SPARTA, KY - JUNE 30: Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge, "Tebows" in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway on June 30, 2012 in Sparta, Ky. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Saturday's news that the New England Patriots were planning to cut Tim Tebow doubtless came as a huge blow to the legion of loyal Tebow fans across the country.
We in NASCAR, however, prefer to look at it as one of them one-door-closes-and-another-one-opens kind of deals.
While Tebow's National Football League career might be toast, the former Florida Gators quarterback could make a damn good living in NASCAR.
As this 2011 FOXSports.com story chronicles, the NASCAR Sprint Cup garage is filled with elite athletes from football and other pro and college sports.
You need exceptional athletes to pull off the 12-second pit stops that are necessary to win races these days -- especially since so much passing now takes place on pit road.
There's another reason top-flight athletes are in such high demand with top NASCAR teams: They have been through the crucible of high-pressure sporting events and are used to the demands of delivering in the clutch.
That's where Tebow would be a perfect fit.
He has the size, strength and agility necessary to be an over-the-wall crewman, and his leadership skills would be a great fit on pit road, too.
And just imagine the publicity bonanza if Tebow became a crewmember for one of NASCAR's most visible stars, like, say, Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Danica Patrick. What sponsor wouldnât love to have a squeaky-clean talent like Tebow working on their car?
Crazy? Maybe.
Or maybe crazy like a fox.
Tebow already has a NASCAR connection.
He's buds with Richard Petty, with The King's shop, Petty's Garage, restoring Tebow's 1995 Ford Thunderbird to be auctioned off at the end of the year. All proceeds of the sale will go to the quarterback's foundation.
In addition, "Tebowing" has become a bit of a trend in NASCAR over the years.
HOMESTEAD, FL - NOV. 18: Crew cheif Danny Stockman, Jr. and Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Chevrolet "Tebows" with the championship trophy after winning the 2011 Series Championship in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 18, 2011 in Homestead, Fla. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
We wonder if some enterprising NASCAR owner will pick up the phone now that Tebow needs a job and make him an offer?
