Lead Lap To Undergo Site Redesign

In the coming weeks and months, The Lead Lap will undergo some dramatic changes we hope will improve your experience on our blog.

We will undergo a site redesign that should give the site a better look and feel. We will also move to our own domain.

We are also reevaluating how we use tags and categories, which should make navigating our postings easier.

We are still, and always will be, taking your suggestions and comments into consideration as we evaluate how to make this site better.

Thank you.

Lead Lap Needs Your Help

In the coming months, The Lead Lap will undergo a major redesign to incorporate some changes we have wanted to make for quite some time.

As we make the transformation, we’d like to take a few minutes to solicit your feedback on things you like or dislike about the site and its look and feel.

What types of things do you think are missing from this blog, and what would you add to it to make for a better web experience?

What sorts of information do you find lacking on this site (as it pertains to NASCAR being that this is a site covering NASCAR)?

In addition to the news and opinions presented on this site, what other types of features would you like to see? Q&A, general NASCAR information, a newsletter, etc?

As always, we appreciate your feedback and will take every comment seriously as we move in a new direction and attempt to make the site better.

Thank you,

The Lead Lap

Lead Lap Turns One Year Old

Last week, the Lead Lap quietly turned one year old. It’s hard to believe that it has been a year.

History

The concept for this blog started many years before in launched. I kicked the idea around for several years, but could never come up with a niche for my blog. Should I cover NASCAR news?  How will that be unique compared to all other NASCAR coverage?

Eventually, I settled on the idea that I would feature a synopsis and analysis of the media coverage of NASCAR. But, that idea quickly evolved into what the Lead Lap has become today: a mix of news, rumors, and opinions.

I wanted to create a blog that featured current NASCAR news interjected with my thoughts and opinions. I also wanted to bring in other types of stories that were tangentally related to NASCAR — for example the economic conditions and their affect on NASCAR, and the companies involved in NASCAR.

In one year’s time, I think I have acheived those goals. I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading this blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Future

In the future, I hope to continue to grow this blog, and maybe eventually expand to a full-blown website. I’m still kicking around ideas for what the website would feature and how it would fit in with other sites like Jayski and SceneDaily.

A redesign may also be coming. I’m hoping to give the Lead Lap a better look and feel.

Stats

Looking back at the last year, I’ve put together some stats I would like to share. In April 2007, the Lead Lap generated 41 views — most of those coming from my girlfriend. Since then, the Lead Lap has grown to an average of 832 views per month, with a high of 1,500 views in July of 2007.

When this blog was launched, the hottest NASCAR story was the speculation surrounding Tony Stewart’s 2009 plans. As a matter of fact, my first posting was on this very subject. At that time, it was unclear whether or not Stewart would be released from his contract.

Coincidentally, the Lead Lap’s top post by page views was the official announcement that Tony Stewart would be driving the Old Spice, Office Depot Chevy for Stewart Haas Racing. The number 2 post? Army sponsoring Ryan Newman and SHR.

Last week’s story on fans injured during Carl Edwards Talladega wreck was the most viewed non-SHR story. But, the Car and Driver hoax article story is right behind it, and is still closing the gap.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has visited, and continues to visit, this blog and those of you who share your insights and opinions via comments. I do my best to respond to each one, and will continue to do so. Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank my girlfriend who helped me get this blog off the ground and, even though she is not a NASCAR fan, still continues to check it out daily. Thanks.