I had to stop to write.  That's really the truth.  Everyone always talks about that cliche term, "WHAT offseason? No offseason for me!"  Honestly though, this year, more than any other year, it has definitely felt that way.  As a sport, in many series, we're faced with a lot of challenges - large teams who had to close their doors due to lack of sponsorship and/or finanical conditions; drivers without a seat, jockeying for interviews; races changing venues, etc - and all of this has taken place in our so-called "off season."  It made for a very interesting holiday for a lot of people.
 
Now that it's the end of January, many can get back to what they know is normal in racing.  We crave a schedule as racers - it's a regimented schedule that get things done in time for Daytona; keep drivers safe on the racetrack; and signify that maybe all is right in the world after all.  No one is discounting that change happens every day in our business - much like the change that is happening in other industries in the world.  But after a few months of speculation, it's time to go back to work for teams and drivers.
 
I went to a planning meeting last week with my primary sponsor for the ARCA Racing Series, Ansell.  They are the leading provider of industrial solutions in several categories - from auto manufacturers like Toyota, our make on the racetrack; to the military; to hospitals around the world.  We get to do good things with them - it's that simple.  Ansell is the highest producer of Kevlar after the US Military - and much of it goes back into protecting our military on the front lines.  Much of our planning meeting was to discuss how we will be using the ActivArmr brand of gloves this year in events at military installations across the country.
 
That's what makes my job fun - being able to either touch the lives of fans, or create new ones.  It's what keeps a lot of guys engaged in the sport they love.  So here's hoping we can put our noses down for a while and get back to the job at hand - getting calluses on our hands turning wrenches; traveling to racetracks and competing.  We'll see you at Daytona in February, and here's to all the guys and gals who will help get us there.