My Name Is IRL

Now that the IndyCar season is over, I have a small and painless favor to ask of all of you. It's a simple request that I know every one of you can do, and your participation will mean the world to a few people who deserve a little love from the otherwise silent masses. Don't worry, this isn't a call to support some sort of cause célèbre. No, it's just a modest project to help make the IndyCar universe a happier place.

As many of you know, My Name Is Irl is what's referred to as a "blog" which means it's a place where some otherwise non-professional writer conducts lots of non-professional word butchering. It is not, however, the ONLY IndyCar blog and I am obviously not the ONLY Indycar blogger. And although IndyCar bloggers might earn in the neighborhood of $1.63 per year in earnings from ad clicks, our real currency is this: comments. Real, meaningful, thoughtful comments - not the ones that simply say "ur a dumbs$%*" - are the treasure that makes every blogger's day. (Well, that and media credentials with buffet tickets and a parking pass.)

Because the IndyCar season is over and history shows many of you will soon tune out from our blogs for the winter, I your humble host am unilaterally declaring today, October 13th, "IndyCar Blog Comment Day". All that I am asking is that you, dearest IndyCar fans, celebrate this occasion by checking the sidebar here, clicking over to your favorite IndyCar or general motorsports "blog", and leaving a thoughtful comment of appreciation for the the "blogger". Anything from a simple "Thanks, and keep up the great work" to a sixteen-paragraph love letter will do. Think of this as leaving a tip that literally costs you nothing, and know that *Jack Arute voice* the words you leave today may well give one man or one woman the strength to blog tomorrow.

In all seriousness, if you've never left a comment before now then make it a point to do so now for one (or more!) of the many bloggers who share your passion for auto racing. Oh, and one other thing: please don't leave one of these comments for me. This isn't an exercise in ego-stroking, because I already know that I am blessed with a plethora of thoughtful readers. As always I sincerely appreciate your words of encouragement, but today is about those other bloggers who may or may not enjoy the same level of audience participation. Instead, if you are so inclined, comment here about the other IndyCar sites you enjoy, just in case one of your fellow readers might similarly enjoy them.

There is plenty of intelligent and witty and thoughtful and fun writing by IndyCar bloggers out there right now, and they deserve your encouragement before the series goes into it's annual hibernation. Forgive me for being so bold, but please, go forth and share the love with them today by leaving a comment. Thank you.