CHANDLER, AZ (December 12, 2011) – It’s only fitting that the guy who drives with the heart of a champion is not only the winningest driver in the short-course, off-road world, but now has the most national titles of any short-course driver in the history of the sport. The 2011 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing season hosted Carl Renezeder’s phenomenal run to his eighth championship, where he finished on the podium 14 out of 15 races, with three wins, nine seconds, two thirds and one fourth.

“I’d have to go back and look at the stats, but in all my years of doing this, I don’t think we’ve ever has such consistent finishes in one class,” explained Renezeder. “We’re incredibly proud of all the podium finishes, but even more so with the fact that we had no DNFs in Pro-4 – that’s a huge accomplishment.”

But even all those stats and the garland of champions’ roses around his neck couldn’t lift the spirits of Renezeder and his team when an amazing second-place finish in his Pro-2 truck in the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup was taken away by the officials. Renezeder, having had a lot of success in his history of Cup races, decided to take a chance in Sunday’s race by choosing his Pro-2 over the quicker lap-times of his Pro-4.

“We had a mechanical failure in the Pro-2 on Saturday early in the race, and I never got a chance to run it hard,” explained Renezeder. “I just felt like the truck had something left to prove this season.”

He was right. The truck was flawless throughout the race, giving Renezeder the opportunity to drive his race and cross the finish line in second place after some epic on-track battles. From a fourth row start, he led the race at one time, held off some hard-charging Pro-4s, worked his way back forward after being spun out mid-race, and then made a phenomenal save on the last lap when he was part of a three-truck collision to come across the line in second. The collision was reviewed by officials for several minutes while the drivers found their way to victory lane, then the finishing order was announced and television interviews were conducted, with Renezeder being congratulated by CBS, Versus, SPEED and MavTV for his second-place finish. But before they paraded the drivers up onto the podium, the officials announced a change to the finishing order, black-flagging Renezeder, thus moving him back to a ninth-place finish.

“I honestly don’t understand it,” commented a dejected Renezeder. “I feel bad for the team – we didn’t deserve to have that taken away from us.”

It’s a tough way to finish out a great season and a great race. But no one can take away how amazing the truck worked on Sunday and how well Renezeder drove it. He always drives with calculating skill and finesse, but more importantly, he drives with an overwhelming will to win and the heart to back it up. He is simply a champion.

Follow the Team on Facebook and Twitter:

Facebook.com/TeamRenezeder

Twitter.com/TeamRenezeder

(truck and team photos © HighRev Photography)

# # #

LAKE FOREST, CA (December 7, 2011) – It’s the time of year to deck the halls, hang the stockings, be merry and bright, and, oh yeah, throw some dirt, fly through the air and chase a few trophies. I can guaranty that when 8-time national champion, Carl Renezeder, goes to sleep on the eve of the final race weekend of the Lucas Oil Off Road season, sugar plumbs will be replaced by step-up jumps and double-apex turns as the things that will be dancing through his head. In a perfect world, Renezeder will sweep the weekend, leaving Chandler, Arizona with the Pro-4 championship, 100 career short-course wins and over $30,000 in winnings.

“It’s a lofty goal, but if you don’t go into a weekend aiming to win it all, then you should probably just stay home,” commented Renezeder. “Our team works hard all year to win races every weekend and bring home a championship. We’ve have a great season in our Pro-4 and would love to cap it off by winning the Cup race on Sunday.”

The final points races of the season will be held on Saturday afternoon at Firebird International Raceway, with one more chance to win a class trophy. Then the teams will turn the trucks around Saturday night and get ready for an all out brawl on Sunday for the third annual Lucas Oil Challenge Cup, presented by Toyota. Renezeder will have the option to run his Pro-4 or his Pro-2, as the series will pit the two classes against one another for a share of over $50,000. He won in 2009 and came close again in 2010, finishing third. The top ten Pro-2s, inverted according to final points, will lead the top ten Pro-4s, also inverted according to final points, to the green flag, meaning Renezeder will have to get around 19 of the best short-course trucks in the nation if he wants his name on that trophy for a second time. And believe me, he does. The whole team is hungry for the win.

The trucks will be on the track Thursday and Friday for practice and qualifying, then racing will follow 1:30 p.m. opening ceremonies both Saturday and Sunday. Check with series website – www.lucasoiloffroad.com - for a more detailed schedule, ticket, and television information. I can’t think of a better way to kick off the holiday season – in the Arizona sunshine with short-course off-road racing that’s bound to bring in some holiday cheer.

Follow the Team on Facebook and Twitter:

Facebook.com/TeamRenezeder

Twitter.com/TeamRenezeder

(truck photo © Bink Designs)

# # #

CORONA, CA (November 16, 2011) – Today, the Lucas Oil Off Racing Series released its 2012 schedule featuring a return to locations familiar to spectators and competitors while the expansion of the sport of short course off road racing continues with a Labor Day weekend event at the series’ newest facility in Reno, Nevada. This weekend event, September 1st & 2nd will introduce an entire new region to the sport on a brand new, purpose built track to be constructed within the natural terrain and hillsides on the expansive Reno property. With challenging drop-offs and picturesque setting providing dramatic viewing for spectators, the Reno, Nevada stop for Rounds 11&12 is destined to be a mainstay on off road racing fans Labor Day Weekend calendar.

After a two year absence from the schedule, the series will once again return to Southern California’s Lake Elsinore Motorsports Complex for Rounds 2&3 on April 21st & 22nd. Currently undergoing a renovation that, when completed, will feature a brand new, mile long short course track and seating to accommodate approximately ten thousand spectators, this permanent, state of the art facility promises to attract capacity crowds as it is sure to become the new Mecca of short course off road racing culture.

“The strength of the series and the sport has given us the opportunity to compliment the well established venues on our schedule with this exciting new Labor Day weekend event in Reno,” declared Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Competition Director, Tony Vanillo. “While we continue to look for new locations and regions to showcase the excitement of short course off road racing, we are extremely pleased to be returning to Lake Elsinore at what promises to be an impressive facility.”

With each weekend event on the season schedule representing two unique, separate rounds of racing, 2012 will start and finish at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, Arizona. Kicking off the season with Rounds 1&2, the series will return to the facility with championships on the line as well as the winner take all, Lucas Oil Challenge Cup on October 27th and 28th.

Surprise, Arizona’s Speedworld Off Road Park will host Rounds 5&6 on May 19th and 20th with the series returning to Utah for Rounds 7& 8 on June 23rd and 24th at the stunning Miller Motorsports Park. 2011 will also feature two events to be held in the evening under the lights at both Las Vegas Motor Speedway and legendary Glen Helen Raceway in Southern California. Glen Helen will host Rounds 9&10 on August 4th and 5th while a new date for Las Vegas, September 22nd and 23rd was selected to take advantage of the mild, late summer temperatures.

Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series – 2012 Schedule:

Round 1 – March 31 - Firebird International Raceway - Chandler, AZ
Round 2 – April 1 - Firebird International Raceway - Chandler, AZ

Round 3 – April 21 – Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park – Lake Elsinore, CA
Round 4 – April 22 - Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park – Lake Elsinore, CA

Round 5 – May 19 – Speedworld Off Road Park – Surprise, AZ
Round 6 – May 20 – Speedworld Off Road Park – Surprise, AZ

Round 7 – June 23 - Miller Motorsports Park – Tooele, Utah
Round 8 – June 24 - Miller Motorsports Park – Tooele, Utah

Round 9 – August 4 – Glen Helen Raceway – San Bernardino, CA
Round 10 – August 5 – Glen Helen Raceway – San Bernardino, CA

Round 11 – September 1 – Reno, NV
Round 12 – September 2 – Reno, NV

Round 13 – September 22 - Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV
Round 14 – September 23- Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV

Round 15 – October 27 – Firebird International Raceway – Chandler, AZ
Lucas Oil Challenge Cup – October 28 - Firebird International Raceway -Chandler, AZ

# # #

LAKE FOREST, CA (November 15, 2011) – Tears were shed by nearly all in attendance when the #36 truck of the late Rick Huseman took the checkered flag for the final time during a special tribute in Saturday’s opening ceremonies at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the weekend of November 5-6. The racing that followed was some of the best of the season, befitting Huseman’s legacy and his defending Pro-4 championship title.

“Both days of racing were amazing,” commented Carl Renezeder, shortly after his 97th career short-course win. “The best way for us as drivers to honor Rick was to dig deep and battle hard. That’s exactly what I did, and I’m incredibly proud of my entire team for the trucks they gave me this weekend and our eighth championship.”

With only one round of racing remaining in the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series season, Renezeder has mathematically distanced himself from the rest of the Pro-4 field, racing his way to the title with the intense win on Sunday. He came close on Saturday as well, only to relinquish the lead with three turns to go when the front right CV let go. He finished that race second to Kyle LeDuc, who then finished second to Renezeder after the well-fought battle on Sunday.

The team battled bad luck all weekend in the Pro-2 category, finishing 4th on Saturday, and 10th on Sunday after an electrical issue killed the ignition part way through the race. The double championship isn’t in the cards for the team this season as Renezeder finds himself too far behind the points leader with only one race remaining. However, he and the team will look to finish the season on a high note in both categories when they take to the track at Firebird International Raceway the weekend of December 10-11. The champions will officially be crowned on Saturday night, then the teams race for bragging rights and big money on Sunday afternoon. In only its third year of being run, the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup has quickly become a coveted trophy and title in the world of short-course. The racing is intense between the Pro-4 and Pro-2 trucks, all doing battle on the same track at the same time. Renezeder won the inaugural Cup race in 2009 from the 20th starting position and came close last year, but ran out of laps. It’s the perfect way to cap off a season, especially if you find yourself on the top of the box.

Between now and then, the trucks will get their final full preps of the season, a Thanksgiving dinner will be enjoyed along with a long weekend off with family and friends, as Renezeder and his crew anxiously anticipate the culmination of a memorable 2011 season.

Follow the Team on Facebook and Twitter:

Facebook.com/TeamRenezeder

Twitter.com/TeamRenezeder

(truck photo © Bink Designs)

# # #

LAKE FOREST, CA (November 1, 2011) – With heavy hearts, Carl Renezeder and his team head out to the penultimate event of the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series season this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The series lost two of its brightest stars, brothers Rick and Jeff Huseman, in a tragic plane crash on October 16, and the team will carry their grief with them in their travels. They will also honor the memory of their friends and fellow competitors by doing what the Huseman brothers loved so much: racing off-road.

“I feel so lucky to have been able to race with Rick,” commented Renezeder. “He was a true champion in every sense of the word, and my heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

The circumstances of the last two weeks have given the team pause, and brought to light things that are vitally important in this world of racing like the people that make up this remarkable industry and the relationships built along the way.

“This industry is filled with amazing people, and we’ve built long-standing relationships that I truly cherish,” continued Renezeder. “For thirteen years, the people at Lucas Oil have trusted me to fly their colors, and for nearly two decades, the King family has been part of my racing family. On the track and in the lab, we’ve worked with King Shocks since my desert days back in the early ‘90s, and I’m so proud of the relationship we continue to build.”

“At King Shocks, we thrive on searching for even the tiniest bit of untapped potential if it means giving our drivers an edge,” explains Mike Ingalsbee of King Shocks. “Working with talented and highly motivated people like 7-time national short course champion Carl Renezeder and his crew chief Bill Smith to develop exciting new damping technology is rewarding on many levels. The many hours spent on the King dyno, out testing and on the track in competition plays a vital role in King’s continuous product development efforts. Carl and Bill’s feedback has provided a wealth of information to King Shocks engineers intent on developing the next breakthrough in performance shock design.”

Renezeder will apply that technology to its fullest in Vegas this weekend for rounds 13 and 14 of the 15-race season. The team will participate in the Lucas Oil Off Road Xperience, open to the public as part of the SEMA industry week, on Wednesday evening starting at 7:00 p.m. at the track, then will practice and qualify on Friday afternoon. Racing will take place both Saturday and Sunday. For a more detailed schedule, visit the series website at www.lucasoiloffroad.com.

Follow the Team on Facebook and Twitter throughout the race weekend:

Facebook.com/TeamRenezeder

Twitter.com/TeamRenezeder

(truck photo © HighRev Photography)

# # #

LAKE FOREST, CA (October 5, 2011) – Carl Renezeder will spend the day with fans and industry colleagues this Saturday, October 8 when he attends the Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo powered by General Tire at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. The show is “Where the Off-Road Nation Comes Together” and Renezeder will be on hand throughout the day to sign autographs (see a detailed schedule below) and catch up with the industry.

“It’s nice to be able to get the off-road world together away from the race track,” commented Renezeder. “My team and I are so focused on performance on race weekends that it’s hard to find time to relax and catch up with fans, sponsors and everyone else in the industry. At Off-Road Expo I’ll get that chance. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Autograph Times and Locations:

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: General Tire (outdoor booth #311)

12:00 - 12:30 p.m.: Race-Dezert (booth #5401 in building 5)

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Lucas Oil (outdoor booth #97 & 98)

2:30 - 3:00 p.m.: Lucas Oil Off Road Demo area

Renezeder’s last outing in the race trucks ended in mixed results. A rock came through the tinwork on the Pro-2 on Saturday, taking out his oil pump pulley and his chances of finishing the race. On Sunday, he had nowhere to go when Robbie Pierce pulled back on the track after missing a line over the tabletop – they hit hard, and luckily both walked away without serious injury. The same can’t be said for the truck. It’s spending some serious TLC time with its lead mechanic, Brandon Chavez, over the next few weeks.

The Pro-4 had a much more successful weekend in Arizona, finishing in the second-place spot both days, adding a few more points to the championship lead in that category. The team has two more race weekends in the season – Las Vegas Motor Speedway, November 5-6, and Firebird International Raceway, December 10-11 – to find the top of the box and earn a championship trophy. It’s playoff time, and these guys are as serious as it gets.

(truck photo © HighRev Photography)

# # #

LAKE FOREST, CA (September 19, 2011) – The calendar marks the first day of autumn this week, but off-road race fans can extend their summer by heading out to Speedworld Motorsports Complex in Surprise, Arizona this weekend for rounds 11 and 12 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, where warm temps and hot racing action are on the playbill. Seven-time national champ, Carl Renezeder, goes into the weekend leading the Pro-4 points, and second in the Pro-2 battle.

“It’s been nearly seven weeks since our last race weekend, and the guys have been working non-stop on these trucks,” explained Renezeder. “We are constantly working on improving them, and it seems to be paying off. We’ve had some bad luck moments this year that have kept us off the podium a bit more than we’d like, but we’re in the hunt and that’s what matters.”

Two thirds of the race season is complete in the 15-round championship, so this weekend is their version of the start of the playoffs. The points remain the same, but the opportunity to earn more is quickly dwindling. Tension will definitely be higher as you walk around the pits this weekend, and game faces will be on. Championship caliber trucks loaded? Check. Championship winning driver ready? Check. Best crew in the business ready? Check. Blood pressure medicine and Tums loaded? Double check. Time to go racing.

The teams will practice and qualify on Friday, September 23rd starting at 11:00 a.m., then it’s nothing but racing Saturday and Sunday. Opening ceremonies are at 12:00 p.m. both days with Pro racing to follow in the afternoon. For a more detailed schedule, visit the series website at www.lucasoiloffroad.com.

Follow the Team on Facebook and Twitter throughout the race weekend:

Facebook.com/TeamRenezeder

Twitter.com/TeamRenezeder

# # #

(Editor's Note: We're really proud of our work with HJC Helmets, and Carl absolutely loves this new style that he has helped them develop and test. The Fi-10 will be incredibly popular as it hits the mass market. We wanted to make sure you had the latest information on it. )

HJC Motorsports Presents The Fi-10

HJC Motorsports is proud to unveil the new super-lite top forced air Fi-10. This new helmet takes the same technology that allows the extremely popular Si-12 to be among the lightest helmets in production and creates a forced air form factor.

In addition to being made with the same super-lite composite materials as the Si-12, the new Fi-10 also includes 7 forced air entry points to keep an even positive pressure inside the helmet. These air entry points are strategically spread around the crown of the helmet to keep the driver cool and breathing fresh air for the entirety of his or her race. Plus, to make sure the Fi-10 always stays connected to your racecars fresh air system, the air hose intake can pivot 360 degrees to make even the most cramped cockpits a breeze to setup.

Even with the 7 forced air entry points a driver will still sweat on a hot day, which is why HJC has also used a fire retardant and moisture wicking interior on the Fi-10.

Other advantages of the new Fi-10 include; pre-drilled holes for head and neck restraints, polycarbonate injection molded shield with tear off posts and a deluxe helmet bag to make sure your helmet stays in great condition.

Many professional drivers have already trusted the Fi-10 as their premier helmet in top racing series including Carl Renezeder in LOORRS Pro-4 and Pro-2 as well as Billy Johnson in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Rolex Grand-Am Series.

For more information on the HJC Fi-10 and to find an official dealer near you, go to HJC-Motorsports.com.

# # #

LAKE FOREST, CA (August 10, 2011) – Perhaps it was because of the bright lights on those warm summer nights, or the realization that the number of rounds of racing left in the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing season were quickly dwindling toward zero, or maybe it was just tough competition with an abiding desire to win – whatever the reason, the Pro-4 and Pro-2 classes left a lot of fiberglass on the track on the way to the checkered flag both days last weekend at Glen Helen. Fans saw close battles, tons of passing, tempers as hot as the midday August sun, plenty of drama, and an abundance of great racing. Some drivers ended up on the positive side of it all, some incurred the negative, but the majority left the track on Sunday night with both.

“We definitely didn’t have a great weekend, but it could have been a lot worse,” expressed Carl Renezeder, driver of the number 17 Lucas Oil/General Tire/Team Associated Ford F150s in Pro-2 and Pro-4.

With both trucks in serious need of quality time with their respective lead mechanics come Monday morning, it’s remarkable that Renezeder was able to turn such carnage into respectable results. He was knocked sideways in the air, landed on, rode the k-rail for several feet, traded paint on both sides of both trucks, yet somehow managed to stay rubber-side down, with the nose pointed forward at the end of all four races. He missed the podium in both of the Pro-2 races, which meant he took a hit in the overall points, finishing sixth on Saturday and fourth on Sunday. He climbed on the podium both days in Pro-4, but never on the top spot, which also hurt him in the points. He made a last-lap pass to finish second on Saturday, and then limped a right-rear flat around to a third-place finish on Sunday.

Renezeder was the first driver is short course history to win the Pro-2 and Pro-4 championships in the same season (2009), and he’s looking to repeat this year. If Glen Helen is any indication of how the rest of the season will play out, then it’s definitely going to be a tough fight to the end. Unquestionably, Renezeder and his crew are up for the challenge.

Five rounds of racing remain in the championship chase this season, and the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup will round out the year. Two thirds of the races are in the books, and the teams have a seven-week break to think about how they’re going to attack the remaining third of the season. Rounds 11 and 12 will take place the weekend of September 24-25 at Speedworld Motorsports Park in Surprise, Arizona, then the series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway November 5-6 before rounding out the season in Chandler, Arizona at Firebird International Raceway the weekend of December 10-11.

(photos © HighRev Photography)

# # #

Renezeder Returns to Glen Helen this Weekend

LAKE FOREST, CA (August 2, 2011) – It hardly seems possible that more than half the year, half the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing season and nearly half of the summer has passed us by. What seemed like a long road ahead when the teams headed out to Firebird in March, now has half the weekends in the books with the first of the final four this coming weekend (August 6-7) at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California. It also hosts the only night racing of the season, with main events following the 7:00 p.m. opening ceremonies each night.

“We did really well here in May, so we’re looking for another strong weekend,” commented Carl Renezeder, the current Pro-4 and Pro-2 points leader. With 96 career short-course wins to his name, a podium sweep this weekend would bring the count to a phenomenal 100. “We’ve gone back into R&D mode, and we’ve done some more testing with both trucks, in hopes getting more out of them.”

Although it’s the same track layout as the May event, the nighttime racing will mean a completely different racing surface – the dirt should be able to hold more moisture without the sun beating down on it in the middle of the race. Renezeder knows that simply going back there with the same truck would mean he’d fall behind the competition.

“We’re focused on performance, getting the most out of these trucks in every corner, off every jump and down every straightaway. If we can do that, then I can battle for a win each race, and we can keep hunting down these championships. I’m anticipating some great racing this weekend,” concluded Renezeder.

The teams will have a chance to practice on Friday before their only qualifying session of the weekend that afternoon. The next time they see the track will be for Saturday’s nighttime races. Should anyone encounter any major problems during those events, a two-lap shakedown will be available to the teams that need it on Sunday. Racing will again be in the evening, so the teams and crowd can enjoy cool conditions and great action under the lights.

(photos © HighRev Photography)

# # #

LAKE FOREST, CA (June 29, 2011) – While it wasn’t a perfect weekend of racing for Carl Renezeder and his crew, they still drove out of Miller Motorsport Park with some new hardware for the trophy case and the points lead in both the Pro-2 and Pro-4 divisions of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. Round eight on Sunday afternoon marked the start of the second half of the 15-race schedule, so the team can draw a line in the dirt and get a fresh start on the year.

“We’ve basically held our ground up to this point in the season,” explains Renezeder, whose race shop is in the Southern California city of Lake Forest. “We’ve been working really hard on our homework, and it’s great to see it pay off. We had some great moments in Utah, but we still have plenty of room to improve on these trucks.”

The great moments included his 96th career win on Sunday afternoon and a second-place finish on Saturday in his Lucas Oil/General Tire Pro-4, as well as moving from second to first in the points. He currently leads the Pro-4 division by 18 points and has finished on the podium in all but one, when he finished fourth, of the first eight races.

In the Pro-2 division, he was able to salvage a fourth-place finish in Saturday’s race after losing his rear brakes early on in the contest. Sunday, however, was a huge disappointment. Renezeder’s truck was hit in the rear by another competitor while in the air, which sent him into the track barrier, breaking several parts on the front left corner of the truck. The damage forced him to retire from the race and resulted in an eleventh-place finish. It was also a huge hit in the points, narrowing his lead to only three.

Renezeder knows better than anyone that even just one race would mean there’s a lot of racing left in the season. Anything can happen in the second half of this season with seven points races left to compete. The points lead right now simply means that the work they’ve put in has paid off to this point, earning them some victories and keeping them in contention for the championships. The team is already back to work to see how they can make the trucks even faster and more reliable for their return to Glen Helen the weekend of August 5-7. Hot August nights, indeed. Stay tuned!

# # #

LAKE FOREST, CA (June 21, 2011) – Carl Renezeder will close out the first half of the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing season this weekend when he competes in rounds seven and eight at the pristine Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, just outside Salt Lake City. The world-class facility has added a permanent short-course track this year, giving the drivers another new track to enjoy.

“The fans were amazing in Utah last year,” commented Renezeder, driver of the Lucas Oil/General Tire #17 Pro-4 and Pro-2. “It was the first time we’d been to that part of the country; they were so excited to have us there. Now that we have a dedicated track, the fans will be able to watch from a much closer proximity and get an even better perspective of what we do.”

Even after one of the most successful weekends of racing in his career at Glen Helen a few weeks ago, Renezeder simply gathered up his trophies and immediately focused on what it would take to get better. The new track in Utah and the continuing progress of his competition didn’t leave much room for celebrations or relaxation – it was right back to work for the crew that’s chasing two more championships this season.

“The three wins and a close second in Glen Helen were amazing,” explained Renezeder, “but we need to stay focused on constantly getting better. Our goal is to have weekends like that every time we head to the track. We can’t do that if we’re still congratulating ourselves the week after the race. We’re proud of the accomplishments, but the big celebrations can wait until the end of the year.”

That kind of uncompromising dedication is what’s earned 95 career wins and seven championships for the 47-year-old Montebello, California native. It’s also what’s built the team around him, comprised of the best crew in the business and the top sponsors in the world of motorsports. The phrase “it takes a village” applies to the world of racing, too, and Renezeder has surrounded himself with an amazing group that’s just as committed as he is to winning, which has proven to be successful throughout his 13-year short-course career.

The team will chase four more trophies this weekend in Utah, starting on Thursday with practice, followed by qualifying on Friday and racing on both Saturday and Sunday.

# # #

LAKE FOREST, CA (May 24, 2011) – Not only did Carl Renezeder win three Lucas Oil Off Road Races this weekend, he came within 0.203 seconds of making a clean sweep of the Pro-2 and Pro-4 divisions, finishing second to Kyle LeDuc on Sunday in one of the best battles of the season.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a weekend like this,” commented a relieved Renezeder after the final race of the weekend. “It just felt so good to be able to attack and battle this weekend. I’ll remember these races for a long time.”

You’d have to go back to the first half of the 2009 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series season to find three wins in one weekend for Renezeder. He did it on the inaugural weekend in Primm, Nevada, and then again in rounds five and six in Lake Elsinore, California, but neither of them had a second-place finish to round out the weekend like this last one did.

Renezeder entered the weekend leading the Pro-2 points and second in the Pro-4 points, and the results of the weekend should have extended his lead and closed the gap in the divisions, respectively. Official points will be posted by the series later in the week (www.lucasoiloffroad.com).

The Pro-4 race on Saturday didn’t look promising on the opening lap when contact from the pole-sitter sent him into the outside retaining wall. Renezeder found himself in last place instead of second, with just twenty laps to get back to the front. In hindsight, it was probably the best thing to happen all weekend. He had no choice but to test the limits of the truck - go on the offensive rather than try to defend a podium position. He attacked the course and the truck responded. He also managed to pass the entire field before the checkered flag flew.

The Pro-2 race followed an hour later and Renezeder led from wire to wire, but not without some serious battles with the 2010 champion, Rob MacCachren. He got around Renezeder one time in the closing laps, but a red flag situation on the track reverted the field back to the previously scored lap. Renezeder restarted in the lead and never looked back.

Sunday’s Pro-4 race was a battle of epic proportions between Renezeder and LeDuc from start to finish, and after twenty laps of dueling, the two drag-raced out of the final corner and LeDuc beat him to the line by a nose. While Renezeder would have loved to be on the winning end of that, he will remember the battle for a lifetime.

The Pro-2 race closed out the weekend of racing and Renezeder started outside front row next to Brian Deegan. He got a great start and led the field by the time they completed lap one. Greg Adler put up a great fight for several of the closing laps, but it was Renezeder that took the checkers for the 95th time in his short course career.

The spectacular Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah is next on the schedule for the LOORRS series the weekend of June 24-26, where Renezeder will attempt to better his results yet again.

# # #

LAKE FOREST, CA (May 12, 2011) – Carving out a spot at or near the top of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing championship points standings is a tough enough task in one professional division, but Carl Renezeder - never one to shy away from a challenge – once again finds himself leading the Pro-2 points and second in the Pro-4 standings after round four of the sixteen-race season. The 2009 champion of both divisions, and one of the most prolific drivers in short-course history, is focused on backing up that tremendous feat.

“You’d think that after 12 years of competing in this sport that it would get easier, at least some aspects of it,” explained Renezeder, who has 92 short-course wins and seven national championships in his record book, “but it continues to bring new challenges every race, every season.”

The teams face the technical track at Glen Helen Raceway Park next weekend, May 20-22, for rounds five and six, which will be the first of two visits this season. The tight turns, heavy surface and rhythm sections that make up the .8-mile course will no doubt host some of the best battles of the season among the best short-course drivers in the country. The facility is tucked into the base of the San Gabriel Mountains and is just a short drive from almost anywhere in Southern California, home to thousands of off-road enthusiasts and several of the race teams.

“This is our home track, so of course we want to do well in front of all our family and friends,” commented Renezeder, “but that doesn’t change our game plan. We’re always focused on winning races and performing at our peak.”

The team will load into the facility on Wednesday afternoon, go through tech inspection on Thursday then set up camp, and the trucks will finally hit the track for the first practice session at 11:30 a.m. on Friday morning. Qualifying will take place Friday afternoon, and racing will follow Saturday’s and Sunday’s 2:00 p.m. opening ceremonies.

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Carl Renezeder: Featured Driver on Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain
SPEED Channel – Sunday, Apr 24 at 9:00 p.m. EST

LAKE FOREST, CA (April 21, 2011) – This Sunday evening, April 24 at 9:00 p.m. EST/6:00 p.m. PST, Carl Renezeder is humbled to be the featured driver on Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, live on SPEED Channel. This venture into a mainstream motorsports television media will be Renezeder’s first visit to the show and his official introduction to the popular host.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting Dave Despain and talking about our sport to his broad audience,” commented Renezeder. “He covers such a wide variety of racing on his show, and the call-in format from fans makes it unique and interesting. It’s an honor to be invited to participate and promote our sport.”

Renezeder’s appearance on Wind Tunnel follows his second weekend of the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series season this past weekend where he currently holds the points lead in the Pro-2 division, and sits second in the Pro-4 division. The competition is stronger than ever in the series, so consistent finishes are proving more and more valuable in the points chase.

“It’s frustrating to still not have a win this season, but with as many odd problems that have cropped up in both trucks the first two weekends, we feel really good about the finishes we’ve had,” said Renezeder.

In his Lucas Oil/General Tire Pro-2, he had second and fifth place finishes in rounds three and four, respectively. Fourth and second place finishes in Pro-4 have kept him well within reach of the top of the leaderboard in that division. The next rounds of racing will be near Renezeder’s home turf at Glen Helen Raceway the weekend of May 20-22.

For more information about Renezeder’s appearance on Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, please visit the show’s website at: www.speedtv.com/programs/wind-tunnel-with-dave-despain

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LAKE FOREST, CA (April 7, 2011) – With a quiet confidence and decided determination, Carl Renezeder and his crew will head to Surprise, Arizona next weekend (April 15-17) for rounds three and four of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. Last year Renezeder found plenty of success on the desert short course at Speedworld Motorsports Park with three wins and seven total podiums in eight races.

“We’re just going to keep chipping away at this season one race at a time, taking nothing for granted,” commented Renezeder. “More than ever, we’re appreciating each chance we get to make laps in these truck, giving us the opportunity to improve.”

Years ago, making these trucks faster usually required a few big changes, but as they’ve evolved, finding the on-track advantage has become about the small changes and constant innovation.

“Staying ahead of the learning and development curves with these trucks is crucial,” explained Renezeder. “It’s pretty easy to find 95% of the speed out there; it’s the last 5% that requires the majority of our effort.”

So as the team, lead by crew chief Bill Smith of ProFab Motorsport, heads out to the Phoenix area next weekend, they will continue to find ways to get quicker each lap. That and a little bit of luck is what it will take to find the next win.

The series opens the weekend with practice and qualifying on Friday, April 15, followed by an autograph session and event kick-off party at The Tilted Kilt in Peoria, featuring Renezeder and several other top drivers. Renezeder will then celebrate his birthday on Saturday by throwing around some dirt and chasing a couple of trophies as the Series hosts round three of the championship starting at 2:00 p.m. Sunday will consist of qualifying in the morning and then round four races starting at the same time as Saturday.

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LAKE FOREST, CA (March 23, 2011) – Three podiums on the opening weekend of the season is a great way to get your championship points in order. Carl Renezeder brought home second and sixth-place finishes in his Lucas Oil/General Tire Pro-2, and a pair of podiums (second and third) in his Lucas Oil/General Tire Pro-4.

“Obviously, our goal is to put a mark in the win column each time we go out there,” explained Renezeder at the end of the race weekend. “But if we don’t get that done, it’s nice to keep DNFs off the books as well. Not finishing a race digs you into a hole that can be hard to climb back out of as the year progresses. I’m happy with some of the changes we’ve made on the trucks for this year, and I’m confident about the rest of our season.”

The weekend opened with practice and qualifying on Friday afternoon. Renezeder qualified his Pro-2 in the second position, then followed it up with a fifth-place qualifying effort in his Pro-4. On Saturday afternoon he turned those results into a pair of second-place finishes.

The fields then re-qualified Sunday morning for round two of racing that afternoon. Renezeder duplicated his round one qualifying effort with another second and fifth-place result in the Pro-2 and Pro-4, respectively.

He seemed to have a target on his truck in the Pro-4 race, as he got hammered on several different occasions, each time working his way back toward the front until he ran out of time to chase the top two spots. He salvaged a third-place finish and was lucky the truck was still in one piece. The Pro-2 race didn’t fair quite so well, and with nearly half the race remaining, Renezeder babied a broken truck to the finish. Incidental contact broke the upper a-arm on the front left corner, so he was forced to limp it around the track for as long as it would hold. Sixth place was an impressive result.

The series heads north of Phoenix to Surprise, Arizona the weekend of April 15-17 for rounds three and four of the championship, but you can catch all first weekend’s action on the following dates and times (check your local listings to confirm):

Rnd 1 – Saturday, 4/2/11 at 6:00 p.m. on SPEED (Pro-2)

Rnd 1 – Saturday, 4/9/11 at 10:00 p.m. on SPEED (Pro-4)

Rnd 2 – Saturday, 4/16/11 at 4:00 p.m. on SPEED (Pro-2)

Rnd 2 – Saturday, 4/23/11 at 6:00 p.m. on SPEED (Pro-4)

Rnd 2 – Sunday, 5/1/11 at 1:00 p.m. on CBS (Pro-2 and Pro-4)

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CHANDLER, AZ (March 18, 2011) – Team Renezeder is proud to announce on the opening day of the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Season, its new alliance the KMC Wheels. The TR17 Forged Alloy wheel that driver Carl Renezeder has spent the last two seasons developing is now part of the iconic KMC brand line-up.

“We sat down recently to talk about how this wheel could work well for both of us,” explained Renezeder, a legend in the making with 92 short-course wins to his name, “and we walked away feeling like we just caught up with old friends. It’s great to find something that clicks so well personality-wise, and also makes good business sense. It’s a perfect match.”

“In my mind, Carl Renezeder is already a legend of off-road,” commented Rhett Sander of KMC Wheels. “He’s a great fit for our brand and brings a new identity to our mix. He’ll reach a new spectrum of customers, and we’re proud to have him using KMC Wheels to throw some dirt around while chasing more victories.”

The partnership has only just begun, but it already shows the promise of a bright future for many years to come. For more information on KMC Wheels, please visit their website at: www.kmcwheels.com.

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Renezeder Welcomes the New Race Season

CHANDLER, AZ (March 17, 2011) – On the eve of the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series season, seven-time national champion Carl Renezeder is excited about a new beginning. He and his crew spent a lot of time at the track during the off-season finding ways to shave seconds off their lap times. They’re hopeful that all the research and development will pay off, and they’re confident that new crew chief, Bill Smith of ProFab Motorsport, will lead the way.

“This has been one of the best off-seasons we’ve had in a long time,” commented Renezeder. “I feel like we’ve really done our research and found some things that will make us quicker on the track. And I’m thrilled that Bill Smith is back here at Team Renezeder, returning as crew chief, with his sharp engineering mind and experience. I won my first championship with him in 2003, and I’m looking forward to winning more with him in the years to come.”

The team didn’t go through quite as many changes as the trucks did during the off-season. Brett Repella returns as Lead Mechanic on Renezeder’s Pro-4, while Brandon Chavez begins his sophomore season as the Pro-2 Lead Mechanic. Bob Mercer continues as Lead Mechanic on the second Pro-4, which will be driven this year by Kent Brascho, and Mike Karaba is the team’s machinist. New to the team in 2011 are mechanic, Jeremy Hubbell, and administrative assistant Francine Peralta. For help on the race weekends, Jason Witt, Doug Hyde and Jim Hogle have returned to the team.

“It feels like life has come full circle for me,” explained Smith. “I’m excited to be back on the team, and in just the few days I’ve been able to spend with the crew so far, I’ve felt very welcomed. I look forward to the upcoming season and plan to be here for a very long time. It feels like home.”

The season begins tomorrow, March 18, with practice at 10:30 a.m. and qualifying at 1:30 p.m. On Saturday, the season’s first race will follow 2:00 p.m. opening ceremonies and will continue with round two on Sunday at the same time. Preparation is done, and now it’s time to find out if all that work is going to pay off.

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