Wayne in action at Hartford Speedway (Bob Buffenbarger Photo)
(Bill W) June 8, 2016 – Things will pick up in a hurry for Wayne Johnson and the Two-C Racing team. ASCS Speedweek kicks off Saturday at Route 66 Motor Speedway in Amarillo, Texas. The series then moves to Devil’s Bowl Speedway near Mesquite, Texas next Tuesday, and continues through Saturday, June 18. Two rainouts in Indiana changed plans for the Oklahoma City driver. That meant Friday was the lone ASCS event run, and that was at Hartford Speedway in Michigan. The team busted it to Knoxville Raceway in Iowa Saturday to run in the 360 class.
Wayne started third in his heat at Hartford. “The car was pretty good there,” he says. “We finished second, but I think we were a little better than Blake (Hahn). He started fourth, and got the jump on me at the start. I had some traffic in front of me. He got by those guys, but we were catching him at the end.”
He would draw a starting spot outside of row three for the feature. “We got a good start on the first green,” says Wayne. “We were up to second. On the second start, I got a good start again. The third one is the one that went, and we were shuffled back to fifth on that one. We were able to get by a couple guys and get back to third. Johnny (Herrera) and (Sam) Hafertepe got to racing each other really hard in front of me. I was hoping they might give me an opportunity to get by them, but we ran out of time and finished third.”
It was Wayne’s first visit to Hartford since being there with the WoO Gumout Series. “They moved the infield in about twenty feet since I was there in 2001,” he says. “The racetrack was really wide and smooth in three and four. It was tough to run up high though, because it’s a long way around. Plus, it gets so dirty on top, it’s tough to run up there.”
He pulled in early during hot laps at Knoxville Saturday, and it was a problem that had carried over from Hartford. “Some holes developed during the feature at Hartford there, and we had to run through them on the bottom of one and two,” says Wayne. “We were digging it up. I think that’s what happened to our u-joint. I had a vibration the last couple of laps at Hartford. We looked at everything, but we couldn’t find it. We found it during hot laps at Knoxville. The yoke on the u-joint was split down the middle. We thrashed and got out to qualify, but we didn’t get to work on the racecar at all. When we re-blocked it, we messed up somewhere, because I think we were 15th quick or something. That put us behind the 8-ball all night long.”
After winning his heat, Wayne would start 15th in the main event. “We were able to move up through there,” he says. “I felt like we had a fast racecar. We got up to (Seth) Bergman there, and I think we had a better car. I think he ended up seventh. I felt maybe we had a top five car from 15th, but we had an issue with the wing valve. It blew apart and blew the power steering fluid all over me. So that was a DNF.”
It’s also been a while since Wayne has raced in Amarillo. “I’m going to guess it was back between 1999 and 2001,” he says. “I’ve watched some videos and they seem to have the track in good shape. The biggest thing going in, especially for new drivers there, is the elevation. Motors don’t run as well there.”
He’s also got some additional help for Speedweek. “We’re ready to get going here the next couple of weeks,” says Wayne. “I have my nephew (Bud) helping me here. It’s always good to have someone else helping Slip (Conner Nelson) and me.”
Follow Updates on Facebook!
Wayne will update as his race night commences 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 Fast Facts
Wayne finished sixth in National Sprint Tour competition aboard the Guy Forbrook #5 back in 2006 at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Indiana. Tim Kaeding won over Travis Rilat, Brandon Wimmer, Paul McMahan and Danny Lasoski. Behind Wayne, Chad Hillier, Steve Kinser, Kerry Madsen and Shane Stewart rounded out the top ten. The World of Outlaws visit Putnamville tonight.
Partner of the Week – Schoenfeld Headers
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"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!
To receive "Wednesday's with Wayne", send an e-mail to sprntcar@hotmail.com with"Wayne" in the subject line.
Wayne Johnson Racing would like to thank partners, Todd Carlile, Outlaw Wings, City Vending and product sponsors The Oil Medics, Sebastian Sandblasting & Powdercoating, Rod End Supply, Astro Titanium, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson, Butlerbuilt, Xtreme Accu-Tach, Weld Wheels, Slade Shocks, Kustom Sprint Car Supplies, Fisher Racing Engines, Speedway Graphics and Canyon Apparel.
Photo: Wayne in action at Hartford Speedway (Bob Buffenbarger Photo)
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