We did a bevy of year-in-review stories throughout November and December on MotorSportsTalk. Parts 1 and 2 of “The year in motors” are linked here.
Meanwhile, the following 10 stories were our highest trafficked stories this year, not necessarily our editorial staff’s favorites or most popular. If a series of posts are related to one story, that will count as one of the 10.
As you’ll see from the list below, sadly, there were way too many tragic stories to report that brought motorsports into the public eye in the wrong light in 2013.
Stories such as Tony Stewart’s season-ending leg injury and Dario Franchitti’s injury-enforced retirement, which were also unfortunate, ended just outside this list. Franchitti’s retirement was our highest-trafficked IndyCar story of the year, and that proves how big of an impact his loss on the grid will be to the IndyCar community.
Without further adieu:
10. Off-road champion Kurt Caselli dies after Baja 1000 crash
This one was a tough loss for the off-road community, with the loss of the 30-year-old motorcycle champion.
9. Report: Stewart makes formal offer to Kurt Busch
We later learned it was more Gene Haas than Tony Stewart, but this was the first seed planted in the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion joining Stewart-Haas Racing for 2014.
8. NASCAR confiscates roof flaps on 16 Cup, 15 Nationwide cars at Daytona
Of all the controversy-related NASCAR stories in 2013, this one was second only to everything around “Chase-gate” at Richmond in terms of page views.
7. NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Homestead 2013 goodbyes
A lot of drivers signed off their current teams at this year’s Homestead Cup finale.
6. Michael Schumacher injury (Initial updates, too early to give prognosis)
The seven-time World Champion’s skiing accident brought a wide range of initial reports, but is now concentrated to his medical and management teams. We continue to wish for his speedy recovery.
5. Hendrick teammates, fans, rally to Jeff Gordon’s defense
Jeff Gordon was just outside of the Chase when it ended at Richmond, and of course, was later added to the field as a 13th driver the Friday before Chicago.
4. Jason Leffler dies from injuries in dirt track accident
Dick Trickle had died in May, but Leffler’s was the first prominent on-track fatality this year, and the loss still stings several communities.
3. Former F1 test driver Maria de Villota dies age 33
This was the shock to the F1 community, with the news the former Marussia test driver was found dead in a Spanish hotel room.
2. NASCAR looking into Bowyer’s Chase-altering spin
The spin heard ‘round the world, Clint Bowyer’s Richmond spin was the catalyst for the week-long controversy in NASCAR prior to this year’s Chase.
1. Mike Skeen’s girlfriend fined, banned indefinitely from NASCAR
Perhaps this is a measure of how odd the 2013 racing season was at times. Mike Skeen’s girlfriend slapped Max Papis after the Camping World Truck Series race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, and was fined and suspended indefinitely from NASCAR. Both Skeen and Papis are part-time NASCAR drivers, yet this story generated more buzz than anything else this year.
