Catchfence

Hampton, GA (September 4, 2010)— Eric McClure and the Hefty® Racing™ team headed to Atlanta Motor Speedway with two goals in mind: being one of 43 competitors in Saturday night’s race and also improving on their 2009 finish of 26th. After participating in two practice sessions earlier in the day, the team felt confident they could get the Hefty® Odor Block® Ford in the race. When the time came, they did just that as McClure posted the 36th fastest qualifying time. With one goal met the team turned their focus on the race at hand. Unfortunately, the outcome of the 300-mile event resulted in a disappointing 30th-place finish for Team Rensi Motorsports.

“I am disappointed with our finish today. Tires are important, especially here, and, unfortunately, we are at a disadvantage in that department. That’s not an excuse, just a reality of where we are. We didn’t run all that well, particularly at the beginning when we were on equal footing but it forces us to do different things and just keeps us behind. We made several huge adjustments in the beginning and continued to do so through the race and the car showed improvement near the end. We were able to pass some of the guys on the same program as us, just not for position. Although we didn’t get the finish I wanted it was nice to be back in the seat and, after Bristol, to make the race. The team did a good job as usual, but now we just need to make as many races as I can for the remainder of the season.”

Starting the race from the 36th position, Eric McClure was able to advance three positions to 33rd by lap 36 although the handling of the car was “loose on the initial turn down, tight through the center and snappy loose off the corner.” Running one lap down to the race leader the Hefty® Odor Block® Ford Fusion visited pit road during the event’s first caution on lap 41 for four scuffed tires, fuel, track-bar and wedge adjustments, and to remove two full spring rubbers out of the left rear spring. Once the stop was complete, McClure was scored in the 32nd position on the lap 46 restart and maintained it through the halfway point of the 300-mile event.

As the race progressed under green conditions, the leaders began making their routine pit stops on lap 105 with McClure bringing his No. 24 Ford to pit road on lap 133 for four scuffed tires, fuel, and a small wedge adjustment as his car was now “loose through the center and off the corner.” Returning to the race in the 32nd position the event’s third caution flag waved on lap 146. The 31-year-old driver returned to pit road for another wedge adjustment, fuel and scuffed tires and was scored in the 31st position on the lap 152 restart. The car’s handling seemed to improve on entry and exit during the remaining laps and the team was still able to advance one position in the closing laps to finish the Great Clips 300 in the 30th position.

Up next for the Hefty® Racing™ team is the Virginia College Savings 250 on Friday, September 10 under the lights at Richmond International Raceway.

- Hefty® Racing™ / Team Rensi Motorsports Press Release