Autoweek Racing Weekend Wrap-up for December 23, 2012 — SPOILER ALERT

HOME   |   CAR NEWS   |   CAR REVIEWS   |   RACING   |   AUTO SHOWS   |   VIDEOS   |   COLLECTOR   |   SUBSCRIBE Sunday, December 23, 2012                  Stephen Leicht, the 2012 Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year, could very well be little more than an answer... Quick: Name the last three NASCAR Rookies of the Year As we ponder the state of NASCAR during the hot-stove off-season, here's something to think about: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year award. Do we even need it anymore? The status of the Cup rookie has sagged so badly that lately, it appears the award is won by default, going to the team that manages to keep coming to the track, manages to keep qualifying, and manages to score a few...   Holiday gifts for 11 of NASCAR's biggest names It's the holiday season, and we're in a giving mood. While money is tight, virtual presents don't cost a thing. And, just like the real thing, it's the thought that counts the most, right? Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or some other type of festive holiday, it's time to...   Former IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard's new job as unlikely as his last one Motorsports fans likely know that ousted IndyCar leader Randy Bernard will start 2013 as the newest employee of RFD-TV, a way-up-the-dial countrified cable channel, where he joins two better-known employees: Roy Rogers'...   Citroën driver Dani Sordo predicts good things for Prodrive in WRC Citroën driver Dani Sordo says he still believes his former World Rally Championship employer -- the Prodrive WRC Team -- has a rally-winning car on its hands with the Mini John Cooper Works WRC. Sordo spent two years...   Short-Track Roundup: Turkey Night USAC midgets staying at Perris Auto Speedway through 2014 Oval Entertainment and Agajanian Promotions have secured the rights to host the Turkey Night Grand Prix USAC midget race at Perris Auto Speedway through 2014. After 13 consecutive years of running on pavement, the Turkey Night race returned to dirt at Perris on Thanksgiving night and played to a ...   Five best Nationwide Series drivers who should be in Sprint Cup The Nationwide Series has lost both Danica Patrick and two-time champ Ricky Stenhouse Jr., with both drivers moving up to full-time Sprint Cup rides in 2013. However, there are still quite a few great drivers remaining in NASCAR's junior league, and they'll likely see an uptick in exposure...   Formula One, Red Bull in talks about possible night race in Thailand in 2015 Plans are in the works to stage a Formula One Thai Grand Prix as a night race in Bangkok, beginning in 2015. Kanokphand Chulakasem, the governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, told local media: “The Formula One race is likely to take place here in early 2015, instead of 2014 in...   IndyCar, Firestone extend tire deal through 2018 IndyCar has extended its contract with Firestone as the sole supplier of the IndyCar Series. The new deal, announced Friday, is for five years, keeping Firestone as the sole tire supplier through the 2018 season. Firestone's contract was to expire at the end of the 2013 season. It has not re-... CLICK HERE TO UNSUBSCRIBE from the Autoweek Weekend Racing E-mails or to sign up for other Autoweek e-mail products. IMPORTANT: Please add Autoweek.com to your E-mail Address Book to ensure you will continue to receive our newsletters. Please DO NOT reply to this e-mail. You will not receive a reply if you use this e-mail address. Crain Communications, 1155 Gratiot Ave. Detroit, MI 48207.