| Californian Jimmie Johnson made NASCAR history by | | | | most recent victim, Chip Ganassi Racing, closed its |
| becoming only the second driver to win three | | | | doors permanently, adding 70 more workers to the |
| consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (2007 - | | | | long list of unemployed Americans. |
| 2008). The 33 year old has dominated the second | | | | Sponsorships fade and fans dwindle |
| most popular and the second richest motorsport | | | | The financial troubles have also had a marked effect |
| after Formula One, claiming 42 race wins in his career. | | | | on the number of race fans able to support the |
| Johnson is part of the highly successful Hendrick | | | | races live. Dwindling crowds are creating concern for |
| Motorsports team and he and his trusty Lowe's | | | | race organisers who are trying everything to seduce |
| Chevrolet Impala had to wait patiently until the tenth | | | | their mainly blue collar fan base back to the tracks |
| race of the season, the Subway Fresh Fit 500, to | | | | with all-inclusive ticket packages offering discounts on |
| claim his maiden victory of the year. | | | | hotel rooms and even food. |
| It appears he only found his fighting form in the | | | | It is going to be interesting to see whether NASCAR |
| latter part of the year when it really counted. He | | | | survives the horror of the 2008 economic meltdown. |
| claimed three of the ten 2008 'Chase for the | | | | If you consider that cars have to be transported |
| Championship' events, putting him in an unassailable | | | | around the States, covering vast distances in |
| lead for the NASCAR crown yet again. | | | | semi-trailer trucks, it is surely only a matter of time |
| Johnson's 2008 Victorieso 12 April - Subway Fresh Fit | | | | before the high diesel fuel prices bring this hugely |
| 500 - Phoenix International Racewayo 27 July - | | | | popular sport to its knees. |
| Allstate 400 at the Brickyard - Indianapolis Motor | | | | Formula One also on the endangered list |
| Speedwayo 31 August - Pepsi 500 - Auto Club | | | | Formula One racing is also under the microscope, with |
| Speedwayo 7 September - Chevy Rock 'n Roll 400 - | | | | the powers-that-be thinking right out the box in an |
| Richmond International Speedwayo 28 September - | | | | effort to make it more economical and |
| Camping World RV 400 - Kansas Speedwayo 19 | | | | environmentally friendly. Detractors are determined to |
| October - TUMS QuikPak 500 - Martinsville | | | | close the doors on motor racing in perpetuity in the |
| Speedwayo 9 November - Checker O'Reilly Auto | | | | hope that it will spare the fragile planet, so if you're a |
| Parts 500 - Phoenix International Raceway | | | | motor sports fan, your weekly race fix may be |
| NASCAR under threat | | | | under serious threat. |
| As with most sports, NASCAR has joined the long list | | | | Drive an F1 car while you can |
| of casualties of the recent economic meltdown. | | | | The one way to temper the need for speed in South |
| Sponsorships have begun to fade away with | | | | Africa is to flag down your very own F1 racing car |
| unenviable speed and some of the single drive teams | | | | and take it round the track a couple of times. There |
| have even been forced to throw in the towel. | | | | are dedicated racing companies in South Africa that |
| Fortunately some of the bigger teams have been | | | | allow you to drive an F1 car....best make for the |
| able to form relationships with financial partners who | | | | tracks before the endangered motor racing becomes |
| are not under the proverbial money whip but the | | | | extinct! |