Aikman: Upstart owners know what lies ahead

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Though honesty is certainly the best policy, a guy in Troy Aikman's position wouldn't mind being lied to every now and then.

True or not, a bit of reassurance that it'll all work out wouldn't hurt.

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"(NASCAR president) Mike Helton and everybody we've talked to have spent the early part of every conversation telling us why we shouldn't get involved," laughed Aikman, an aspiring Winston Cup owner, Friday morning from his Dallas-area home.

Though discomforting, such advice is justifiable. Starting a Winston Cup team from scratch is a difficult business prospect, especially in today's ultra-competitive Winston Cup Series.

Astronomical risk. Uncertain reward.

Aikman's team, labeled Hall of Fame Racing, is a joint venture between two of the most celebrated quarterbacks in Dallas Cowboys history. Aikman won three Super Bowls before his illustrious career was cut short by recurring concussions. His partner, Roger Staubach, enjoyed a Hall of Fame career in Dallas.

They had discussed collaborating on various business ventures for years, but nothing materialized until the subject turned to NASCAR.

"They had the idea and came to me with it," Aikman said. "We talked extensively and thought it was a great opportunity for both of us.

"We're both competitors and we both love NASCAR racing, so we decided to go ahead and jump in and see what we could do."

Gibbs-erish

Fortunately for Aikman and Staubach, a fellow gridiron Hall of Famer-turned NASCAR nut has offered invaluable guidance throughout the taxing building process.

	Aikman said Joe Gibbs has told him just what to expect when they enter the NASCAR community. Credit: Autostock

Joe Gibbs, who won three Super Bowl championships with the Washington Redskins before starting his own Winston Cup team from scratch in 1992, has served as a mentor for Aikman. Not a bad deal. Gibbs has logged 36 wins and two Winston Cup titles during that 11-year span.

"We've talked at length (with Gibbs)," Aikman said. "He hasn't sugar coated anything. He's been very up front with us about the challenges involved. He's been great. Of course he's tremendously successful, and has tried to steer us away from the same pit falls he experienced early on.

"We're not na?ve to how tough this is. We know some people have tried this and failed or not done well. We're confident, otherwise we wouldn't do it."

Aikman's confidence is not uncommon. Dozens of individuals have stormed into the Winston Cup Series with lofty aspirations, only to quickly run out of money and discontinue operation.

All involved at Hall of Fame Racing realize that forward movement is impossible until sponsorship dollars are secured. Though asking for $10-$15 million in today's economy is a difficult task, Aikman said they're getting closer and could announce a primary sponsorship agreement within the next two to three months.

From there, they'll choose a car manufacturer, driver and crew chief and start assembling the team.

"We've got some big decisions ahead," he said. "Real big."

Ground roots

Aikman's fascination with NASCAR was spurred in 1993, when he met then-winless Sterling Marlin in Nashville, Tenn. From there, a friendly invitation became a race fan's fantasy.

	Aikman was in attendance when Sterling Marlin won the 1994 Daytona 500. Credit: Autostock

"It's kind of funny -- the first race I ever went to was the (1994) Daytona 500," Aikman said. "I was a guest of Sterling Marlin's. He had never won a race and his Dad hadn't either. I had met him in Nashville and he invited me to Daytona.

"So we went down there and he wound up winning. I dropped the green flag that day, then was in the Winner's Circle and then the pressroom, too. Man, first NASCAR race ever was as good as it gets."

Since then, Aikman has grown closer with Marlin and gotten to know Bobby and Terry Labonte. He's also crossed paths with Darrell Waltrip on occasion, since both are analysts for FOX network -- Waltrip in NASCAR and Aikman in the NFL.

"What I've enjoyed about the sport over the years is the people. The guys I've come into contact with are all really good people -- real down to earth guys," he said.

"Talk about people at top of their sport -- I got the chance to meet Dale Earnhardt a little bit, and he was as accommodating and nice as he could be. You don't see that a lot in other sports, the biggest star being that way."

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Aikman and Staubach both performed at the NFL's highest level, and understand all too well the importance of respecting those that came before you, and moreover, the game itself.

	Richard Petty thinks the combination of Aikman and Staubach will do just fine in NASCAR. Credit: Autostock

They'll treat NASCAR no differently.

"We don't come in saying 'hey, those other people didn't know what they were doing. Watch us,'" Aikman said. "That's not our mindset at all. We have tremendous respect for the people that have spent their whole life in NASCAR, and don't want to disrespect everything they've done to build this sport.

"As a former player in the NFL, and Roger feels the same way, to just give it lip service is disrespectful. We refuse to do that. People have spent whole lives playing the game, and we're extremely respectful to those who have made this sport what it is.

"We want to add to that and be a part of helping build it further."

Richard Petty, one of the pioneers of NASCAR's current empire, thinks they'll do just fine.

"There's not but one or two (teams) that's left from the original deal -- the Wood boys and the Petty crowd," said Petty, eyes shaded by sunglasses and trademark cowboy hat atop his head.

"Everybody else came in out of the blue. You've got new venues and new people coming in, and that's good for the sport. You realize the sport is really growing up when you get people like that wanting to be in it."

Join the club

There's no doubt Hall of Fame racing wants to be in -- and belong in -- the Winston Cup Series.

Some think they're insane for trying. Marlin, however, offered that rare vote of confidence.

"I think they'll do good, and I think it's real neat that they're getting in," Marlin said. "It's really two big sport figures, so I'm real glad to see them get in and give it a try.

"They're both competitors and they both want to win. I think they'll be successful."