What was your most memorable NASCAR moment of 2009?

With the season over and a new one not far off, this often is a time for many to reflect on what has happened. Instead of going back over predictions (I again didn't pick the champion, no surprise there), or recounting top 10 lists of this or that, I wanted to hear from you the fan.

There's no doubt NASCAR fans are passionate. I see it in the complaints lodged at series officials, competitors and even me about things said, done or written. I also see it at the track _ where I spend nearly one-third of the entire year _ where fans are often decorated head to toe in their favorite driver's gear.

For a brief period, I wanted to get away from talk of how to change the Chase, what to do with the car or some discussion on the next crisis in the sport and ask you what was the most memorable NASCAR moment of 2009 for you? Was it your driver winning? Was it a moment at the track? A tailgate party? Getting an autograph? Talking to a driver? Chatting with a crew membrer? Seeing something funny at the track that even now still makes you laugh? You know, something that rekindles that inner racer's soul that made you a fan years ago.

Here, I'll pass along a couple for me.

Talladega is always a nerve-racking place because you never know what can happen at the track. And having been at Daytona covering the 500 the day Dale Earnhardt died, I'm well aware of what can happen at a restrictor-plate race (or any race for that matter). Still, there's one moment that I always look forward to and get to enjoy twice a year.

There's a metal photo stand on pit road about a dozen stalls from pit entrance. It sits right over a pit stall and it's right where the starting lineup is before the race, the front row almost even with the photo stand. Anyway, when the drivers start their engines, the rumbling of 43 engines sends vibrations through the metal photo stand and you can feel it standing there. It's one of those moments, for as short lived as it is, that makes all those days traveling, the airport delays, drivers or owners hiding out to avoid the media and times being stiff armed by folks on breaking stories not seem as bad. It's a minor thing in the whole realm of things in this world. Of course, whatever helps one with some inner peace is always a big thing for them. This is always a moment that just reminds me of how fortuante I am but also jealous of fans who, while maybe not enjoying this moment, will get to enjoy so much more at a track while I'm busy working.

Another funny moment from this season was when Jimmie Johnson, of all people, called me vanilla. How's that to be called vanilla by a guy so many consider vanilla. Doesn't say much for me, does it?

Here's the situation: It was at Homestead in November at Johnson's press conference for winning the pole. He had talked about having a nervous moment in the car during practice but didn't say much more about it. So I asked him if it was an "Oh shoot moment'' (not wanting to use that other s word often used to replace shoot. Members of the media started laughing and then Johnson started laughing. Once that died down, I asked the question again and asked if it was an "Oh my goodness moment'' again not wanting to use that s word. Johnson laughed and responded: "And you guys call me vanilla?'' Johnson, though, went on to describe what happened in greater detail and admitted it was an oh s--- moment (yes, he used the other word, even said it twice).

Those are just a few of the special memories _ of many _ of this past season of covering more than 30 races for you. That's a little bit into my world. Now, what about you?

What was your most memorable NASCAR moment this season?

Let's hear them folks.

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