Wrenn Picks Up First Pro-4 Win at Seekonk



Seekonk, MA - The Pro Four Modified Racing Series of New England (PFMNE)
took to the "Cement Palace," Seekonk Speedway, on Saturday, June 6, for
their fourth event of the 2009 season. A strong field of 19 four-cylinder
modifieds signed into the paddock area for the extra distance main
presented by Kraze Korlacki Speed Equipment. "Stormin' Norman" Wrenn made
it four for four this season, picking up his first career victory at the
famed Massachusetts oval.



The #73 of Jim Darlington wasn't able to make it out after the practice
due to motor problems. The remaining 18 cars competed in two qualifying
heats.  In the first heat, a three-car wreck collected the #34 of Mark
Giordano, #16 of Stan Mertz, and the #99 of Billy Joerres.  The wreck
proved terminal for Giordano, but Mertz and Joerres both were able to
repair their Limited Pro Fours before the main event.



The 30-lap main event started 17 strong, with the #13 of George Sherman on
the pole and the #10 of Brian Vincent on the outside. At the drop of the
green, the #4 of Cory Cleary began challenging the #07 of Phil Lausier for
the fourth position.  Meanwhile, Mertz advanced from his scratch starting
spot, passing #19 of Tim D'Amico.



The first of four yellows slowed the race on lap six when the #12 of Rob
Richardi, Jr. spun around coming out of turn two.  Richardi, Jr. would go
pitside, but return several laps later after repairs were made to his #12
family-owned racecar. On the restart, Vincent powered by Sherman, placing
his machine firmly in the lead. While those two duked it out for the top
stop, the #1m of Wrenn continued to improve from his 11th place starting
position.  By the time lap nine was complete, Wrenn had already passed
both Cleary and Sherman, and had his eyes set on Vincent, who continued to
show the way.  As Wrenn began to challenge Vincent for the lead, the
second caution flag of the event was displayed when the orange #4 of Cory
Cleary lost its motor, setting him on the sidelines for the remaining 18
laps.



On the restart, the #07x of Robin Berghman-who was competing in her first
event of the 2009 season-moved under Lausier to firmly plant herself
inside of the top five. Just shy of the halfway signal, the #29 of Matt
Sagar rebounded from pitting early on to wrestle the seventh position away
from the #11 of Keith Caruso. Further up in the field, Vincent got loose
coming off of turn four, allowing Sherman to take over his spot.  On the
very next lap, Vincent got loose again, but this time he was unable to
save it, necessitating the third caution flag of the event on lap 21.



Problems on the restart caused the field to get bottled up, damaging the
cars of Vincent and the #83 of Franky Perry, resulting in the final yellow
flag of the event as both cars came to rest on the racetrack. This restart
was a success with Sherman proving to be no challenge for Wrenn.  When the
five to go signal was shown, Berghman made her move under Sagar on the
frontstretch, and completed her pass on the backstretch to move into third
position.  When the checkers were unfurled it was Wrenn picking up his
fourth consecutive victory, followed by Sherman, Berghman, Sagar, and
Lausier who rounded out the top five. Positions six through ten went to
Caruso, Mertz, Mark Charette, Richardi, Jr., and D'Amico. Eric McGovern,
Vincent, Perry, Joerres, Cleary, Henry Sirignano, and Dan Meservey rounded
out the rest of the field.



On Saturday, June 20, 2009, the PFMNE will make their second appearance of
the season at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, New Hampshire.