“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.
Content credits: Team Renezeder, photos via Team Renezeder courtesy of Jeff Nemecek. Image hosting via Puro Off-Road
