Deborah Renshaw
Encyclopedia
Deborah Renshaw-Parker is a former NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series driver. She currently does not have a ride.
Dodge Weekly Series
in 2001 and 2002. In those two seasons, she finished in the top 10 thirteen times and also set a qualifying record when she won the pole at Riverview Speedway
. She also became the first woman to ever lead a NASCAR sanctioned series when the young woman shared the points lead with fellow driver Joe Buford after the second race of the 2002 season at Nashville Speedway USA
. Later that summer, she gained the spotlight when some fellow drivers entered a car in a race for the sole purpose of finishing behind her so her car could be protested. She sat out the next two races but resumed the season and ended up finishing tenth in the race for the track championship.
According to the book Along For The Ride by Larry Woody
(Chapter "Lap XIX: Women, Wendell and Willie"), "Day admitted early on that he was not convinced that women belonged on a race track" but that his problem was not with Renshaw because she was female, instead because she was a "Bad Driver." Woody noted that track promoter Dennis Glau had "gotten wind of the scheme prior to the race" and contacted NASCAR, who instructed him to disallow the protest. Her father Dan Renshaw, however, felt there was nothing to lose and allowed officials to search the engine. Unfortunately, a minor violation was found and her car was declared illegal. The protest was not only for Renshaw, but her male teammate Chevy White.
Renshaw would spend the 2002 season in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, where she finished in the top ten three times. However, during her tenure there, she was involved in an accident that claimed the life of fellow driver Eric Martin
, another controversial event during her career. After Martin had originally spun out during a practice session in Charlotte, he was alive and talking to his crew over the radio. Three cars that approached Martin's car were unaware that he was there because their spotters were not in the stands; however, they avoided Martin's car as it slowly rolled across the track and into the wall. 16 seconds after it came to rest Renshaw, also without a spotter, collided with him at full speed, causing Martin's death. The incident prompted the mandation of spotters whenever their driver was on the track in NASCAR and ARCA.
in December 2004. Replacing Chase Montgomery
in the #8, Renshaw became the first woman to ever run a complete schedule in one of NASCAR's three premier series; she missed only one race in the 2005 Craftsman Truck Series season. She had two top-ten starts, the highest being 8th at Nashville Superspeedway
in August, but she failed to garner a top-ten finish. Her final position in the points standings was 24th.
Afterwards, Renshaw's future with Bobby Hamilton Racing (BHR) was unknown. BHR was forced to search for a replacement for EasyCare
, who pulled out as the primary sponsor. Furthermore, the team announced Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
was going to run a limited schedule in the truck for the 2006 season, with Montgomery returning for the first race at Daytona; no plans for Renshaw were announced. Finally, on February 1, 2006, The Tennessean
reported the pullout by EasyCare cost Deborah her ride at Bobby Hamilton Racing, which may effectively end her racing career. In November 2006, she married NASCAR crew chief Shawn Parker.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Craftsman Truck Series driver. She currently does not have a ride.
Pre-CTS
Renshaw first participated in NASCAR when she began racing in the NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Dodge Weekly Series
Whelen All-American Series
The Whelen All-American Series is a points championship for NASCAR sanctioned local racetracks around the United States and Canada....
in 2001 and 2002. In those two seasons, she finished in the top 10 thirteen times and also set a qualifying record when she won the pole at Riverview Speedway
Riverview Speedway
Riverview Speedway, sometimes referred to as Murray Bridge Speedway is a Dirt track racing venue that is located in the town of Murray Bridge, South Australia, only 66 km from Adelaide. Racing at the speedway generally takes place between September and May meetings are held every second...
. She also became the first woman to ever lead a NASCAR sanctioned series when the young woman shared the points lead with fellow driver Joe Buford after the second race of the 2002 season at Nashville Speedway USA
Music City Motorplex
Fairgrounds Speedway is a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racetrack located at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds near downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The track is one of the oldest tracks in the United States. The track held NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup races from 1958 to 1984...
. Later that summer, she gained the spotlight when some fellow drivers entered a car in a race for the sole purpose of finishing behind her so her car could be protested. She sat out the next two races but resumed the season and ended up finishing tenth in the race for the track championship.
According to the book Along For The Ride by Larry Woody
Larry Woody
Larry "Woodrow" Woody is a retired sports writer for The Tennessean, the morning newspaper in Nashville, Tennessee. He is a three-time winner of the Tennessee Sports Writer of the Year award and is the author of several books, including Along For The Ride.Woody covered NASCAR from the early 1960s...
(Chapter "Lap XIX: Women, Wendell and Willie"), "Day admitted early on that he was not convinced that women belonged on a race track" but that his problem was not with Renshaw because she was female, instead because she was a "Bad Driver." Woody noted that track promoter Dennis Glau had "gotten wind of the scheme prior to the race" and contacted NASCAR, who instructed him to disallow the protest. Her father Dan Renshaw, however, felt there was nothing to lose and allowed officials to search the engine. Unfortunately, a minor violation was found and her car was declared illegal. The protest was not only for Renshaw, but her male teammate Chevy White.
Renshaw would spend the 2002 season in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, where she finished in the top ten three times. However, during her tenure there, she was involved in an accident that claimed the life of fellow driver Eric Martin
Eric Martin (race car driver)
Eric Martin was an ARCA driver from Hixson, Tennessee, who was killed at the Lowes Motor Speedway on October 9, 2002, during a practice session for the season-ending EasyCare 100....
, another controversial event during her career. After Martin had originally spun out during a practice session in Charlotte, he was alive and talking to his crew over the radio. Three cars that approached Martin's car were unaware that he was there because their spotters were not in the stands; however, they avoided Martin's car as it slowly rolled across the track and into the wall. 16 seconds after it came to rest Renshaw, also without a spotter, collided with him at full speed, causing Martin's death. The incident prompted the mandation of spotters whenever their driver was on the track in NASCAR and ARCA.
Craftsman Truck Series
Renshaw ran in 14 of the last 15 races of the 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. She drove the #29 Ford F-150 for K-Automotive Motorsports. Despite finishing no higher than 15th, she became the first woman to ever lead a race in the series when she led one lap in the Darlington 200. Renshaw joined Bobby Hamilton Racing's driver development programDriver development program
A Driver development program is a program used by racing teams to develop younger drivers. It is widely used in both Formula One and NASCAR, usually consisting of a team signing a driver to a multi-year contract in which they run in minor-league racing divisions A Driver development program is a...
in December 2004. Replacing Chase Montgomery
Chase Montgomery
Chase Montgomery is a racecar driver. He currently owns a small business and continues to pursue a racing career. He lives in Wilson County, TN. He is now married and a father.-Career before NASCAR:...
in the #8, Renshaw became the first woman to ever run a complete schedule in one of NASCAR's three premier series; she missed only one race in the 2005 Craftsman Truck Series season. She had two top-ten starts, the highest being 8th at Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway is a motor racing complex located in Gladeville, Tennessee , United States, about 30 miles southeast of Nashville. On August 2, 2011, it was announced that Nashville Superspeedway will not host any NASCAR events in 2012. It is a concrete oval track 1 1/3 miles in...
in August, but she failed to garner a top-ten finish. Her final position in the points standings was 24th.
Afterwards, Renshaw's future with Bobby Hamilton Racing (BHR) was unknown. BHR was forced to search for a replacement for EasyCare
Easycare
Easycare is a breed of sheep developed in the 1960s in the United Kingdom for meat. It was derived from the Nelson Welsh Mountain which were crossed twice to the Wiltshire Horn, which is a wool-shedding breed. The progeny were selected for the following characteristics: wool shedding; no horns;...
, who pulled out as the primary sponsor. Furthermore, the team announced Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
Charles Robert Hamilton, Jr. is a NASCAR driver and owner, and current track promoter. He is currently a free agent...
was going to run a limited schedule in the truck for the 2006 season, with Montgomery returning for the first race at Daytona; no plans for Renshaw were announced. Finally, on February 1, 2006, The Tennessean
The Tennessean
The Tennessean is the principal daily newspaper in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Its circulation area covers 39 counties in Middle Tennessee and eight counties in southern Kentucky....
reported the pullout by EasyCare cost Deborah her ride at Bobby Hamilton Racing, which may effectively end her racing career. In November 2006, she married NASCAR crew chief Shawn Parker.