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Randy Moss already making impact in NASCAR
By admin | August 11, 2008
By Richard Allen
New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss has joined the list of athletes who have come from other sports to become a part of NASCAR. That list includes the likes of Troy Aikman, Roger Staubach, Joe Gibbs and recently, ESPN analyst and former NBA star, Brad Daugherty.
Among those listed there have been varying degrees of success, but mostly there has been a lack of success with the obvious exception of Gibbs.
Moss has begun his NASCAR involvement in the Craftsman Truck Series. The All Pro NFL star bought into the Morgan-Dollar Racing team. The truck’s number was changed to #81 to match Moss’ Patriots jersey number.
It remains to be seen whether Moss will follow the lead of Gibbs and his highly successful racing venture or follow the lead of those who have fallen short. Whichever the case might be, Moss is already making an impact on his new found passion.
Moss will be featured on the ESPN show E:60, but not for his ability to catch a football and cause defenders to miss as he makes his way to the end zone.
This show, which offers personality type pieces on athletes from all sports, will discuss Moss’ attraction to NASCAR.
Not only is Moss drawing attention from outside the world of NASCAR, he is making waves inside the world of NASCAR as well. His team has secured two time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson to make a rare truck series appearance in their machine at the Bristol Motor Speedway.
This is due in large part to the fact that Randy Moss Motorsports has a relationship with Johnson’s Sprint Cup team, Hendrick Motorsports. One of Moss’ regular drivers is HMS development driver Landon Cassill. But no doubt, Moss’ star power also helped lure Johnson.
Randy Moss is fast on the football field. His trucks will be fast on the race track. What remains to be seen is whether or not he will have the staying power and the patience it takes to be successful in this difficult and expensive sport.
Moss once left the football field before a game was over. Will he stay on track long enough to see his truck team to the finish line?
Richard Allen is a member of the National Motorsports Press Association. His weekly column appears in The Mountain Press every Wednesday.
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