10/22/2014
Sprint Source
Wednesdays with Wayne – Eye on Short Track Nationals!
The Wayne Johnson Racing #77x team will be spending this week in Little Rock, Arkansas and I-30 Speedway for the Short Track Nationals. The 1997 champion of the event will race both tonight and Friday before Saturday’s finale. At last week’s Winternationals at Devil’s Bowl Speedway near Mesquite, Texas, Wayne charged from 20th to 10th in the prelim before suffering a flat tire in the finale.
Last Friday’s prelim at Devil’s Bowl saw Wayne start on the inside of row two and run fourth in his heat race. “We started on the inside and really got trapped there,” he says. “It was the first heat, so there wasn’t much room to pass. That sent us to the B.”
He would start third in the B. “We were running third most of the way there,” says Wayne. “We were able to make a move around (Sam) Hafertepe and get to second with a lap or so to go. It was still pretty one-lane.”
Starting twentieth, Wayne would register a top ten despite not being setup. “We would have had a good car if I hadn’t have made a mistake,” he admits. “I put the wrong bumper cup on the left rear. It was the wrong size, and it broke the shock. We were still able to run up to tenth with a broken left rear shock.”
The heat in Saturday’s finale saw Wayne win from outside row one. “(Seth) Bergman got the jump on me at the start,” he says. “I was able to get by him in three and four on the first lap and led the rest of the way.”
The finish left Wayne one spot out of the redraw and starting ninth in the main event. A flat tire ended the night. “The green came out, and we passed a car or two,” he says. “Unfortunately, we ran over something and cut the right rear tire down. I pulled in and fixed it. We ran a couple more laps, but it was one-lane racing around the bottom. So I pulled it in at that point.”
The team is ready for the Short Track Nationals. “It’s always an exciting time of year,” says Wayne. “We’ve had some success at this race over the years. You have to have your car working well, but the best car doesn’t always win. You also need some luck on your side.”
End of the Year T-shirt Sales
Wayne Johnson Racing 2013 t-shirts are only $5 apiece. You can also buy a 2014 shirt and get a 2013 shirt for just $20. See Wayne at the hauler while supplies last!
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 has made thirteen finales at the Short Track Nationals for seven different owners including himself last year. He has eight top ten finishes. He won in 1997 with Bobby Sparks (91), was second in 2009 for Al Christoffer (14AJ), finished third in 1994 in the Grabel #24, was sixth in 2003 for Donnie Cooper (01) and was seventh in 2002 and eighth in 1999 for Fred & Jo Threatt (29). He also qualified the Hammers #94 for the finale in 2008 before dropping out, and also suffered a DNF in 2012 in his own #77x. He also scored preliminary wins in 1997 and 2009.
Partner of the Week – Momentum Racing Suspensions
Are you having trouble getting bite on a slick track? Can’t get through the ruts on a heavy track? No matter the type of car or track condition, Momentum Racing Suspensions has a suspension package specifically designed for you! They offer an assortment of shocks, springs and torsion bars to get you to Victory Lane. Visit them online at www.MomentumRacingSuspensions.com!
"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, Vern Rengen, Miles with Townline Variety, Russell with Outlaw Wings, Ray with City Vending, Scott with Stone Mountain Access Systems and product sponsors Bill with The Oil Medics, Byron with Sebastian Sandblasting & Powdercoating, Shawna and Kaleb with Triple X Race Components, Bob with Rod End Supply, Dave with Astro Titanium, Mark and Doug with Schoenfeld Headers, Desiree at Simpson, Jeannie at Butlerbuilt, Tom at Xtreme Accu-Tach, Carl with Kustom Sprint Car, Brad with Momentum, Charlie with Fisher Racing Engines, Team Achieve and Tim with Canyon Apparel.
Attached: Wayne at Devil’s Bowl Speedway (Serena Dalhamer Photo)