Luke Fenhaus, a highly regarded short-track driver from Wausau, Wisconsin, will mark a significant milestone on February 14 by making his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at the United Rentals 300, held at Daytona International Speedway in Florida. Fenhaus will pilot the No. 5 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Hettinger Racing, a team also stepping into the O’Reilly Series for the first time at Daytona.
Team Owner Chris Hettinger Expresses Confidence in Fenhaus
Chris Hettinger, owner of Hettinger Racing, praised Fenhaus’s abilities and dedication, highlighting his intelligence and skill behind the wheel.
“My background is in Late Model racing and I’ve seen Luke’s development in real time. He’s smart, he takes care of his equipment, he learns quickly and, ultimately, he wins,”
Hettinger stated. He also added,
“Luke belongs in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and we’re proud to have him in our Ford Mustang at Daytona.”
Fenhaus’s Ascension Through Racing Ranks
Fenhaus’s journey through the ranks of stock car racing has been marked by steady progression and notable victories. Building on his roots in Late Model racing, he advanced to the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. His breakout came in 2021 when he became the youngest driver to win the famed Slinger Nationals, a victory which earned him national attention and secured a starting position in the penultimate Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) race at Slinger Speedway, Wisconsin.
During the SRX event, Fenhaus impressed a primetime national television audience, starting second and leading 92 laps out of 100. He finished second, narrowly behind IndyCar driver Marco Andretti, while fending off Tony Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion.
Reflecting on these milestones, Fenhaus said,
“Winning the Slinger Nationals and getting that SRX invite was a game changer. It put me on peoples’ radar and helped open some doors. I worked hard to make the most of it.”
He also expressed gratitude toward his support network and team owner, saying,
“To be at Daytona five years later to make my NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut is a testament to the work we’ve put into this – my family, my partners, my friends – they’ve all been so supportive. Chris Hettinger has provided a really great opportunity for me to make the next step in my career and I want to reward his faith with a good, strong run at Daytona.”
Championship Successes and Growth in Professional Racing
Fenhaus continued to demonstrate dominance on the track by capturing the 2021 Slinger track championship along with Rookie of the Year honors at the same venue. He also secured the 2021 Kulwicki Driver Development Program championship. The following year brought further accolades, as he won both the 2022 CARS Tour Pro Late Model championship and its Rookie of the Year award.
In 2023, Fenhaus debuted in the ARCA Menards Series and quickly made a strong impression by winning the Music City 200 at Nashville Superspeedway in just his third start. He followed that with another victory at the Calypso 150 at Newton Speedway, Iowa. Across eight ARCA starts, Fenhaus has recorded five top-three finishes, maintaining an impressive average finish of 6.1.
Fenhaus Steps Up to the Truck Series with Early Success
While still competing in Late Models and ARCA, Fenhaus entered the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2024. In his first Truck Series race on June 1 at Worldwide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, he earned a solid 10th-place finish. After three Truck races in 2024, Fenhaus’s schedule will expand to a 12-race campaign in 2025. This campaign includes a career-best result: a third-place finish at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, where he also secured the pole position on June 7.
Describing his development, Fenhaus said,
“It’s been a steady climb, one step at a time. Late Models are my foundation, ARCA helped me take the next step, and the Truck Series taught me what it takes to compete at a national level. To be making my NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at Daytona is something I’ve worked toward for a long time, and I’m ready for it.”
Preparation and Support Behind Fenhaus’s Daytona Debut
Practice sessions for the United Rentals 300 are scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. EST on Friday, February 13. Qualifying will begin at 10 a.m. on race day, Saturday, February 14, with the 120-lap race set to start at 5 p.m. Both the CW network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will broadcast the event live.
Hettinger Racing secured a guaranteed starting spot in the event by acquiring owner points from the No. 70 team of Cope Family Racing. The team receives technical backing from Ford Racing, with engines supplied by Roush Yates Engines. Joe Williams Jr. serves as the crew chief, coordinating the race-day efforts.
Fenhaus’s Debut Represents a Key Step in a Promising Career
Luke Fenhaus’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at Daytona symbolizes the culmination of years of persistent effort and growth in competitive racing. Supported by Chris Hettinger and the dedicated Hettinger Racing team, Fenhaus is positioned to showcase his talent on a national stage. Observers and fans alike will be watching closely as this young driver aims to translate his proven success at the Late Model, ARCA, and Truck Series levels into a strong performance in one of NASCAR’s most prestigious events.
