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Wednesdays with Wayne – Second Place and Nowhere to Race!

(Bill W) April 7, 2010 – The second place driver in the Lucas Oil ASCS National Series standings doesn’t have a ride for this weekend’s races or the foreseeable future.  Wayne Johnson, who charged from 18^th to 2^nd in the series opener at Devil’s Bowl Speedway near Mesquite, Texas is again looking for opportunities after an accident has sidelined the Channing Zierolf #c41 team. 

The Oklahoma native now living in Knoxville is currently in Oklahoma City hoping something might arise for him for this weekend’s dates at the Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore, Texas and the I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Incidentally, Wayne has had success at both places.  “We had an unfortunate situation where the truck and trailer for the team I’ve been running with was totaled,” he says.  “It happened right before the ASCS-Gulf South races last weekend, and I didn’t have time to line anything up for that.  The Zierolf family has been really good to me early in the year here, and it was just too bad that happened.” 

The 2000 ASCS National champion has won many of the big races including the Short Track Nationals, the $14,500 "King of the 360's last February, and the Knoxville 360 Nationals twice.  He would like an opportunity to compete on a national level with the ASCS series, though just about any partnership that he could line up now would be great.  “I feel like we can contend with those guys,” says Wayne of the ASCS.  “Obviously, we’ve proven that over the years, and we’ve won some big races.  I would really love to give that a shot.” 

Wayne is particularly good at the I-30 Speedway where he won last Fall in the Short Track Nationals preliminary, before finishing second in the finale.  He has been knocking on doors.  “I’ve been calling everyone it seems trying to get something to shake up,” he says of trying to find a ride for the weekend and beyond.  “The last couple years I’ve been driving a lot of different stuff.  I’m fine with that, but a guy would love to get something stable.” 

Wayne stormed through the field at the Devil’s Bowl and hopes were high heading into the next few races.  “It’s just a shame,” he says.  “We were really good in that first race.  You see your name up there in the points, and there’s nothing you can do about it.  I guess you have to live with that.  I’m just looking for something for the rest of the season really, and I want to get the word out that I’m available.  Racing is what I do.”