Wrenn Picks Up First Pro-4 Win at Seekonk
Seekonk, MA — The Pro Four Modified Racing Series of New England (PFMNE) took to the “Cement Palace,” Seekonk Speedway, on Saturday, June 6, for their fourth event of the 2009 season. A strong field of 19 four-cylinder modifieds signed into the paddock area for the extra distance main presented by Kraze Korlacki Speed Equipment. “Stormin’ Norman” Wrenn made it four for four this season, picking up his first career victory at the famed Massachusetts oval.
The #73 of Jim Darlington wasn’t able to make it out after the practice due to motor problems. The remaining 18 cars competed in two qualifying heats. In the first heat, a three-car wreck collected the #34 of Mark Giordano, #16 of Stan Mertz, and the #99 of Billy Joerres. The wreck proved terminal for Giordano, but Mertz and Joerres both were able to repair their Limited Pro Fours before the main event.
The 30-lap main event started 17 strong, with the #13 of George Sherman on the pole and the #10 of Brian Vincent on the outside. At the drop of the green, the #4 of Cory Cleary began challenging the #07 of Phil Lausier for the fourth position. Meanwhile, Mertz advanced from his scratch starting spot, passing #19 of Tim D’Amico.
The first of four yellows slowed the race on lap six when the #12 of Rob Richardi, Jr. spun around coming out of turn two. Richardi, Jr. would go pitside, but return several laps later after repairs were made to his #12 family-owned racecar. On the restart, Vincent powered by Sherman, placing his machine firmly in the lead. While those two duked it out for the top stop, the #1m of Wrenn continued to improve from his 11th place starting position. By the time lap nine was complete, Wrenn had already passed both Cleary and Sherman, and had his eyes set on Vincent, who continued to show the way. As Wrenn began to challenge Vincent for the lead, the second caution flag of the event was displayed when the orange #4 of Cory Cleary lost its motor, setting him on the sidelines for the remaining 18 laps.
On the restart, the #07x of Robin Berghman-who was competing in her first event of the 2009 season-moved under Lausier to firmly plant herself inside of the top five. Just shy of the halfway signal, the #29 of Matt Sagar rebounded from pitting early on to wrestle the seventh position away from the #11 of Keith Caruso. Further up in the field, Vincent got loose coming off of turn four, allowing Sherman to take over his spot. On the very next lap, Vincent got loose again, but this time he was unable to save it, necessitating the third caution flag of the event on lap 21.
Problems on the restart caused the field to get bottled up, damaging the cars of Vincent and the #83 of Franky Perry, resulting in the final yellow flag of the event as both cars came to rest on the racetrack. This restart was a success with Sherman proving to be no challenge for Wrenn. When the five to go signal was shown, Berghman made her move under Sagar on the frontstretch, and completed her pass on the backstretch to move into third position. When the checkers were unfurled it was Wrenn picking up his fourth consecutive victory, followed by Sherman, Berghman, Sagar, and Lausier who rounded out the top five. Positions six through ten went to Caruso, Mertz, Mark Charette, Richardi, Jr., and D’Amico. Eric McGovern, Vincent, Perry, Joerres, Cleary, Henry Sirignano, and Dan Meservey rounded out the rest of the field.
On Saturday, June 20, 2009, the PFMNE will make their second appearance of the season at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, New Hampshire.
Sources: Ashleigh Vanada/PFMNE PR