Moss goes deep; buys half of Truck Series team

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. --- Saying his commitment to the New England Patriots, his focus on football, and his desire to win a Super Bowl title would remain his top priorities, Randy Moss announced yesterday at Daytona International Speedway he was getting involved in NASCAR as a team owner in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Moss gained entry into the sport by purchasing a 50-percent stake of Morgan-Dollar Motorsports and will pair with co-owner David Dollar in forming Randy Moss Motorsports, which will field a No. 81 Chevrolet Silverado for driver Willie Allen in the team's debut July 19 at Sparta, Ky.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

``Football, that's me, that's my profession and that's what I do,'' Moss said. ``But I plan on being there [for the team's debut], definitely, because it's mine. It's been a long process, but we've been doing everything trying to get this thing off on the right track.''

Although he had not yet announced a sponsor for his team, Moss said he was prepared ``to go the long haul,'' and do whatever it took to help the team win a Truck Series championship. In doing his due diligence on the sport, Moss said he felt he was a kindred spirit to Dollar, whose team finished second in the series championships from 2003 through 2005 with Dennis Setzer behind the wheel.

``That's the good thing about teaming up with David Dollar,'' Moss said. ``He's been so close to being first, and I know what that feels like. I definitely had a chance experience that this year with a loss in the Super Bowl, so I understand where he's coming from and his frustration.

``So with my desire and my passion to make it happen and his passion and desire to make it happen, I think it's a good thing in the making,'' Moss said.

Said Ed Peper, GM North America Vice President Chevrolet, in a released statement, ``We are pleased to welcome Randy Moss to the Team Chevy racing family. Randy has proven talent on the field as a championship-winning wide receiver in the NFL. We are excited he will apply that same dedication of ultimate performance to his race team and continue the winning tradition of Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.''