Our Top 10 Posts of 2023
A year of rebirth and breaking new ground.
I never officially restarted the Race Day newsletter.
I just, kind of… started doing it again.
This was a year of incredible turmoil. I went through personal challenges that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. These were challenges I haven’t shared publicly, and that only a few people know about. They left me feeling lost. And hungry.
Lots of days were hard. Many days I made harder on myself — probably unnecessarily. I felt an urge to make something beautiful, and profound, and impactful out of all this turmoil. And I pushed myself to the edge and beyond in order to do it.
That beautiful, profound, impactful thing ended up being Cult of GT-R, my second published book of automotive nonfiction. It consumed me. From the time I dedicated myself to it, to the time people could hold it in their hands, was only eight months.
I don’t recommend that.
But during the gaps in the process, I rediscovered my love for Race Day. This was my place to put random thoughts, flesh out fun ideas and pursue stories I didn’t have to pitch to unconvinced editors. I could just go. I’m thankful to Substack for that.
And looking back on the year, I’m surprised at how proud I am. Of the newsletter and of myself. It’s insane that I wrote and published a book in eight months. It’s even more insane that I wrote and posted 38 newsletters during the same span. Like, what?
The book was my triumph. But the newsletter was my proof, to myself, that this is what I’m meant to be doing. Sometimes it’s a little directionless, or overly broad. But it’s the closest I’ve ever come to an unapologetic expression of myself and my interests. That makes creating Race Day its own reward.
Now, that being said, I want you guys to enjoy reading it. So when you click and open the newsletter, it means a lot to me. For that reason I didn’t pick my personal 10 favorite posts of 2023, or the 10 most important. Just the ones you guys clicked.
So here’s a look back at the year through the posts you clicked on the most. I’m truly grateful to count you all as readers and hope to refine and enhance the experience for you next year. I think 2024 is going to be a good one. Turmoil and all.
Number 10.
My de facto book announcement plus a fun interview with a teenage photographer.
Number 9.
Tried to give you a peek inside my process while also preparing myself mentally.
Number 8.
My solo Japan trip was an emotional whirlwind and this mindset kept me centered.
Number 7.
My attempt to give automotive journalist Victoria Scott her well-deserved flowers.
Number 6.
Going to FuelFest was a pivotal moment for me this year. Cars are supposed to be fun, man.
Number 5.
A collection of hardcore mountain stories plus an interview about manual transmissions.
Number 4.
I was feeling frustrated and petty when I wrote this one. If you couldn’t tell.
Number 3.
The single biggest barometer for the state of car culture still resides in Las Vegas.
Number 2.
The mysterious EV brand only let three journalists drive their car. I was one. It wasn’t great.
Number 1.
Race Day produced the only original reporting on the JDM case of the decade.
Hell of a year.
Thank you.
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