Small businesses continued turning to the U.S. Small Business Administration for commercial credit in record numbers through the first three quarters of FY 2005, reflecting their confidence in the U.S. economy and the stability of the SBAloan program that backs their loans.

Small businesses secured SBA backing under the agency's flagship 7(a) program for 71,131 loans through the first nine months of the fiscal year, a 21 percent increase over the same period a year ago and a 49 percent increase over the same period two years ago.

The loans made so far this year amount to $11.1 billion, 19.5 percent more than in the same period last year, and on a clear pace for a record-setting year for the program.

The year 2000 brought in a new millennium and a new NASCAR Winston Cup champion. Bobby Labonte brought in a new chapter of NASCAR history as well. He became the first driver to win both the NASCAR Busch Series championship as well as the NASCAR Winston Cup championship. He also joined two-time champion and brother Terry as the only siblings to win NASCAR's most coveted prize.

NASCAR joined the ranks of the four major professional sports during the 1990's, bringing even more attention to the sport and it's champion. The 1990's will go down in history as one of the most exciting decades the sport has seen. Attendance skyrocketed, TV ratings boomed and some memorable championship moments were forged in our memories. From underdog Alan Kulwicki winning the 1992 title in dramatic fashion to Dale Jarrett joining his father Ned as a NASCAR champion, the 1990's let NASCAR and its stars take advantage of the ever-increasing spotlight. The main topic of debate, however, remains: who is the driver of the decade? NASCAR Tickets Seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt captured four of his titles in the decade and even finished second in the standings in 2000, stretching his legend across the entire decade. But young upstart Jeff Gordon not only launched his career in the early 90's, but closed the lid on three championships and countless victories by the turn of the decade.

The 1980's was the decade of superstars. NASCAR's champions of the Eighties are a bridge between the stars of old and the youthful talent that is chasing championships today. Dale Earnhardt won his first three championships in the decade and sandwiched between his titles were three glorious seasons by Darrell Waltrip. Fan favorite Bill Elliott came across his first and only title in 1988, as did Rusty Wallace in 1989. And perennial points bridesmaid Bobby Allison finally broke through in 1983. Earnhardt, Waltrip, Elliott, Wallace, and Allison raced against drivers named Pearson, Petty and Yarborough, as well as against those named Gordon, Labonte, and Stewart. Three championships in the decade by Waltrip and Earnhardt are also notable as they were bringing attention to the sport through their dominance. This new attention would kick-start the evolution of NASCAR into a mainstream sport.

"We had a record year for this loan program a year ago, and we're going to set another record in 2005," said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto. "It tells us that the critics are wrong, that small businesses are confident enough to invest in the future of the American economy, and that this program is here to help them do it. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of the self-funded footing on which the President has placed the loan program, and the confidence that lenders have in its stability. I am very pleased with this performance so far this year."

The gains are also reflected in the SBA's Certified Development Company, or 504, loan program. Through the first nine months of the fiscal year, the 504 program had issued 6,434 loans worth $3.44 billion, more than 6 percent ahead of the same period a year ago, when the program had produced 6,058 loans for $2.88 billion.

The budget for the current year makes more than $21 billion available to small businesses through the two loan programs, including $16 billion in small business lending under the 7(a) program and $5 billion under the 504 program.

For information on applying for an SBA loan, visit the SBA's extensive Web site