(Bill W) June 26, 2013 – Wayne Johnson is still looking for a nice balance in his #77x. He passed a total of twenty-six cars after an oversight at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. He followed that up with double duty at the Knoxville Raceway on Saturday. This week, he’ll hit the Jackson Speedway in Minnesota for tonight’s $7,500 to win Spring Nationals, before picking up three nights with the World of Outlaws in Illinois and Wisconsin.
An oversight with the fuel pill cost Wayne a starting spot on the pole in his heat with the Sprint Invaders on Thursday in Donnellson. “It wasn’t so much a mental error…it was stupid,” he admits. “I just got sidetracked. The driver screwed up. I felt we had a shot at winning the thing, and then we had to start last in everything.”
He proceeded to go from 13th to 2nd in the B, and from 18th to 3rd in the feature. It was quite a show for the fans on hand. “We were pretty fast,” says Wayne. “I don’t remember how many cars we passed (26), but it was a lot. It was the hardest I’ve ever had to race, I think.”
The goal was to get some laps in. “All in all, it was a good night,” says Wayne. “We only went to get some testing, and that went well. It’s either rent the track at Knoxville and test, or go somewhere and race. We were pleased with the outcome.”
It was on to double duty with the 360 and 410 at Knoxville on Saturday night. “They did three sets of qualifying for the 360’s, and then they did some different three-car deal with the 410’s. We really weren’t good with either there, but we were quickest in our group with the 360 (10th overall). We’re still learning with the car. We didn’t want to tighten up too much.”
Wayne won his heat and was leading the feature when he had a tire blow. “I think we were going to get us a win there in the 360 class,” he says. “The left rear tire blew up, and it darn near ripped my arm off. It tore my suit. It hit the Dash. I’m lucky; you know Bill Rose broke his arm that way earlier this year.”
A number of drivers have lost left rears this season. “I don’t understand what’s going on with that,” says Wayne. “I don’t get why tire manufacturers allow sanctioning bodies to tell them how to build their tires. This ‘H’ tire has a belted, stiff sidewall. It’s what the Outlaws wanted. They wanted the same thing with the Goodyear tires, and they blew out too. I think there’s something to that.”
Wayne would end up 13th in a tough 410 field. “We didn’t feel the best,” he says. “I felt better than we did the week prior. I’m still searching for the balance in that thing. We’re learning some things, and we’re hoping to get better this weekend with the Outlaws. I think a lot of guys are struggling with the new tires, really. Nobody has really struggled across what works best.”
After Jackson tonight, Wayne will be joining the World of Outlaws at LaSalle Speedway in Illinois on Friday, Beaver Dam Raceway in Wisconsin on Saturday and Cedar Lake Speedway near New Richmond, Wisconsin on Sunday.
Follow Updates on Facebook!
Wayne will update as his race night goes on at his Facebook page. Find it by searching for Wayne Johnson Racing or clicking the following link…
http://www.facebook.com/#!/WayneJohnsonRacing
Outlaw Wings – “The Wing with an Attitude”
Check out the new “recessed rivet” design put out by Outlaw Wings. Talk to Wayne about purchasing Outlaw Wings for your car! Outlaw Wings – "The Wing with an Attitude"!
Wayne’s World
Got a question for Wayne? Each week, Wayne will answer your questions about "Tech Tips", or anything that's on your mind. If you ever wondered what a part on a sprint car is all about, send an e-mail to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for Wayne" in your subject line. He'll try to keep it clean if you do!
Wayne's Fast Facts
Wayne was the Gumout World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year in 2002. Driving for Fred & Jo Threatt, he finished fourth in points behind Tyler Walker, Shane Stewart and Jason Sides. He won two races that season, one at the Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wisconsin and one at the Auto Tire and Parts Race Park in Benton, Missouri.
Partner of the Week – Hoosier Tire Southwest
Hoosier Tire Southwest is located in beautiful Balch Springs, Texas. They can be reached at 1-972-289-RACE (7223). Call them if you have questions about purchasing Hoosier tires. All Hoosier tires are sold through Hoosier's extensive distributor network. Retail tire prices are set by individual distributors and dealers. The goal is to have the tires you need when you need them. The extensive Hoosier distributor network was developed to bring American made tires closer to the end user as well as provide product support on a local level using many tire experts. If you want to become a member of the Hoosier "family," contact them about arranging a purchase. Find them online at www.hoosiertire.com/DIST/disthtsw.htm!
"Wednesday's with Wayne"
"Wednesday's With Wayne" is an up close look at the past, present and future of colorful and talented sprint car driver Wayne Johnson. You'll never know what to expect next with Wayne, so don't miss us on Wednesdays!
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Wayne Johnson Racing would like to thank Vern Rengen and Missile Motorsports, Sebastian Sandblasting & Powdercoating, Williams Motorsports, Outlaw Wings, Team Achieve, The Oil Medics, Smiley’s Racing Products, Hoosier Tire Southwest, Simpson, Butlerbuilt, Maxim, Speedway Motors, Rod End Supply, Schoenfeld Headers, 517 Design and Canyon Apparel.
Attached: Wayne races with Rager Phillips at Knoxville (Serena Dalhamer Photo)
- Admin Account on Jun 26, 2013
- Article Date: 6/26/2013 by Bill Wright