Tough Times in NASCAR, But New Sponsors Keep Coming

During these tough economic times, teams are unsponsored. Travis Kvapil is rumored not to be racing at next week's race at Martinsville after he competed in all races with or without a sponsor last season.

Other notables without sponsors are Truck Series Regular and Daytona winner Todd Bodine. The Germain Racing team is piecing together sponsors to keep Bodine Racing.

James Finch Racing looks to have downsized, moving the Miccosukee Resort Gaming sponsorship to its No. 1 with Mike Bliss, and it looks like the second team, the No. 09, is gone (John Wes Townley drives the No. 09 Zaxby car) and Sterling Marlin the odd man out.

Regan Smith and the No. 78 Furniture Row guys show up sponsoring themselves, how do you make money when you are your own sponsor?

Answer: You don't.

Joe Nemechek and his start up team NEMCO also have nothing on the hood. Nemechek may not be Jimmie Johnson, but in past years, he hasn't sucked either, but no sponsor is interested.

Heck, even Gillett/Evernham/Petty, officially known as RPM, has had to piece together sponsors to keep the No. 43 and No. 44 cars on the track.

Dale Earnhardt Inc., or Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, has been relying on a different sponsor each week on the No. 8 car that was once sponsored by Budweiser.

Even Johnny Benson and his Red Horse Racing has had sponsorship troubles. Do I need to remind you that Benson is the current, and reigning Camping World Truck Series Champion?

But others have found new sponsors willing to get their name on a hood. Kevin Harvick Inc. has brought in Swedish North American with its Longhorn brand, Monster Energy Drink and Oakley Eyewear, both new to NASCAR sponsorship.

EGR has brought in Champion Athletic wear, Garmin GPS, Guitar Hero Video Game, Cub Cadet, and who knows how many more different ones they will have. Four in five races so far.

JR Motorsports brought in GoDaddy.com and Degree Deodorant.

Robby Gordon brought a new sponsor to Bristol in FINDMESPOT.COM.

Tony Stewart brought Burger King Corp. back to NASCAR, along with Old Spice.

Some sponsors that I'm not too familiar with that have come in, like Array Lighting and Red Bank Outfitters.

AllSport returned this year, a drink I haven't seen in years, and I didn't think they even make it anymore.

RPM brought in Super 8 hotel's and McDonald's.

Hall of Fame and Yates Racing brought in Ask.com & Academy Sports+Outdoors (five races).

I'm sure I missed a few, but I hope you got the point.