The Long John Silver’s logos over at Tri-Star Motorsports have been dropped for a reason: former owner Bob Jenkins is no longer involved with the program. A source says the sponsorship money came to an end at Bristol in August, with Mark Smith operating the two-car Nationwide team out of his own pocket ever since. Next season, FRM has no plans to reenter the sport’s second-tier division, leaving Tri-Star working to find backing for its Chevys. #34-Jason Keller and #35-Tony Raines have driven the majority of races this season, but with neither driver bringing funding to the program the future for both is unknown.(Frontstretch Newsletter)(11-20-2010)
UPDATE: am told the organization has a driver and sponsor signed for one of their teams in 2011, and a deal pending for the second car.(11-21-2010)
UPDATE 2: hearing that Eric McClure will take the Hefy sponsorship to Tri-Star. An announcement could be made within a couple weeks when all details are worked out.(11-29-2010)
UPDATE 3: After a two-year partnership, Eric McClure and his Hefty sponsorship will not be returning to Team Rensi Motorsports for the 2011 Nationwide Series season. Speaking to Frontstretch, McClure noted that economic realities and differences in priorities ultimately led the two parties to a crossroads during the summer, where the Rensi camp informed McClure that he would not be retained by the team for the 2011 season. Said McClure, “They [Rensi] said from an economic standpoint, our sponsorship parameters did not meet what they felt they needed to run a program with me.” McClure and his marketing team have been shopping the Hefty sponsorship since being informed by Rensi that they would not be returning, and have had interest from a number of teams in the Nationwide Series garage. The team will be making an official announcement in the coming weeks.(Frontstretch)(11-30-2010)
UPDATE 4: Eric McClure confirmed to Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that he will move from Team Rensi Racing to Tri-Star Motorsports for the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series, with sponsorship from Hefty. “It does look like that’s where we’re going to go,” said McClure. “We are going to move over to TriStar Motorsports. Things have kind of skyrocketed in the last 24 hours, and it looks like we’re going to be able to get the deal done.” He said conversations are underway with 2010 Tri-Star drivers Jason Keller and Tony Raines about ways for them to remain involved, adding, “It’s a great opportunity for me to go over there and learn from two veterans.”(Sirius Speedway)(11-30-2010)
UPDATE 5: TriStar Motorsports owner Mark Smith announced the addition of Eric McClure to the organization’s driver line up for 2011, further extending the team’s presence in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Beginning with the Drive 4 COPD 300 in Daytona, McClure returns to the Chevrolet family and will pilot TriStar Impalas for a full Nationwide Series season. The Hefty brand, one of the longest-running partners in the Nationwide Series, will continue its relationship with McClure for a sixth consecutive season by serving as primary sponsor in all 34 scheduled events. The team’s car number, as well as other program details will be announced at a later date.(TMI PR)(12-7-2010)
