JOLIET, IL - Team Rensi Motorsports has many ties to the Chicagoland area which makes Saturday's NASCAR Busch Series USG Durock 300 almost a home game for driver Bobby Hamilton, Jr. Team co-owner Ed Rensi has called Chicago home for many years and always looks forward to having the annual NASCAR race weekend at Chicagoland Speedway in his backyard.
"It's always a special weekend for me, my family and the team," Rensi said.
Rensi and company are hoping for a repeat of 2003, when Hamilton, Jr. won at Chicagoland in his first tour of duty with the team. The second generation driver is back with Rensi this year and looking to recapture the success both enjoyed the first time around.
"I am very hungry to prove my racing talents and record many more NASCAR Busch Series wins in the McDonald’s Ford," Hamilton, Jr. said when announcing his return. "I want to thank Team Rensi Motorsports for staying in touch and continuing to believe in my ability to drive a race car."
Hamilton, Jr. comes into the Chicago weekend seventh in the series points standings and has experienced an up and down season - his first without father Bobby Sr., who lost his battle to cancer earlier in the year.
Kyle Busch looked like his future at Hendrick Motorsports was secure when team owner Rick Hendrick said he didn't have any room to add Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to his stable with four drivers under contract. But that changed this week when Junior signed a five-year deal to join Hendrick beginning next season, essentially replacing Busch. Busch maintains the decision for he and Hendrick to part ways was mutual, at least publicly, but there have been several reports he was completely surprised by the turn of events.
"We decided it and sat down and talked about things and decided it would be in both of our best interests to get a fresh start," he said Friday in the Michigan International Speedway media center. "I feel like it's a time where I can step away from where I've been for a few years and try to get a fresh start and see what else is out there."
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