inspirational and moving, but the pain is still ever present and ever real.  Only time will heal those wounds, and 2012 is the best thing to help that.  Congratulations to those who experience success during this last season.  To everyone in the community, PLEASE stay safe this offseason.  Hope the trade shows are successful.  The same sentiment to those hosting race parties.  Until 2012, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!!