PREECE LANDS RIDE WITH BOEHLER
In an offseason full of change, Ryan Preece became the latest driver to
find a home with a new team. BRE Racing recently announced that Ryan
Preece has joined their NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour team and will drive
the tradition-laden No. 3 car in 2008.
Preece is a 17-year-old driver from Berlin, Conn., who ran his
family-owned No. 40 as a rookie in 2007. In 14 starts he compiled three
top-10s and finished 19th in driver points. Preece closed his first
season on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in strong fashion as he posted
a seventh-place finish – his best of the year – and earned the
Featherlite Most Improved Driver award at Thompson International
Speedway to close the season.
Preece will now drive for the BRE team that is owned by Janice
Boehler, wife of the late Len Boehler who was a 2004 inductee into the
New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame. Their son, Michael, is the team
president and a former driver on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. BRE
Racing has captured six Modified Tour championships in its half-century
existence with drivers Bugs Stevens (1967-69), Wayne Anderson (1994) and
Tony Hirschman (1995-96).
“With the equipment they’ve got, and the notebook that have for
each track, it’s definitely a real good opportunity,” Preece said.
Bobby Santos III had 11 starts during the 2007 season in the No. 3 and
closed the season with a victory at Thompson. Other drivers who have
been in the seat of “Old Blue” through the years include Fred DeSarro,
Leo Clearly, Ken Bouchard, Tommy Cravenho and Jerry Marquis.
“To be in that car, with all the history that’s in it, just to be a
part of that is a real good thing,” Preece said.
Preece will get behind the wheel of the No. 3 for the first time at
the season-opening Icebreaker at Thompson on April 6. Qualifying and
practice sessions for the first event of the season will be held on
April 5.
The move follows the recent announcement that Chuck Hossfeld will
take over for 2007 champion Donny Lia in Bob Garbarino's No. 4 "Mystic
Missile" and continues the legacy the Boehlers and Garbarino have
established in NASCAR's Modified division.