Cleary Captures Open Wheel Wednesday Checkers
Seekonk, MA — The Pro Four Modifieds of New England (PFMNE) dished up a thrilling race in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the highly-acclaimed Open Wheel Wednesday show at the “Action Track of the East.” With victory long overdue, the #4 of Cory “The Cub” Cleary found himself atop the leaderboard when the checkers unfurled, collecting his first win of the 2009 season.
The 30-lap main event began with the #11a of Dan Meservey on the pole and Cleary to his outside. The #13 of George Sherman, the #10 of Brian Vincent, and the #83 of Franky Perry rounded out the top five starting positions. At the drop of the green, Sherman went under Meservey as Cleary and Vincent powered by on the outside. When the #34 of Mark Giordano slowed on the frontstretch, the #29 of Matt Sagar also spun, causing the first caution of the event on lap 2. On the restart, Cleary and Vincent made up the frontrow. Meanwhile, towards the back of the pack, the #1m of Norm Wrenn followed the #07x of Robin Berghman as they passed the #07 of Phil Lausier and the #16 of Stan Mertz to advance into the top ten.
Taking advantage of a long green flag run, Cleary and Vincent had begun pulling away from the others when the yellow flag came out for Giordano’s spin in turns one and two. With the field tightened up, Wrenn set his eyes on the leader, looking inside of Sherman on lap fourteen, and finally completing the pass on lap sixteen—when he moved into the third position. After running in the top five for much of the day, Franky Perry suddenly slowed on the backstretch, as he was forced to bring his #83 Pro-Four pitside with mechanical failure. As the ten-to-go signal was given to the field, Wrenn moved into the outside groove to pass Vincent, while . Richardi, Jr. ducked under Sherman for fourth.
On lap twenty-three, Wrenn began closing the distance between himself and Cleary. Just as Wrenn attempted to pass for the lead, the caution flag was displayed for the #34 of Mark Giordano, who went spinning in turns three and four. On the restart, Wrenn moved outside to attempt to pass around Cleary, but was unable to complete it as the final caution flag of the event was displayed on lap twenty-seven for an accident between Dave Bedard and the #99 of Billy Joerres. Both cars were forced to retire from the race. During the caution, Rob Richardi, Jr. was sent pit-side by officials because, putting an end to an otherwise stellar run.
Cleary was able to hang onto the lead in the last few laps, despite Wrenn’s best advances. Vincent, Sherman, and Berghman rounded out the top five. Lausier, Mertz, Meservey, Giordano, and Richardi, Jr. filled out the top ten. Joerres, Joe Lemay, Sagar, Bedard, Perry, and Sirignano were credited with positions eleven through sixteenth, respectively.
The PFMNE will make their next appearance at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH, on Friday, July 24, as part of the Triple Crown Series presented by RF Logic and Bot-L-Gas. Racing starts at 7:00pm.
Sources: Ashleigh Vanada/PFMNE PR