NFL Superstar Looks Forward to More Success in 2009
STATESVILLE, NC (December 4, 2008) – When the 2008 Truck Series season started in Daytona Beach, Florida back in February the No. 81 Randy Moss Motorsports (RMM) team, then known as Morgan-Dollar Motorsports was not sure what the future held. Now that the 2008 season has come to a close, RMM can take a moment to reflect back on what has been an interesting year with a few twists and turns for the veteran team with a new image.
It was in early July when co-owner David Dollar sat down with NFL All-Pro superstar Randy Moss at Daytona International Speedway to announce the formation of Randy Moss Motorsports. Moss, a wide receiver for the New England Patriots had come off a record-setting season and was looking to enjoy the same successes in his other passion, NASCAR. The decision to partner with an already established team led him to Morgan-Dollar Motorsports. With three runner-up finishes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points championship, Dollar had the team with the success and statistics that Moss was looking for.
“We entered the 2008 season not knowing exactly what our future held,” commented RMM co-owner David Dollar. “I was approached early in the season about the possibility of a partner and over several months everything fell into place. I was excited when I found out that Randy Moss was the one wanting to partner and could not be happier about having him join our team. He is not only 100 percent dedicated to our team but brings a lot of enthusiasm and encouragement also.”
Once things were made official with the July announcement, the wheels were set in motion and the team was ready to make their debut as RMM at Kentucky Speedway on July 16. With youngster Willie Allen behind the wheel they scored a 15th-place finish at the 1.5-mile track in their debut. The next 12 races saw five different drivers handling the driving duties. Hendrick Motorsports development driver Landon Cassill scored a sixth-place finish for RMM at Talladega Superspeedway in October and Rookie of the Year contender Donny Lia scored a 10th-place run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in September.
Considering the multitude of drivers, Moss feels his first season as a NASCAR team owner has been a success.
“I’ve been a NASCAR fan for a long time and now to be involved first-hand has been a great experience,” said Moss. “I took my time researching and did my homework before jumping into ownership and feel like I have found the perfect home with David Dollar and the RMM team. I’m real pleased with how things have turned out. The team has performed extremely well with a number of different drivers and showed each week they were a top-10 team, but in 2009 we’re looking to compete for a championship.”
In addition to Allen, Cassill and Lia, NASCAR diversity driver Marc Davis had a strong Truck Series debut for the team at Gateway International Raceway in September. Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson also made his Truck Series debut when he took a turn driving the No. 81 Chevrolet Silverado at Bristol Motor Speedway in August. Johnson led for a total of 29 laps before losing control of the truck and hitting the wall causing too much damage to continue.
However, the Sprint Cup champion was pleased with his Truck Series debut. “I just want to thank everyone of these guys from Randy Moss Motorsports for working as hard as they did on this truck, I feel terrible I tore up their truck,” commented Johnson. “It was a lot of fun. Great truck and strong performance.”
Moss is no stranger to success and demands it in everything he does. Prior to the 2008 NFL season, the wide receiver had tallied a total of 12,193 receiving yards, 124 career receiving touchdowns in his 10-year career.
The 31-year-old knows how to be part of a team with a win together-lose together attitude. Coming into what was sure to be a record-setting NFL season, Moss’ world was turned upside down when Patriots quarterback Tom Brady suffered a season-ending injury in the first game. With Brady out of the picture, Moss faced uncertainly as the weeks went by.
“I remember telling Randy now was the time for him to step up and become the team leader for those guys,” commented Dollar. “He was so used to giving us pep talks and now the tables were turned. He always has such a positive outlook on everything. It’s infectious and it’s good.”
Moss did step up and with that positive attitude has been able to record some pretty impressive stats thus far in his season. To date in 2008 he has added 785 yards with 58 receptions resulting in eight touchdowns. It’s that same attitude that he brings to the table for the RMM race team.
“I’m behind these guys 100 percent,” commented Moss. “I’ve been so impressed with how much preparation and work goes into each week they are on track. NASCAR and the NFL are really a lot alike in many ways. You have to be as prepared mentally and physically to make each week a success. These guys have done a tremendous job with arriving at the track each week ready to win.”
Just as the NFL season comes to a close, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be gearing up for their 2009 debut returning to the place where it all began for Moss - Daytona International Speedway.
“I’m really looking forward to the 2009 season,” continued Moss. “We have some exciting things coming together and I really feel we are going to be a championship caliber team next year. I’m also excited to get back to the race track and cheer the RMM guys on to Victory Lane.”
The 2009 season brings nothing but great opportunities to the No. 81 RMM team. With the NFL season behind him, Randy Moss is sure to be right there with his other teammates as they strive for their first trip to Victory Lane as Randy Moss Motorsports.
About Randy Moss Motorsports:
Randy Moss Motorsports ownership consists of Randy Moss, New England Patriots All-Pro Wide Receiver; and David Dollar, a long time participant in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The team fields the No. 81 Chevrolet Silverado full time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.www.randymossmotorsports.com
The team continues to seek additional Marketing partners for the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. For sponsorship inquiries please contact Randy Moss Motorsports at 704-871-2260 orinfo@randymossmotorsports.com.
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