NASCAR: Those Who Have and Those Who Have Not

There are stories of those who have achieved greatness, wealth, and power with the largest automobile racing series known as NASCAR.

Among the stories we find those who have tremendous responsibility, are targets of amazing scrutiny, and have faced loss and disappointment.

Most of the people addressed in this slideshow are high rollers within the sport. Most would consider them to be the "haves." Though it seems as if they do have it all, it has come at quite a price.

There are so many stories to be told about those whose lives revolve around the world of NASCAR.

This is not about the vast majority who have had successes and failures over the years since Bill France Sr. began NASCAR at a motel in Daytona Beach back in 1947.

Let's take a look at some major players in NASCAR's current era who "have not" always found the sport to be kind and those who just enjoy the ride.

We will also see an example of those who are becoming by-products of this huge, high-dollar sport.

Inheritance Can Be Good

Brian France is the face of NASCAR and grandson of its founder.

His father, Bill France Jr., brought the sport to the prominence we see today.

Brian tends to tinker with the sport, hoping to make it better. He likes to change things.

Faced with declining viewership and attendance in a tough economy, he is attempting to unfurl changes to the top-two tiers of NASCAR that we can only hope will be for the good.

Not everyone agrees with Brian's philosophy on how the sport should be managed, but he is the boss.

Once a King, Always a King

Richard Petty, seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, came from humble beginnings as the son of another NASCAR Champion, Lee Petty.

NASCAR has been very good to the man dubbed the "King."

President Reagan honored him at Daytona International Speedway when he took the checkered flag for his 200th win.

Petty retired from driving the famed No. 43, but continued as an owner.

Turmoil began to plague Petty Enterprises and others became involved in ownership.

Richard Petty Motorsports evolved, but it is nearing crisis mode at the end of the season with drivers jumping ship, along with sponsors.

Though Petty is still the King, he has been reduced to the role of spokesperson at RPM and should the business not survive, it would be sad for Petty and the mass of people who respect him.

He has had the good from NASCAR, but it has come at a price.

She Had It All and Thought It Was Forever

Teresa Earnhardt was the third wife of Dale Earnhardt Sr.

She married the wild child of racing who made an impact on NASCAR perhaps like no other driver.

He won seven NASCAR Sprint Cup titles to tie Richard Petty.

Teresa was always at his side, driving him in the business world while he was driving on the track.

They were quite a success with Dale Earnhardt Inc., even though Earnhardt drove for Richard Childress Racing.

Teresa did have it all until, tragically, the love of her life was killed at Daytona International Speedway in 2001.

Teresa still has control of DEI and partners with Ganassi Racing. She is much less visible since her stepson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., left DEI in 2008 and Earnhardt/Ganassi Racing was formed.

Though she remains somewhat private with her life, we can certainly consider her one of those that "have."

For Teresa Earnhardt, there was a steep price to pay for the good life.

They Are the Ones Held Accountable

Mike Helton, the taller of the two pictured, is president of NASCAR and reports to Brian France.

Joe Balash is responsible for the NASCAR Nationwide series.

These two men carry a burden of responsibility most would choose not to have.

They are responsible for decisions affecting fans, owners and drivers, and of course, the sport of NASCAR.

Though these men reap many rewards from their jobs, they face tough challenges.

What could be tougher than announcing the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr., as Mike Helton had to do and then wonder why he couldn't have prevented it somehow.

For Joe Balash, he faces the rejuvenation of the Nationwide series with the new style cars and new rules that are about to be implemented as per Brian France and company.

Balash bears the burden of protecting those drivers in his series.

From the expressions seen on the two men, they carry a heavy burden despite being amongst the "haves."

Photo credit: Sandra MacWatters

Does He Have a Magical Touch?

Rick Hendrick is a man who raced boats, drove in NASCAR, formed the Hendrick Automotive Group as a single-car dealership in 1976 that blossomed to more than 80 dealerships in 10 states.

He established Hendrick Motorsports in 1984 and is now considered the premier NASCAR team owner.

His drivers include two four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champions, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, legendary Mark Martin and the fan's most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Hendrick has had many drivers, but Gordon and Johnson are the pick of the litter so to speak.

He is known as a people person, able to negotiate amazing deals with drivers and sponsors.

Hendrick is well-respected within the sport and gave a good part of the induction speech for Dale Earnhardt at NASCAR's Hall of Fame.

It appears he has it all, but despite his wealth and power he had legal battles involving a year's house arrest, fought a major health issue, and lost his son and others close to him in a plane crash in 2004 resulting in 10 deaths.

Many think he has the knack of putting all the right people in the proper place, but recently many wonder exactly what all Mr. H. has planned at Hendrick Motorsports.

Hendrick appears to have it all now, but he is another who paid a tremendous price.

It Sounded So Right

Dale Earnhardt Jr. thought the future would be glorious as he worked his way from the NASCAR Nationwide series to the top-tier.

He was the son of the Intimidator and drove for the business owned by is father, Dale Earnhardt Inc.

It appeared nothing could go wrong, but things went terribly bad first with his father's death in 2001.

During the following years, the glory days at DEI deteriorated and Junior and Teresa Earnhardt were at odds.

In 2008, Rick Hendrick made him an offer once he decided to leave DEI. It sounded so good.

Hendrick had been intertwined with the Earnhardts over the years. He had lost a son and Dale Jr. had lost a father.

It made perfect sense for Earnhardt Jr. to make the move to Hendrick Motorsports. After all he would have the best people and equipment and wins would surely come, maybe a championship.

With 2009 being the worst year ever for the driver of the HMS No. 88, promises were made to devote more effort to that team for 2010.

With some improvement, it still appears Junior will miss the Chase this year as well unless there is a dramatic change in the team's performance.

His every move is scrutinized in the NASCAR world.

Earnhardt Jr. has more money than he will ever need, and remains the most popular driver year after year regardless of no wins. He is a success with JR Motorsports and other businesses.

The son of a legend has everything he could ever want, except for success as a driver at Hendrick Motorsports.

He wants to win, to get a championship, but it seems all he is doing is spinning his wheels.

Junior does not have it all yet.

Also Know As Rich and Powerful

Bruton Smith began promoting races at small tracks when he was 18 years old.

Smith built Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1959. Curtis Turner worked closely with him on the project and helped promote it, but Smith went bankrupt.

In the early 70s he regained control of the speedway and founded Speedway Motorsports Inc., which now owns eight of the nicest tracks on the NASCAR schedule.

NASCAR has been very good to this track promoter and he is a billionaire.

Smith has devoted his life to promoting races and continues to do so actively at 83 years of age.

He remains active with his automotive enterprises as well.

Perhaps Bruton Smith does have it all, but not without sacrifices along the way.

NASCAR Soul Mates

Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus, his crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports, do seem to be the poster boys for having it all.

The two appear to be soul mates in the racing world with mutual respect and communication that has carried the team to four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championships and a fifth likely this year.

The two were brought on board at Hendrick Motorsports and received the magic touch apparently from Rick Hendrick that has bonded them.

The calm demeanor of the two during a race is almost scary. Chad makes the calls and Jimmie gets the job done.

Of course things don't always go perfect, but yet there is never typical driver/crew chief disagreements like you see with other teams. Perhaps they have gotten a bit off track a few times, but Mr. H. resolves everything for the golden team.

Johnson has great wealth, a beautiful wife, and new baby.

Knaus devotes most of his time to racing, but enjoys life in other ways. We can only imagine how well situated he is financially.

These two do appear to really have it all.

Some Wish They Had It All

Dave Blaney represents many drivers who found success in other series before becoming part of NASCAR.

Most drove sprint cars, like Blaney or late model stock cars and got used to wins and titles.

Now they drive for the small teams that don't have the financial resources or sponsorship to compete with large multi-car teams.

They are the teams that start and park. Other teams attempt to compete, but fail to finish well, if at all.

These drivers and the owners they drive for have always been part of the sport.

Unfortunately NASCAR has become very high dollar, especially in the top-tier series, so there will be more like Blaney who will be considered those who have not made it in NASCAR.