it was reported after the Nashville Truck race that a big announcement was forthcoming about a new team to be owned by a former basketball player from Michigan State, who played in the NBA…and while his number was not revealed the camera floated over and focused on the #32. Sounds like Magic Johnson to me….(8-8-2003)
UPDATE:Bill Lester, the only African-American driver regularly competing in any of NASCAR’s top three divisions, is losing his Dodge-backed ride in the Craftsman Truck Series, but he could resurface next season in a truck owned by basketball legend Magic Johnson. Johnson and an Atlanta-based company, Grupo Mundo, are expected to announce next week that they’re purchasing the truck series team owned by Georgia businessman Billy Ballew [#9 and #15 teams]. Team members say Johnson and Grupo Mundo want a minority driver in their truck, and Lester, who has run well and won a pole at Charlotte while driving the #8 Dodge for Bobby Hamilton, is a likely choice. “I’ve held preliminary discussions with them,” Lester said Friday, adding that he believes Johnson could have a big impact on the sport of NASCAR racing. “If the whole situation is handled properly, it will be huge,” he said. “My hope is that Magic can use what he’s learned in athletics and business and take full advantage of what NASCAR has to offer.” Ballew currently fields the #9 Ford driven by Kenny Hendrick and the #15 driven by Rich Bickle. Lester said the new team is one of the options he’s exploring now that Dodge is dropping the diversity program that has backed his #8 the past two seasons. Lester also has been mentioned as a possible driver for one of the Toyota teams that will compete next year. Johnson apparently will use his new team to promote opportunities for minorities to participate in racing, with the goal being to one day move the team to the Winston Cup circuit. Grupo Mundo and its representative, Michael Warmack, already have been involved with Ballew and his team. They were responsible for putting together a deal in which hip-hop star Nelly and the musician’s clothing line, Vokal, sponsored Ballew’s truck for several races this season. Ballew wouldn’t reveal any details of the upcoming sale of his team other than to say he is in negotiations and expects to make an announcement soon.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(10-18-2003)
