BROOKLYN, Mich. -- One year ago, Johnny Benson had to wait for a high-speed photo of the Michigan International Speedway finish line to learn that he lost the race to Erik Darnell. While the series returned to run Saturday's Michigan 200, neither driver involved in that side-by-side finish was in attendance.

Bodine, the 2006 champion, has been struggling to find a full-time sponsor since the season opener, despite being fourth in the points after eight races.

While Darnell was racing later in the Nationwide Series event at Kentucky Speedway, Benson -- the 2008 series champion -- was near his hometown of Grand Rapids, racing a supermodified at Berlin Raceway. He was seriously injured in a Lap 2 crash during the race (read more). Benson's Red Horse Racing team folded after last week's race at Texas, not because of lack of results but a lack of cash.

The Camping World Truck Series arguably provides some of the best action in motorsports and is a fan favorite. But running a quality racing operation requires capital, and that's in short supply this season, not just for the backmarkers but for championship contenders.

"It takes a lot of money to run these things," Todd Bodine said. "I don't blame [owner Tom DeLoach] for not keeping going. You can only spend so much money."

"It's tough when you see a former champion drive a white truck all year without a sponsor on it," David Starr added. "I watched it during the early part of the season and I was hoping and praying that eventually there would be a sponsor on that truck. Even though it wouldn't be my sponsor, it's our series."

If the economy doesn't show signs of a quick recovery, it appears Benson's plight could become a familiar tale this summer. Bodine, the 2006 champion, has been struggling to find a full-time sponsor since the season opener, despite being fourth in the points after eight races.

"We still need sponsorship for the second half of the year," Bodine said. "We're good through Kentucky and after that, we've got to have money. Without sponsorship, we're not going to race. We've made that decision." (Continued)