Fenhaus Named Driver for Hettinger Racing's Debut with the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series at Daytona

MOORESVILLE, NC - Hettinger Racing announced today that they have found their driver to launch the next chapter of the once-Michigan-based team. On Saturday, February 14th, Wausau, Wisconsin's, Luke Fenhaus will bring the Roush Yates powered No.5 Ford to the green flag at Daytona International Speedway for the United Rentals 300 with the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Fenhaus and Hettinger Racing have taken similar paths to reach this level of competition within the NASCAR ranks. For Hettinger Racing, the foundation was laid by USAC Hall of Famer, Jim Hettinger. He laid the foundation for his son, Chris Hettinger, who later put his efforts into the career of his daughter, Katie Hettinger. In September of 2024, Katie announced that she would be stepping away from full-time competition on the zMax CARS Tour, and focus on finishing her schooling.

Also in 2024, Hettinger Racing reached a deal with Bret Holmes Racing to acquire assets from that team. They made 22 attempts in the Truck Series in 2024 before making only one attempt in 2025 at Daytona to start the season. The rest of the year, focus shifted to Late Model and Late Model Stock racing.

“My background is in Late Model racing and I’ve seen Luke’s development in real time," said team owner, Chris Hettinger. "He’s smart, he takes care of his equipment, he learns quickly and, ultimately, he wins. Luke belongs in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and we’re proud to have him in our Ford Mustang at Daytona.”

For Fenhaus, he has been climbing the ranks for quite some time. In 2021, the then 17-year-old became the youngest winner of the prestigious Slinger Nationals, which earned him a starting spot in the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) event. There, Fenhaus led 92 laps before finishing second to IndyCar standout, Marco Andretti. In 2021, Fenhaus also earned the Slinger track championship, won the Kulwicki Driver Development Program Championship, and then won the 2022 CAR Tour Pro Late Model title and Rookie of the Year.

Fenhaus' ARCA Menards Series debut came in 2023, and in just his third start, he found victory lane at Nashville Superspeedway, and again two races later at Newton Speedway in Iowa. His NASCAR Truck Series debut came on June 1, 2024 where he cracked off a top 10 at Worldwide Technology Raceway. A 12 race campaign followed in 2025, with his best finish coming on June 7th at Michigan International Speedway, where he came home third after starting on the pole.

“Winning the Slinger Nationals and getting that SRX invite was a game changer," Fenhaus said. "It put me on peoples’ radar and helped open some doors. I worked hard to make the most of it. 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.”

Both Fenhaus and Hettinger Racing will make their debut in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series at Daytona International Speedway during the United Auto Rentalls 300 on Saturday, February 14th at 5:00 PM.