Rodriguez, Horizon Group to Part Ways After Atlanta

After what has been a disappointing season thus far for Matthew Rodriguez and Horizon Group, Rodriguez announced several weeks ago that he  would not return to the 77 Mobil 1 Dodge in 2018.  It appears, however, that both his and the team's frustrations have hit a peak, as it has now been revealed that Rodriguez and HZG will part ways after this weekend's race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

All insiders indicated pre-season that Horizon Group was touted to be a top contender this season.  Scoring victories in both of their previous seasons, many thought that the team would continue their growth and blossom into a week-in and week-out threat.  Unfortunately, as the season has gone on, it appears to only be getting worse for the three-car outfit.  Newcomer William Brock, who earlier in the season sat in the top ten in the standings, is the highest scored Horizon Group driver in points, sitting at a disappointing 24th position.  Dillon Young, who would have finished second in the standings last year under this season's point system, is holding on to the 35th and final locked-in spot.

Matthew Rodriguez is somewhere in the middle.  With the team on a slump (all three cars scoring a DNF this past weekend at Kansas, as an example), the veteran currently sits a dismal 27th in the standings.  Rodriguez had already been confirmed to leave the team at season's end, a move which didn't shock many.  However earlier today, it was revealed that this weekend's race at Atlanta would be the pair's last race together, as the team has agreed to terminate Rodriguez's contract early, per his request.  Not much was stated in the official release, however team director Joel Settler did say that the team hopes to continue to field the 77, though it is speculated that the car may sit out several races to alleviate costs caused by this season's detriments.  

There has been no word on how this will affect William Brock or Dillon Young as of yet.