Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1997 | 10:12 a.m.
Having once jokingly referred to NASCAR as the "WWF of racing," three-time CART World Series champion Bobby Rahal raised more than a few eyebrows when he announced he was forming a team with retired sports car driver Tom Gloy to field a truck in the popular NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
But entering the world of NASCAR seemed like a natural progression for the business-savvy Rahal, whose Team Rahal already campaigns two cars in the CART series and one in Indy Lights. With the growing popularity of the Winston Cup Series, Rahal said he views the truck venture as a steppingstone to NASCAR's premier series.
"Without question, Winston Cup has got to be the ultimate goal but we've got a lot to do right here and now before we even think about that," Rahal said. "But at least this gets us in the environment and prepares us one way or the other.
"We're the new boys in town and we've got a lot of learning to do. The fact is we've got to focus on this right now and what happens in the future will take care of itself.
"I think that I have always tried to look down the line and I have always felt that my career as an owner can go way beyond my career as a driver and the way you do that is to get involved in various different (ventures). The Indy Lights deal we got going this year is one step in that direction and, obviously, this is as well. "
At age 44, Rahal said he is looking to expand his role as an owner as his career as a driver nears its end.
"Naturally, I have to look (at retirement)," Rahal said. "We've been very competitive this year (in CART) but I never felt that my retirement was going to be based on my ability to be competitive or not because, frankly, at some point in time I felt that my value to our team and the sport is much greater as an owner when you can devote 100 percent of your energy.
"That time isn't here yet. You have to have fun; if it's not fun, there are a lot easier ways to make a living. For me, I'm still having fun but, having said that, being an owner/driver is an awesome responsibility."
The Gloy/Rahal Racing truck team made its debut, flying the Icehouse beer colors, at last weekend's Delco Battery 300 at Phoenix International Raceway. Driver Dave Rezendes drove the Ford F-150 to a 15th-place finish after qualifying 15th, but Rahal predicted better results in this weekend's Carquest Auto Parts 420K at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and in 1998.
"Tom has been following this series much more consistently this year in terms of who is out there, who is available, who is competitive, who is a winner," Rahal said. "Dave has proven he is a winner and the combination has already served notice -- I think he has certainly showed that he is a capable driver. The results have been there in the past and given the equipment ... I think Dave can do it."
Rezendes has three truck victories -- all coming in 1996 while driving for Geoff Bodine -- but technically is driving for his fourth team this season. After two races with Bodine, Rezendes moved to the Charles Hardy team for 17 events, then hooked up with Gloy for the two events before Gloy and Rahal joined forces prior to the Phoenix race.
As far as he is concerned, Rezendes said he would be hard pressed to find a better pair of owners for which to drive.
"To be able to come into a program that Tom and Bobby have put together ... with their careers in racing and their know-how and to get a sponsor like Icehouse, this is really a driver's dream," Rezendes said. "To be associated with a sponsor like Miller Brewing Company (Icehouse's parent) is something somebody strives to be associated with and I couldn't be in a better position right now in my career.
"I'm going to do everything I can to make them proud and we're going to go win races and hopefully after that a championship will follow."
Rezendes said his run for the 1998 NCTS championship actually will begin Sunday in Las Vegas, where he finished fifth after qualifying 23rd in last year's inaugural truck race.
"I'm looking forward to Vegas -- I think we're really going to shine there," Rezendes said.
"I think Fords have an advantage right now over the Chevrolets as far as aero(dynamics). I ran fifth there last year driving for Geoff Bodine and I really liked it. I could have been a little bit better there but with what we learned the last time we were there and the way we're going to go with this truck, I think we're going to be good right out of the box."
* TRUCK NOTES: NASCAR officials are expecting 58 entries for Sunday's Carquest Auto Parts 420K at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In addition to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regulars, Winston Cup stars Bill Elliott, Ken Schrader, Brett Bodine and Mike Skinner will drive in the race. ... Friday's practice session for the trucks will be free to the public. The day is an optional test day for the truck teams, but more than 50 race teams are expected to participate, according to LVMS officials. The session will run from noon to 4 p.m. ... Qualifying for the Carquest Auto Parts 420K and the Winston West Series 300K will begin at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. The Winston West race, which will feature nine NASCAR Winston Cup regulars, begins at 4 p.m. Saturday. ... Tickets for Saturday's Winston West race are $25 for adults and $5 for children; all seats are general admission. Tickets for Sunday's truck race are $75 (reserved) and $45 (general admission). Nevada residents can get one ticket free with the purchase of a ticket and children 12-younger will be admitted free with a paying adult.
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