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Diamondbacks execs buy majority of Aikman-Staubach race team
2007-09-02

CHARLOTTE (AP) — After shopping around, Jeff Moorad and Tom Garfinkel settled on a racing team owned by a couple of proven winners — Hall of Fame quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach.

Moorad, CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Garfinkel, the NL team's chief operating officer, have bought controlling interest in Hall of Fame Racing.

"We spoke with several teams and decided that Hall of Fame has assembled a special group of people and created a foundation for success that we hope to build on," Moorad said Sunday at California Speedway.

"You win with people and we want to add resources and opportunity for the people who are here."

Moorad and Aikman have longtime ties, going back to when Moorad's sports management agency represented the former Dallas Cowboys star in his first contract negotiation.

Garfinkel previously was executive vice president of Chip Ganassi Racing and was involved in Ganassi's NASCAR and open-wheel organizations.

"Jeff has been a positive influence for me throughout my career and has been successful in whatever he's done," Aikman said. "And Tom is certainly an impressive individual with a unique blend of significant business acumen and racing experience.

Aikman and Staubach and their partners formed the racing team in 2003. They retain minority interest, along with partners Bill Saunders, Paul Whitman and Mark Griege.

Hall of Fame Racing is in its second season, with Tony Raines and Terry Labonte splitting driving duties. The No. 96, sponsored by DLP HDTV, finished 26th in owner points last year and was 25th heading into Sunday's race.

Many of the smaller NASCAR teams have been actively pursuing partners in an effort to compete with the super teams. Boston Red Sox owner John Henry partnered with Roush Racing at the start of the season, and at least three other teams have merged or taken on investors since.

Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett took controlling interest of Ray Evernham's organization last month, and DEI absorbed Ginn Racing in late July.

Diamondbacks execs buy majority of Aikman-Staubach race team (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2007-09-02-hall-of-fame-sale_N.htm)

I guess, I have to cheer on the D'backs now. :o