(Press Release from Stafford Motor Speedway)
Glen Reen celebrates his first Late Model division championship last October at Stafford Motor Speedway (Photo: Fran Lawlor)
What a difference one year can make. Wilbraham, MA native Glen Reen entered the 2017 season at Stafford Speedway with his experience in the Late Model division limited to a single season of limited starts. At the conclusion of the 2017 season, Reen and the #31 LifeCare Family Chiropractic team owned by Rob Russell, Jr. were celebrating in NAPA Victory Lane as the 2017 track champions. Reen and the #31 team are ready to tackle the challenge of showing up to the track as the defending champions and being the driver everyone else is looking to beat.
“The goal for us is to try to win back to back championships,” said Reen. “It’s definitely going to be a different feeling for sure. It sunk in, but it really hasn’t sunk in yet that we won the championship. It’s still hard to believe. Not that I didn’t have confidence that we could win it, but there’s some stiff competition in the Late Model division. I know a lot of people thought a modified driver wouldn’t be able to jump in and in one season get to that level. I still have a lot to learn and you can always learn something from someone, even if it’s what not to do. Every year the competition gets tougher so I think this year will be more difficult than last season.”
For Reen and the #31 team, the chase for the championship last season was filled with new experiences. The team as well as Reen were in the thick of their first championship chase and balance was the key in going back and forth between the SK Modified® and Late Model machines each Friday night.
“I loved every single week getting out of one car and getting into another, I always like a challenge,” said Reen. “You have to drive the cars completely different, there’s completely different competitors, and the driving styles are different. I looked forward to it every single week and if I could drive 3 cars every Friday night I would. I have to remind myself when I go out in the Late Model after driving the modified. I remember a couple of times in 2016 I went hauling off into the corner in the Late Model and later when I came back to the pits the crew guys said they didn’t think I was going to stop and I told them I forgot what car I was driving. You definitely have to be mindful of your braking points when you change cars. Once you get into the rhythm of driving both cars for a couple of weeks, you know what to expect.”
With the experience that Reen and the #31 team gained while fighting for the championship last season, Reen feels like they’ll be well prepared in their attempt to go back to back this season.
“Having won the championship last season definitely helps us in trying to win it again this year,” said Reen. “You know how the game is played and what you have to do. We have a lot of good momentum going and the guys at the shop are changing a lot of stuff. Time will tell if we’re going in the right direction. It wasn’t until the last couple of races that it began to sink in that we had a realistic opportunity to win the championship. I was trying not to think about points but obviously in the back of my mind I kept thinking ‘I can’t screw this up tonight’. You have to be at least conscious of it otherwise you’d throw it away. I remember the final race I almost screwed things up because I was focused on one other car and how many spots I had to be within during the race. I should have just worried about going out and driving the car. But that is something else I learned about racing for a championship.”
For any driver to win a championship they need not only a good crew but they also need to have good support and Reen is very thankful for all the support he received during the 2017 season.
“A lot of it was Rob (Russell) and his guys gave me a great car every week, they made my job relatively easy,” said Reen. “I also have to thank LifeCare Family Chiropractic, I couldn’t do any of this without Sean Noel, he’s an awesome guy, Rob Russell Chassis, Tony from T/A Engines for the great power and reliability, Buzzy Transmissions, Alpine Tree Services, Whelen Engineering, New England Race Fuels with John Holland is a big help, Travis Roy Foundation, Pioneer Valley Wheel Repair, Squid Decals, Ruby’s Liquors, and Todd Fisette and Ted Marsh for all of their help.”
While the team is busy preparing the #31 car for action this season, Reen is ready to get back to racing and trying to defend his championship.
“Defending the championship is what I’m most excited about for this season,” said Reen. “The problem is for now we’re just sitting around. I’m hoping I can run a couple of TQ races this winter so I can get my racing fix.”
Reen will begin defense of his championship at the 47th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler® on April 27-29. Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are on sale now at the Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $40.00 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seating is priced at $42.00 for all ages. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available. All tickets are good for both Saturday and Sunday admission. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax. Discount Spring Sizzler® tickets will be available beginning in March at participating NAPA Auto Parts stores.
For more information contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
Thank you Glen Reen for supplying one of the most entertaining features of the year, over coming your single biggest bonehead race and winning the championship.
You know when you have a car that is just so good you think you can put it anywhere and get by anybody. Reen had that car on July 28. He tangled with Michael Bennett, was put to the back of the field, charged through the field like gangbusters only to tangle with Bennett again. The result was Leary cruising to his first victory and this:
“#31 Late Model, driver Glen Reen-
Infraction- Contact with #16 car during the feature.
Penalty- Placed to the rear of the running order under caution flag conditions.
#31 Late Model, driver Glen Reen-
Infraction- Second contact with #16 car during the feature.
Penalty- #31 car was on a no-purpose based contact directive from race control following the previous penalty from lap-19. The lap-29 contact resulted in a pass-thru penalty but due to it being the final lap the penalty was tail-end of the lead lap”
Aside from over driving on this particular night Reen is one of the most exciting guys to watch in the Sk’s and Late Models. One of the few that is always up on the wheel and driving his brains out and not afraid to take a risk.
Stiff competition
Fearn and Bennett
Thank you Doug it means a lot that people like my aggressive style I come to win races not make friends in the words of late T.C. “ if you want friends go to summer camp!” Hope to see you at the sizzler Doug
Fearn and Bennett huh. You’re not paying attention. There may not be a ton of Late Models but they’re loaded with a ton of hard core, experienced guys that have wins in their resumes. The end of last season the racing was pretty spectacular.
Thanks for checking in Glen. It’s unfair to compare with Christopher but yes in the vacuum his death created we do need hard charging edgy guys that take chances and tap on a rear bumper every now and then to send a message. Look forward to seeing you all of next year in the SK’s and Late Models with fingers crossed for some great finishes.
That’s all fine and dandy.Just don’t cry when you get Stuffed into the fence on Lap 1 of a feature the following week.If you drive like a bonehead you WILL be on the receiving end.Just saying,Agressive, and Stupid are not the same.
Glen congrats on your championship. I remember when you showed up with the #17 SK light and watching your progress that first year I knew the that you would be successful I hope you accomplish your goal and goe back to back and at the same time have success with the SK also. Hopefully you continue to have fun while doing so because that’s what it’s about it having fun and it’s even better when your running up front. Good luck this year and remember HAVE FUN!!!
Doug I like the way you spelled out the events of July 28 one thing you might have missed though is that more than likely Bennett had punted Glen before this all happened. Bennett is one of those drivers who has a fast car but would rather drive through his opponent than around him and it’s funny how he can do this time and time again and not get penalized. Not saying that Glen is an angel he is aggressive but I don’t ever recall him purposely punting someone resulting in a wreck without being provoked it it possible to drive aggressively and still drive your opponent clean and Glen is one of those drivers he is also very polite to talk with
Pretty funny how all the post for Waterford are gone now. Maybe just like the racetrack soon to be gone.
I’d like to see Glen Reen back on the Tour, especially with the make up of drivers we have now.
Yeah, Viva, some just don’t like to see the truth. Big, really big, 😢-baby.
This guy 🤠 is the monkey.
Hey 🤠, you need to get real. 😗
The Late Model race on July 28 for me was very memorable. Not trusting my minds eye I checked the penalties at Stafford and racedayct’s story on the race. I believe Glen would admit it was not one of his best efforts. What it did do is put him on my radar that ironically made me notice what a terrific competitor he was on other nights. Now I’m a fan and I’ll bet I’m not the only one.
I count at least 9 Late Model hard cases that race weekly and can win. Fearn, Gambacorta, Wray, Leary,Wood, Vassar, Arute, Bennett in addition to Reen. Add to that at least three other tough old nuts, Mavlouganas, Butler and Quintiliano that check on occasion to give the regulars fighting for points fits. And next year add the Saunders twins, proven winners that will have great equipment.
Bennett driving through a long list of hard cases? Nope don’t see it. He’s just one of a bunch of tough, experienced guys that may make the Late Models very compelling next year with the addition of some new blood.
OMG for once I have to agree with dareal Glen Reen would be a good addition to any of the many mod touring series maybe some car owner can give him a few chances this season As for the Waterford toilet bowl I am glad to see Shawn take a stand although I feel bad for the racers who no longer will get coverage Now Shawn can concentrate on more productive stories
Shawn,
What happened to the Waterford Championship article?
Ben,
There’s an announcement on coverage on the front page.
Great job on your championship Glen and #31 team! I’ve been a fan since you were the upset WMT winner at the World Series more than a few years ago. If I remember right, it was a last minute decision to enter, the car had a well used engine and shimmed up brake pads due to lack of funds. It was neat to see you beat the “big guns” at the time! Hopefully you’re back as Dan Avery’s teammate running the SK at Stafford too! Congrats again!