Richardi Wins Thriller at Thompson
Thompson, CT — In their final race of the 2009 season, the Pro Four Modifieds of New England (PFMNE) put on a spectacular show at the Thompson Int’l Speedway Sunday evening. Qualifying for the weekend long event was completed on Friday with Norm Wrenn and Dan Meservey, Jr. picking up heat race wins. Due to extensive rain on Saturday, the Harry Kourafas, Jr. Memorial race was postponed to Sunday. Rob Richardi, Jr. held off the advances of Norm Wrenn to pick up his first win of the season, snapping Wrenn’s World Series win streak.
Richardi, Jr. and Dan Meservey led the 21-car field to post. The #00 of Dave Richardi stole the second and third positions away from Meservey Jr. and Sr. in hot pursuit of his brother. By the time the cars were coming off of turn two, Wrenn had already passed the #16 of Stan Mertz, the #86 of Mark Charette, and #4 of Cory Cleary to claim tenth. Within the next two laps, the #83 of Franky Perry began to catch the #10 of Brian Vincent, and by lap four, he had completed the pass for a top five position. Vincent would also be passed by Wrenn on lap five, but the pass was nullified when the first caution flag of the event was displayed for the #60 of Andy Majors and the #11a of Dan Meservey, who both made contact with the wall in turn three. Both drivers were unable to continue.
On the restart, the top five included the two Richardi brothers followed by Meservey, Jr., Vincent and the #07 of Phil Lausier, who inherited a position in the top five after Sagar retired from the race during the caution period. At the drop of the green, Meservey, Jr. fell off the pace, while Wrenn began his charge to the front. By lap seven he passed Vincent and Perry, and was stalking the Richardis for the first two positions. They would continue to run this way until Lausier went spinning in turn two, necessitating a lap-fourteen caution.
On the restart, the Richardis continued to show the way with Wrenn right on their heels in the third position. Perry and Vincent rounded out the top five. On lap seventeen, Wrenn was able to complete the pass of Dave Richardi with Vincent in tow. While Richardi was battling for the fourth position with Tyler Anderson, who had come all the way from the back, contact was made and the result was a lap nineteen caution flag. Richardi would be able to continue, but Anderson had terminal damage to his #25 mount.
On the restart, Richardi caught Wrenn sleeping and jumped out to a four car length advantage. Eventually, Wrenn would get back to Richardis back bumper, and would hound the race leader all the way to checkers. All of his efforts, however, were not enough as Richardi ended up leading every lap of the 25-lap main. Wrenn finished second, with Perry, Vincent, and George Sherman rounding out the top five. Positions six through ten went to Dave Richardi, Robin Berghman, Lausier, Dick Dubois, and Tim D’Amico. Mark Giordano, Cory Cleary, Jim Darlington, Mark Charette, and Anderson took positions eleven through fifteen. And rounding out the field was Meservey, Jr., Joe Lemay, 2009 Limited Pro Four Modifieds of New England Champion Stan Mertz, Meservey, Sr., Sagar, and Majors.
The first three Limiteds across the line were Mark Giordano, Mark Charette, and Joe Lemay.
Thompson was the final scheduled event of the 2009 season. Next up on the docket is the Four-Cylinder Flea Market at Dennis’ Auto in Spencer, MA. For all of the details on this event and all other off-season events, please stay tuned to www.pro4mods.com.
Sources: Ashleigh Vanada/Pro Four Modifieds of New England PR