Fan Notes from Wayne County Ohio Speedweek Monday

Track Prep at Wayne County (Tom Myers) 6/12/2023- Wow, what can you say about this year’s Speedweek race at Wayne County Speedway? It was a wild ride and in the end, the racers stepped up and showed off their skill and courage.

The weather here in Ohio has been dry and warm for the last 3 weeks, I am sure like many places in the Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and PA areas. For dirt tracks in Ohio, that means dust, dust, and more dust. Well that all changed Sunday when rain forced the cancellation of the 3rd race on the Speedweek schedule at Wayne County Speedway. Wayne County was also scheduled for the next day, Monday, making for back to back All Star races, with the Monday race paying $10,000 to win. The rain on Sunday was a steady drizzle, but it got heavy overnight. That made the attempt to race Monday a bit tricky.

Right before I was leaving work at around 3:15, my friend Jack called and said he was at the track and had saved Pops and I a seat. Thank you Jack! I arrived around 4:00 or so and saw the pits full of haulers. After getting my seating situated, I went back to the pits and walked around for a bit, taking some pictures as I always do. I saw Scott Priester and gave him a cigar and we talked about the paint job on the Bova #20 car, which is amazing. Everything seemed normal to me until I caught wind of talk that the race could be cancelled. I then went around the back of turn 3 and walked out on the pit entrance road to get a better look at the track and the work going on. The tracked had been plowed or disked up, and there were clumps of mud, about a foot deep, sitting all around the track. The big tractors were circling around in an attempt to run in the goop. It was early so I thought no problem. But as the day wore on, it became evident that this was a beast of a different sort.

Cap Henry Evidently, the overnight rain was heavier than I or many others had thought and the routine task of getting the surface into racing shape turned into a monumental effort just to see if it was possible at all. In spite of a steady breeze, the cool temps didn’t help and the sun was behind the clouds. Many of the drivers were questioning the effort and were ready to just call the race. At 5:30 there was a driver’s meeting to discuss the track. One of the racers had already left the track, with a few more threatening to do the same. In the meeting, Jason Flory, the track promoter, groundskeeper and all around everything person, promised the drivers that he could get the thing ready to race if they gave him another hour or so. I didn’t think a later start time was a big deal because there was only one class of cars tonight. There was also talk that Sharon might cancel for Tuesday so the later evening would not be such a big deal as it normally would be. Ultimately, it was decided to forge on and those who wanted to leave could leave, those who wanted to stay, would race for the full purse amount. The only difference would be the All Stars would receive show up points only. Another meeting was scheduled for 7:00.

It was truly fascinating to hear all the differing opinions. They ranged from, “ all we will do is tear up our cars and wreck all over the place, ” to, “ majority rules, we will do whatever they decide, “ to “ these guys should just man up and race. The track is not as bad as I’ve seen other places, get out there and drive and race. Want a perfect track, go race asphalt.

Professional racers are living the dream, get out there and reward the fans and stop whining.”
At the 7:00 meeting, it was determined that they would go for it. The track was almost ready to go and the cars were on it for engine heat around 7:30. Some drivers had loaded up, only to unload again for motor heat. It was decided that they would see how the track was after time trials and then decide to continue or not.

Cole Macedo The track was very tacky and smooth but quickly developed a ridge or ridges in the middle of both turns, as the surface heaved up in spots. The top 10 qualifiers from the 38 car field were fastest qualifier Tyler Courtney, Blake Hahn, Tim Shaffer, Scotty Thiel, Cole Macedo, Sye Lynch, Cap Henry, Zeth Sabo, Zeb Wise, and Buddy Kofoid. Shaffer impressed because he drove above the ruts in turn 3 and 4 and kept the car straight and smooth…and he had the 3rd fastest time. Others kept driving right into the ruts instead of above and around or under them, hugging the inside. Only a few did that and they timed the fastest.

After time trials, the track crew again worked on the track surface, to level the ruts in the turns. The two Ospreys, who have a nest on the track’s south light pole didn’t seem to care much about it, as they went about their business. Another driver’s meeting ensued with complaining and also complaining about the complaining. It was determined to continue the program. At that point, a few more drivers packed up again and left. I talked with 3 separate crew members and all were full speed ahead to race. In summation, there was no right or wrong decision. Race if you want to race, leave if you want to leave.

Heat races were up next and a few more drivers dropped off. Some just left, others had mechanical issues. Skylar Gee had a motor problem and Henry Malcuit broke a front axle in hot laps. There ended up being 4 heats, 8 laps each with the top 5 going to the A main. Heat 1 transfers were Travis Philo, Harli White, Scotty Thiel, Ricky Peterson, Greg Wilson. The ruts quickly returned. Cars were bouncing and the right rears were grabbing too much. Some negotiated the track better than others. Heat 2 transfers were Cole Macedo, who was flying, Tyler Courtney, Sean Rayhall, Dylan Kingan, and JJ Hickle. The Heat 3 transfers were Cap Henry, Zeb Wise, Zeth Sabo, Trey Jacobs, and Chris Windom. Heat 4 transfers were Buddy Kofoid, Tyler Gunn, Jordan Ryan, Cody Maroske, and Chris Myers. Both Tim Shaffer and Sye Lynch had motor problems in this heat. I felt bad for both because they both were fast and were navigating the track pretty good, and both were probably headed for the dash if not for their issues.

Tyler Courtney emerged with $10,000 after a long night at Wayne County Monday The dash finish was Macedo, Philo, Courtney, Henry, Tyler Gunn, Thiel, and Kofoid. The B main finish was Shaffer, Spithaler, Naida, Bova and Street. Yes the track was rough and tacky but so far no big wrecks. One of the Klingan cars broke a shock and Darin Naida’s front axle gave out on the warm up laps before the feature even started.

The feature was shortened from 35 laps to 25 laps. When the feature started, Macedo jetted out to the lead but Henry eventually caught up to him and passed around lap 6 for the lead. Courtney then came up and passed Macedo on lap 8 and then got around Henry on lap 9. The race went green until lap 19 for a stalled car. Henry had been struggling to keep up with Courtney as they both navigated the bumps and dips. Macedo faded back to fifth as Trey Jacobs and Ricky Peterson were surging forward. With 6 laps to go, Courtney kept the lead but Henry was able to get right up to him a few times but couldn’t pass. Then Peterson swept around Jacobs and almost passed Henry but couldn’t get it done. The finish was Courtney, Henry, Peterson, who was up from 14th, Trey Jacobs, Macedo, Zabo, Gunn, Philo, Windom and Kofoid.

That was a good race and no flips or wrecks! Thank you Wayne County Speedway and thank you All Star Circuit of Champions for getting this show in. It ended up being a good race! The All Star staff did an outstanding job as did the Wayne County crew, given the difficulties of the evening. Great job and thank you!