Floyd Mayweather Jr. is planning to debut his own NASCAR team at the Daytona 500 later this month under the name The Money Team Racing.
Floyd Mayweather, a former boxing champion and long-time Las Vegan, has announced the launch of The Money Racing Team, which will seek to qualify for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20 with part-time Cup Series driver Kaz Grala at the wheel.
Pit Viper, a sunglass company has agreed to sponsor Mayweather’s squad, and Kaz Grala will pilot the No. 50 Chevrolet for the retired boxing legend. Mayweather will be joined by co-owner William Auchmoody, who will also act as the general manager of TMT Racing.
Mayweather’s team will have to race its way into stock car racing’s biggest event during qualifying races without a NASCAR charter and guaranteed starting slot. For the time being, 42 teams and drivers are vying for 40 starting slots.
“I love fast cars and I love to compete,” the 44-year old boxing legend said in a statement.
“I know NASCAR will not be easy, but anything easy isn’t worth doing to me… with that being said, this move into auto racing seems to be a perfect fit for the Mayweather brand.”
The car will have a vibrant aqua color scheme and will bear the number 50, which is also the number of boxing victories Mayweather has amassed without losing.
Tony Eury Jr., a former crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr., will make a return to NASCAR with Mayweather’s squad in 2022, with the goal of competing in as many as 15 races, with a focus on road course events.
Kaz Grala, who is 23 years old, has only competed in four Cup Series races. While racing for Kaulig Racing, he finished 28th in last year’s Daytona 500 before finishing sixth in the 2021 spring race at Talladega, Alabama.
“It’s an honor to be behind the wheel for Floyd Mayweather’s entrance into NASCAR… It’s a really exciting time in our sport as it globalizes and reaches new audiences,” Grala said in an interview.
“I know Floyd is here to win, and I absolutely feel that everyone involved in this program is capable of making that happen.”
“We know we will need some time to grow together as a new organization, but I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of building this team from the ground up.”
According to the team, it intends to enter “select” races for the rest of the Cup Series season after Daytona.
Mayweather, 44, is the newest addition to the NASCAR grid, joining NBA legend Michael Jordan and artist Pitbull as celebrities who have purchased NASCAR teams in the last two years.
UFC President Dana White and Pitbull’s Trackhouse Racing had reached an agreement on a marketing relationship earlier Tuesday.
