The K-Automotive Racing Team announced today that veteran NASCAR crew chief Rick Ren will assume that position with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entry beginning with the next series event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway at Charlotte, NC, Friday, May 16. Ren will take over calling the shots from on top of the pit box for driver Terry Cook and the #29 Power Stroke Diesel/Oil Mate Ford team while team owner and crew chief Bob Keselowski transitions to a General Manager role at the team’s Lake Orion, MI headquarters. “This is a really great opportunity for me,” said Ren, a 28-year racing veteran who most recently guided the #60 Addington Racing NCTS entry for the past five seasons. “Everyone in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series garage knows what a top-flight team the Keselowski’s have. Terry Cook is a proven winner in this series taking four wins last year alone and the team sponsor, Power Stroke Diesel, is one of the best in the Truck Series. I couldn’t ask for a better situation.” Keselowski, who took ill earlier this season, will continue to be involved with the team’s raceday effort from his managerial role. The position will allow the 51-year-old NASCAR veteran driver and crew chief stay active with his race team while he returns to full health. “This is a great solution for everyone involved,” said Kay Keselowski, Bob’s wife and spotter for the team. “We’ve been racing against Rick Ren for years and he’s always one of the guys you have to plan on trying to beat. It will be nice to have him on our side for a change. Having Rick here will also allow Bob to concentrate on getting back to full strength physically and still have an active hand in running our family race team. Being at the race shop will be the best medicine for Bob. Everyone is looking forward to the day when we can have Bob back at the racetrack fulltime.”(Motorsports Management Group PR)(4-23-2003)
