Owner(s) | Ronnie Russell Ed Rensi Gary Weisbaum |
---|---|
Base | Concord, North Carolina |
Series | Nationwide Series |
Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
Career | |
Debut | 1999 Textilease / Medique 300 |
Latest race | 2010 Ford 300 |
Races competed | 434 |
Drivers' Championships | 0 |
Race victories | 5 |
Pole positions | 2 |
Team Rensi Motorsports was a NASCAR Nationwide Series team owned by Ronnie Russell, Ed Rensi, Gary Weisbaum, and formerly Sam Rensi. The team has also competed in the Winston Cup Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA racing series. Ed Rensi formerly served as President and CEO of McDonald's, which sponsored the team.
The No. 24 team debuted in 2005 as the No. 35 being driven by veteran Jason Keller with sponsorship from McDonald's. Despite a ninth-place finish in points, Keller struggled to run up front, and he left for Phoenix Racing at the end of the season. Regan Smith took his place in 2006, and had one top-ten finish. Smith departed from the ride for Ginn Racing. Hamilton returned to Rensi to drive the No. 35 for the 2007 season, finishing sixth in points.
During the 2007-08 offseason, McDonald's ended its sponsorship of the No. 35 and David Gilliland took the FreeCreditReport.com sponsorship of the No. 25 car to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Team Rensi signed Smithfield Foods as prime sponsor of the No. 25 car, allowing Hamilton to move to that team. The 35 did run until late in 2008 with Danny O'Quinn driving, but he failed to finish both races he ran.
The car will make a return to full-time racing in 2009, with Eric McClure bringing both Hefty sponsorship and the No. 24 over from Front Row Motorsports.