Driver Spotlight: Meet Cory Cleary
Favorite Tracks: Waterford and Seekonk
Favorite Non-Racing Activities: Hanging out and going to concerts
Favorite Drivers: His grandfather and Randy Cabral (NEMA)
Following proudly in the paw prints of “Leo the Lion” (veteran New England driver and his grandfather), Cory “The Cub” Cleary loves open-wheel racing and respects modified driving everywhere.
His career began in go-karts at Sugar Hill Speedway in Weare, New Hampshire. Within his five-year career there, he racked up the Junior Road Course Championship and the Most Improved Driver Award. Wanting to taste something faster, he climbed into a Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) machine and snatched up the Rookie of the Year Award his first season. After two years with that division he decided to try something new—stepping into another open-wheel car, but this time with the Pro Four Modifieds of New England (PFMNE). Again, he demonstrated his seriousness for the sport when he took home the Rookie of the Year Award.
Now in his fourth season with the PFMNE, Cory stated that this is his best season so far. Currently fourth in the points standings, he proved that he’s in it to win it when he drove his #4 Japanese Motors machine into victory lane at Seekonk Speedway several weeks ago. When asked what that felt like to finish first, he said, “It was nice, since it’s been two years since our last win.”
So what does Cory have in mind for the road ahead? Finishing the season strong, primarily. But as for the future, he says he would love to race with the True Value or Whelen tours—“I’d be happy with anything.”
For now, catch Cory as he charges the top three leaders in the point standings in the PFMNE series.
Sources: Ashleigh Vanada/PFMNE PR