2009 Series Champion Wrenn Captures Pro Four Modifieds of New England Season Opener at Waterford Speedbowl
Waterford, CT – March 27, 2010 – The RF Logic / Bot-L-Gas Pro Four Modifieds of New England racing series took their first green of the season at Waterford Speedbowl this weekend. Practice rounds were held Friday, followed by another round of practice, qualifying heats, and the feature race on Saturday.
George Sherman and Billy Joerres lead the field to the green in the first heat. By the second lap Brian Vincent started to get under Joerres, and Norm Wrenn was close behind. On the following lap, Wrenn took to the outside of Vincent, while Sherman held a strong lead. As Wrenn began to look to the outside of Sherman for the lead, Joerres began to blow smoke and slow down. Wrenn passed Sherman for the lead and they took the checked followed by Vincent, Mertz and Rob Richardi, Jr., who hit the wall in the fourth corner on the last lap as a wheel snapped off of his car. Billy Joerres rounded out the field.
Tyler Anderson held the pole in the second heat and lead all the way to the finish. The #00 of Dave Richardi fought hard on the outside for the first lap but tucked in line by the second lap and was followed closely behind by Kurt Vigeant. By lap four, Vigeant was able to pass D. Richardi and took a look to the inside of Anderson, but didn’t have enough time to make the pass. Anderson and Vigeant were followed by D. Richardi, Adam Norton, and Mark Charette at the line. Mark Giordano was also slated to be in this heat but failed to start the race due to mechanical difficulties.
The feature event went start to finish without any cautions, but much excitement. Tyler Anderson and D. Richardi held their first and second starting positions for the first 6 laps. Richardi, Jr., took a quick look to the outside of the leaders but got caught out high and was forced to settle back in line in the sixth position. By the seventh lap, the leaders begun to lap the field and Wrenn passed D. Richardi for second place. Not long after, Wrenn began putting some pressure on race leader, Anderson, but couldn’t make the pass. While that battle heated up in the front, just behind them, Sherman began to look for a way around D. Richardi for third.
At the halfway point Anderson lead Wrenn, D. Richardi, Sherman, Vincent, Richardi, Jr., Norton, Vigeant, Mertz, Charette, and Joerres. By this time, #07 of Phil Lausier had pulled off the track, as planned, due to mechanical malfunctions he had encountered earlier in the day.
With nine laps to go the excitement picked up when car #12 of Richardi, Jr., dropped off the pace and then picked back up to speed half a lap later, just as the leaders were coming around. Two laps later the #13 of Sherman pulled into the infield and the leaders began to battle for the lead. With five to go, Wrenn went high around the lap car of Richardi, Jr., and Anderson looked low but couldn’t get around. By the time Anderson made it by it was too late and Wrenn was well on his way to capturing the first checkered flag of the season.
Wrenn and Anderson were followed across the line by D. Richardi, Vincent, Norton, Richardi, Jr., Mertz, Charette, Joerres and Vigeant. For finishing fifth, Norton also received a $50 gift certificate to Joe’s Racing Products.
Official Finish:
1. 1m- Norm Wrenn
2. 25- Tyler Anderson
3. 00- Dave Richardi
4. 10- Brian Vincent
5. 01- Adam Norton
6. 12- Rob Richardi, Jr. (-1 lap)
7. 16- Stan Mertz (-1 lap)
8. 86- Mark Charette (-1 lap)
9. 99- Billy Joerres (-3 laps)
10. 7- Kurt Vigeant
11. 13- George Sherman (DNF)
12. 07- Phil Lausier (DNF)