1998; On our cover is one of "10 Secret People" you should know about: Lewis Hamilton, a 13-year-old kart racer just signed by McLaren.(50th Anniversary countdown)

Dale Earnhardt finally wins the Daytona 500, in his 20th attempt.

NASCAR's 50th-anniversary season sees Jeff Gordon nab a third championship, though owner Rick Hendrick is under a one-year sentence for mail fraud that forbids involvement with the team. Dale Earnhardt Jr., in his first full season, wins his first Busch title.

Formula One cars get funny-looking, at least to eyes accustomed to last year's. The track is eight inches narrower, and there are grooves on the tires. Mika Hakkinen wins eight of 16 rounds, including the last two, and the crown for McLaren.

Whither performance? Ford spikes the Taurus SHO model, which accounted for 3 percent-a little more than 100,000 units-of Taurus sales over 10 years. Toyota drops the Supra and the Supra Turbo. General Motors announces that the F-body Chevrolet Camaro/Pontiac Firebird won't be replaced. Nissan, still on the ropes and rumored to be near collapse, starts showing concept versions of a new Z-car.

Saturn scores a coup with a three-door SC coupe.

Boyd Coddington's hot-rod business, which went public in 1995, goes bankrupt.

The media go on a "truck jihad,'' criticizing consumption, safety and ethos. Ford introduces the Excursion and the Lincoln Navigator, Cadillac the Escalade, Jeep the second-generation Grand Cherokee. Truck sales continue to rise.