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.”