April 29, 2007
Stafford's Spring Sizzler

Coming off a strong - albeit short-lived – run at the season opener, Renee followed NASCAR’s Whelen Modified Tour this weekend to Stafford Motor Speedway (Stafford Springs, CT). 

While she’s qualified into the top-10 at Stafford, the No. 90 team has struggled over the past few seasons at the flat, .5-mile oval. From the get go, the stop watch instantly proved the team was capable of change.  

Running competitive lap times in practice, the guys focused their efforts on preparing the car for qualifying. Again, several good teams would be sent packing following their run against the clock. Out of 42 cars, Renee qualified 26^th into the field. Just .352 seconds separated Stafford’s tight and remarkably fast starting field. Comparing that number to the .974 seconds that separated the starting line-up for this week’s Nextel Cup Series event illustrates just how competitive this Series is.

Prior to the drop of the green flag, Renee participated in Stafford’s annual Pit Party. Renee met with fans, signed autographs and posed for pictures during the hour-long party. In addition, she was interview by local FOX affiliate - FOX61. Portions of Renee’s interview aired on the Hartford (CT) based station’s ‘Sports Ticket’ program on Sunday evening (4/29). To view the 'sights and sounds' segment click here: FOX61 Sizzler.

Getting down to business, the team started the 200-lap race from deep in the field - working up into the top-15 before lap 70. “Our strategy going in was to try and keep all four wheels on the car,” explained Renee. “It was a lot of give and take, but we wanted to be there at the end.” 

The game plan was playing out well and with just 50-laps left to go the team had earned their way into the 11^th spot. Shortly after a restart on lap 159, running for position Renee got together with the 46 car and was forced to take the car to pit road for repairs. “The guys in the pits did a great job – both with our scheduled tire change and making repairs. They got us out quick and their hard work kept us on the lead lap.” 

“We got the right-front pretty good there and it definitely hurt the handling. Then, right at the end we just got monster-trucked out there by a car that wasn’t even running on the lead lap with us.” 

In the final rundown, the No. 90 car was credited with a 17^th place finish. “All weekend, we had a lot of people come by, saying how much we’ve stepped up our program this year. Our finish didn’t show it, but we had a fast car all weekend and that has certainly gotten the attention of some of the guys around us.” 

The WMT heads to Wall Township Speedway (NJ) next Sunday. The flash-format show – being billed as Thunder at the Shore - is scheduled to get underway on May 6 at 1 PM.