NBA player wants to try NASCAR: Derek Strong has played for six NBA teams during his professional basketball career. Now at age 34 and in the twilight of his hoops career, Strong, a forward with the Columbus Riverdragons of the National Basketball Development League, has dreams of racing after the roundball is over. “I have a five-year plan,” Strong said. “In five years, if I get the backing, I want to get to the Busch Series. If you do well there you might find a way up to the Winston Cup, which is where I’d like to be. If I could be successful with this, I think it would be another big step for African-Americans in stock car racing,” Strong said. Strong said the biggest problem he’s encountered in racing is trying to find sponsorships. The financial backing sponsors provide is important to a racing career on the NASCAR levels.(Ledger-Enquirer)(12-13-2002)
