Stolen NASCAR, Patriotic Corn Maze: Top Loganville-Grayson Stories of 2015 (ICYMI)

The top Patch stories of 2015 in the Loganville-Grayson area spanned the entire expanse of local news.

There were, as, sadly, must often be the case with these things, the requisite number of crime stories and tragic deaths. But intermingled throughout the year’s top 10 stories were others that spoke more to human interest.

Take the oddity of a NASCAR car all set to race at Atlanta Motor Speedway being found abandoned in Gwinnett County. Or the popularity of a story about a corn maze carved in the likeness of a famous military figure. Or a football player getting scholarship offers from some of the nation’s biggest college programs -- despite the fact he’d never played a snap in high school.

Here’s a look at the 10 most popular Patch stories out of the Loganville-Grayson area in 2015.

Stolen NASCAR Race Car Found Parked on Side of Road

Travis Kvapil’s No. 44 car was found alongside the road just outside of Loganville, about 50 miles from Atlanta Motor Speedway. Kvapil had planned on racing in Sprint Cup action at the speedway.

Police Find Body of Missing Walton Teen

Authorities said foul play was not suspected in the tragic death of Kelsey Clark. The massive search for her had spanned several counties.

Gwinnett Schools Make Weather Decision

All eyes were on school officials back in February, when wintry weather shut down schools, and much of everything else.

Grayson Woman, 20, Killed in Motorcycle Wreck

Police say a driver, who faces criminal charges, was making an illegal U-turn when he struck the motorcycle that Elizabeth Marooney was riding.

Halloween 2015: Corn Maze Honors ‘American Sniper’ Chris Kyle

Corn Dawg’s, in Loganville, had the likeness of the Navy SEAL-turned-movie-subject and the words “God Bless America” cut into its 7-acre cornfield.

Police: Alleged Gang Members Charged in Grayson McDonald’s Brawl

Authorities said the suspects in the beating were part of the “Ydubb” gang, which was also connected to a local murder.

Which Local Restaurants Made Yelp’s Top 50 Metro List?

Ten Gwinnett County spots made Yelp’s list of best non-chain restaurants in the Atlanta area.

Woman Reportedly Killed in Loganville Pedestrian Crash

The accident was at Highway 81 and Meridian Park.

Gwinnett Animal Shelter Closed Immediately Due to Illness

University of Georgia researchers were investigating the mysterious illness that sickened dogs and killed at least one.

Middle-School Star Racking Up College Football Offers

Owen Pappoe was just a rising freshman at Grayson High earlier this year. But he was already drawing interest, as well as scholarship offers, from college football programs including UGA, Auburn and Miami.