As to the answer to number 1, I'd say that maybe the financial problems will lead to food shortages (empty shelves, closed supermarkets) long before you actually see serious gasoline shortages. So no one will really care that much about gasoline at that time, people will be focused on getting food for their families. Credit disappeared and the govt tried to restore it with bailouts. Food will also disappear and the govt may not be able to restore it even with a command economy since it can't print energy.

Umm..Maslow,s hierachy of needs?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs