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Pats' Moss Catching On As Truck Series Owner

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 4, 2008

DAYTONA BEACH - DAYTONA BEACH - Randy Moss has been talking about entering NASCAR for some time. Thursday, the New England Patriots' All-Pro receiver did it, becoming a minority team owner in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Moss said he has purchased a 50-percent interest in Morgan-Dollar Motorsports, an established truck series team that has been renamed Randy Moss Motorsports.

The No. 81 Chevy - yes, that's Moss' jersey number - will make its debut July 19 at Kentucky Speedway with 2007 truck series Rookie of the Year Willie Allen.

"I've been a fan of NASCAR mostly by just watching the guys ... and the energy they bring," Moss said. "I think it's just more of just everything that goes with NASCAR. I just met Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the first time ever, and I felt so excited like a kid."

Moss called himself a "country boy" and said he would one day like to build a track in his home state of West Virginia. On being only the few African-Americans to get involved in team ownership, he said, "I am not really jumping into NASCAR because of the color of my skin. I am jumping into NASCAR because of the love and passion for that."

Several former or active athletes from other sports have tried NASCAR team ownership, and most have fallen by the wayside. The list includes Dan Marino, Terry Bradshaw, Tim Brown, Julius Erving, Jackie Joyner-Kersey, Jim Kelly, Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman.

Moss said he has researched the venture and knows what he's getting into.

"Most of those guys started out at the top the Cup level, and I am a true believer you have to crawl before you walk," Moss said. "And I wanted to start out at the bottom, in the truck series, and teaming up with David Dollar, and I think he's seen the passion that I have to be an owner and watch these cars go around the track."

MARTIN ANNOUNCEMENT: Mark Martin will make his return to full-time driving in 2009 official today, announcing that he's going to drive the No. 5 Chevy.

Jeff Gordon said he is ready to welcome him as a teammate.

"You know, I learn from everybody. But I will absolutely learn from Mark," Gordon said. "Mark has amazing patience, but he also has amazing drive and commitment."

Martin cut back to a partial schedule last year after first planning to retire from NASCAR's top level. He'll turn 50 a month before next year's Daytona 500.

Tony Stewart said he has plenty left.

"I think eight, 10 years from now, he'll still be able to win championships," Stewart said. "He's just that competitive, and you look at how good of shape he's in and how good of a job he does at taking care of himself."

AVOIDING THE PUMP: NASCAR drivers don't really have to worry about the cost of gas for their personal vehicles because they make enough money to pay $4 a gallon.

Even so, Denny Hamlin is avoiding buying gas as much as he can.

"I'm riding bikes," Hamlin said. "Pretty much every day, me and my buddy, instead of driving to lunch, we pedal our way. It's five miles, and what we're saving is not that much, but we do it for personal health reason and for gas reasons.

"Gas prices are affecting everyone, for sure, even us drivers. We make a decent amount of money, but we understand paying at the pump stinks, so I'm doing foot power."

Tony Fabrizio, Holly Cain

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