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The ripple effect of the contorted finish at the nice race at Richmond has extended to Michael Waltrip Racing. On Monday the team announced a “reorganization” which takes the presently three-car NASCAR Sprint Cup team to a full-time two-car team in 2014 with occasional forays for a third car in what is described a “strengthened research and development group.”
Martin Truex Jr. who has been driving the No. 56 Toyota sponsored by NAPA (an automotive accessory parts retailer) and his crew chief, Chad Johnston, have been advised that they are free to negotiate with other teams. And there was an approximately 15 per cent reduction of the MWR labor force.
Ironically the 33-year old Truex, who broke a 218 race winless drought at Sonoma in June, was an innocent victim of the fallout of the Richmond race. Clint Bowyer, who drives the No. 15 car had an inexplicable spin in the closing laps of the race which changed the outcome (and subsequent line-up) of NASCAR's playoff's called the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Brian Vickers, who drives the No. 55, was told to remain in the pits for longer than necessary which, at the time, locked Truex in the Chase.
NASCAR penalized Ty Norris, the General Manager, who was acting as the spotter who advised Vickers to remain in the pits, by an indefinite suspension. According to reports Norris has been newly titled as director of business development which takes him out of a competition role.
In a related development, on Monday, Vickers told team officials that a blood clot in his right calf would preclude him from any further driving this year.
NASCAR penalized a team official but took no action against Bowyer. Ironically, it was Truex, who did no wrong, who lost his sponsor, NAPA, which caused the team to downsize.
Team officials commented via a press release.
“Our goals for the reorganization were twofold, firstly to improve the competitiveness of our race teams and, secondly maintain a stable organizational structure,” said co-owner Rob Kauffman. “The team's focus has been to find that last one percent needed to move from Chase participant to Cup champion. This realignment will get us closer to that last one percent.”
“Today was about doing what we had to do not what we wanted to do,” Kauffman added. “It was important to let those whose jobs were affected know as early as possible, and a majority of those will remain with MWR through the end of the season.”
“We have very strong support from Toyota, Toyota Racing Development, 5-hour ENERGY, PEAK, Aaron's, AAA Mid-Atlantic and other partners who enable us to compete at the highest level,” said MWR founder and co-owner Michael Waltrip. “We are confident that with two teams and a very active test team, our competiveness will take a step forward. We will also continue to do a great job for our partners off the track, which has always been a cultural staple for our organization.
“Rob and I deeply appreciate everyone who has helped build MWR into a race winning team and we are dedicated to continuing our pursuit of excellence on and off the track.”
Martin Truex Jr. who has been driving the No. 56 Toyota sponsored by NAPA (an automotive accessory parts retailer) and his crew chief, Chad Johnston, have been advised that they are free to negotiate with other teams. And there was an approximately 15 per cent reduction of the MWR labor force.
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| Martin Truex Jr., Toyota MWR. (Photo: NASCAR) |
Ironically the 33-year old Truex, who broke a 218 race winless drought at Sonoma in June, was an innocent victim of the fallout of the Richmond race. Clint Bowyer, who drives the No. 15 car had an inexplicable spin in the closing laps of the race which changed the outcome (and subsequent line-up) of NASCAR's playoff's called the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Brian Vickers, who drives the No. 55, was told to remain in the pits for longer than necessary which, at the time, locked Truex in the Chase.
NASCAR penalized Ty Norris, the General Manager, who was acting as the spotter who advised Vickers to remain in the pits, by an indefinite suspension. According to reports Norris has been newly titled as director of business development which takes him out of a competition role.
In a related development, on Monday, Vickers told team officials that a blood clot in his right calf would preclude him from any further driving this year.
NASCAR penalized a team official but took no action against Bowyer. Ironically, it was Truex, who did no wrong, who lost his sponsor, NAPA, which caused the team to downsize.
 |
| Photo: Michael Waltrip Racing |
Team officials commented via a press release.
“Our goals for the reorganization were twofold, firstly to improve the competitiveness of our race teams and, secondly maintain a stable organizational structure,” said co-owner Rob Kauffman. “The team's focus has been to find that last one percent needed to move from Chase participant to Cup champion. This realignment will get us closer to that last one percent.”
“Today was about doing what we had to do not what we wanted to do,” Kauffman added. “It was important to let those whose jobs were affected know as early as possible, and a majority of those will remain with MWR through the end of the season.”
“We have very strong support from Toyota, Toyota Racing Development, 5-hour ENERGY, PEAK, Aaron's, AAA Mid-Atlantic and other partners who enable us to compete at the highest level,” said MWR founder and co-owner Michael Waltrip. “We are confident that with two teams and a very active test team, our competiveness will take a step forward. We will also continue to do a great job for our partners off the track, which has always been a cultural staple for our organization.
“Rob and I deeply appreciate everyone who has helped build MWR into a race winning team and we are dedicated to continuing our pursuit of excellence on and off the track.”