Bowling Green resident Deborah Renshaw (75) races against Shelby Howard (64), Billy Venturini (25) and A.J. Hendriksen (17) during the Blue Grass Quality Meats 200 at Kentucky Speedway on Friday night. Renshaw finished eighth in her ARCA Series debut.

Clinton Lewis/Daily News

SPARTA Bowling Greens Deborah Renshaw entered her No. 75 car during Fridays Blue Grass Quality Meats 200 with a look of confidence much like any of the other 39 drivers in the race. But this race was different for Renshaw was preparing to race in her first ARCA Series race. Renshaw backed up a seventh place qualifying run with an eighth place finish at the Kentucky Speedway. Chad Blount won the race, holding off a strong challenge from two-time champion Frank Kimmel. The top 10 performance in her debut race delighted Renshaw, her crew and the handful of family and friends who stopped in the garage for the post race celebration. I am so thrilled, Renshaw said. We went into this race with a goal of finishing in the top 10 and qualifying in the top 10 and we accomplished both. If it wasnt for (car owner) Bob Schacht and his crew this would not have happened. The confidence they showed in me all week long it was incredible. Renshaw had a solid debut, maintaining a spot in the top 13 throughout the race. The 25-year-old driver has become a staple at Nashvilles Fairgrounds Speedway in the NASCAR Late Model Series and her experience in Nashville showed on the Sparta track Friday night. Before the green flag dropped for lap one, Renshaws radio malfunctioned. The rookie driver was able to hear her pit crew, but was unable to communicate back. It made for an interesting evening in which Renshaw and her crew improvised a set of hand signals to let everyone know how the car was running. That was the weirdest thing Ive ever had to do in my entire life, Renshaw said. At first I was a little panicked, but Bob calmed me down. Bob would tell me, If the car is tight I want you to touch the roof. If its loose I want you to touch the door. If its really tight I want you to stick your hand out in the air. It was like racing in the old days without radios. Schacht said Renshaw handled the situation like a veteran. She didnt panic, she just dealt with the situation, Schacht said. Ive had other drivers that would just go crazy in that situation, including myself. She did an awesome job. While the radio proved to be Renshaws biggest problem, there was still the business of racing through traffic and avoiding mishaps on the track. With two cautions in the first 10 laps, Renshaws patience and driving ability were quickly tested. Renshaw got around a crash in lap two by Todd Bowsher and prevented a possible crash in lap eight when John Haydens car hit the wall in front of Renshaw and came sliding down the track in her direction. Renshaw said that near collision actually helped make her more relaxed behind the wheel. I thought I was going to be a goner, but I went low down to the inside, Renshaw said. I didnt know if I should go to the outside or inside, but you follow your gut instinct and hope youre right. From that point, Renshaw settled into the race and handled traffic like an experienced ARCA racer and not a first time driver. I attribute that to the Nashville Speedway, Renshaw said. We race side-by-side and we beat them up and bang them, just like Bristol. Racing side-by-side didnt really scare me like I thought it would. After those first laps, I got over all my fears. I knew that Bob and the guys had built a car for me that would be successful here. I put my faith in that and thats what happened. Renshaw will look to build upon her top 10 finish next weekend at the Pocono Speedway before returning to Nashville for an ARCA race Aug. 9. She will continue to run at the Fairground Speedway for the remainder of the season, making for a hectic 2002 second half. And while the garage buzzed with excitement well after the final lap, Renshaw said it wouldnt be an all-night celebration. Its going to be a great celebration, but Ive got to get to bed early, Renshaw said. I have to be in Nashville at 10 oclock (Saturday) morning. Clinton Lewis/Daily NewsDeborah Renshaw hugs her mother, Vickie, in celebration of her eighth-place finish in the Blue Grass Quality Meats 200 on Friday night in Sparta. Lisa Kennedy, Renshaws public relations manager, is at left.