Having a key player removed while building a strong foundation is not ideal. Trackhouse Racing, one of the newer teams in the NASCAR Cup Series, is undergoing changes, including adjustments to team strategy, as its two main drivers are struggling this season. Daniel Suarez won the Atlanta race by a narrow margin but has been inconsistent, while Ross Chastain did not make the playoffs.
In addition, Trackhouse Racing will soon welcome new drivers. Letting go of a top executive at such a crucial time seems shortsighted, given the individual’s valuable experience and contributions to the team, which now faces uncertain prospects.
**Trackhouse Racing’s Uncertain Future?**
In 2022, while many NASCAR teams were adapting to the new Next Gen car, Trackhouse Racing emerged as a formidable presence. Daniel Suarez made history by becoming the first Mexican driver to win a NASCAR race at Sonoma, and Ross Chastain secured two victories, finishing second in the championship. A key figure behind their success was Ty Norris.
Since its founding by Justin Marks in 2021, Ty Norris served as President and Chief Business Officer. His departure feels abrupt, especially since just a few weeks ago, he was involved in a significant press conference. NASCAR expert Eri Estepp highlighted Norris’s impressive background, noting his experience with Dale Earnhardt and his role in elevating Michael Waltrip Racing into a championship contender.
Losing someone with Norris’s credentials to a rival team raises eyebrows. Estepp pointed out that this decision could harm Trackhouse Racing’s future. “The timing is questionable. Trackhouse is at a crossroads. Last year, Suarez missed the playoffs, and this year Ross did too. They recently let Zane Smith go after signing him to a multi-year deal, and now they’ve added Connor Zilisch. A lot is changing, making it seem like a poor time for one of the founders to leave.” In summary, Estepp stated, “This is a big loss for Trackhouse.”
This situation is particularly perplexing given Norris’s role in motivating drivers to perform better.
**How Ty Norris Motivated Drivers to Excel**
Daniel Suarez found his big break with Trackhouse Racing after struggling at Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing. In 2022, he impressed fans with a victory at Sonoma and finished the season with 13 top-ten and 6 top-five finishes, ending up 10th in points. However, 2023 saw a significant downturn, with his top-five finishes halved, and he led only 50 laps compared to 280 the previous year, along with 6 DNFs. This decline prompted some tough criticism from Ty Norris, which ultimately proved beneficial.
Norris was frank with Suarez and the No. 99 Chevrolet team at the end of the 2023 season. “The execution this past year was way off. It could have been due to adjustments, pit stops, or restart choices. The execution of the 99 was, quite frankly, unacceptable. If you know the team can win races, it comes down to execution and human factors, and we need to address each area for improvement as a team.”
