With each win he oversees, Rick Ren further establishes himself as one of the top crew chiefs in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Ren is currently fourth on the all-time list with 14 victories and is tied for the series record for wins with five different drivers.
Ren notched another highlight on his resume with Friday night’s win at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The 50-year-old grabbed his first victory at the 0.686-mile oval, which he considers his home track.
Ren grew up approximately an hour away in Tilton, Ill., and had yet to win at the track since his first attempt in 1990.
“I have a lot of friends and family in Victory Lane here,” Ren said after the win. “I’m just tickled to death to get to share this win with them.”
The win was the third of the year for Ren and Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 33 Camping World Chevrolet). The duo is second in the standings, 77 points behind leader Mike Skinner (No. 5 Toyota Tundra Toyota).
Ren was brought to Kevin Harvick Inc. during the off-season and has put Hornaday in a position to win his third series championship.
“Last year, Kevin Harvick came to me and said ‘Ron, we’re going to make this thing better,’” Hornaday said. “I didn’t know he was talking to Rick Ren, and for them to get Rick Ren away from Bill Davis Racing, I don’t know how they did it.”
So far this year, the results have matched the expectations.
“He has given me everything we need to win this championship,” Hornaday said.
