Daytona Beach, FL (July 3, 2009)-Coming in to Friday's Subway Jalapeno 250, Eric McClure and the No. 24 Rensi-Hamilton Racing team were optimistic of a good finish after posting competitive times in practice on Thursday. However, their hopes were shattered on lap 92 when the driver was tagged from behind while trying to avoid an accident. The damage sustained to the Hefty® Odor Block™ Ford forced McClure to pit-road to receive repairs to the back of the car, causing him to lose a lap to the field. In the end the team was able to gain two positions by completing the remainder of the laps to finish the event in the 28th position.
"Tonight was a night where we felt like we could have a good result, but unfortunately it didn't happen. I just hate it for our partners, Hefty® brand, Waverly Property Group and Crabby Joe's. We struggled with the handling after a restart; we really needed long runs. Four of us were running in a pack, and were catching about 10 cars for position when the 04 car blew a tire in front of us. There was nowhere to go and we got caught from behind. We were able to make repairs on pit-road and return to the track, but we lost a lap which cost us a spot when the wreck happened on the last lap. However, the positive is we gained points on the cars we are battling with to stay in the points to have a guaranteed starting position in the race."
Starting the race from the 33rd position, McClure stayed in the draft and maintained his position, although he was battling a car that was tight on entry, loose in the center, and tight on exit. When the first caution occurred on lap 9, the No. 24 Ford was brought to pit-road to receive four tires, fuel, and a track-bar adjustment. After a quick stop by the RHR crew, the team was scored in the 28th position.
As the race progressed, McClure slid back to the 36th position as he continued to battle the handling of the car in the early laps of a restart. Chassis adjustments were made during the next four cautions to help the car's characteristics in the turns as it was still too tight on entry and exit of the turn. In the closing laps, however, the car's handling had improved and the Hefty® brand Ford was running in the 25th position on lap 83.
With five few laps remaining misfortune struck the RHR team as McClure was swept into a multi-car accident. The damage sustained forced the driver to pit-road to receive the necessary repairs and in the end, McClure finished the Subway Jalapeno 250 in the 28th position. With this finish, the RHR team remains in the 29th position in the NASCAR owner standings.
