Connecticut Magazine Publishes ‘The Fast Lane: NASCAR Driver Renee Dupuis’ Story
Back a few years ago, Renee was contact by Yale University student Nikita Lalwani. At the time, Nikita requested a series of telephone and in-person interviews with her for a story she was writing as a class assignment.
“I’ve gotten some strange interview requests over the years, but Nikita’s status as a Yale student offered credibility – so I decided to do the initial interview,” explained Renee.
“Over a period of time, we spoke by phone and corresponded by email on multiple occasions,” she continued. “She interviewed both of my parents and even trekked up from New Haven to see the racecars and visit the race shop. Eventually she submitted the paper and, since that time, we’ve kept in touch.”
Recently, Renee was surprised to hear from Nikita – who is now employed by and writing for the Wall Street Journal. Nikita shared with Renee that her original story would be published by Connecticut Magazine.
As it turns out, an expanded version of the story is now available online on Connecticut Magazine’s website; with a condensed version appearing in print in the magazine’s February issue. The print version is available for download by clicking here.
“This is a pretty complex sport to grasp – especially for someone who has absolutely zero exposure. So, I think Nikita did a really great job with the story.”
NASCAR Announces 2014 WMT, WSMT Schedules
NASCAR recently announced the 2014 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and Whelen Southern Modified Tour schedules. Both Tours feature traditional dates at some of the premier short tracks and speedways on the east coast.
In its 29th season of competition, the Whelen Modified Tour will see 16 dates – spread across eight tracks in five states. Similarly, for their 10th season of competition, the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour’s schedule features 17 dates at nine facilities. As in the past, both Tours include companion events with NASCAR’s national Sprint Cup Series.
2014 Whelen Modified Tour Schedule
February 18 – Daytona International Speedway (non-points event); Daytona Beach, FL
April 6 – Thompson International Speedway; Thompson, CT
April 27 – Stafford Motor Speedway; Stafford Springs, CT
May 23 – Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford Springs, CT
June 21 – Waterford Speedbowl; New London, CT
June 28 – Riverhead Raceway; Riverhead, LI, NY
July 11 – New Hampshire Motor Speedway; Loudon, NH – Special Event
July 12 – New Hampshire Motor Speedway; Loudon, NH
May 11 – Monadnock Speedway; Winchester, NH
August 8 – Stafford Motor Speedway; Stafford Springs, CT
August 13 – Thompson International Speedway; Thompson, CT
August 20 – Bristol Motor Speedway; Bristol, TN
September 13 – Riverhead Raceway; Riverhead, LI, NY
September 20 – New Hampshire Motor Speedway; Loudon, NH
September 28 – Stafford Motor Speedway; Stafford Springs, CT
October 19 – Thompson International Speedway; Thompson, CT
2014 Whelen Southern Modified Tour Schedule
February 18 – Daytona International Speedway (non-points event); Daytona Beach, FL
March 9 – Caraway Speedway; Asheboro, NC
March 15 – Southern National Motorsports Park; Kenly, NC
March 29 – Caraway Speedway; Asheboro, NC
April 5 – South Boston Speedway; South Boston, VA
April 12 – Langley Speedway; Hampton, VA
April 19 – Caraway Speedway; Asheboro, NC
July 4 – Caraway Speedway; Asheboro, NC
July 11 – New Hampshire Motor Speedway; Loudon, NH – Special Event
August 2 – Bowman Gray Stadium; Winston Salem, NC
August 20 – Bristol Motor Speedway; Bristol, TN
August 30 – Langley Speedway; Hampton, VA
September 5 – Caraway Speedway; Asheboro, NC
September 13 – South Boston Speedway; South Boston, VA
September 20 – Southern National Motorsports Park; Kenly, NC
September 27 – Caraway Speedway; Asheboro, NC
October 9 – Charlotte Motor Speedway; Charlotte, NC
Renee anticipates opening the season on Saturday, April 5 at Virginia’s South Boston Speedway. We’ll post more information as details become available.
Mid-Summer Update
Last hitting the race track for the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour event at Virginia’s South Boston Speedway way back on April 13 (where the team logged a top-ten finish) – it appears we’re past due for an update…
First off, the racing dry spell will come to an end soon enough as Renee is scheduled to run the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at Stafford Motor Speedway on Friday, August 2.
“We haven’t had the finances in place over the last several years to run more than a few races here and there,” offered Renee. “For all the other teams it’s just another race on a season-long schedule, for us we have to try and get it right on a one-off deal. It’s surely not ideal, but we’re excited to get back on track.”
If all goes according to plan, the Ed Bennett owned team will also file entries for the NWSMT race at Langley Speedway on August 31 and the NWMT Fall Final event at Stafford Motor Speedway on September 28-29.
Away from the track, Renee has kept more than busy.
First, starting almost a year ago, Renee began co-hosting Gary Danko’s Speedway Line Report radio show. The one-hour, live broadcast airs at 6 PM on Monday evenings on AM1320 (Waterbury, CT); and is also broadcast live online at www.speedwaylinereport.com. All shows are archived on the website.
“I can’t make it down to Waterbury every Monday night – but I’ve had fun co-hosting the show and look forward to continuing to join Gary and Ricky in-studio as the season progresses.”
In an effort to help fund the race team, on the weekends (in addition to her full-time position with the Boilermakers Northeast Area Apprenticeship Program), Renee has also been working several ‘Ride and Drive’ programs. Since 2003, Renee has contracted with several leading automotive industry marketing firms – as a Pro Driver and Facilitator – to conduct testing and driving programs for consumers, dealers, manufacturers and publications.
The Car and Driver/Road & Track crew on the bricks at Indy. November 2012. Jon Krolewicz photo.
“Back in October of last year I worked on a Car and Driver/Road & Track program. It was an intense program, but also one of the most rewarding professional experiences I’ve had. In the end, the data collected during the events turned into a national advertising campaign for Honda.”
Renee can be in seen in the opening moments of the Honda Car and Driver Test Drive advertisement.
“More recently, I’ve worked several events for Cadillac. This coming weekend I’ll be working for another GM manufacturer at the MLB All Star Game out at Citi Field,” explained Renee.
Additionally, Renee recently traveled to Ireland with her mom, Kathe. While on the week-long trip, mother and daughter visited many castles, national parks, villages and cities.
Kathe and Renee tour downtown Dublin by horse drawn carriage. May 2013.
“My mom has always wanted to visit Ireland and, after having a really difficult year medically, we decided to check that trip off our bucket lists. It’s an amazing country and I’m grateful for having the opportunity to share the experience with my mom.”
We look forward to providing additional updates after the August 2 Stafford event…