Economic recession continues to hurt NASCAR racing. NASCAR Sprint Cup organizations are feeling it. Just a month ago, Yates Racing stopped the number 28 team driven by Travis Kvapil as a result of inadequate sponsorship . Co-owners Doug Yates and Max Jones admitted they couldn’t to keep that team running without additional funding from a corporate sponsor or sponsors. While the team will compete in future races if adequate sponsorship is found, the employees are uncertain at the moment. It was only weeks before the Daytona 500, the number 38 team formerly driven by David Gilliland broke up because of lack of promotional backing. NASCAR racing is supported by advertising.

That is not good news for NASCAR. NASCAR racing depends on advertising sponsors. Team number 8 driver Aric Almirola found his team shut down by Earnhardt Ganassi Racing because of lack of advertiser revenue too. They did get some income from TOM TOM and Champion Sports Apparel and the Guitar Hero video game but it was not enough to last a full season.

Number 8 car has a lot of history and meaning in NASCAR racing. Just about 2 years ago it was the most recognized number in NASCAR. I live in NASCAR country and see mailboxes and license plates with Number 8 on them everywhere. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a hero. He drove car number 8 for Budweiser Chevrolet from 2000-2007, plus some races in 1999. Not just driving, but WINNING 17 races in the red number 8 car including the Daytona 500 in 2004. We know the number 8 was notable in recent years but it also has a history within the Earnhardt family. Back in the fifties and sixties, Ralph Earnhardt used number 8 in his racing days. And Dale Earnhardt Sr. debuted with number 8 at the Winston Cup in 1975.

When Dale Earnhardt Sr. died in 2001, NASCAR racing fans latched onto Jr. and catapulted him to popular fame status. Even people who never watched NASCAR racing followed Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the sports pages. The company ran into some management difficulties and Dale Earnhardt Jr. moved on with Hendrick Motorsports and number 88. Who knows if more money would flow to number 8 if Dale Earnhardt Jr. was still the driver?

Car Number 8 is a HUGE in NASCAR racing. About 2 years ago it was the most recognized number in NASCAR. Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove car number 8 for Budweiser Chevrolet from 2000 -2007, and some races in 1999. He did not only drive, he WON 17 races in the red number 8 car, including the Daytona 500 in 2004. Not only has number 8 been notable in recent years but it also has a long tradition with Earnhardt family. Ralph Earnhardt used number 8 in his racing days back in the fifties and sixties. Dale Earnhardt Sr. drove with number 8 to win the Winston Cup in 1975. Therein lies the intrigue around why Dale Jr. left the team and number 8 behind.

But it is not only car number 8 that is suffering from lack of funding. It seems to be a trend affecting many teams in NASCAR racing. |Yates Racing closed out team number 28 with driver Travis Kvapil. David Gilliland at team 38 had his team shut down too.

Bobby Labonte is a proven veteran driver and might have been a better draw for sponsorship. But Labonte chose to go with Hall of Fame Racing and Yates Racing instead. As the 2000 Winston Cup champion he had guaranteed sponsors from Academy Sports and Outdoors and Ask.com. Almirola is a talented young driver but companies tend to steer clear of unproven drivers. So Car Number 8 is suffering right now and NASCAR racing fans feel it.

In just one year there has been a lot of change with these teams. That is somewhat overwhelming. There were 7 teams spread among them - three with Chip Ganassi Racing and four with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. But right now there is a total of only two teams within these combined NASCAR racing organizations. It is too soon to tell what long range effects the recession may have on these teams but it does make you wonder what comes next.

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