Norm Wrenn Wins Pro Four Modified Race at Beech Ridge for Seventh Win of Season
Scarborough, ME — The Pro Four Modifieds of New England (PFMNE) completed their eighth race as part of the Four Cylinder Nationals, sponsored by Kraze Korlacki Speed Equipment, at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway on Sunday. It was the #1m of “Stormin’ Norman” Wrenn that thundered his way from last to victory lane for the seventh time this year.
The series gridded a 15-car field for the 39-lap feature—in honor of the PFMNE’s 39th anniversary. In what was to be his first appearance of the season, the #00 of Dave Richardi was unable to complete his heat or return for the feature when his machine encountered mechanical difficulties. The same held true for the #83 of Franky Perry and the #68 of Eric Trask as well.
Taking the green flag was the #11a of Dan Meservey and the #13 of George Sherman in the front row. The #29 of Matt Sagar, who started in fifth, worked his way passed the #07x of Robin Berghman and the #12 of Rob Richardi, Jr. on the inside. On lap two, Sherman took the lead away from Meservey. Meanwhile, at the back of the pack, the #10 of Brian Vincent and Wrenn’s #1m worked their way through the traffic, passing under the #07 of Phil Lausier in the process. One lap later, Sagar drove his machine around Meservey and Sherman to become the new race leader. The #4 of Cory Cleary started in 10th and made his way through the field, passing Berghman on lap 4, with Wrenn close behind. Five laps into the event, Richardi Jr. saw an opportunity and took it—passing Sherman on the frontstretch for the bridesmaid position. Wrenn moved into third after racing side-by-side with Sherman.
A caution came out on lap twelve, when Cleary, Meservey, and Lausier spun in turns three and four. On the restart, Sagar exploded into the lead with Wrenn following in the low groove from his third place restarting position. Within two laps, Vincent passed Berghman for seventh, and Bedard began closing in on the #07x also. It was on this same lap that Richardi Jr. slowed on the fronstretch, bringing his Richardi Automotive machine to the pits after it began billowing smoke.
The caution came out for the second time on lap twenty-one when Sagar spun. On the restart, Wrenn and Vincent held the first and third positions, but when the green flag unfurled, they roared passed Cleary, who had restarted in second. On the backstretch, Sagar—who had to start at the end of the lead lap cars—powered under Berghman for a spot in the top five. But that glory was short-lived when he was forced pit-side with mechanical failure. With fourteen laps to go, Bedard and Crawford kept up their battle in the middle of the pack, but Bedard continued to hold the advantage.
Wrenn, Vincent, and Cleary made up a close top three going into the final ten laps of the feature event. When the two-to-go signal was shown, Cleary made his move under Vincent for second. When the white flag unfurled, Crawford made his move around Bedard. In turns three and four, however, Cleary spun before he reached the checkered flag; he was able to get it going again and cross the line. Wrenn took home the win, followed closely by Vincent and Cleary to round out the top three. Berghman; Lausier; Crawford; Bedard; D’Amico; Mertz; Meservey; Sagar; Richardi, Jr.; Sherman; and Eric McGovern rounded out the top ten. Crawford was the first Limited driver to cross the finish line, and Bedard and Mertz rounded out the top three.
The PFMNE have a week off, but will return to racing on Saturday, August 15, at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, NH.
Sources:Ashleigh Vanada/Pro Four Modifieds of New England PR