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• 19Aug

  Bristol Short-Circuit

  2010, Bristol, NHMS

  On Wednesday, August 18 NASCAR’s Whelen Modified Tour traveled to Bristol Motor Speedway for the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 event.

  For the number No. 90 team – it was the first time any of the team members had visited the track rightfully dubbed as the ‘World’s Fastest Half Mile.’ Regardless, after completing registration and inspection a day earlier, the team began race day with almost three hours of practice.

  “I watched the first 15 minutes of practice – because we knew we were going to run out of tires before the end of the session,” explained Renee. “I watched a bunch of experienced drivers spin – so that made the place even more intimidating.”

  Regardless, after logging lots of track time, the team participated in qualifying – turning their fastest lap of the day. With the car sent to impound, the team readied for the race – in the interim entertaining their union guests from Boilermakers Local 154 (Pittsburgh, PA).

  At 6 PM the green flag fell in front of a sizable crowd – including those watching SPEED’s live television broadcast. Off the initial start and an additional restart, Renee was able to gain five spots. But, on just lap 28 her car began to puff smoke from under the hood and she pulled the car to pit road – trailing oil along the way. When the car stopped on pit road, a large puddle of oil began to form under the engine and in the driver’s compartment. With no obvious signs of engine damage, the team searched for the source of the massive oil leak.

  “In the end, the guys found that the alternator wire shorted out and blew a hole in the oil pressure gauge line. I’m not sure how to feel. Obviously, I’m relieved to learn that we didn’t hurt the engine. On the other hand, to be taken out by the proverbial 25-cent part type of deal is another in a string of frustrations.”

  With a much needed break in the schedule, the team will next be in action at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Loudon, NH) on Saturday, September 18.

• 07Aug

  Stafford’s Town Fair Tire 150

  2010, Stafford, Thompson, UNION Insurance Group
  

  Renee chats with Ralph Sheheen - Versus' pit road reporter. Hodge photo.

  On Friday, NASCAR’s Whelen Modified Tour competed at Stafford Motor Speedway (Stafford Springs, CT) for the 20th annual Town Fair Tire 150. Friday’s race marked the third of four visits to the .5-mile speedway during the 2010 season.

  As customary, the teams in attendance began the day with a 90-minute practice session, followed by qualifying.

  Following the WMT’s standard autograph session on Stafford’s midway, the green flag waved at about 9:40 PM.

  The UNION Insurance Group Chevrolet started deep in the field, but steadily worked forward. When the first caution waved on lap 48, the team pitted for fresh rubber along with most of the field. The race resumed on lap 57, but was followed by a string of cautions – during which the team was awarded the Lucky Dog pass. During one of several cautions the team decided to pit for chassis adjustments. By about the lap 100 mark, the team restarted in a race-high of 11^th place. When the checkered flag fell 50 laps later, Renee crossed the line in 13^th. With the finish, the team remains 17^th in points.

  “The guys did a great job in the pits and after the stops, the car was much better. It’s probably the best we’ve run at Stafford all season. But, I think that’s more a reflection on getting our brake situation finally solved,” offered Renee. I’m glad we’re leaving here in one piece – it’ll make this week a little easier.”

  For those who weren’t able to make it out to the track, the Stafford race will be televised on Wednesday, August 11 at 7 PM ET on Versus.

  As Renee alluded to, the team faces another tight turn around as they head to Thompson International Speedway (Thompson, CT) on Thursday, August 12 for another 150-lap feature. The Thompson event marks the third of four races in a span of 18 days.

  “I’m looking forward to Thompson. It’s my favorite track and we ran really well in this race a year ago.”

• 05Aug

  Bristol Race to Air Live On SPEED

  Bristol, Broadcast Info, NHMS

  Today, NASCAR announced the ‘UNOH Perfect Storm 150′ at Bristol Motor Speedway will be broadcast live on SPEED. The NASCAR Whelen Modified and Southern Modified Tour combination race will be carried live starting at 6 PM ET on Wednesday, August 18.

  The UNOH Perfect Storm 150 will run just prior to NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series ‘O’Reilly 200′ – which will also air on SPEED.

  As it turns out, it will be a big week for the Whelen Modified Tour on SPEED: A day after the Bristol telecast, the New England 100 – which was contested back on June 26 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway – will premier on Thursday, August 19 at 6 PM ET.

  Looking forward, on Saturday, September 18 SPEED will also carry same-day broadcast coverage of the Whelen Modified Tour ‘F.W. Webb 100‘ at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

• 01Aug

  Riverhead Contact Results in First DNF of Season

  2010, Riverhead, Stafford

  NASCR’s Whelen Modified Tour rolled into Riverhead (Riverhead, Long Island, New York) for the running of the ‘Riverhead 200’ on Saturday night.

  The day began with an hour long practice session, followed by qualifying and a 25-lap heat race. In the end, Renee took a provisional starting position and started 27^th in the field.

  Starting from the back, the team began the race with a strategy of just trying to stay on the lead-lap, while avoiding any accidents. Riverhead Tour races are notorious for being caution-filled, as it’s a track where passing is difficult.

  That plan came to a tire screeching haul on lap 26 when Renee spun to the infield after being hit from behind by the 88 car (Riverhead regular Dave Brigati). At that point, the car went a lap down as Renee attempted to pull back onto the race surface.

  “We obviously weren’t happy to flat out get turned, but we kept at it hoping to get the lucky dog,” offered Renee.

  That opportunity never came. On lap 73, Renee was again dumped by the 88 car entering turn three. This time, several other cars piled in – with significant contact to the left rear of the No. 90 car. The team pitted and changed the left rear, speedily returning the car to competition. Just a few laps later, Renee felt something let go in the rear of the car and pulled to the infield. Upon inspection by the crew, a broken left-side axle was found. Versus’ broadcast footage of the accident can be found in this video clip (the accident is featured at about the 2 minute 10 second mark).

  Renee explained: “Axles don’t usually just break. The guys soon discovered that the contact in the left rear was severe enough to bend the axle tube. When we went back out, the tube was rubbing on the axle – and that friction quickly caused the axle to snap. If we had put another axle in, the same thing would have just happened again. Aside from replacing the straight rear with a quick change – which wasn’t going to happen in the time we had left, we didn’t have any option but to take a DNF (did not finish).”

  The team was credited with a 25^th place finish and remains 17^th in points.

  “I was clearly pissed to get wrecked by the same guy twice. There’s no history between us and there was absolutely no reason for him to get into me. I expressed my frustration. Twice. During the second confrontation – when his crew members started to get a little too mouthy for my liking – he shut them up by flatly admitting that he just plain wrecked us both times. He didn’t have much else to offer other than, in his opinion, ‘that’s short track racing.’ I don’t know, maybe he’s watched too much Madhouse or something – but that’s not short track racing.”

  Riverhead marked the start of a busy stretch for the WMT – with four races scheduled over just 18 days. The team will race again this Friday night at Stafford Motor Speedway (Stafford Springs, CT) for a 150-lap race.

• 18Jul

  Tour Returns to Monadnock after 20-year Absence

  2010, Broadcast Info, Monadnock, Riverhead
  

  The No. 90 UNION Insurance Group Chevrolet comes off turn four at Monadnock. Hodge Photo.

  On Saturday (July 17) NASCAR’s Whelen Modified Tour returned to Monadnock Speedway (Winchester, NH) for the first time in 20 years. The trip to ‘Mad Dog’ – as the .25-mile facility has been nicknamed – marks the halfway point in the 2010 season.

  Following registration and inspection, two 45-minute practice sessions were held. With some radio assistance from Dale Evonsion, the team picked up the pace in the second session.

  “When I saw Carol (our spotter) chatting with Dale – I thought ‘he has a ton of laps here, maybe he can help me figure this place out.’ The two of them helped tremendously,” recalled Renee.

  After practice, came qualifying. In qualifying, Renee timed 17^th – and, as a result, had to run a 25-lap heat race. She finished third.

  At about 9 PM, the green flag dropped on the 175-lap feature. The team struggled with an ill handling race car for most of the race.

  “We pitted for adjustments several times and the guys did an excellent job in the pits. Running on .25-mile tracks requires super fast pit stops – if you don’t want to lose laps. The guys made all the changes we called for while keeping us on the lead lap. The pit stops are the best thing that happened all night.”

  On lap 135 several cars got together in front of Renee, while she slowed to avoid the wreck, she got shoved into the accident from behind. It took two laps to pull away from the pile-up and another three laps in the pits while the crew repaired the front end.

  In the end, Renee finished 18^th – and is now ranked 17^th in the points standings.

  Next up, on Saturday, July 31 the Tour will compete at Long Island’s .25-mile Riverhead Raceway in another 175-lap feature. The race at Riverhead will be broadcast in primetime on Versus on Wednesday, August 4 at 8 PM.

• 04Jul

  Turning Right

  2010, Lime Rock Park, Molyslip, UNION Insurance Group
  

  Renee runs with a pack of cars through LRP's optional uphill chicane. Hodge Photo.

  This past weekend, NASCAR’s Whelen Modified Tour visited the hallowed grounds of Lime Rock Park (Lakeville, CT). The Tour’s appearance at the 1.53-mile road course marked the Series’ first event on something other than an asphalt oval in a decade; as well as the inaugural event at LRP (previous road course events were held at Watkins Glen).

  Friday (July 2) offered up two practice sessions and qualifying for the WMT; as well as the same for NASCAR’s K&N East Series. In the group qualifying session, Renee ran two laps – before missing the chicane on the third lap, followed by a car going off course directly in front of her on the forth lap. In the end, she qualified her UNION Insurance Group Chevrolet to the 19^th position.

  On Saturday morning, while the team made final preparations on the car, Renee attended a driver’s meeting and participated in an autograph session. She also spent time – not just on Saturday, but throughout the event – with Molyslip representatives Stephen Joyce and Wayne Johnson.

  “Earlier this season, we developed a relationship with Molyslip – a Canadian-based company that produces high-performance lubricant products,” offered Renee. “To have Steve and Wayne make the long trip from Toronto meant a lot. They are a couple of super guys and the entire team enjoyed getting to know them. It’s the icing on the cake that they also happen to have a great product line.”

  

  The UIG No. 90 heads under the bridge at Lime Rock. Hodge Photo.

  Shortly after noontime, the green flag waved for the 66-lap race. Renee maintained a competitive pace – pitting along with the rest of the field for a mandatory fueling pit stop on lap 20. When the race resumed, Renee pick up spots here and there. She notable went off course just once – in Big Bend – with just a few laps remaining in the race.

  “When NASCAR first announced this event, we knew survival was going to be key. We figured if we could just survive, we would end up with a decent finish. We kept all the suspension on the car; we took care of the engine; and the transmission (courtesy of race winning team owner Wayne Darling) survived unscathed. And, because of that, we ended-up with a respectable finish.”

  In the end, the team earned a 13^th place finish – moving up to the 16^th spot in the tight season long points championship. For those who weren’t able to make it out to the track, the race will be televised on SPEED on Thursday, July 22 at 6 PM EST. Please check out our gallery for photos from LRP.

  “I have to send out a special thanks to all of the crew. This was an incredibly difficult race to prepare for – many, many long hours went into changing the car over for road course racing. It was difficult to accomplish – especially given the tight time constraints between Loudon and LRP – and it will be a long process converting everything back over to get ready for Monadnock. On another note, at the track, the three spotters did an awesome job. Carol, Charli and Steve worked together like they had been doing it for years – despite never having worked together before. I really want to thank everyone involved for all their hard work.”

  Next, the WMT moves to the .25-mile Monadnock Speedway (Winchester, NH) on Saturday, July 17. In the meantime, check out an interview Renee did with Kate Wedman on her blog ‘Work Hard, Play Harder.’

• 01Jul

  A Collection of Recent News Snippets

  2010, Lime Rock Park, NHMS, UNION Insurance Group

  UIG Recognized on NASCAR’s website

  Just prior to the running of New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s New England 100, NASCAR posted the news release ‘UNION Insurance Group Goes Full-Time in NASCAR’s Whelen Modified Tour’ to the Home Tracks section of their website. The release marked some much anticipated publicity for the Chicago-based insurance agency.

  UNION Insurance Group President Chris DeCaigny – who was standing on Loudon’s pit road when the release was published – was pleased to see his agency receive recognition for their support of the lone-female in one of NASCAR’s most competitive Series.

  Boilermaker Reporter

  The team received even more press in the Boilermaker Reporter – the official publication of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. Renee is a third generation Boilermaker – working in the office of the Northeast Area Apprenticeship Program since graduating with honors from the University of Connecticut.

  The story appears in both the print and on-line versions of the Reporter.

  Make-A-Wish Foundation

  When leaving the Driver’s Meeting at NHMS, Renee was approached by NASCAR with an opportunity to spend some time with a visiting Make-A-Wish family. She jumped at the chance – meeting the Full family from Minnesota. Renee Full (it turns out the two shared the same first name) had traveled half way across the country to have her wish of meeting Sprint Cup Champion Jimmy Johnson fulfilled.

  The group – escorted by two State Police officers – walked out on to pit road, where Renee spoke with the family – answering questions and bantering back and forth about racing in general. Together they watched some qualifying runs for the Nationwide Series. Renee then enlisted the help of Phil Kurze (Whelen Engineering’s Motorsports Director) to help her new friend obtain Danica Patrick’s autograph.

  “I had a wonderful time with the Renee and the Full Family,” said Renee. “I’ve never had the chance to work with Make-A-Wish before, but it’s something I would like to continue doing. It was a really powerful experience. Knowing she is a Jimmy Johnson fan, I was happy to see him win on Sunday – I hope the family made it down to victory lane. We exchanged contact information – I plan to stay in touch.”

  To learn more about Renee’s journey, please click here.

  

  The UIG No. 90 heads under the bridge at Lime Rock. Hodge Photo.

  Lime Rock Park Test Session

  On Tuesday, June 29, the No. 90 team headed out to Lime Rock Park (Lakeville, CT) to participate in an open-test session – in anticipation of the race to be held there on July 3.

  The team ran several laps, despite having clutch/transmission issues.

  “We had some mechanical issues – but that’s part of the reason we went. Obviously, it was important to run laps, but we also wanted to make sure we had the car sorted out. I’ve spent a number of days out at Lime Rock this spring – trying to learn how to run a road course – but it was pretty different in a Modified. I’m glad we went.”

• 27Jun

  Accident Hinders NHMS Run

  2010, Lime Rock Park, NHMS, UNION Insurance Group

  

  A specially-prepared car (with a chrome-nose) was ready for action at NHMS. The car never made it to the big-show on Saturday. Hodge Photo.

  This past weekend, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour traveled to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the first of two visits to the facility during the 2010 season.

  For the Tour, the event began on Thursday with a late-morning practice session. Not too deep into practice, Renee backed her UNION Insurance Group Chevrolet into the second turn wall. With significant chassis damage, the team was forced to return to their Connecticut-based race shop to retrieve their second car.

  “I put us behind the 8-ball by wrecking in practice,” said Renee. “I hate that it happened – the whole crew had to hustle to get the second car back to Loudon. It was a lot of long hours in the shop and, in the end, it wasn’t the combination we wanted to run there. We had to do what we had to do to salvage some type of finish.”

  Starting from a provisional starting position of 35^th, Renee moved up several positions during the course of the event – eventually crossing the finish line in 20^th position. The team remains ranked 19^th in the season-long points battle.

  Please take a moment to view photos from New Hampshire in our on-line gallery.

  Next up, NASCAR’s Whelen Modified Tour heads to Lime Rock Park Speedway (Lakeville, CT) for the Series’ only road course appearance on the schedule. In advance of the race, the team will participate in an open test at Lime Rock on Tuesday, June 29.

• 21Jun

  1st Annual NEW YORK Shoot – Shoot For A Cure

  2010, Shoot For A Cure
  

  Alicia and Renee at the UNION Insurance Group sponsored station.

  On Saturday, June 19 Renee and team member Justin Dutton traveled to Clinton, NY to attend the Shoot For A Cure sporting clays event at the Clinton Fish and Game Club.

  Proceeds from the 1st Annual NEW YORK Shoot benefited the ‘Christin Gachowski Martin Foundation’ [which focuses on leukemia and lymphoma research and stem cell donor registration]; and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

  Renee and Justin were joined by Alicia Fidler – their friend and UNION Insurance Group’s Director of Sales and Marketing. The trio spent much of the day traveling to 14 different sporting clays stations. Where, at each station, each team member shot three or four pair.

  “I was a total newbie, having never shot sporting clays,” said Renee. “But, Shoot For A Cure is so well organized, there were plenty of knowledgeable instructors to help me along the way.”

  “It’s certainly not easy,” she continued. “As you move from station to station the clays come from different directions, distances, angles and heights.”

  After the shoot, the participants enjoyed lunch followed by an awards ceremony and raffles.

  Prior to the awards, Mark (Gagliardi – SFAC’s National Event Chairman) gave an impassioned speech on how far leukemia cure rates have progressed in a relatively short time frame. Also, he spoke of the simple process of becoming a stem cell donor.

  “While I was impressed by the entire event, I was particularly interested in the raffle items. You see, I was raised in a household where purchasing American-made products was emphasized.  And, as each and every item came across the table it was neat that they were all American-made. That was cool. Personally, I think it would go a long way in helping our economy if we made a habit of purchasing products made in America.”

  Please take a moment to view photos from the event in our gallery.

• 16Jun

  Molyslip Officially Announces Sponsorship

  2010, Molyslip

  Today Molyslip released their official announcement of their sponsorship of Whelen Modified Tour driver Renee Dupuis.

  As previously documented, the relationship uniquely developed through the social networking site Twitter.

  Since the original Twitter banter, the partnership has come along nicely. The team is now full integrating Molyslip’s product line into their preparation and maintenance work. And, Molyslip President Stephen Joyce is even planning on attending the upcoming NASCAR WMT event at Lime Rock Park (Lakeville, CT).

  “We’re excited Stephen is making the long trek from Toronto (ON, Canada) to take in a race with us. It will be great to introduce him to the world of Modifieds,” explained Renee. “While he’s here, I hope he has the opportunity to speak with some of the other teams in attendance. He has a great product line and we’re trying to help him spread the word.”

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