Names In The News

NASCAR team owner ROGER PENSKE yesterday bought out co-Owners RUSTY WALLACE, DON MILLER and JOHN ERICKSON. Miller and Erickson will remain Penske Racing South President and GM, respectively. In N.Y., Viv Bernstein notes RYAN NEWMAN’s contract with Penske runs out after ’06, and he has reportedly been considering signing elsewhere because of a dispute with Wallace. Wallace is retiring as a driver after this season (N.Y. TIMES, 5/17).

Aikman Buys Out Minority Partner In Auto Dealership

CAR GUY: Former NFLer TROY AIKMAN intends to be the full-time CEO at Troy Aikman Ford after buying out minority partner ALAN LUKEHART to become sole owner (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/17). Aikman, in an in-depth interview with Terry Box of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS, said of Cowboys Owner JERRY JONES, “I think what Jerry has taught me as it relates to the car business is sometimes you’ve got to think outside the box. You don’t necessarily reinvent things, but I think it’s OK to try to be creative and think about how we can market the dealership outside what a traditional dealership does — much like Jerry’s tried to do over the years.” When asked if he was looking specifically to purchase a Ford dealership, Aikman said, “I have a relationship with [the FORD family] because of the NFL connection, and Ford has been interested in having me sell their product” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/17).

NAMES: Former MLS player TAB RAMOS is going to Guatemala at the request of the U.S. State Department for a five-day mission to promote a cultural understanding between the two countries through sports (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 5/17)....U.S. Senate Majority Leader BILL FRIST (R-TN) will serve as the honorary starter for the May 29 NASCAR Nextel Cup Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (Lowe’s Motor Speedway)....Olympic figure skater TAI BABILONIA and comedian DAVID BRENNER are engaged (N.Y. POST, 5/17)....Longtime Pirates exec CHARLIE MUSE, who created the modern batting helmet, died May 5 (Mult., 5/17).