Winning races is hard enough. Losing is all too easy.

One can lose by simply not winning. For many, a finish in the top 3, or 5, or even 10, may be considered a “win” with all things considered. However, unless it is “first” over the line it is not the “win” and becomes, in reality, a runner-up or also-ran.

That said, losing by not winning is not all bad. Chasing for the top spot, challenging for the lead, making the winner “work for it” or even finishing better than the start position can all be taken away with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

But losing by having the chance at winning taken, or given, away is as frustrating as spending your paycheck on a date and getting not so much as a handshake at her door. You go home empty with “why did I even…?” spinning about your head.

This weekend, the examples were as varied and numerous as the races. Practically everyone was racing. In the midst of it all, some towels were thrown.

Take IndyCar at Pocono, for a first example. James Hinchcliffe, in the GoDaddy #27 for Andretti, was out in lap one (as in not even one complete circuit around) when the car just went all kinds of weird and shot up the track into the wall. Both front wheels were hanging limp on the same side of the car. Hinchcliffe was left in the cockpit with a hesitant kind of reach for the steering wheel as if it might bite a finger or something. Understandable, on the surface of it, as the car went out of line and at the wall like a dog that heard “SQUIRREL”!

Popping over the sea to Germany and Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton, after squeaking by hometown favorite Sebastion Vettel for the pole, gave it away before turn one. What should have been a gears up drag race for the first turn with Hamilton in position was thrown as he dove his Mercedes sideways trying to block the turn for Red Bull and Vettel. Instead of forward, Hamilton went lateral while Vettel was foot down, straight line and on. The lateral move left the lane open for Vettel’s team mate, Mark Webber, to get by as well. Now, at the entrance to turn one, Hamilton is in third from the pole in mere seconds.

Vettel maintained for a German win. Webber was thrown a sour note during a pit that put him way back. It seems the right rear wheel wasn’t secure when Webber was given the “GO” signal and the wheel went for an unscheduled flight all on its own. Webber came across the finish in 7th while Hamilton finished 5th. Both were four slots off where they started.

NASCAR Sprint Cup, back for mid-season racing at Daytona, began with Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth on the front row but bumps and bangs put them back by the finish. External forces, yes… Fault by “wrong place wrong time”, perhaps… Whatever the case, the two on the front at the opening green were forced back by the checkers.

Perhaps the drivers who are able to race, finish and take the win more often than some others recognize “winning by not losing”. They are able to position themselves to avoid others’ mistakes and possibly profit by them. They hold their patience while some may push their luck and get into trouble.

Mechanicals are inevitable. Not letting them control the momentum and morale from week to week is as important as driving the best car to the finish. Winning carries the glory. “Winning by not losing” the patience, the spirit or the car can be just as rewarding.

At least, most of them seem to say so in the post race. No matter what, the good ones look forward. Perhaps that is one of the unspoken secrets that get them back in the driver’s seat.

Perhaps, just perhaps, it is why we watch. The next win could be the very next week. Go racing.