Ambrose moving to Cup with JTG/Daugherty team

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Former NBA star Brad Daugherty will become one of the few black owners of a NASCAR team in the sport's top series.

Daugherty, 42, said Tuesday that he has become a partner in JTG Racing that currently fields two Nationwide Series cars, and that JTG/Daugherty Racing will have a Sprint Cup Series ride in 2009 with driver Marcos Ambrose.

Marcos Ambrose | Brad Daugherty

He said he hopes to announce soon plans for another Nationwide team for the 2009 season with a young area driver.

That is expected to be Coleman Pressley, 19, an Asheville native and JTG Racing employee who drives in the Whelen Series. Pressley is the son of former NASCAR driver Robert Pressley.

Daugherty, played at North Carolina and in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, said he will continue in his role as a NASCAR race analyst with ESPN.

"I'm proud that I'm [one of] the first African-American owners at this level,'' Daugherty said. "I co-founded NASCAR's Diversity council about 15 years ago, and a lot of people have spent a lot of time to make this sport more inclusive.

''I hope this will open some doors for more minorities to become involved in this great sport.''

Ambrose will drive the No. 47 in the Cup Series, and Little Debbie snack cakes will sponsor the car. Ambrose, a 31-year-old racer from Australia, currently drives the No. 59 Ford in the Nationwide Series and is in 13th place in the points standings through 20 races.

Daugherty has had one win as an owner in the then-Busch Series, with Robert Pressley driving in 1989.

Other NASCAR minority owners include NFL wide receiver Randy Moss, who recently bought into a Craftsman Truck Series team, and Sam Belnavis, who owns a small part of Roush Fenway Racing.