Admittedly, I often speak in NASCAR analogies. And unlike football analogies, which often go over my head, NASCAR analogies completely make sense to me, but then again they don’t have much of a chance of making it far in my social circle. When I recently sprained my ankle and told a co-worker I was going to, “Make like Keselowski and push on anyway,” I got a blank stare.

Hey, I don’t expect everyone to get it. And I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if the interaction on my Facebook wall started to go up again now that I’m not updating my status multiple times a day about NASCAR. But if the sports reporting class taught by Professor Michael Downs at the University of Montana taught me one thing it was this: Some of the greatest stories about the human condition and society play out on the sports field … [Or in this case, the track.]

The 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup Series Championship was no exception. The tightest Chase race conclusion in NASCAR history took place this past weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards were actually tied in points when they reached the finish line. But, because Tony had more collective wins, he took the Championship. And the Championship literally came down to a matter of laps and some strategic pit calls. But throughout the NASCAR season the personalities of the sport reminded me [more than once] of some valuable life lessons. And NASCAR fan or not, this sport can teach you a few things about life.

1 / Confidence is King

Going into the Chase Tony Stewart was quoted as saying his team wasn’t good enough to qualify for the Championship. He said he felt as if the team was just occupying a space a more deserving driver and team should have. Perhaps it was a motivator, because once Tony clinched a spot in the Chase [only the top 12 drivers in points standings as of the last 10 races are eligible] he ended up winning … and winning … and winning. Tony ended up with victories in five of the 10 races on the Chase circuit. Oh, and I can’t fail to mention the fact that Tony was winless leading up to the Chase. But here’s the magical thing about Tony’s run: It’s making the near-impossible possible. It’s also the fact that he was the first driver-owner to win a Championship since 1992. But more than anything, it was the fire in him. It was the steely look in his single-minded eyes that there was one Championship to be won. And it was going to be his. Nothing took him off course from that vision. His confidence was unshakable in the truest sense. He believed he was going to be the champion, and now he is.

The Bottom Line: If you’re anything like me, it’s so easy to focus on what others are doing. One dip into Facebook and suddenly girls four years younger have met their dream guy, are getting married, and oh ya, just bought their first house. Or that girl you met two months ago and developed a career crush on, suddenly has her startup funded by one of the most powerful women in America. It’s easy to fall into a trap and sit there wondering why what I’m doing isn’t good enough. But you know what? It is. And the only way to reach my truest potential is to be the best damn version of me I can be. We need to all employ that razor-sharp focus Tony Stewart embodied during his quest. And I can’t say it enough — bring confidence to the table. Every. Single. Day.

2 / Setbacks Breed Determination

To my earlier point in this post, Brad Keselowski broke his ankle when he was testing at Road Atlanta and crashed into a wall going 100 m.p.h. He then went on to climb back into his No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge, broken ankle and all, and went on to win that weekend’s Sprint Cup Series race in Pocono. Then weeks later he took another Cup win in Bristol. And three subsequent Nationwide Series wins — in Chicago, Kansas and last weekend in Homestead. He was unstoppable, and if anything his injury — his setback — bred his determination.

The Bottom Line: Don’t waste time focusing on what went wrong. So, your ankle got sprained. So, you lost that new business pitch you really wanted. So, your date with that seemingly wonderful guy was nothing but a crash and burn. Get over it. Setbacks happen. And if anything, they just help you look more bad ass when you can meet your dreams despite them. +1 for determination!

3 / Consistency is Key

I’m often asked why Matt Kenseth is my favorite driver. Why, people want to know. He’s boring. He isn’t good at press conferences. He isn’t the flashy spokesperson in nearly every other commercial during a race break [cough, Kyle Busch, cough]. And oh ya, he’s not hot like Kasey Kahne or Carl Edwards. My response? He’s not boring. He’s actually witty and full of one-liners. Not every guy is good at press conferences. Maybe he just hasn’t gelled with the right PR rep yet. [Hey Matt, I'm aware of the nightmare press you received in Atlanta while promoting Talladega and am more than willing to relocate and provide my 7+ years of PR experience to make sure that never happens again.] And he’s not the hottest driver? Who cares. Neither is Brad Keselowski … or Kyle Busch. And they both have plenty of fans. Your point? What I love about Matt Kenseth is that he’s consistent. He’s made the Chase every year but one since arriving in the Cup series. Oh ya, he’s also won a Cup Championship. Consistency is the equivalent of true success in my eyes. And if it wasn’t for Brian Vickers intentionally wrecking him in Phoenix the other week, Matt (who started on the Pole for that race) would have finished even higher than fourth in points.

The Bottom Line: Consistency is one of the most difficult aspects of any work — as a racer or business professional. To consistently win, finish in the top five, or even in the top 10 is a tremendous feat in itself. Think about it, if you could consistently score victories and wins in your job [with the occasional Daytona 500 win, of course], you would be happy with the work you’re bringing into the world as well. Don’t believe me? Just ask PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi about consistency.

4 / Be A Sponsor’s Dream

When Carl Edwards can no longer hop into a car he has a bright future ahead of him as an announcer. That goes without being said. Not one to miss any opportunity to promote Aflac, Subway, Ford, Scotts, Sprint … you name it, Carl is the epitome of all NASCAR could ever hope a driver to be. He always takes time for interviews, the fans, the sponsors, even the First and Second Ladies before his big Championship race, and always with a gracious smile. As a fan who’s had the chance to see Carl in action, I can tell you firsthand that the only time I’ve seen him turn down an autograph is when he had to hit up the Porta Potty … and despite that the fan still tried to get his Sharpie-perfected signature by waiting outside the door. [Poor guy!] But beyond his Opie-appeal, he’s a damn good racer. And beyond that, he has class and sportsmanship. This fan also witnessed him shaking the hands of every driver who won (or who I saw win) this season. And when Tony won the Championship, it was no different.

The Bottom Line: Don’t let this year’s Championship run (or last year’s) fool you. Nice guys don’t always finish last. Carl should never have a problem attracting brand sponsorship, and in this sport, that [and winning] means everything. And as an important reminder to me — and all of us — losing says more about someone than winning. It shows their true character. Something worth bearing in mind.

5 / It Starts and Ends With the Fans

There are so many reasons I live, breathe, eat and sleep NASCAR. From the branding, to the strategy, to the sponsorships, to the stories that unfold, I am a fan for life. But truly the greatest part of the sport is the access it provides its fans. Drivers know fans are at the heart of the sport. It’s why they pose for pictures with girls like me, and sign autographs for other fans (even when they’re wearing another team’s t-shirt … a huge “no-no” in my opinion). NASCAR knows fans are at the heart of the sport. It’s why they have a fan council, provide access to the pits and engage better than most sports brands in social media.

The Bottom Line: It begins and ends with the fans. Why? Because to them NASCAR is more than just a sport. And for this fan, that’s the biggest lesson of all — learned from the most exciting season I ever remember witnessing.

“The winner ain’t the one with the fastest car.
It’s the one who refuses to lose.”
-Dale Earnhardt -

|Time to Thank My ‘Sponsors’|
And since my NASCAR season wouldn’t have been as stellar without the help of a few good friends, I want to thank Lenny Santiago, Ryan Tolley, Mike Tam, Mike Calinoff, Christa Thomas, Jorge Mondaca, Daryl Wolfe, Kristie Maggs, Edward Williams, Ryan Lake, Thomas Patterson, Paul Corliss, Manny Poveda, Colin Fisher, Stephanie Calinoff, Todd and Liz Ervin, Tasa Munzenrider, Chris Lynn, Mom and Dad, Carrie Benson Many Heads, Heidi Trytten and my Grandpa Bruce, for meeting me at races, going to races with me, letting me pick your brain, giving me access to things I only dreamed of, and generally making NASCAR weekends one of the biggest things I live for in life. Oh, and Chad Knaus, you probably don’t remember me, and in full disclosure I’m a diehard RFR girl, but meeting you was a dream come true. And thanks for calling me sweetheart …

Photos | Brianne Burrowes + Chris Lynn