The Kuhn family has high expectations for the 2018 auto racing season.
Three generations of the Kuhn family from the Bridgewaters will be busy racing during the 2018 season. Ryan Kuhn, only 17 years old, of East Bridgewater will be racing full-time in the Late Model division at Seekonk Speedway, according to his father, Jim Kuhn Jr. The junior at Southeastern Regional High School in Easton won't be confining his racing efforts to just there, however.
Kuhn Jr. told us that the Kuhn team has also purchased a Pro Stock race car that they plan to race at some selected PASS races at the Oxford Plains Speedway in western Maine, as well as a limited schedule of Pro Stock events at Seekonk Speedway. The Kuhn operation could also take in a selected number of Granite State Pro Stock events on that tour. If all goes well, Ryan Kuhn may even enter the big $25,000-to-win at the Oxford 250 in late August of this year.
" We still have a Tour Type Modified but we're not planning to do much with that car this year, " said Jim Kuhn Jr. "
Backing up the father and son combo is granddad Jim Kuhn Sr., who will be doing a lot work on those race cars at their garage and on race days, twisting the wrenches in the pit area of various New England tracks.
USA Speedway sold: Longtime Nashua, N.H., businessman Norman Wrenn Jr. has purchased Lee USA Speedway in New Hampshire. Wrenn bought the 3/8-mile speedway from John “Red” MacDonald and wife Judy, track owners for the past 33 years. Wrenn made the disclosure on Feb. 27.
Wrenn, in his 40th year in the propane gas business, is also a successful stock car racer dating back to 1983. A many-time feature winner and track champion, Wrenn has competed in Pro Stock, Pro-4 Modified and Modified Racing Series competition over a 35-year career. Ironically, Wrenn won his first Pro Stock race at Lee in 1993.
“No changes, no staff changes, no race division changes, the recently announced schedule for the 2018 season is in place and we are prepared to go with it,” said son Norman Wrenn II, when speaking about the takeover.
Wrenn will focus on the day-to-day operation of the business in a full-time capacity with track general manager Joe Bassett, who has been retained by the new ownership. Wrenn indicated he intends to continue the track’s NASCAR sanction and the weekly Whelen All-American Series.
As is the case when ownership changes occur, there will be some upgrades where ever the Wrenns feel there is a need.
Said Wrenn: “Looking at upgrades in the VIP tower, track lighting and the public address system, Lee always has been a well-maintained racetrack, a clean facility. We will strive to continue that.”
Wrenn also said that he plans to focus on the so-called "front gate."
“Putting fans back in the grandstands is important to our future. We have a strong need to be sure families are entertained and race programs are over at a respectable hour.”
Wrenn Jr. is the fourth owner of the speedway originally built by Robert Bonser in 1964. Hall of Famers Charlie Elliott, Ken Smith and Russ Conway took the reigns in 1983 and scheduled their first race in July 1984. The MacDonalds purchased the track in December 1986 and opened the following year. The track quickly became popular with fans and competitors alike.
We've seen reports that Wrenn tried to buy the New London-Waterford Speedbowl from current owne, Bruce Bemmer. However, the Lee USA Speedway appears to be a better fit as Wrenn lives and operates his business interests in the nearby city of Nashua.
The 2018 season at Lee USA Speedway begins in April with the American-Canadian Tour Governors Cup 150 on April 15, with the Late Model Sportsman and Northeast Classic Lites also on the opening card.
Keep down the noise: Connecticut's New London-Waterford Speedbowl has announced that the proposed changes to the Waterford town noise ordinance, which would have disrupted the track's operating times and schedule, have been completely thrown out by the town’s Public Health, Recreation and Environment Committee. In short, no further actions or changes are needed. All that according to Willimantic (Conn.) Chronicle's Phil Smith. The next major issue on that track's agenda is the safety of that shore-side oval's grandstands.
Information for this story came from press releases and personal notes.