Jack Roush is looking at a business relatonship with the reigning World Series champs. Credit: Autostock

Roush pondering partnership with Red Sox

Opinions differ on what role World Series champs would play

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Baseball's champion could be teaming up with NASCAR's.

Looking to tap into the popularity of the World Series-winning Boston Red Sox, Roush Racing has had preliminary talks with Boston owner John Henry about forming a possible partnership.

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Rumors circulating around Daytona International Speedway on Thursday had Henry possibly buying a stake in the lucrative Roush organization. But Roush general manager Geoff Smith said any talks with the baseball owner concerned cross-promotion with the Red Sox.

"Jack Roush as long as he lives is going to want to control and operate these race teams," Smith said. "Not to rule out that there isn't a proposition that could be advanced for some sort of affiliation at some time, but right now we like the prospect of an affiliation from a marketing standpoint.

Henry did not immediately return an e-mail request for comment.

Garage insiders have described Henry as a "racing junkie" who competes in a high-tech computerized NASCAR league on his own personal simulator. He attended last year's NASCAR race in New Hampshire, and was a guest of NASCAR at their December awards banquet in New York City.

Henry was also spotted at NASCAR's Daytona headquarters last week.

Roush officials, meanwhile, were his guest at Game 4 of the AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees.

Smith said the Roush teams, which include reigning Nextel Cup champion Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin and Carl Edwards, are interested in tapping into the Red Sox fan base and possibly carrying the team paint scheme on one of their cars at the New Hampshire race.

"I think right now John is just taking a harder look at NASCAR," Smith said.