I am thankful for all the men and women who risk life and limb going out to race, whether it be two wheels or four, Sunday afternoon or Friday night. The mechanics and crews who spend countless hours working on the car, getting it from track to track and never receiving enough praise for what they do.
I am thankful for the manufactures and sponsors who decide to spent their money on this sport even though it is expensive to support series, drivers, teams, etc.
I am thankful for all the television partners who show races, qualifying and practice and do there best to show all sessions live.
I am thankful for NBC's Formula One broadcast team. They constantly sent tweets out letting fans know when and where practice, qualifying and the races will be shown and sadly get slaughtered on Twitter when a handful of fans aren't responsible in taking note when and where practice, qualifying and races are.
I am thankful that Dario Franchitti is choosing health over racing. I'd rather see him healthy for the next thirty years than injuries again in three.
I am thankful Justin Wilson wasn't more seriously hurt at Fontana and should be able to return for the start of 2014. At the same time I am thankful that the steps are being taken to find out why Wilson got hurt and what can be done to prevent that injury from happening in the future.
I am thankful NASCAR and Formula One racing go so late into a calendar year and I am thankful their is a World Endurance Championship race this weekend as well.
If you really think about it, racing is all year round. There are very few down times. Sure the major series take longer breaks but you have WEC this weekend, V8 Supercars the weekend after that and then the Race of Champions. After a few weeks off AMA Supercross season gets under way and goes from January to May. The Dakar Rally lasts most of January and once that ends the 24 Hours of Daytona is on our doorsteps with the Daytona 500 close behind. There is plenty of racing going on if you are to open your horizon.
I am thankful MotoGP comes to the United States twice even though it stinks Laguna Seca is off the schedule. Once again, some of the best racing you will see anywhere. You could race MotoGP in your basement and they would still put on a great show.
I am thankful manufactures such as Audi, Toyota and Nissan are developing new technologies in racing. From diesel hybrids to hybrid electric, the future of racing is bright and unknown but intriguing.
I am thankful for drivers making time for autographs, teams allowing fans to look over their shoulders an hour before a race to see what is going on and get as close to physically touching the car without laying a finger on it.
I am thankful sports car racing is unified in the United States. It may take a few years to perfect the series but all involved are doing their best to make the Tudor United SportsCar Championship work.
I am thankful to all those who read this blog and make my time and effort worth something. To all those on Twitter for engaging in racing discussions and sharing the love of the sport.
Despite the negativity we can get caught up in, there is plenty to be thankful for. There is plenty of good going on. We just have to open our eye and celebrate it from time to time. We just have to breathe. Sure, somethings won't go the way we'd like to see them but for the most part they do work for the better. There will be scheduling conflicts but those aren't always avoidable. There will be boring races but not everyone can be a nail-bitter. For the most part there will be more good races than boring ones. Sponsors and manufactures come and go but it's a cycle. Some cycles are longer than others but you just have to remain positive.
Series officials may aggravate some but it isn't an easy job. I am sure if we were in their position, we'd be ridiculed just as hard by the fans even though we are trying our best to give what everyone wants.
Let's be thankful for what we have. Instead of being too caught up in what is wrong, reflect on what is good and there is plenty of good out there.
Happy Thanksgiving.
