Norm Wrenn Takes Pro 4 Opener at Waterford

Well it was a questionable start to the day with the weather being unpredictable, changing from over cast to sunny to sun showers and overcast again. That’s the way it played out all day. I would like to take a moment to remember Shane Hammond, who I know was a dear friend to many in the racing community. He will be deeply missed.

Let’s welcome some new members to the Pro 4 Modifieds of New England community. We have Kevin Boucher, who is the official Pro 4 announcer. He did a fantastic job at the bowl this weekend; Kevin is a great addition to the club. We have two new drivers to welcome as well. Driving a shiny black #07X is Robin Berghman, which has reddish orange numbers and not to be confused with the #07 driven by Phil Lausier. We have in the white #83 Franky Perry driving with us this year making an addition to our young guns behind the wheel. Taking over as the President this year is Rob Richardi, Sr. and in the Business Manager position is Stan Mertz.

In the roster today is #00 Dave Richardi, last years Pro 4 Champion #1M Norman Wrenn, #4 Cory Cleary, #9VT JR Gorman, #13 George Sherman, #16 Stan Mertz, #25 Tyler Anderson, #34 Mark Giordano, and #99 Billy Joerres. Having blown his motor the previous day in practice #10 Brian Vincent was not at the races today.

Taking the pole for the first heat race is #16 Mertz and on the outside is #07X Berghman. Making the fullest of the green flag #4 Cleary pulls out to the front of the pack from being in the third slot. Moving his way up to second on the back straight on the 1^st lap is #1M Wrenn. #16 Mertz appeared to be having some mechanical issues and exited to the pits on the 2^nd lap. All the guys were running good out on the track and putting on a good show for the fans. #4 Cleary and #1M Wrenn were battling it out for all 8 laps of the heat for the 1^st place position. Cleary doing an excellent job keeping Wrenn behind him in order to keep it exciting ,it was a photo finish across the line at the checkered flag. If Wrenn had another five hundred foot he could have had it.

For the second heat it was #25 Anderson on the pole and #00 Richardi on the outside. The boys keeping the pack tight on the green flag. #13 Sherman drove around #00 Richardi on the back straight putting him in the second position. #25 Anderson and #13 Sherman duked it out for the first position from laps 2 to 7 when Sherman was able to slide past in turn one. Anderson did a great job holding back the legendary two time champion, and stayed right with him to the checkered flag. Not too far behind them was #00 Richardi who had #07X Berghman closing in on him on lap 9. #13 Sherman taking the checkered flag for the second heat.

Thank fully the weather was able to hold off for us for the feature. Getting things going #34 Mark Giordano had the pole and on the outside next to him was #07 Phil Lausier. #99 Billy Joerres heads to the pits with motor problems. The green flag was given and the boys were all like magnetic bumpers and maybe a little too close because when they rounded turn one there was a little bumping between #34 Giordano, #4 Cory Cleary and #1M Norman Wrenn. This caused the guys to scatter and not able to react fast enough, #25 Tyler Anderson got caught up in the mess and took some damage to the left from suspension. Having to restart the first lap it was #07 Lausier on the pole and #4 Cleary on the outside. Cleary was able to get a jump on the green and pulled away to the front of the pack with #1M Wrenn trailing right behind him. Wrenn working his way around Cleary in lap 2 on the back straight. #07 Lausier got a little loose coming out of turn three and went into the dirt but was able to keep things under control and get back on the track before a caution was put out. There was a battle going on in the pack between #16 Stanley Mertz, #9VT JR Gorman, #34 Giordano and #83 Franky Perry during laps 5 through 9. #00 Dave Richardi gets a bit loose coming out of turn four down the front straight but is able to hold it together and keep his position. A little loose going into turn two #83 Perry spins his car and the yellow flag was up on lap 9. For the restart #1m Wrenn on the pole and #4 Cleary on the outside. Wrenn taking full advantage of the green flag, makes a comfortable gain on the pack heading into turn one. #13 Sherman passing #4 Cleary on the back straight and the battle began for second. Lap 13 #00 Richardi pits having popped his motor. #16 Mertz and #83 Perry battling it out on lap 15 and 16. Once again #07 Lausier losing control in turn three goes into the dirt on lap 19 putting up the caution. Restarting on the pole again is #1M Wrenn and #13 Sherman on the outside. Wrenn wasting no time on the green flag again. By lap 21 Wrenn had a comfortable lead on the pack, but with #13 Sherman in his shadow. After a slow restart #4 Cleary passes #9VT Gorman in turn three on lap 22 putting him in the third position behind Sherman. The checkered went up and #1M Wrenn wins it.

Finishing the first race of the 2008 season in first place is #1M Norman Wrenn, second #13 George Sherman, third #4 Cory Cleary, fourth #9VT JR Gorman and rounding off the top five #83 Franky Perry. For the Limited Pro 4’s in first is #34 Mark Giordano, second #16 Stanley Mertz and in third is #99 Billy Joerres.

The Series will have a little bit of down time between now and out next race at Lee USA Speedway on Friday May 16th. Enjoy the nicer weather that is coming and get some sun. See you all shortly.

Feature Race Finishing Order

Sources: Sarah Lemay/Pro 4 Modifieds PR

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