Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and Dan Noble will be recognized for their National Dash Driving Championships as part of the Wall of Fame ceremonies at Northfield Park on Sunday, August 10, 2014. The banquet will begin at 5:00 p.m.

Wrenn topped the North American driving ranks in 2013 with 714 victories. Dave Palone (645), Bruce Aldrich, Jr. (645), Corey Callahan (619) and Tim Tetrick (582) completed the top five drivers by wins.

Despite being a regular at Northfield Park, where he picked up 55% of his 2013 total wins, Wrenn split his time among several different venues last year. In addition to being a regular at Northfield, he drove at Batavia Downs, Buffalo Raceway, Colonial Downs, Monticello Raceway, Northville Downs, Raceway Park, Scioto Downs and several county fairs.

Wrenn garnered 388 wins over the Flying Turns in 2013, placing him atop Northfield’s leader board. His nearest competitor, Aaron Merriman, drove 234 winners. Keith Kash, Jr. (213), Jason Thompson (196) and Chris Page (193) rounded out the top five local reinsmen.

“The dash title is really nice to have been able to accomplish. I have been very lucky and blessed to have driven well-conditioned horses for some great trainers,” commented Wrenn. “It means a lot that my Dad was able to see me win the title. That definitely made it more special.” Wrenn’s father, Ron Sr., passed away in May, 2014.

Dan Noble was North America’s Dash Champion in 2011. Noble scored 773 victories in 2011, finishing ahead of George Brennan, who had 754 wins. Tim Tetrick (746), Dave Palone (698) and George Napolitano, Jr. (540) followed. Noble scored 56% of his yearly win tally at Northfield, topping the local driver standings by an authoritative margin. With 436 victories, his nearest competitor was Ryan Stahl, who drove 283 winners. Kurt Sugg (252), Wyatt Irvine (223) and Aaron Merriman (196) completed the top five.

Winning Northfield’s title was not Noble’s only accomplishment in 2011. He also claimed the dash titles at Scioto Downs, The Red Mile and Lebanon Raceway’s spring meet.

Noble’s busy 2011 season meant a lot of travel. “It was a long year to pursue the dash title, but I'm really glad I did it,” Noble commented. Dan’s father, Sam (Chip) Noble III, who was the national UDRS driving champion in 1978, 1981 and 1983, had the joy of witnessing his son’s feat before his death from cancer in January of this year.

Northfield Park’s Wall of Fame Banquet is a triennial event. Candidates are nominated and considered by the Wall of Fame Trustees: Tom Aldrich, Vice-Chairman of Milstein Entertainment; Jerry Knappenberger, General Manager of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association; and Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Director of Racing Communications and Assistant Director of Racing.

Once a consensus is reached among the trustees, additional input and final approval is sought from the Wall of Fame Advisory Committee consisting of Scott Cox, Northfield Park OHHA Track Director; Amy Hollar, Northfield Park OHHA Track Representative; Tye Loy, 2010 Wall of Fame Inductee; Kent Sherman, Trainer/Driver At Large OHHA Board Member; Clair Unholtz, 2004 Wall of Fame Inductee; Martin Wollam, 2010 Wall of Fame Inductee; Dave Bianconi, Northfield Park Executive Vice President of Racing and Simulcasting; and Mike Colacarro, Northfield Park Assistant General Manager.

Other presentations at the August 10th event will be made to the Class of 2013 Wall of Fame Inductees, the Distinguished Owner, and the winners of the John Lee Good Fellowship, Willie C. Banks Ideal Employee, and Outstanding Caretaker Awards.

(Northfield Park)