RACER.com's Top 10 stories of 2013

Before we look ahead to a new year, here is a look back on the most-viewed news stories here at RACER.com from the past year. This list does not include Robin Miller's phenomenally popular Mailbags, which drew huge support from our readers all year.

Marshall Pruett's discussion with Managing Director Mike Hull of the heavy to-do list for Ganassi Racing's IndyCar squad following Dario Franchitti's retirement and the switch to Chevrolet engines.

INSIGHT: Inside the Daytona crashes and tire issues

Marshall Pruett detailed the analysis of what went wrong with Prototype tires during the first day of TUDOR United SportsCar Championship testing at Daytona.

The surprising news that Team Penske had opted to bring Indy car, F1 and NASCAR veteran Montoya back to open-wheels caught everyone by surprise, but Robin Miller was quick to get reactions from Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti and Jimmy Vasser about their former rival's return to the arena where he made his name.

Marshall Pruett's investigation of off-season developments to the DW12 chassis.

Marshall Pruett's heartfelt appreciation of Dario Franchitti's injury-forced retirement captured what most fans were feeling.

On the 40th anniversary of his death, Adam Cooper related the poignant story of a driver who many believe would have been France's first Formula 1 World Champion.

Sebastian Vettel may have dominated the season but Edd Straw related how behind him (and very occasionally around him and even rarer, in front of him), the action was furious, close and fluctuated from race to race.

Marshall Pruett got the lowdown from IndyCar's Race Director Beaux Barfield about Scott Dixon's controversial penalty in Sonoma that kept tongues wagging for months.

Just about everybody may say they hate lawyers, but everyone also seems to love stories about their work. Marshall Pruett got the scoop on the case in this in-depth report.

And finally...

Who goes where and for how much and with which engineer? Marshall Pruett's Dec. 4 effort to find the facts among the half-truths and rumors was our most-read story of the year.

A sincere thank you from all of us at and RACER.com for our readers' support, online comments and yes, even the criticism to keep us on point. Here's to another great season of racing ahead in 2014!