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.

NASCAR-CUP: Tony Stewart always in for the All-Star Race

Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet Photo by: Action Sports Photography KANNAPOLIS, N.C., (May 17, 2012) – The name of the race has changed a handful of times, and its format seems to get adjusted each and every year, but the ultimate goal remains the same. Win. That is the only mainstay of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, the non-points event for recent winners in the NASCAR Sprint Cup ...

NASCAR-CUP: Ford drivers discuss All-Star race with Charlotte media

Six Ford Racing drivers are currently guaranteed a spot in the Sprint All-Star Race Saturday night. Defending winner Carl Edwards, along with Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, David Ragan, Trevor Bayne and Marcos Ambrose are all in the field after posting wins in either 2011 or 2012. Greg Biffle, Roush Fenway Racing Ford Photo by: Action Sports Photography Eight different Ford Racing drivers have won ...

24 finalists named for induction into International Motorsports Hall of Fame

Rick Hendrick, Dale Inman, Rusty Wallace among the finalists for Talladega-based IMHOF

Wallace now son's biggest race fan

WINCHESTER -- Rusty Wallace has done it all on the track. He's raced in 706 races in over 25 years, including 55 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins. He's been the Winston Cup Series champion and raced against some of the best drivers to ever get inside a race car. However, watching his son, Steve, is every bit as thrilling and exciting for him.

NASCAR super fan relishes chance to revisit Darlington

DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Speaking with Mike Wright on the phone is enough to make anyone become a diehard NASCAR fan. His passion, dedication and joy reinforced by strong racing memories makes for a fan that is a higher breed in a sport that is compromised of some of the most dedicated fans in the sporting world.