Budweiser Shootout

victory in the Budweiser Shootout through Denny Hamlin's win in the season finale at Homestead, the 2009 season belonged to Jimmie Johnson. Now a four-time Cup Series champion, Johnson wrapped up his fourth consecutive title with another 10-race Chase run into the record books.

However, there were many other storylines that made headlines this year -- the economy and its effect on a sponsor-driven sport, Jeremy Mayfield's suspension following a failed drug test and the subsequent legal filings, Danica Patrick's seemingly never ending "talks" with team owners, not to mention the Hall of Fame as well as the on-track competition.

NAS-CAR.COM's staff writers weigh in with their top stories of the year: Sponsorship was priceless in '09. Sponsorship was priceless in '09.

MARK AUMANN The economic slowdown affected every facet of the sport in 2009, and may continue to do so in the near future.

Two of the sport's manufacturers -- Chevrolet and Chrysler -- faced bankruptcy and throttled back their monetary and engineering assistance. Major corporations cut back or eliminated their sponsorships altogether. Several teams merged or shuttered their operations, and in the process, laid off hundreds of employees. Others went the "start and park" route in an effort to limit expenses and maximize revenues.

The drop in attendance, close to 10 percent from 2008 estimates, was partially blamed on the recession, as fans had more difficult choices to make with their increasingly limited disposable income. Many members of the media found themselves facing the same situation as declining advertising revenue required downsizing. And even though the forecast is rosier for the foreseeable future, there's no guarantee NASCAR will return to its halcyon days any time soon.

Walmart Gives Fans More Authentic NASCAR Merchandise, Savings on Tickets, Joins Forces with Racing Legend Bill Elliott

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Walmart today announced it is expanding its Race Time 2012 program to give fans more accessibility to discounted race tickets, driver appearances and fan ...

Wine and beer festival returns to Michigan International Speedway

Here’s looking at you again, Michigan...

Last call for smoking in Speedway grandstands

Joie Chitwood III looked at the calendar, and then he decided it was time to clear the air at the Daytona International Speedway. MORE: Racing news | Photos | Speedweeks schedule | Driver appearances LIVE UPDATES: Facebook | Twitter

Ice races ready to go

ESCANABA - Racing fans can get their fix this weekend when the NASCAR circuit of snowmobile racing makes a stop in Escanaba. The First Annual Ice Masters 500 will take place at the U.P. State Fairgrounds Friday and Saturday.

One Month Until Spring Race At Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol Motor Speedway is getting ready for thousands of race fans for the March races.