2/11/2015
Sprint Source
Wednesdays with Wayne – Good Start to FLA Trip in Ocala!
The Wayne Johnson Racing #77x team had a positive start to their Florida trip last weekend at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala. Finishes of sixth (from 16th), fifth and seventh with the All Star Circuit of Champions gave the team some momentum heading into Volusia this week. Action at Volusia Speedway Park starts with the All Stars tonight and tomorrow. Then the World of Outlaws get their season underway Friday through Sunday.
Wayne would time in a disappointing 16th quick at Ocala on Friday. However, he rebounded in the main event, moving forward ten spots. “We didn’t qualify very well on Friday, and that put us back in the eighth row of the feature,” he says. “We were able to drive right up to sixth. The car felt really good.”
Things went better on Saturday. “We were able to come out and time in tenth, which put us on the pole of the heat race,” says Wayne. “Winning that got us in the Dash and put us in position for a good finish.”
After starting and finishing fourth in Dash, he would drive to a top five finish in the feature. “We ended up running fifth,” says Wayne. “The car was really good, even better than on Friday. We were right there in the mix.”
Each night, Wayne improved his effort in time trials and that continued on Sunday. “We got better with our qualifying every night, which was good,” he says. “We were seventh quick on Sunday, but I could never get freed up. We were able to win our heat, which got us in the Dash, but we were tight, tight, tight from there.”
After finishing eighth in the Dash, Wayne would checker seventh in the main event. “The restarts were kicking my (tail),” he says. “Until I got some wing speed up, we weren’t going anywhere. We’d lose a little bit on every restart. We ended up seventh. We did get to sixth, but (Tim) Shaffer got us late there.”
Overall, the team is adjusting well to their new KPC chassis. “We were passing some cars,” says Wayne. “Madsen and those guys were really helping me get my balance with this chassis. We’re getting quicker every night.”
Last night, saw fifteen teams including the #77x practicing at Volusia. “We had three sets of practice,” says Wayne. “I think in three sets we went 13.040, 13.060 and 13.065. The second set I was a little off. Guys were around 12.8. The third set they all slowed down a bit and we were faster. I don’t know if that’s all the motor has, or what. The racetrack was so fast. At those speeds, there’s no way you can race. I think Dave Blaney was averaging 147 miles an hour. We’re not going to be racing at those speeds this week.”
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 won a pair of events on old Route 66 in the span of one week back in 2000. On July 29, he won at the Joplin 66 Speedway in Missouri over Tim Crawley, Terry Gray, Toby Brown and Jason Johnson. On August 4, he won at the Route 66 Motor Speedway in Amarillo, Texas over Gray, Jason Sides, Ted Lee and Jason Johnson. Both were ASCS National events.
Partner of the Week – Rod End Supply
Whether you are running a go-cart, micro, mini-sprint, midget, modified, late model, sprint or a tractor, Rod End Supply has the assortment of rod ends, radius rods, and specialty products that will help you lead the field in performing at your maximum potential. At Rod End Supply, “They don’t just sell ‘em, they race ‘em! Visit them on the web at www.RodEndSupply.com or call 1-800-284-2902 today!
"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, Townline Variety, Outlaw Wings, City Vending, Stone Mountain Access Systems 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, Fisher Racing Engines, Team Achieve and Canyon Apparel.
Attached: Wayne races at Bubba Raceway Park (Hoseheads.com Photo)
Article Credit: Bill Wright