Runaway for Wrenn at Monadnock
Winchester, NH — The Pro-Four Modifieds of New England (PFMNE) raced the threatening rain clouds to complete their first race of the 2009 season at Monadnock Speedway on Saturday, May 16. The eleven PFMNE drivers were met with an enthusiastic crowd as they rolled out shortly after 6 pm for their heat race and later in the evening for their feature. It was “Stormin’ Norman” Wrenn in his #1m Bot-L-Gas Inc. modified who fought his way through the field for a convincing victory.
The 25-lap PFMNE feature got off to a slow start with the yellow being displayed before one lap could be completed. Norm Wrenn spun his #1m mount, collecting Mark Giordano’s #34 Tri-Phrase Contractors Limited Pro Four and Stan Mertz’s #16 Marty’s Auto Service-sponsored racecar. Both Giordano and Mertz pitted, but only Mertz would return some 17 laps later.
Following the restart, Wrenn advanced to the fourth position, passing the #07 of Phil Lausier and the #4 of Cory Cleary, as Dave Richardi pulled off the track with an oil pressure problem. On lap 8, Wrenn contended with the #13 of George Sherman for third position as they made it three-wide, working their way around the lapped car of Billy Joerres. Meanwhile, the #12 of Rob Richardi Jr., who had been running in second since the drop of the green flag, met his strongest competition on lap 14, when Wrenn began to challenge him for position. Just one lap later, Richardi spun himself out of the second position, forfeiting the bridesmaid spot to Wrenn.
On the restart, Wrenn found his way around the #10 of Brian Vincent-who had led the first fifteen laps. Wrenn, Vincent, and George Sherman were running in the top three positions when Vincent slowed on the front stretch with mechanical failure, necessitating the third caution of the 25-lap main. Sherman, who could not make his way through the melee unscathed, headed into the pits as the yellow was displayed.
The first lap-17 restart was aborted with the driver’s coming to speed before the announced starting line; but the second one stuck. Despite heavy lapped traffic, the final laps were run under the green with a close finish. Wrenn took home the victory, followed by Richardi Jr, and Phil Lausier, who rounded out the top three. Billy Joerres and rookie Mark Charette completed the top five with Vincent, Sherman, Cleary, Mertz, Dave Richardi, and Giordano rounding out the field.
The PFMNE find themselves with five short days off before their second event of the season this Friday, May 22, 2009, at Lee USA Speedway.
Sources: Ashleigh Vanada/Pro-Four Modifieds of New England PR