MOORESVILLE, North Carolina This year has been a phenomenal year for rookie racer J.R. Norris, but he’s not quite ready to hang up his helmet just yet. Norris, who hails from Mulga, Ala., and the RW Motorsports No. 51 Victor Ford/UPI Painting Ford will compete at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) this Thursday in the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series event.
After contending for the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southeast Series title and coming up only 21 points short, Norris and team owner Ritchie Wauters decided to add one more race to their schedule, which also includes the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown next weekend at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway.
“I’m excited to be racing at PIR,” said Norris. “I’ve never been there before so I’m looking forward to gaining experience and racing at a new track. Ritchie has been here numerous times, and as always, he will have the car prepared with the right setup and ready to roll once we hit the track.”
Not only does racing at PIR give Norris the opportunity to gain experience at a new track, it will also allow him the chance to “size up” some of the competition for next weekend’s showdown, which features the top-10 drivers of the four regional racing divisions (Southeast, Southwest, Northwest and Midwest). Norris finished second in the Southeast Series standings, while also capturing rookie of the year honors for being the highest-finishing first-year competitor.
“Most of these drivers I’ve never raced against,” explains Norris. “It will be fun to compete with them and get to know them before we head to California next week. Many of these guys have raced here several times and have an advantage, but I definitely think the No. 51 Victor Ford/UPI Painting Ford will have something for them both here and at Irwindale next week.”
Norris, 24, was recently selected from over 400 applicants to attend Roush Racing’s auditions for their NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program. The so-called “Gong Show” was held at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway. Norris anticipates finding out if he is one of the finalists to move on to the second round of tryouts within the next week, but his thoughts on his racing future are in the back of his mind as he focuses on getting the No. 51 Ford into Victory Lane at PIR.
“It is definitely an honor to be selected as one of the few to audition for Roush,” said a humbled Norris. “These guys came from all over the country and are on the top of their game. I just hope I showed them I am talented and determined to get into the big leagues of NASCAR if they’ll give me that such opportunity.”
J.R. Norris and the No. 51 Victor Ford/UPI Painting Ford head west to the Phoenix International Raceway for the Cruise America 125 on Thursday, November 4. The race will begin at 3:30 p.m. For more information on J.R. Norris, check out his website at JRNorris.com. The team is also seeking additional sponsorship for the upcoming Toyota All-Star Showdown. If interested, please contact Jennifer Blake at 704.502.7852.
