WAIT 'TILL THEY GET A LOAD OF HIM! STEINBRENNER ON NHRA PATH

          Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner "is getting into drag
     racing," according to USA TODAY's Hal Bodley, who reports
     that the Steinbrenner family has joined a team headed by
     former driver Darrell Gwynn to form Gwynn/Steinbrenner
     Racing with an investment of $1-2M.  The team's car will be
     painted with "Yankee pinstripes" when testing starts next
     month in FL.  Steinbrenner's son, Hank Steinbrenner, is also
     a partner in the venture.  Hank Steinbrenner, on the
     investment: "I decided that if we're moving into motor
     sports we should go with NHRA, which I consider to be the
     most exciting form of auto racing" (USA TODAY, 8/29). 
     ESPN2's John Kernan noted last night the multi-year
     partnership between Gwynn and the Steinbrenners includes
     "primary sponsorship and marketing support."  The team will
     run its first race in late October ("RPM 2Night," 8/28).