The top 12 videos of 2012

If a picture is worth a thousand words, moving pictures ought to be worth a million, right? Well not quite, but video highlights of significant moments are always among our most-viewed articles at RACER.com. Here were the top dozen from the year just past:

1. DeltaWing crashes at Road Atlanta

Everyone loves a wild ride as long as nobody gets hurt – and this story had a happy ending as the Nissan DeltaWing team was able to repair the popular (and opinion-polarizing) car in time for the race, in which it ran strongly to fifth place overall.

2. Mario Andretti's first lap at Circuit of The Americas

The first look at the new United States Grand Prix venue – through the viewpoint of Mario Andretti aboard the Lotus 79-Ford in which he won the 1978 F1 World Championship –  attracted a lot of attention...as did the interspersed bits of video from outside the car with another driver at the wheel.

3. Tony Stewart's "gifts" to Lewis Hamilton ahead of U.S. Grand Prix

In this video produced by their mutual sponsors Mobil 1, NASCAR star Tony Stewart offers Lewis Hamilton a few gifts and advice on how to earn more fans at the USGP. (Sorry, Mobil 1 deleted this one. Probably those pesky F1 copyright police again...)

4. Alex Zanardi takes Paralympic Games gold

Was there a more uplifting story this year? And it also inspired a whole new round of what-will-he-do-next conjecture, which included the Indianapolis 500 and Rolex 24.

5. Chevrolet IndyCar engine plays the National Anthem

Ah, the wonders of electronics. Undeniably cool, though.

6. Indy 500 highlights

From the wild restarts to the no-holds-barred last lap, this one was watching again and again. So, you did.

7. Sebring IndyCar open test, day 1

The first proper look at the new Dallara DW12 in action during pre-season testing grabbed a lot of eyeballs.

8. Hunter-Reay and Tagliani talk it out at Sonoma

One of the more controversial incidents of the IZOD IndyCar Series season prompted a colorful exchange of views.

9. NASCAR truck test at Eldora

NASCAR's announcement that it is taking its Camping World Truck Series to the dirt of Eldora Speedway for 2013 was a surprise, but this video showed the type of entertainment that could be in store.

10. In-car with Rhys Millen at Pikes Peak Driver's view of how the Peak was won this year.

11. The world's greatest rally save?