Huber: Imposing Rogers a huge NASCAR fan

By Jim Huber, Turner Sports Interactive
May 1, 2001
6:12 PM EDT (2212 GMT)

Commentary

Jim Huber

He has a growl about him and that simply makes the whole picture complete. As enormous as Rodney Rogers is, as imposing as he can be on a basketball court, a gentle smile just wouldn't seem right.

But take Rodney Rogers off the NBA hardwood and let him roam the NASCAR pits and he is like a large puppy dog, tail wagging in utter delight.

It is a rather ironic juxtaposition, to be sure, but one which very well could make a little stock-car racing history shortly. For Rodney Rogers of the Phoenix Suns wants to buy a Winston Cup team.

"The minority thing is nice, I guess," he told me in Phoenix over the weekend, "but that's not the reason I'm going to do it. I just love NASCAR. Love it! I've loved it ever since the first time I got to go to Charlotte and see them race. I really got hooked."

Rodney, who grew up in Winston-Salem, became friends with long-time NASCAR crew chief Barry Dodson years ago and it was Dodson who took Rogers to his first race, showed him around pit road, introduced him to the smells, the sounds and the excitement of the sport.

Together, they've toyed with the idea of buying a team, but it never became anything but a dream until recently. Rogers and his friend and lawyer, James Williams, worked on the figures, saw that it was possible, and that was all Rodney Rogers needed to hear.

"The sooner the better," he laughed, when I asked what his time frame was. "If I could put a competitive team on the track this year, I'd do it. But I know it takes time and patience and a lotta know-how. That's where Barry will come in. He'll likely be a partner but he'll also be my crew chief and do all the hiring."

Rodney Rogers has been in love with NASCAR since his playing days in Charlotte.

It is almost like this 6-7, 250-pound veteran of the Phoenix Suns never had any toys growing up.

During the NBA lockout three years ago, instead of going on vacation, he bought some dump trucks and started his own firm in Winston-Salem. He now has six and they do a large business. He's also invested in real estate. His eyes are wide-open but there is a serious glint to them.

"I know what I'm getting into," he said. "It's expensive but I figure to use what I've learned on the basketball court over the years to make this work. You have to be aggressive and work your tail off, otherwise the next guy's gonna blow your doors off. "

As we were setting up our cameras and lights in his small backyard, he was busy inside, torn between two loves. On one channel was an NBA playoff game. On another, the NASCAR race from California. His remote was furiously at work -- back and forth he went.

If Rodney Rogers, a son of the Carolina soil, fulfills this dream, he will become the first minority owner of a Winston Cup team.

NASCAR has reportedly become heavily involved in trying to make this work, to expand its "face."

But understand this: Rodney Rogers simply wants to become part of the family, period.

He is not a crusader, at least not on the outside. He was invited in, made feel very welcome, years ago. Color seemed to make little difference to any of the drivers, crews, owners, fans he meets. "Only color I care about," he laughed, "is the checker colors at the end of the race in front of my car."

Jim Huber's column appears every Tuesday on NASCAR.com. The opinions listed here are solely those of the writer.