Floyd Mayweather launches The Money Team Racing in NASCAR, will attempt Daytona 500 run with driver Kaz Grala

In the past two years, NASCAR has seen a major infusion of new and famous blood into the ranks of the sport’s car owners. And just ahead of the 2022 season, one more new face has entered the ring: Hall of Fame professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.

On Tuesday, Mayweather announced the launch of The Money Team Racing, which will attempt to qualify for its NASCAR Cup Series debut later this month in the Daytona 500. TMT Racing’s No. 50 Chevrolet will be driven by Kaz Grala, with Tony Eury Jr. serving as crew chief and an ECR engine under the hood.

TMT Racing’s entry into NASCAR had been in the works for some time, as the team had reportedly been attempting to put together a program. as early as 2019.

“I love fast cars and I love to compete. I know NASCAR won’t be easy, but anything easy isn’t worth doing to me,” Mayweather said in a press release. “With that being said, this move into auto racing seems to be a perfect fit for the Mayweather brand.”

In choosing a driver, TMT Racing turned to Grala, a promising up-and-comer who has already displayed a knack for Daytona. In 2017, Grala became the youngest driver to ever win a NASCAR race at Daytona when he took the checkered flag in the Camping World Truck Series opener at just 18, and he also has finishes of fourth and fifth at the track in Xfinity Series competition. Grala has two top 10 finishes in just four Cup starts, finishing seventh in his debut at the Daytona Road Course and following it up with a sixth at Talladega last April.

“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. “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. ”

Grala reunites with Tony Eury Jr., who he had previously worked with at FURY Race Cars in the Xfinity Series. Eury’s most notable work as a Cup crew chief came with Dale Earnhardt Jr., who he guided to two victories.

As noted by Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, TMT Racing is not guaranteed a starting spot in the Daytona 500 as they do not have one of the 36 charters that guarantees NASCAR’s full-time teams a spot in each race. The team will either have to be one of the two fastest “Open” cars in time trial qualifying or race their way into the field through the Duel qualifying races.

While TMT Racing did not specify their exact 2022 plans in a news release, Pockrass reported that the team was likely to run a part-time schedule depending on sponsorship.