That Didn't Last Long

Dave Fulton
@dave-fulton
10 years ago
9,137 posts

No comment........

Jan 23, 3:05 PM EST

NASCAR reinstates suspended MWR executive Norris

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- NASCAR reinstated Michael Waltrip Racing executive Ty Norris on Thursday, though he remains on indefinite probation.

Norris was suspended indefinitely in September after the race team was caught trying to manipulate the finish of a Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway. Norris was heard on radio ordering driver Brian Vickers to pit to help teammate Martin Truex Jr.'s finishing position.

The fallout from the scandal: Truex lost his spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, MWR was fined $300,000 and sponsor NAPA left the organization. The team also was forced to lay off 15 percent of its workforce, and Norris was demoted from general manager to executive director for business development.

Norris no longer spots in a NASCAR national series. Also, MWR downsized from three full-time teams to two, and Truex left for Furniture Row Racing.

"I appreciate NASCAR's action today and respect their position," Norris said in a statement. "I am focused forward and dedicated to the success of Michael Waltrip Racing and the continued growth of a sport that has been my home for the past 24 years."




--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
Andy DeNardi
@andy-denardi
10 years ago
365 posts
Yeah but he has that probation hanging over his head. One wrong move and they'll suspend him for another week. A couple more suspensions and they might take away his infield parking pass. I don't remember the specifics but I seem to recall that Kurt Busch got a 3 month suspension when he cussed out Jerry Punch. It lasted from November to January.
Tim Leeming
@tim-leeming
10 years ago
3,119 posts

Perhaps some Japanese yen made it into the NASCAR coffers with the stipulation that the Ty Norris suspension be lifted. Or, although I know this is too much to hope for, NASCAR worked out a deal to stifle the "Boogity" man at the start of races in exchange. Who knows, but as Andy states, a NASCAR suspension is only good for what benefits NASCAR.




--
What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

Bobby Williamson
@bobby-williamson
10 years ago
907 posts

......... Jeremy Mayfield should have just went through the NASCAR 'reinstatement process' . It'd sure made his life a lot easier. There's been multiple ejections since Mayfield, including non-approved substance use, and "manipulating the outcome of an event" ... all but Jeremy, are back in the fold.

Andy DeNardi
@andy-denardi
10 years ago
365 posts

Nobody knew back then how serious the process would be. Jeremy was the first high profile casualty. He certainly would have lost out on any rides with a major team and may have spiraled into the same hole anyway. He had already been let go from Penske, Evernham and Bill Davis and was forced to start his own team. But the redemption of Kurt Busch makes me think that he could have made it back up if he drove some good races.

I'm still not positive that he was guilty of the original charges. NASCAR's testing was a little flaky back then. But his actions in the years afterward gave me a pretty good indication that his integrity left something to be desired. It seems like a lot of folks just plain didn't like him and maybe they had good reason.