Ray Lewis Turns to Champ Car After NASCAR Didn't "Help"

When Rick Hendrick started his racing team, NASCAR wasn't there to nudge and give anything he needed to be successful. The same goes for Jack Roush, Ray Evernham, Robert Yates, and fill-in-the-blank-here-with-a-NASCAR-owner.

So what, Ray Lewis, made you feel so entitled that you can blame your failure to produce a racing team on NASCAR?

Lewis, a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, told FOX Sports Radio all about his terrible misfortunes.

"Well, whatever policy they have, we hit a lot of walls. Because it takes huge sponsorships, it takes huge commitment, from so many different people in the NASCAR world who actually put so much into the NASCAR world."

Really? NASCAR isn't easy to get into? Wow, thanks Ray. Next time I think about turning my weekly paycheck into a NASCAR Nextel Cup team, I'll think twice. I mean, my checks look really similar to yours that are part of a seven-year, $50 million deal.

Just move the decimal like three spots to the left.

Apparently, Lewis thinks that NASCAR has this silver plate of car parts, garage space, and a Fortune 500 company waiting for anyone who wants to race. Someone must have told Ray that NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program just gives that away. He must be used to a silver plate, especially remembering how he got himself out of murder charges in 2000, and avoided the civil lawsuit by paying off one of the victim's family.

"So whatever program they have in place, it might be in place, but it definitely did not help us through the process that we were trying to go through."

I'm not going to deny that Ray might not have gotten the most help. I have a feeling, though, that Lewis just simply realized that NASCAR isn't all about watching your car go around in circles while sitting in suite eating shrimp cocktail. It's a cutthroat sport, and ownership isn't easy -- just like the sport that Lewis plays in.

NASCAR bids you adieu, Mr. Lewis. And good luck with the quagmire that is open-wheel racing.