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.

SD motorcycle company sues NASCAR driver Bowyer

MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota motorcycle company is suing NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer for allegedly failing to pay for work on a bike.

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series revs into high gear

2012 Series Opener at the new Canadian Tire Motorsport Park headlines a long weekend packed with live music, fireworks and more...BOWMANVILLE, ON, May 8, 2012 /CNW/ - On Sunday, May 20 the NASCAR Canadian ...

Aaron's Talladega Dream Weekend Winners To Be Presented With Custom Sam Bass Trophies

ATLANTA, May 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aaron's, Inc. (AAN) will present one-of-a-kind, hand-painted Sam Bass trophies to the winners of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 and Nationwide Series ...

Caraviello: In All-Star Race, a million reasons to do anything

Caraviello: In All-Star Race, a million reasons to do anything

Sweepstakes Advantage Member Wins Grand Prize of Coca Cola Promotion, More Members Take Home Wins

A Sweepstakes Advantage member was chosen as the grand prize winner of the Coca Cola & American Restoration Promotion and took home a prize package amounting to a total of $8,000 which includes an all expense paid trip to Charlotte, North Carolina.(PRWEB) May 18, 2012 Several Sweepstakes Advantage members have everything to be happy about this coming summer after taking home several wins this ...