Full Throttle

By now everyone has heard of the NFL/NASCAR marriage that was consumated when Roger Stauback and Troy Aikman teamed up to form Hall of Fame Racing in association with Joe Gibbs Racing.

But this isn’t about HoFR, (Just a cheap segue into the next few paras.) you can read my take on Stauback’s and Aikman’s efforts in the link provided above. This is about one NFL star that has gone missing in action on the NASCAR battlefront and another that just appeared on the scene. (At least to me, but hey I can’t read everything)

In July during the announcement of his NFL retirement “Mr. Raider,” Tim Brown stated he was forming a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup team with the support of Jack Roush. At the time it was still a work in progress. And as near as I can tell it still is with no mention of the association on the Roush Team website or any media mentions that I know of. Has this NFL/NASCAR “marriage” entered into a trial seperation or has the divorce decree been issued?

My guess is the later, which is a shame and a blow to NASCAR’s diversity initiative because the future NFL Hall of Famer would become the first black majority owner of a NASCAR team.

The third “marriage” is one I hadn’t heard of before but by all indications its progress lays somewhere between that of HoFR and Tim Brown’s efforts.

Retired Atlanta Falcons star receiver Terance Mathis formed Victory Motorsports. The team plans to make its debut in next month’s Daytona 500, but still has to find a sponsor and a driver. (Pssst… I know an out-of-work and reigning NCTS Champion, and a former Roush driver that has been out of a ride for over a year.)

His current plans are to test next week at Daytona.

“I have two or three drivers in mind, but we have to wait and see what the sponsor wants,” Mathis said. “We may end up going down to Daytona and showing everyone what we’re worth and going from there. I’ve never been afraid to put it all on the line before.”

The car may have limited sponsorship from Turner Network Television at Daytona. Atlanta-based TNT is part of NASCAR’s television contract and will broadcast the Hershey’s 300 Busch Series race the day before the Daytona 500.

The team will work with Morgan-McClure Motorsports this year and already has new Chevrolet Monte Carlos prepared for the Daytona 500.

I would suggest he hit up Ted Turner for more than a limited sponsorship. The added exposure can’t hurt. A CNN wrap on the Monte Carlo wouldn’t hurt either. As bad as the TV ratings are for CNN they could also use the help.

And besides, wouldn’t it be a kick in the pants if Foxsports had to provide a venue for added CNN exposure. Ruppert Murdoch’s head would explode!

Technorati Tags: NASCAR, Motorsports, Auto Racing, NEXTEL Cup, Daytona