For Immediate Release:
June 30, 2005
Contact: R. Pauline
Cell Phone: 570-840-1650
E-mail: Roxiep9@aol.com
Eric Norris: A Delicate Balance. Hollywood Movies & NASCAR Truck Racing
What do summer blockbusters like “Herbie: Fully Loaded” and “War of the Worlds” have in common with a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Driver? The answer is Eric Norris. Norris, who will drive the #07 Pavestone Chevrolet fielded by Green Light Racing at Kentucky Speedway on July 9th, balances a Hollywood show business career as a stuntman, movie director and actor with a NASCAR racing schedule.
This has been an extremely active year for the California based driver. Along with competing in several NASCAR Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series events, Norris spends his days on Hollywood movie sets. Norris’ real life NASCAR experience came into play when he worked as a NASCAR Driver in “Herbie: Fully Loaded.” Norris also worked on Steven Spielberg’s “War of the Worlds” where he performs in a fight scene with star Tom Cruise. This spring he was in production on Jim Carrey’s “Fun with Dick and Jane,” as well as working on the new HBO series “Entourage.”
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Norris started racing and working in the film industry at a very early age. Over the years, Norris has driven in a multitude of racing series. He has competed in NASCAR Busch, Craftsman Truck and Grand National West Series, where he won the 2002 Championship. He has appeared in and directed television programs, movies and commercials. Norris is an 11 year member of the “Stuntmen Association,” and has over 20 years experience in front of and behind the camera. His current television and film credits include: Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan, Anger Management, Ocean’s 11, National Treasure, Anchorman, Gilmore Girls, Judging Amy, Arrested Development, ER and Walker Texas Ranger.
To onlookers, Norris lives a life that depicts the excitement and glamour of Hollywood. “I guess you could consider my life exciting, but I’m not sure about the glamour part,” Norris says. “Hanging from a ladder all day, doing stunts on a movie set is far from glamorous. Sure, it all looks great when the film is
put together, but it’s not always fun. When I find myself in that situation, I start thinking how much I would rather be on the racetrack. You could say the same about racing. What happens on pit road might seem simple and fun to the casual racing fan, but there’s more to it than meets the eye.”
According to Norris, NASCAR and film have a lot in common. “You have to be 150 percent committed to it,” Norris says. “These are not jobs, they’re lifestyles. Regardless of whether you are on the race track or a set, you’re constantly being challenged to do your best. If you don’t love it, you couldn’t do it for long. If this was easy, everyone would be doing it,” Norris adds. “Both industries require your attention 24 /7. There is no time clock to punch. There are no sick days. There is a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes of a race and a film. Just take a look at a credit roll or a race team roster. The amount of people involved to get the job done is extensive. It may all look like magic, but it takes a lot of talented people to get the end result.”
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Norris finds himself doing radio interviews for an upcoming race while in the director’s chair of a film project. He can be seen on his cell phone answering movie production questions as he walks down pit road. It is a balancing act. Keeping film, family, racing, traveling, sponsorships and production schedules all in perspective can be challenging. “But it is what I love to do. Sometimes the busier I am, the more I can get done,” says Norris.
“It involves a lot of hard work and dedication to build a reputation and a career in NASCAR or show business. It’s hard to get these types of careers going. No one just hands it to you. You have to work for it everyday,” Norris said. ”When it finally clicks, when everything starts coming your way, you have to be ready for it. That’s where preparation meets opportunity. You can’t say, I’m tired or I don’t have the time. Along the way, you have to prepare for success too. You build endurance and you learn to manage time and make sure your priorities are in the right order.”
“My passion is and always has been racing,” Norris states. “I made a commitment last year to race in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. We have been working on securing a full time sponsor. Sponsor hunting is not as easy as it looks,” Norris says with a smile. “I have put together a 5 year plan for my racing career. So far, we’re on track with that effort. My NASCAR career is important to me. I really want to run full time. It takes a lot of effort to make racing come together. You have to work at it.”
Eric Norris is determined to make his mark in the Craftsman Truck Series. Norris marked his first 2005 start driving the Pavestone sponsored #07 Chevrolet Silverado, fielded by Green Light Racing at Texas Motor Speedway on June 10th. Norris is committed to showing he has what it takes to run competitively in the Craftsman Truck Series.
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Norris is also currently in production in Dallas, TX on the set of the “Walker, Texas Ranger” movie special. Norris is working as a Stunt Coordinator and 2nd Unit Director on the production. Norris has directed over 20 episodes of the famed show.
When not driving on a race track or working on a film set, Norris finds time to spend with his family. His wife Stephanie and their 3 daughters, Camrynn, Chloe, and Chantz live an active life. “My wife has her own business and my girls are growing up. They are involved in everything! I look at the kids and think, where do they get the energy? I can hardly keep up with them,” says Norris. “But, I love my family and my work. It is who I am.” Even though Eric Norris' life is always on the go, he feels fortunate to be able to do the things he wants to do. “How can you be unhappy if you are surrounded by family and friends? I touch my dreams everyday,” Norris says. “I can’t imagine living life any other way.”
Norris will compete on the 1.5 mile Kentucky Speedway on July 9th running in the Built Ford Tough 225, Presented by The Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers. This will be Norris’s second NCTS start this season and his first time racing on the Kentucky track. Norris has a four race sponsorship agreement with the Dallas, TX based Pavestone Company and will also race this season in Las Vegas and Atlanta.
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For More Information Contact:
R. Pauline 570-840-1650
Photo: Eric Norris, driver of the 07 Pavestone Chevrolet.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. 6/09/05
posted by psyvhicjack @ 9:21 AM
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