To say 2010 was not an exciting year in NASCAR would be an understatement. From the beginning of the season on NASCAR drivers were more than happy to leave their lasting impression on the 2010 season. For most fans the season was very exciting. I asked my Twitter tweeps what their 2010 memories of NASCAR were. They responded with a variety of moments that highlighted the season. It started at the Daytona 500 on a Sunday afternoon that wasn’t exactly a balmy day. A pothole delayed the race for over 2 hours as NASCAR and track officials worked to create a temporary fix. @Corrine224 remembered it well as she was there; “Freezing my fanny off during the Pothole 500 at @DISupdates.” Yes, the delay sent some fans to refill their drinks and grab some food. Meanwhile, the drivers hung out on pit road. The wait was well worth it as Jamie McMurray pulled off the biggest win of his career. For many fans this was a moment not many forgot. @kaseykahnefan4 said “Jamie McMurray winning the Daytona 500.” McMurray’s emotion and pure joy was as honest and raw as anything this sport has seen in a long time. It was the moments after the race that for some made them McMurray fans. @themathlady said “The tears & emotion in Daytona. I wasn't a fan of Jamie until this year. I saw a little of his heart and soul and liked what I saw.” There were some moments not so warm and fuzzy this past year in NASCAR. We saw at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Carl Edwards take “Boy’s have at it” into his own hands. He turned Brad Keselowski in the final laps of the race for payback after early contact. The wreck was dramatic and the move that spurred the question, how far is too far? Some fans felt that Edwards should have been parked for the next race. Others felt Keselowski had it coming. In the end NASCAR warned both drivers to watch themselves and placed Edwards on three race probation. In one of the strangest moments of the year happened in the Chase and between two of the unlikeliest drivers. This was one of the most popular ones chosen; the “fight” on the Texas back stretch between Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton. @Spuds33 said, “The fight between the Jeff's.” @ssouth24 agreed “I guess mine would be when Jeff Gordon stood up to Jeff Burton and showed his fans he's not letting other drivers push him around.” For @pepsipanther24 it was the “ultimate moment~ Jeff Gordon beating up Jeff Burton! ah.....good times!” For both drivers 2010 was disappointing and the frustationseemed to bubble over. Tempers flared as much as tempers can flare that Sunday as the two veterans voiced their opinions and moved on. Keselowski found himself in another interesting moment this past season with Kyle Busch. The two had beat, banged and wrecked each other on different occasions. The highlight for some fans was when Keselowski summed up his feelings at Bristol Motor Speedway. @ANGEL__48: keselowski said @kylebusch is an a** at @BMSupdates intro! & I was on track for pre-race at the time!” @blp2008 said “Brad K calls Kyle an ass and then Kyle not only winning the race but sweeping the weekend :).” Yes, Busch won that race Saturday night but he also made history by sweeping all three of the races at BMS that weekend. First time in NASCAR history that feat had been done. More history was made in 2010 not only by Busch. Jimmie Johnson continued to rewrite the record books in 2010. Unlike years past, Johnson had to come from behind in a showdown at Homestead Miami Speedway. He won the title but barely over Denny Hamlin. For some fans this was the moment that stood out to them. @GL2488 said “seeing Jimmie Johnson get his 5th title in a row.” No other driver has ever won five titles in a row and Johnson is more than capable of surpassing seven titles in his career. For some fans it was attending races and meeting their favorite drivers. For others it was watching their driver come oh so close to winning only to see victory slip away.
It was watching Denny Hamlin mature into a true title contender.We watched Kevin Harvick's reassurgance. Gordon stood up to not only other drivers but at times his own teammate.
Let's not forget the women who battled this season in NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Series.
Jennifer Jo Cobb's best career finish of 14th was at Texas. She finished 17th in the final points standings. It was the highest a woman has ever finished in one of the top touring series.
Johanna Long, Angela and Amber Cope all made their CWTS debut in 2010. Long's best finish was 17th at O'Reilly Raceway Park.
Danica Patrick ran in NNS in 2010, he first attempt in stock cars. Patrick ran only 12 events but gradually saw improvement as the season wore on. Her best finish was 19th at HMS.
We watched Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick battle it out on track and then in the media. @blp2008 remembered “Joey telling Kevin Harvick that Delana wears the fire suit in the family.”
For some it was watching Dale Earnhardt, Jr. drive his father’s storied no. 3 to victory on the high banks of Daytona in July. The tears and joy for fans of NASCAR and all this family has meant to generations of fans.
@ronsracing88: Dale Jr's NNS win in Daytona in #3 car #2010memories in #NASCAR
In 2010, we lost Jim Hunter, Les Richter, Richard Jackson, Suitcase Jake, Raymond Parks and Jeff Byrd in 2010.
The NASCAR family welcomed children for Gordon, Juan Pablo Montoya, McMurray, Johnson, Elliott Sadler and Edwards.
NASCAR made changes to the cars and listened to the fans about what we wanted. Yes, there is room to improve but we will have to wait to find out what more will be changing in 2011.
2010 was pretty spectacular year in this sport. We saw great racing, awesome finishes and spectacular wrecks.
It was a year where NASCAR needed to do something with ratings and attendance slipping.
The drivers didn’t disappoint; making 2010 one of the most memorable years in long time.
Thank you to all of our Twitter friends who helped contribute to this article!
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