DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. - New England Patriots receiver Randy Moss knows that other NFL players and professional athletes have come and gone through the NASCAR world in recent years. So it doesn't surprise him that some doubt his commitment as a Craftsman Truck Series team owner.

"I am used to that," Moss said. "I have been doubted my whole life. I am up to the challenge."

Moss has purchased 50 percent ownership in the team formerly known as Morgan-Dollar Motorsports. The team is now Randy Moss Motorsports.

"I have been a fan just from watching the guys and the energy they bring," said Moss, a West Virginia native. "I just met Dale [Earnhardt] Jr. for the first time, and I felt like a kid."

Willie Allen will drive the team's No. 81 -- Moss's NFL number -- truck in its first race under the new name at Kentucky on July 19. Co-owner David Dollar said the team would like to run for a championship next year with a veteran driver.

Moss said he doesn't see race as a factor in his team ownership.

"I know a lot of people do," he said. "But I am not jumping into NASCAR because of the color of my skin. It's about the love and passion I have to win and about being a fan with an opportunity that has come my way."

NASCAR SEIZES ANOTHER CAR: The No. 1 Chevrolet entered in the Coke Zero 400 by Dale Earnhardt Inc. for driver Martin Truex Jr. was impounded by NASCAR on Thursday when it failed to pass initial inspection.

NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said the car failed to meet technical specifications in the roof area.

The car will be taken to NASCAR's research and development center in Concord for more examination. Any penalties would be announced by NASCAR next week.

The team took out its backup car and began taking it through the inspection process shortly before practice opened Thursday afternoon. The second practice was canceled because of rain. Truex never got on the track.

Penalties for similar incidences in the past have included multiple-race suspensions for the crew chief and points penalties of 100 or more driver and owner points.

HARVICKS TABLE NHRA PLANS: Kevin and DeLana Harvick have decided to put off their plans to run a Top Fuel dragster in NHRA competition.

In April, the Harvicks and NHRA drag-racing veteran Bob Vandergriff Jr. said they were exploring the option of fielding a Top Fuel dragster, and the proposed Harvick-Vandergriff Motorsports would specialize in offering sponsors marketing opportunities in NHRA and NASCAR's top three series -- Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck.

"There's so much changing in the whole world right now as far as where sponsorship dollars are going," Kevin Harvick said. "We're just taking a step back and going to take a couple [of] years and just really focus on our two trucks and see where the Nationwide thing goes as far as the rules packages."

HENDRICK WILL TAB MARTIN: Hendrick Motorsports plans to introduce NASCAR veteran Mark Martin today as the new driver of its No. 5 Chevrolet in 2009, replacing driver Casey Mears, the Observer has learned.

Martin plans to run one more full season in an attempt to win his first Cup championship and will likely split at least one season in the car after that with Nationwide driver Brad Keselowski, who drives for JR Motorsports.

CREW CHIEF FINED: NASCAR has fined Chad Walter, crew chief for JR Motorsports' No. 5 Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series, $10,000 for the use of improper language during the live broadcast of last weekend's race at New Hampshire.

Team owner Rick Hendrick was penalized 25 owner points, and driver Landon Cassill was docked 25 driver points.

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