After parting ways with driver Kris Wright following the July 15 race at Sonoma, Our Motorsports has made the difficult decision to cease all NASCAR Operations. This news was confirmed by veteran FOX journalist Bob Pockrass in one of his recent posts on X (formerly Twitter).
The upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series BetRivers 200 this weekend will mark the final race for the team. Kaz Grala will step in to replace Wright and drive the No. 5 Chevrolet SS for the organization’s last start. The 200-lap feature is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, and will be broadcast live on the CW network at 4:30 pm ET.
In an official statement released by Our Motorsports, they expressed their gratitude to NASCAR, Chevrolet, the fans, employees, and drivers for their support over the past 6 years. Founded by Chris Our and his daughter Mary, the Massachusetts-based team made their Xfinity Series debut in 2020. Since then, they have competed in nearly 300 races, achieving nine top fives, 41 top-10s, and a pole at Portland International Raceway in 2022.
Although they never secured a victory, Our Motorsports came close, finishing second in the 2021 Daytona 500. Anthony Alfredo drove for the team last year and delivered an impressive fourth-place finish at Michigan, ending the season with seven top-10s and two top-fives.
This decision by Our Motorsports to cease operations is reminiscent of JD Motorsports, another long-time NASCAR Xfinity team that filed for bankruptcy last year after over two decades in the sport. Owned by Johnny Davis, JD Motorsports provided Ross Chastain with his first full-time ride in the Xfinity Series in 2015, leading to his maiden victory in 2018.
Chastain, who now competes full-time in the Cup Series for Trackhouse Racing, expressed sadness upon hearing the news of JD Motorsports’ closure. Davis cited the dwindling purses and increasing expenses in the Xfinity Series as the primary reasons for the team’s demise, highlighting the financial challenges faced by smaller teams in the sport.
As the NASCAR landscape continues to evolve, the closure of Our Motorsports serves as a reminder of the financial constraints and competitive pressures faced by teams in the sport. The contributions of these teams and drivers to the racing community will not be forgotten, and their legacies will live on in the memories of fans and participants alike.
