NASCAR Crew Chief and Fremont Native Returns to Iowa Speedway
Chad Norris (CGR Photo)
Mahaska County, Iowa – You might not think of NASCAR when you think of Fremont, Iowa, but you should. Just look at Fremont native, Chad Norris, crew chief for the NASCAR Xfinity Series 2017 No. 48 DC Solar Chevrolet, that will be piloted by Brennan Poole at the Iowa Speedway this weekend.
Norris has been the crew chief for such names as Carl Edwards, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne, Jamie Mcmurray, and Matt Kenseth.
The 1994 graduate of Eddyville-Blakesburg School lived in Fremont until he was nearly 19 years old, when he decided to, “make a trip to North Carolina.”
Before the move to North Carolina, Norris enjoyed the local racing, where he raced at Eldon, Bloomfield, and the Southern Iowa Speedway.
“I really enjoyed it,” says Norris of his early days in racing. That desire to take racing to the next level is what lead Norris to North Carolina, “to see if I couldn’t do it for a living.” Once Norris entered the NASCAR business back in 1995, he was hooked. “I really enjoy what I’m doing.”
Norris still has family in Iowa, and the trip back home to the Iowa Speedway is a homecoming of sorts. “It’s always been really positive,” says Norris, of the support from his family.
Those few days back in Iowa are filled with a hectic work schedule that doesn’t provide many opportunities to catch up with family and friends. “It’s always good to see a smiling face and to have them come out and support you and be a part of what you do.”
“It’s always fun to catch up with people you haven’t seen in awhile,” adds Norris of those friends who make it to the track on race weekends. The hectic schedule makes it difficult for those moments to happen.
No. 48 DC Solar Chevrolet, that will once again be piloted by Brennan Poole at the Iowa Speedway in 2017.
Even the offseason doesn’t offer much time to make his way back to Iowa, when it seems things are busier than during the season itself.
The high banks of NASCAR can seem a million miles away from the half-mile dirt track in Oskaloosa, but Norris is a testament that it can happen.
Norris says that “anything is possible,” for young individuals who desire to join a major motorsports team. “If you want to dedicate yourself and understand the sport, you’re trying to get into it, and want to work hard at it, anything is possible.”
As the telephone interview was finishing up with Norris, the team was finishing up loading the hauler to head to Iowa.
Norris lead the No. 48 team last year at the Iowa Speedway, where they finished with a top 10 in their first outing there in June of 2016. When the checkered flag flew in the July race, the pair had improved to a top 5 finish. Norris says they look to be better at Iowa this coming weekend, where they will build upon the success of last year’s effort.
You can catch the No. 48 team in action this weekend at the Iowa Speedway, when they compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series American Ethanol E15 250, scheduled for Saturday evening, with driver introductions getting underway at 7pm.
