STATESVILLE, N.C. – After five years between the ARCA Menards Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Andy Seuss has departed Our Motorsports.
Seuss revealed the news in a lengthy statement Wednesday morning.
The 33-year-old from Hampstead, N.H., most recently served as the general manager for the racing operation owned by New England businessman Chris Our, but also drove in multiple events for Our Motorsports since 2016.
Seuss earned a career-best ARCA finish of second in Our’s equipment in 2017 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, as well as four top-10 starts, including an outside front-row grid spot for the ARCA Menards Series opener at Daytona Int’l Speedway back in February.
As a team, Our Motorsports ranks 16th in owner points through 16 NASCAR Xfinity Series races in 2020, with one top-five and four top-10 finishes – all earned by driver Brett Moffitt.
Below is the full statement from Seuss:
“After five years of hard work and dedication, I have left Our Motorsports,” said Seuss. “What started as a casual acquaintanceship with Chris Our at the modified races, and admiration for his first class operation, later became a friendship when learning we had one big thing in common: a desire for racing’s biggest stages and highest levels, in particular, Daytona.
“In 2015, I went to Daytona to attempt the ARCA race for Bryan Dauzat and Brother in Law Motorsports. Chris and Our Motorsports also attempted the race with their driver at the time, Tommy Barrett. Neither of us made the race, a very humbling experience. But after keeping in touch with Chris, he was selling all his racing equipment at the end of that season. I contacted Chris to purchase the car that they failed to qualify with. I felt it had potential and I had not given up on my Daytona dream.
“After a lengthy phone call to purchase the car, we decided to team up and give this a shot together. My parents picked the car up out of a storage container. We got an engine three days before our first event. With a volunteer crew of mostly my modified crew members, we went to Talladega in my father’s modified trailer with all modified equipment and our fingers crossed.
“We were 10th in practice. Maybe a fluke. Tenth in qualifying. Maybe we’re onto something? More importantly, we’re in the show. Before halfway, we were up to third. Coming to pit road, our rear brake rotors failed. It was a lesson learned, but a statement made.
“Over the next five years, most of you have followed the amazing journey. Late nights, in a small boat shop, with open trailers and a volunteer crew. We grew to a two-car team at multiple events and attracted drivers and sponsors, all wanting to be a part of what we were building. It was highlighted by contending for the win, and notching a second-place finish at Talladega. Life was good and people were noticing.
“Late last year, Chris made the decision to make a big step into the NASCAR Xfinity Series. A press conference was held at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, where it was announced that I and possibly other drivers would be in the seat. It was also announced that I would be running the team as general manager. My family was there. My friends were there. My team was there. It was absolutely surreal.
The 2020 season started out amazing. After failing to qualify in 2016, the Our Motorsports boys put the (No.) 02 on the front row for the Daytona ARCA race. We were on the outside pole at the world center of speed. Things came full circle from that February day in 2016. It was an amazing feeling that I cherished sharing with my team, an amazing group of dedicated teammates.
“Somewhere between then and now, things began to change. The morals and standards for our amazing little team got skewed. I struggled with witnessing it, until I simply could not be a part of it any more. I hate that it came to this. I hate the timing, and I hate walking away from five years of hard work and dedication, but it is not something I can put my name on any more.
“Through 17 races as a new, young Xfinity team, we were able to score four top 10s, including one top five, which is something I’m quite proud of. We wouldn’t have been able to do so without the dedication and hard work from the guys in the shop. Learning quickly, we were able to put competitive, reliable race cars on the track. I know (as I’m) leaving that the team is capable of keeping the great finishes going with the hard work that has been put in place for the foundation of the team.
“I want to thank everyone that contributed to the last five years. There’s absolutely no way I could fit every name on here that helped and supported this team, whether it was at the race track, in the shop, building the new shop, on social media, with equipment or just a kind word. With 99 percent of it being volunteers who took time out of their lives, I cannot thank you all enough. It will never go unnoticed or unappreciated.
“I do not know what the next step is for me. I love race cars. I love racing. I love being at the racetrack. I love the competition. I love being dedicated. I love working longer and harder to beat the competition. But mostly, I love the bond of a team that will do anything for each other.
“To everyone that followed along this amazing journey, from up close or far away, thank you.”