’ 2026 outlook paints the proper image of the enterprise of NASCAR from the up-and-coming driver’s standpoint.
Lower than two weeks earlier than the season openers for 3 nationwide collection, the 21-year-old prospect from Wausau was speaking about his plans for the season. at Daytona Worldwide Speedway with , a brand new workforce, had been introduced the week prior.
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However after that?
“It’s laborious for me to essentially say what number of races, simply because it floats round and cash is right here and there,” Fenhaus mentioned. “I imply, it actually may flip into one race, but when issues work out, it could possibly be a .”
How’s that for a variety? One, or someplace in between.
The significance of funding isn’t a revelation, however this reminder of the intense nature is stark.
“I’ve some cash behind me on my finish of issues, after which Chris [Hettinger] has some cash behind him and thru a pair totally different individuals we’re getting a couple of totally different different sponsors,” mentioned the Wausau East Excessive Faculty graduate. “Clearly Daytona goes to be the primary one, however I wouldn’t suppose it will be the final one.
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“If you do not have not less than 1,000,000 {dollars} behind you, it is fairly nerve-racking. Nevertheless it’s all understanding.”
Nevertheless the yr performs out, Fenhaus is worked up to take the subsequent step in his profession and hopeful that with Ford’s assist, Hettinger’s assist, want and dedication, no matter they do collectively will probably be a optimistic expertise for a workforce and a driver making the transfer from late fashions.
Wisconsin quick monitor standout Luke Fenhaus has raced 15 instances within the Craftsman Truck Sequence the previous two seasons however has turned his consideration to the O’Reilly Auto Elements Sequence with Hettinger Racing.
Fenhaus burst onto the scene in 2021, when he at age 17, acquired a golden ticket to the Slinger Speedway Celebrity Racing Expertise occasion and validated it by between Marco Andretti and Tony Stewart on stay nationwide tv.
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in ARCA in 2023, made his NASCAR debut in 2024 within the Craftsman Truck Sequence and had half a truck season in ‘25. In 15 races, all with ThorSport, he has three top-10 finishes, a better of third and a pole.
Now Fenhaus’ focus is on the O’Reilly Auto Elements Sequence, the not too long ago renamed second of NASCAR’s three nationwide divisions.
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Quite a few business connections, together with one with a possible sponsor, facilitated his hyperlink to Hettinger, Fenhaus mentioned. The deal to drive the No. 5 Mustang got here collectively over a few weeks in December.
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Ford helped get Fenhaus authorized for Daytona and is aiding Hettinger and Fenhaus with time in its simulator. The workforce has the 2025 house owners factors from Cope Household Racing’s No. 70 automobile, so Fenhaus will make the race at Daytona.
However the startup workforce, led by crew chief Joe Williams Jr., is comparatively small and inexperienced, and the producer doesn’t have a top-tier workforce within the collection since Haas Manufacturing facility Workforce switched again to Chevrolet.
No matter comes will probably be a difficult climb.
“I’ve a very good feeling about it. I actually do,” Fenhaus mentioned. “I really feel that Chris has put some huge cash into this, has put a whole lot of work into it for it to be proper. And Doug Yates’ engines each race that we’re going to be going to is an enormous factor.
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“I don’t count on anything apart from to go on the market and attempt to win races. Clearly, we could wrestle some locations, however we simply set to work by means of these points. … My principal factor proper now could be simply to place within the work and everybody else surrounding will do the identical.”
Which may be the one certainty the game offers.
