Aikman, Staubach form alliance with Hendrick

LAS VEGAS -- Hall of Fame Racing has formed an alliance with Hendrick Motorsports, and plans to run the entire 2005 Nextel Cup Series season, team owner Troy Aikman announced Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Aikman and fellow former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach partnered with veteran Trans-Am driver Bill Saunders to form the team in January 2003, but lack of sponsor interest temporarily shelved the deal.

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But the alliance with HMS, winner of five series championships, has once again jump-started the effort. HMS will provide Hall of Fame Racing with equipment, resources and technological assistance.

"We made the announcement a year ago that we were going to get into NASCAR, and like a lot of people in the sport currently, we found that it's difficult to get a sponsor," Aikman told NASCAR.com Sunday.

"We realized, also, we needed help on the racing side of things, so we had visits with Rick Hendrick about becoming a sister team to his operation and we feel real strongly about it. Obviously, Rick wouldn't get involved with this if he didn't feel it would be successful.

"We think it's another step for us. It gives us an opportunity to go in and talk to people and say, hey, we're for real."

	Rick Hendrick

Hendrick is elated with the partnership, as well, knowing the importance of such established sporting icons having a vested interest in NASCAR.

"It's a great opportunity not only for Hendrick Motorsports, but also for NASCAR, to have two widely recognized and respected NFL greats come into our arena and chase another prestigious championship in sports," Hendrick said.

"We are extremely optimistic that our resources ... provide Hall of Fame Racing with a strong overall package to attract sponsorship and be competitive from the outset."

No driver or team personnel have been hired, and won't be until a sponsor is secured. Aikman said Hall of Fame Racing has been close to attracting sponsorship partners, but never could complete the deal.

"I sincerely believe that now we are offering a sponsor as good a package as there is," Aikman said. "I hope all this translates into us racing in 2005."