Hemelgarn to return with NBA star and Chesson.

NBA star Carmelo Anthony has added "race team co-owner" to his impressive list of credentials after agreeing to partner Ron Hemelgarn and rookie driver PJ Chesson for the 2006 IRL IndyCar Series.

The Denver Nuggets player and lifelong racing fan has helped bring the car count for the season opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway to 20, a figure few predicted just two months ago.

"It's exciting to be a part of the IndyCar Series and partnering with two winners, Hemelgarn Racing and P.J. Chesson," said Anthony. "I hope my involvement with the IndyCar Series brings a wider fan-base and more interest to an already exciting and fun sport."

Anthony, in his third season with the Nuggets, has established himself as one of the premier forwards in the NBA. Anthony was an NBA All-Rookie First team selection in 2003-4, the most valuable player of the 2005 "got milk?" NBA Rookie Challenge, and led Syracuse to the 2003 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship as a freshman.

"Every kid has a dream of owning and driving a race car," Anthony said. "I have always had a love for cars especially fast cars, and this is a dream come true. I'll stick to driving the basketball lane and let P.J. handle the fast lane."

The announcement is the product of the Indy Racing League's marketing partnership with Simmons Abramson Marketing, whose principals, Gene Simmons and Richard Abramson brought together Anthony, Chesson and Hemelgarn, to what surely will be considered one of the most unique partnerships in motor sports.

A luminous star, Anthony stands in stark contrast to Hemelgarn's silent strength. A private person by his own admission, Hemelgarn steps reluctantly into the spotlight only by his involvement in, and success at racing. In his more than two decades as a race owner, Hemelgarn won the 2000 IndyCar Series championship and 1996 Indianapolis 500 with driver Buddy Lazier, and now, brings a uniquely driven personality to the track in Chesson.

"Success is not measured by how high you climb but by how many people you can bring with you," Hemelgarn said. "Bringing along P.J. Chesson, a proven Sprint car and World of Outlaw standout, and NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony will create excitement, a new fan base and attention to the IndyCar Series. The IndyCar Series ratings will climb, sponsorship dollars will climb and so will the Hemelgarn Racing team. I'm excited to have such an opportunity with this unique partnership."

The charismatic Chesson, who once celebrated a WoO win by slapping an oily kiss on a very surprised podium girl, started racing go-karts at age 9 and honed his skills on two wheels as a rookie of the year and district champion in AMA motocross. He cut his racing teeth in the dirt racing sprint cars for five years, becoming Dirt Cup Champion and a four-time World of Outlaws winner before starting in the Indy Pro Series in 2004, where he won three of nine starts.

"I've been given an opportunity to make a difference both on and off the track," says Chesson, who is Marco Andretti's sole competition in the Rookie of the Year battle. "I look forward to being a part of the IndyCar Series family, beating the best race car drivers in the world and transcending the most exhilarating sport on Earth."

The Far Hills, N.J. native is popular with fans for his aggressive driving style and his "Take No Prisoners" attitude. He said he is eager to take the next big step in his racing career and fight for Bombardier Rookie of the Year honours.

"I can promise you all that when I show up race weekend, I'll have my spurs in my bag, and they're usually on when I climb in the race car, which means I'm ready to go," Chesson said. "I'm going to do the best I can, and the team's going to do the best they can. We're going to go out there and cause some trouble."