Our Racing Season Appetizer

Photo by Matthew Lowell Thompson

My father-in-law had a boss who insisted that you had to order dessert first. And the Rolex Series has done the same thing -- forced us to have dessert before our dinner. There is no better way to start the racing season than the Rolex 24. And if the race is usually a slice of cheesecake before our entree, this year it was cherries jubilee (or insert your favorite flaming dessert here).

For sportscar fans, it's always a great race because it brings out the Rolex regulars plus competitors from the ALMS series and other endurance car specialists. There are always a few drivers to strike the interest of NASCAR and IndyCar fans. This year we got action sports star Travis Pastrana and rock star Brian Johnson. And of course, there's always the McDreamy factor.

This 50th anniversary race seemed more intense than those of years past. Every driver said the speeds were fast. And the numbers proved it -- drivers were running laps faster than their qualifying times. What always amazes me is how close the races are after 24 hours of hard racing. In both classes, there were two cars on the lead lap at the very end. There were just seconds -- not laps -- between the first- and second-place cars. And we ended up with very popular winners in Michael Shank Racing and Magus Racing.

But here's the problem with the "appetizer" we call the Rolex 24. It leaves me wanting more. More Rolex Series racing. More racing in general. It's making me count down the days until I get to see some racing in person (the Rolex race at NJMP in May seems so far away).

So thanks to the Rolex Series and all of the drivers in the 50th Rolex 24. I may have to have dessert first more often.