Norm Wrenn Wins at Lee USA
Lee USA Speedway
Bot-L-Gas and RF Logic Triple Crown Series
Well after a few weeks off to relax, its back to racing again. The weather was looking a bit questionable with cloudy skies throughout the day. The boys crossing their fingers for it to hold off until after the races are finished. This weeks event is being sponsored by RF Logic and Bot-L-Gas both out of Nashua, New Hampshire. This is the first race in a series of three.
The first practice had a count with thirteen cars. Only two laps into it #16 Stanley Mertz already having problems with his air filter snapping off of the stem and coming up onto his windshield. #00 Dave Richardi and #83 Franky Perry exiting into the pits early with some issues to be adjusted. All of the cars looking a bit loose coming out of turn four, guess the track had a slick spot.
The second practice was underway not too shortly after. #13 George Sherman loose getting out of turn four taking his car for a spin right in front of victory lane. Looks like he was getting some practice in early. #4 Cory Cleary, #27 Kevin Iannarelli and #07 Phil Lausier running close together for a few laps. #12 Rob Richardi, Jr. having some problems steering his car because his sway bar wasn’t connected as he found once he entered into the pits.
Arriving to the track a little late was #10 Brian Vincent. Showing off his new fancy paint job, car looks great very eye catching. Cutting the day short the track decided that there were not going to be any heat races tonight for qualifying due to the forecast saying that rain was on the way. Instead they decided to allow one more practice out for each of the divisions.
Most of the guys getting out for the third practice taking full advantage to make sure those last minute adjustments were working the way that they wanted. #10 Vincent having just put on four new tires looked to not have enough traction yet as he spun out of turn one almost hitting the wall. #12 Richardi, Jr., #13 Sherman and #4 Cleary running smooth together for a few laps. #83 Perry gets loose out of turn one and spins his car, #9VT JR Gorman unable to get out of the way fast enough hits Perry needing to be towed off the track with some front suspension damage.
Kicking things into high gear now because the rain was starting to fall lightly; both the track and the Pro 4’s wanted to race. We can’t let our fans down, we needed to give them a show. The boys trying to warm up the track during hot laps #99 Billy Joerres gets loose in turn four spinning out proving that the track was a little slick from the little amount of rain that had already fallen. Taking the pole position this evening is #25 Tyler Anderson and on the outside is #00 Dave Richardi. The green flag went down and already #27 Kevin Iannarelli got loose and spun out in turn one before the first lap could be completed. Once again it was #25 Anderson and #00 Richardi out in front leading the pack for the restart. The green is down and the guys kept the group tight. #25 Anderson looked a little loose coming out of turn four down the front straight on lap 2 but did a great job keeping his car under control. Lap 5 #00 Richardi loose coming out of four went zigging and zagging down the front straight spinning into the grass, but able to stop his car before hitting the barrier; and getting out and back onto the track before a caution could be called to keep the race running. Lap 7 #83 Franky Perry is loose coming out of turn three spinning and #12 Rob Richardi, Jr. was unable to react in time to avoid him. It looked to be that Perry had a leak of some kind for he left a trail behind him. The track crew laid down some speedy dry. Both cars exited the track for the remainder of the race. On the pole for the restart is #07 Phil Lausier and on the outside is #4 Cory Cleary. It was a great go on the green with #07 Lausier, #4 Cleary and #1M Norman Wrenn sliding up to the third position running close together. But that didn’t last for too long when #07 Lausier spun coming out of turn three on lap 10. From the looks of it, Lausier most likely lost traction going over the speedy dry that was still on the track. Taking the pole is #1M Wrenn with #4 Cleary on the outside. Once again, it was a great start on the green flag, #1M Wrenn, #4 Cleary, #27 Iannarelli and #13 Sherman working like a well oiled machine. And again coming out of turn three #99 Joerres spins on lap 11 with #56 Dave Bedard colliding with him, sending up the yellow flag. Both cars needed to be towed off the track. The track officials were not sure if it was safe for the race to continue so they went out onto the track to find out from the guys how they felt by doing a slow drive by with a thumbs up or thumbs down. The officials got the majority vote that they wanted to continue on racing. It was determined that if there was one more caution that it was to be the finish of the race with the checkered flag to go with it for the safety of everyone racing. On the pole for the last time tonight was #1M Wrenn and #4 Cleary on the outside. Getting a jump on the green flag #1M Wrenn and #27 Iannarelli move out to the front of the pack. By Lap 13, Wrenn and Iannarelli were pulling away from the group. Putting on a good show going three wide down the back straight into turn three and out of four was #13 Sherman, #00 Richardi and #25 Anderson on lap 17. It was almost a little scary to watch because they all looked to be a bit loose round the turn going over the slick spot across the remainder of the speedy dry that was still on the track. But they handled it very well. On Lap 20, #10 Brian Vincent’s car was leaving a long trail of sparks behind him, and getting the call of the officials to get off the track. Vincent has broken a shock on the rear end of his car. Then it was a push to the finish with #1M Wrenn and #27 Iannarelli battling it out. Not too far behind them, battling for the fourth position was the #07x Robin Berghman holding her own against teammate #07 Lausier. It was #1M Wrenn to cross the finish line first.
Taking home first place this evening for the Pro 4 Modifieds is #1M Stormin’ Norman Wrenn, in close second #27 Kevin Iannarelli, third #4 Cory Cleary, fourth #07x Robin Berghman and rounding off the top five #07 Phil Lausier. Taking first place for the Limited Pro 4 Modifieds and making an overall top ten finish is #16 Stanley Mertz, second #99 Billy Joerres and in third is #56 Dave Bedard.
Congratulations to team #1M for their second first place finish this year. Way to hang in there guys for all twenty five laps of racing. We sure could see that it was not an easy finish with the conditions of the track with the rain coming down. Hope to see you all with us again in two weeks for our race at Monadnock Speedway on May 31st. Until then be safe and enjoy this nicer weather that is coming our way.
Pro Four Modified “Young Guns” #4 Cory Cleary and #27 Kevin Iannarelli battle at Lee USA Speedway May 16, 2008.
Race Winner #1m Norm Wrenn
Sources: Sarah Lemay/Pro Four Modified Tour PR