Rich Fisher

Trenton, NJ – Some folks don’t like talking about potential milestones within their grasp for fear of jinxing them. But driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. is downright chatty about it.

“That part doesn’t really bother me much,” said Wrenn, who is eight wins shy of 5,000. “I’m not one of those people who think that if you start thinking about it too much you’re going to go into a slump. I know it’s coming. I guess I was off to a kind of slow start in January by my own standards, but I’m starting to roll now. The opportunity is there; hopefully I can get it the next couple days and that will be great, and on to the next one.”

Driver Ronnie Wrenn can become the third-youngest driver to win 5,000, behind Tim Tetrick (27) and Walter Case Jr. (30). His pursuit resumes Friday (Feb. 1) at The Meadows and he’s back at his home track of Northfield Park on Saturday (Feb. 2). USTA/Mark Hall Photo.

The 32-year-old Wrenn has won 42 races in 2019, good for fifth among all drivers in North America. He can become the third-youngest driver to win 5,000, behind Tim Tetrick (27) and Walter Case Jr. (30). His pursuit resumes Friday (Feb. 1) at The Meadows and he’s back at his home track of Northfield Park on Saturday (Feb. 2).

All things considered, it’s a pretty amazing story since Wrenn didn’t jog his first horse until age 20 and didn’t get his first drive until a year later. His late start surprised some since his dad, the late Ron Wrenn Sr., and uncle, Peter Wrenn, are both Michigan Hall of Famers. But Ronnie played college baseball and thought about getting a law degree before the urge suddenly hit him that he wanted to drive.

His dad, who passed away in 2014, laughed at the notion at the time. Were pop still here, Ronnie Jr. thinks he would be pretty proud – but still pointing out his mistakes.

“He would be telling me when I messed up at the track still, for sure,” Wrenn said with a laugh. “I miss talking to him in the morning. It’s kind of nice to have someone to humble you up a little bit. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about him. I can’t believe we’re going on five years this year. It’s crazy how time goes by. I think he’d be proud of me, I remember at the very end of his life I told him I was switching over to his colors. I was doing pretty well just before he passed away and I remember him telling me how proud he was of me, so that’s pretty cool.”

No doubt that pride would be even greater now. After 186 starts produced 24 victories in his first three years, Wrenn started to take off. He won 150 in 2011, 437 in 2012 and 714 in 2013. His winningest season was bittersweet as he led all of racing with 847 victories the year his dad died. Over the past seven years, Wrenn has won more races than anyone but his long-time rival at Northfield Park and The Meadows, Aaron Merriman. He finished second in the sport in wins to Merriman last year with 726.

“Yeah if it wasn’t for him I’d have a pretty good run going,” Wrenn said. “I always tell him he’s Tiger Woods and I’m Phil Mickelson. No one really talks about Phil like they do Tiger.”

The two differ in that Wrenn enjoys staying in Ohio and Pennsylvania, which enables him to take some down time if he chooses. Merriman is famous for a breakneck schedule and drove nearly 1,800 more races than Wrenn last year.

“To do what he’s done the last couple years (winning over 1,000 races in each 2017 and 2018) is incredible,” Wrenn said. “He’s crazy; he really is the road warrior or whatever they call him. He’s really good at what he does. We have a good relationship for the most part, and I guess it’s built up to that rivalry.

“I think it’s good for both of us and I think he would tell you the same. I compete against every single person at Northfield and they’re all really good drivers, but I guess we want to out-do each other every night. I really wouldn’t have it any other way. I think it brings out the best in me. Maybe you’re not feeling it so much that night, he’ll let you know and I’ll let him know. We kind of razz each other a little bit.”

Although Merriman topped Wrenn in wins last year, Ronnie had a career year in winnings at $6.73 million.

“I was just short of $7 million, so I was pretty proud of that,” he said. “My wins jumped back up 100 or so (158) from the previous couple years. But I picked up a little more work last year; I think I was racing more at The Meadows than I ever have.”

Which he will continue to do. Wrenn plans to race at The Meadows on Tuesdays and Fridays this year and at Northfield on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. He will head to Eldorado Scioto Downs during stakes season.
As far as his hopes and dreams for 2019, they are nothing outrageous.

“I don’t really set any personal goals,” he said. “I guess if I did, I would like to make more money than I did last year, but if I make around the same I’m happy. I just want to have a lot of opportunities. I’m really fortunate I drive for a lot of good trainers and get to drive a lot of good horses and I’ve developed some good relationships at The Meadows and Northfield. If I can keep that going I’ll be happy.”

Asked if there were any particular races he would like to drive in, Wrenn said, “I guess I’d like to expand it more to the national spotlight with the Ohio-breds getting better and faster. Maybe they’ll be in some bigger races like the North America Cup, the (Little Brown) Jug and stuff like that. Living in Ohio I would love to race in the Jug and have a shot to win it. I drove a couple decent ones for Brian (Brown) last year that are Ohio-bred, so who knows.”

A Michigan native, Wrenn had to choose between Ohio and Illinois when he decided to take up driving full-time. He opted for Ohio and arrived just before the slots hit the tracks, so it turned out to be the right move.

“I didn’t think it would work out how it did; I just had to take a chance,” he said. “I just figured I would try Ohio. If it worked out I was going to move here, and if not maybe go back to school. I didn’t know.”

Unlike some guys who have success in the Midwest and decide to take a shot at the major East Coast tracks, Wrenn has been completely content with Ohio and western Pennsylvania.

“I’m actually pretty happy with how things have worked out so far,” he said. “Some guys, their plans are a little different. They want to go out east and stuff. But with all the opportunity we have in Ohio, we’re very fortunate to race for as much money as we do and it’s still getting better and better. I think I picked a good spot to race. I’m able to go race a little in Pennsylvania and Indiana, not too far from my roots in Michigan. I’m pretty happy with what I’m doing.

“I’m happy I’m at The Meadows now, but believe me if it was just Northfield I’d be just as happy to make all my money there. You still have some time to do some family things. That’s the thing about out east. It’s such a grind it really limits your time to do anything else. It’s a more laidback lifestyle here.”

Doing family things has become even more important to Wrenn these days. In September he and wife Brianna welcomed their first child, a boy they named Easton.

“My wife picked the name out, she just liked it,” Wrenn said. “It’s been going good. I can’t complain. He’s 4 months old now so he’s kind of getting at the age where he’s starting to make faces and that kind of stuff. So it’s more fun than when he was just eating and sleeping. It’s a life-changer for sure, but it’s been a lot of fun.”