Wayne races with Morgan Turpen at Paducah (Mark Funderburk Racing Photo)
Bryan Hulbert - PADUCAH, KY. (May 2, 2018) Wayne Johnson rolled into Paducah International Raceway on Friday night needing a strong finish, and that's just what the wily veteran got with a fifth-place run from 15th with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by Sawblade.com.
One of four drivers tied for the CP-Carrillo Hard Charger of the Night, Johnson was at the top of the list to get the award as a slide job battle with Derek Hagar in the night's second Heat Race put Wayne finishing fifth from seventh to avoid the B-Main.
"That Heat race almost hurt us. We drew the back, and it was everything to get past Derek and I knew if I didn't get that spot, I was in the B-Main, so thankfully we were able to get by."
Watching closely at track conditions, the effect of rain during the week was very present as the field rolled to the green for 25-laps.
"The track was just a way where you had to know where to be, and I'll be honest, I was really cautious the first half of that race. I needed a good run, but more than that, I needed to just finish. I haven't finished a race but one this year, so like I said, I needed to finish," explained Wayne who currently sits sixth in tour standings after four events.
"Once they started getting singled out, it kind of played out like I thought it was going to with a lot of bouncing through the holes, guys messing up, and just needing to be in the right place at the right time to take advantage."
Moving ahead, Johnson will be on track on Friday, May 4 at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Penn. then Selinsgrove Speedway in Selinsgrove, Penn, on Saturday, May 5.
Asked about the two Pennsylvania ovals, Johnson replied, "I've never been to Selinsgrove and the last time I was at Williams Grove was 2001, maybe 2002 in the Gumout Series days, but you know what, they're all round and they're all dirt so we're ready."
In addition to the action with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by Sawblade.com, Wayne looks to make it three nights of racing as the team plans to swap out the ASCS power plant on Sunday, May 6 for 410cid action at BAPS Motor Speedway.
For continued updates on Wayne Johnson and TwoC Racing, you can follow them on Facebook (http://bit.ly/2o5zneX and http://bit.ly/2BsrIja) and Twitter (@wjr77x).
Recent Results:
4/27/2018 - Paducah International Raceway
Heat: 5th [7th]
A-Feature: 5th [15th] - Hard Charger
Season To Date:
Races: 20; Wins: 2; Top-5: 9; Top-10: 14; Top-20: 17;
Up Next:
May 4, 2018 - Williams Grove Speedway with Lucas Oil ASCS and URC
May 5, 2018 - Selinsgrove Speedway with Lucas Oil ASCS and URC
May 6, 2018 - BAPS Motor Speedway with 410cid
Follow Wayne Johnson and TwoC Racing
Facebook (Wayne): http://bit.ly/2o5zneX
Facebook (TwoC Racing): http://bit.ly/2BsrIja
Twitter (Wayne): @wjr77x
Twitter (TwoC Racing): @TwoCRacing
Online: https://www.myracepass.com/profile/?r=15868&rt=driver
Sponsors:
Wayne would like to give special thanks to his sponsors who have helped keep him behind the wheel and on the road: Todd Carlile, Outlaw Wings, The Oil Medics, Sebastian Sandblasting & Powder Coating, DHR Suspension, Chalk Stix, Rod End Supply, Astro Titanium, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson, ButlerBuilt, Xtreme Accu-Tach, Weld Wheels, Kustom Sprint Car Supplies, Fisher Racing Engines, Speedway Graphics and Canyon Apparel.