By Bill W
September 15, 2010 – Wayne Johnson’s recovery from a serious foot/leg injury continues to progress. He is getting closer to putting weight on the leg, and is already undergoing physical therapy. His timetable to get back racing is getting closer as the weeks pass on.
The serious wounds suffered in a crash in Washington state have healed considerably, but there is still work to be done. “We’re definitely still waiting on open wounds to close,” says Wayne. “As far as the leg itself, it is doing really well. We’re going through physical therapy right now three times a week. That’s going really well. I have a personal trainer that used to work at the University of Nebraska with the football team. Not only is he going to get the leg ready to go, he’s whipping me back into shape big time!”
The mental battles have been tougher for Wayne than the physical. “Mentally, it has been tough the last few weeks,” he says. “I feel better about the leg than it is able to perform sometimes. That’s been the toughest part. I think I’m maybe a little more ahead of schedule than they are thinking though.”
Wayne’s accident put the existence of his foot in question, but he has come through with flying colors. “It’s just amazing what modern medicine can do,” he says. “To think of where I was after that wreck to now, two months later, is incredible. My big toe is giving me some issues. The foot doctor said the swelling around the ankle has the ligaments bound up going to it. All the toes are working good, and I can wiggle the big toe, it just isn’t bending, but that will come back.”
Physical therapy is moving Wayne back towards the seat of a sprinter. “They had me on a stationary bicycle a couple of times now,” he says. “So I’m starting to get some movement in there. It’s only a matter of time now.”
Colorado’s Sid Blandford Jr. is staying in Knoxville, and he put Wayne to work. It was a welcome change to the daily routine. “Sid wanted to buy a new car, so I was able to help him put it together,” he says. “We were able to do it in my shop, so that was good. Terry McCarl actually told me I got Sid going too fast at Cedar Lake (laughs).”
Wayne’s appreciation for those who have helped in his recovery process is great. “I’d really like to thank the people that put on the benefit during the Nationals: Chad Adams, Ranae Rozenboom, Kristen Mottet and everyone else,” he says. “There were so many, I’m going to leave someone out. It really was overwhelming. I also really have to thank the Steve King Foundation. They were the very first ones to respond after I got hurt.”
Wayne is still looking for a permanent home in a sprint car. If you would like to inquire about a partnership with Wayne, you can e-mail him at waynejohnsonracing@yahoo.com.
Buy Your ARP Wings from Wayne
Wayne is an ARP Wings dealer located in the Knoxville, Iowa area. Wayne credits the new ARP top wing for his 2009 wins at Little Rock and Cowtown. Contact Wayne for your ARP Wing, as he has some special Holiday deals going! ARP Wings – “When Downforce Matters”!
Wayne’s Website
To learn more about Wayne and the team, log on to www.WayneJohnsonRacing.com!
Wayne’s World
Larry Anderson asks: What have you missed most about being out of a racecar?
Wayne answers: It’s probably just the adrenaline rush. My wife calls me an adrenaline “junkie”. I was out in the shop today doing wheelies in the wheelchair. She says I’m crazy. That and as a family, the paychecks!
Got a question for Wayne? Each week, Wayne will answer your questions about “Tech Tips”, or anything that’s on your mind. If you ever wondered what a part on a sprint car is all about, send an e-mail to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put “? for Wayne” in your subject line. He’ll try to keep it clean if you do!
Wayne’s Fast Facts
On this week in 2007, Wayne won at the Langlade County Speedway in Antigo, Wisconsin. He drove the FattFro #14AJ that night to the win over Brooke Tatnell in Guy Forbrook’s #5, Scott Neitzel, Steve Meyer and Donny Goeden. Wayne has seven career wins with the IRA.
“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@iowatelecom.net with “Wayne” in the subject line.
Wayne would like to thank the following for making this possible: E-Rate Complete, Iroquois Poker, Townline Variety, Ohsweken Speedway, Brett Smith Motorsports, FattFro Motorsports, ARP Wings, Butlerbuilt, Hoosier, Schoenfeld Headers, Tim and Gina Doogs and Cooper Racing Enterprises.