From Bill W
October 27, 2010 – Wayne Johnson’s road back from his injuries will continue this weekend as he tries to win another Short Track Nationals in his own #77x. The Knoxville, Iowa driver won the event back in 1997, and finished second after winning the preliminary in last year’s edition aboard the Christoffer #14AJ. He started his comeback at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite Texas two weeks ago and came through with flying colors, registering an 18th to 8th place charge in the prelim before finishing fifth in the finale.
Wayne will practice tonight for this weekend’s event at the I-30 Speedway near Little Rock, Arkansas. “I’m really excited to practice tonight and race this weekend,” he says. “We won the prelim last year, and really had a shot at winning the whole thing. We came up a little bit short, but we’ll be back to try again this weekend.”
The popular and unique ¼ mile red clay oval has been on Wayne’s schedule for a long time. “I’ve been racing at Little Rock since about 1991,” he says. “I’m not known for being as good on the bullrings as the big tracks, but Little Rock has been the exception. It’s my favorite bullring for sure.”
After some misfortune in 2009, things picked up at the Short Track Nationals. He hopes it’s the same formula this year. “Last year, we were up and down all year, and then we got to Little Rock and had some good runs,” says Wayne. “Then, we finished off the year really strong. It’s a little like this year. We’ve kind of fell off the face of the Earth for awhile (laughs)!”
A record number of entries is expected with 126 drivers registered at last check. “I was looking at the entries,” says Wayne. “As a car owner, it really makes no sense to go! (laughs) The odds are not in your favor. As a driver, I wouldn’t go if I didn’t think we could win. I think we can get ‘er done.”
Wayne’s injuries sustained at the Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Washington last July have healed steadily and he sees improvements since his last run at the Devil’s Bowl. Little Rock will present different challenges. “I have more flexibility than I had in Dallas,” he says. “It is definitely coming around. The open wounds are healed. I feel good. There is a little bit of a concern, because there will be a lot more activity with the throttle at Little Rock then there was at the Devil’s Bowl, but I think it will be fine. We’ll find out in practice how we need to tune the throttle linkages.”
Wayne would like to thank those who are helping out with his team, including Canadians Miles Hill and Glenn Styres. “I also really need to thank Al Christoffer for allowing us to use the truck and trailer for the rest of the year,” he says. “We’ll drive for Miles at Charlotte for the World Finals. After that, we’ll fly back to Oklahoma City to get the truck and trailer and head to Las Cruces, Tucson and Las Vegas.”
The Oil Medics have also come on board, starting at the Devil’s Bowl. “I met Bill Jewell (owner) from The Oil Medics at the 360 Nationals through Brian Parker, a friend of mine,” says Wayne. “He has come on board to help the last few races, and I have to hand it to them. We can use all the new sponsors we can get who love sprint car racing.”
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 Outlaw Wings from Wayne
Wayne is an Outlaw Wings dealer located in the Knoxville, Iowa area. Wayne credits the new Outlaw top wing for his 2009 wins at Little Rock and Cowtown. Contact Wayne for your Outlaw Wing, as he has some special Holiday deals going! Outlaw Wings – “When Downforce Matters”!
Wayne’s Website
To learn more about Wayne and the team, log on to www.WayneJohnsonRacing.com!
Wayne’s World
Bob Wilson asks: Wayne, it’s great to see that you are “back in the saddle”. What can be done as far as sprint car fabrication and design to ensure that injuries like those that you suffered and those that Terry McCarl went through become preventable? Best of luck the rest of the season.
Wayne answers: My injury was different from Terry’s. In my injury, the drive shaft actually came out and drove into my foot and ankle. It was kind of a freak thing that you just don’t see happening too much. Terry actually had something come through a side panel and break his leg. As far as how those injuries can be prevented, with the drive shaft, there are some things that can be done with padding, covers and such, but again, my injury was kind of a freak thing. I think since Terry’s injury, a lot of people have been looking at the strength of their side panels.
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
Wayne has made twelve finales at the Short Track Nationals for six different owners. He’ll try to put his own car in the show this year for the first time. He has eight top ten finishes. He won in 1997 with Bobby Sparks (91), was second a year ago 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. He also scored preliminary wins in 1997 and 2009.
“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, The Oil Medics, Outlaw Wings, Stone Mountain, Butlerbuilt, Hoosier, Schoenfeld Headers and Cooper Racing Enterprises.