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Wednesdays with Wayne – Left Coast Review and Knoxville Thoughts!

(Bill W) March 25, 2009 – Wayne Johnson ended a two week run for California sprint car owner Harold Main in good fashion last weekend. The Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway hosted the World of Outlaws for a two-night show, and Wayne qualified for both features despite the tough field assembled. Wayne is working on some things so he can run the ASCS show this weekend in Oklahoma City, but that is up in the air right now.

Wayne's best run at Tulare came on Friday night. After missing the heat invert with an 18^th quick time in qualifying, he went on to finish fourth after starting in his heat's third row. That set him up outside row nine for the feature event. He immediately started picking cars off on his way forward. "At one time in that feature, we passed (Donny) Schatz and (Joey) Saldana," he says. "We were into the top ten there for awhile. We were rolling around there pretty good."

Wayne challenged the top ten, but problems were soon evident that caused severe handling problems in the #35A, and he dropped out with a DNF. "Everyone thought I hit the wall, but I didn't," Wayne relates. "The right rear shock came apart on the inside. The track was really rough. One of the rougher I've been on, definitely the roughest since Chico last fall."

The Knoxville, Iowa driver had his work cut out for him after timing in 21^st quick on a quickly drying surface Saturday. He was able to hold off Sam Hafertepe Jr. and Lucas Wolfe for the final transfer (5^th) in his heat race, and would line up inside row ten for the finale. "It (the groove) was around the cushion next to the wall…a hard to pass deal," says Wayne. "I don't think anyone passed a whole lot. We kind of treaded water and finished (18^th) around where we started. I passed a few and a few passed me."

Wayne thoroughly enjoyed the 1/3 mile bullring. Adding to the enjoyment was Main and the rest of the team. "Tulare is a very fun racetrack," he says. "It was really a good time. Harold Main and everyone out there were very nice. They treated me like family. It was a really good deal. I'll be back out there to race for them again."

The Oklahoma transplant is modest about things, but when prodded, he admitted that the team did well at Tulare. "Considering we had never been to the track, I think we did as well as could be expected there," he relates. "We made both shows, and there were some good cars that didn't. We definitely could have been a little better, but when you're working with a team for the first time, you have things to work out."

Wayne came home to some disappointment. Based on Knoxville's decision to run a number of draw shows for its 410 class, the FattFro Racing Team that had planned on running all season at Knoxville, made the decision not to run there weekly. Wayne hopes to run in his hometown of Oklahoma City this weekend with the ASCS, but nothing has been solidified for that either.

New Wayne Johnson Apparel in Stock!

2009 Wayne Johnson apparel for both men and women is now in stock! T-shirts, long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops and hats are all in! To order, e-mail Wayne at [email protected] or stop by the trailer at the track.

Wayne's Website

To learn more about Wayne and the team, log on to www.WayneJohnsonRacing.com!

Wayne's World

Patrick Wendt asks: How will the new Knoxville weekly (draw) format for 410s change things?

Wayne answers: It's a sore subject with me right now, because it looks like FattFro won't field a weekly car this year at Knoxville. I'm disappointed Knoxville didn't bring drivers and owners in on the decision making. I would think that would be a common sense approach. I think they've seen what can happen when a car starts on the front row that doesn't belong there. Kerry Madsen is just one guy that can tell them. Qualifying is a fair and safer way to go. It's (draw) just a chance of tearing up equipment, and I think they may lose more drivers than me if they don't change it. Like my car owner said, "If I wanted to go 360 racing, I would have bought a 360 team," and I feel the same way. I've talked to these guys about the rise of 360 racing, and evidently they are just following suit. I don't want to say too much right now, because I'm emotional about losing my weekly ride at Knoxville.

Wayne's Tech Tips

How do you determine when a track is going to take rubber, and how does that affect your tire choice?

Wayne: When the race track slicks off it starts to have a shiny black to it. When it starts to lay rubber, the track turns a more dull color. The more rubber there is, the harder the tire you use. As far as tire choice, you watch the races in front of you and check tires for wear as they come in. If a tire is really chewed off, then you have to go harder. If a race is 12 laps and half the tire is gone, and you're heading out for 25 laps, you may want to make it a step harder because you know there will be more rubber as you go. You may go a little softer if you're up front than in back, because you won't have to use the tire as much as you would if you had to put a charge on.

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 [email protected], 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!

"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 [email protected] with "Wayne" in the subject line.

Wayne would like to thank FattFro, Stone Mountain Access, Bral Restoration, Deberg Concrete, TNT Custom Golf Carts, www.RacingThreads.com, CnB Mushroom Farms, Maxim Chassis, ARP Wings, Hoosier Tire, Simpson, Weld and ButlerBuiltfor all their help!

Wayne racing at Tulare (Steve's Racing Photos)

If this post isn't results, stories or something c
constructive, it isn't me! 
@BillWMedia
www.OpenWheel101.com

This should be a major wakeup to Knoxville officials by losing one of the front-running candidates for the 410 championship, especially after reading Alley's release yesterday stating he did not like the move either. Go ahead and find a way to fix the points format, but there is no reasonable explanation to go away from time trials as its the best way to set up the night's racing.

BIG J

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

Certainly understand the driver's/owner's point of view on this and potential safety/cost concerns.

Also, know how boring and meaningless 410 heats are when lined up by TT and the top 5 or 6 cars transfer. Line up, maintain position, move to feature. From a fans perspective you might as well go straight from TT's to the feature.

Perhaps there is a format that could better balance meaningful racing in the heats (fan interest) with the concerns noted (drivers/owners interest)?

Time trials may not be the best way to set the lineups, but are certainly the fairest.  They might be boring at times, but so is a heat (based on a draw) that has a bunch of Joe-nobodies in it.  The next heat might be totally stacked, and only three or four guys go on to the feature.  How is that fair?  The ASCS heats and then qualifiers is the best idea out there, but doesn't seem reasonable when you don't have enough cars (attrition) or too many (takes too long).  It is Knoxville's own fault that the heat races became boring & meaningless.  If they're only going to have 24-30 cars, I have no clue why they went away from inverting 8 and taking 6 to the feature.  If the 410 heat races are more exciting because of this, that's great.  We'll just have to wait and see...

Prior to the announcement of this format change, there were 24 cars "committed" to running the full schedule. It was stated that drivers would be informed at the sign-up window what they will be doing that night. This is one of those years where we may have another 6-10 cars show up on any given night, or vice versa. I would not want to see a team discouraged from coming thinking that they'll be drawing last in the heat and not making the show. Rubin's at Huset's insisted on going through this for the last few years and watched it's car count dwindle.

Besides, if I don't hear time trials, how am I going to know when to leave Dingus?????

Savage

I always love Wed w/Wayne. Good stuff.

For years I've heard all the "time trials suck" and now when someone listens and makes the change... it's "no time trials suck." Guess everyone can't be happy.

I 100% respect Mr. Alley's and Mr. Johnson's opinion... they are who we pay to watch. They should have a say in how the program is run. Their say may be to go elsewhere... but their opinion is valid.

From a fan's perspective either lining up the heats "nationals style" with big inverts or draw is potentially more exciting than heads up time trial based heats.

From a safety issue... as Wayne referenced... KMad's Nationals last year didn't care for the big invert and the car owner's wallet definitely didn't. Passing points and draws... I don't know.

I guess I'm in the minority... I always have loved time trials. Studying the different lines and driver styles... who is choppy vs. smooth...who lifted... who didn't... trying to see who looked fast before you hear the time... I've never thought it was a beating. Maybe if I was going 60 times/year it would be boring but it hasn't yet in my 39 years of life on Earth.

Sprint car racing is special to me and time trials... hot laps... heats.. qualifiers... last chance races... trophy dashes... they're all awesome in their own right. No passing is a headache for all... you're just hopeful the next event is better.

Tex:

I agree with you completely about time trials. Many moons (I am 61 years old) ago my father always insisted that we get to the track early for just the reasons that you describe. I don't know about being in the minority but qualifying is the only thing I know and I hate change - particularly in sprint car racing.

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

Count me in the minority too... couldn't have said it better. I like trying to guess the time based on the way the motor sounds, the line they take, the smoothness, etc. Blessed by Tim Trier and Jack Herweh's genius behind the mic during qualifying at Knoxville in the 80's, I guess I became a "time trial nerd" at an early age. Some guys can qualify and not race... some can race but not qualify. The guys that can do them both well are the great ones...

First time poster here and big time Wayne Johnson fan. I attend almost every weekend at Knoxville and changing the format away from regular time trials is not the answer to having a tight points race in the 410 class. I commend the Knoxville Raceway for making an attempt to improve the racing, but some input from drivers and owners was needed before making this decision. This decision is punishing the fans and drivers in my opinion. Hopefully the raceway officials will realize there are better alternatives before they kick things off on April 25th!

I can't believe they are going to some draw shows. Half the fun of going to a Knoxville weekly show is the time trials. Hopefully, some of the drivers have a say in this, but I'm not holding my breath.

Wing Slider

Huset's had the best format last year by running time trials and usually inverting the top 6 to the heat, so quick time would start 6th in the heat. They would take top 6 to the A (when they had enough cars for a B) while the top 4 from the heat would be eligible for the invert for the feature with 5th & 6th from the heat starting 13th-18th.

You get the lineups needed from time trials, and you get the elbows up in the heats in order to hit the invert for the feature.

BIG J

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

I'd suggest that all of you that, like myself, think that losing drivers like Wayne Johnson cannot be good; send your emails to John McCoy, Knoxville Competition Director. I sent one today & I think several more might just make them see the error of thier ways. I mean the car count of 410s is already down & they can hardly afford to lose more. Here's the link.

[email protected]

I don't think the change in the heat formats is put in order to tighten up the points race....we have been reading and listening to all of the complaining over the past few years about follow the leader, no passing heats races.. .and one track tries to do something to shake this up a bit and everybody over-reacts...why don't we wait and see what happens...They say they are gonna individual time some nights, group time some nights, and draw for others..so you are probably going to 5 at the most draw nights ( on those draw nights they may be doing passing points ??? )...deal with it...I've been around sprint car racing my entire life and one thing I've learned is the more the drivers bitch about a format, the better it is for the fans....the new format may not work, but atleast K'ville has the stones to try something different....give it time..

The other thing to look at, being a 360 driver at Knoxville, is the track. When there are no time trials it will make the track really narrow during the 360 heats...Not that cars running around single or in a group time trail use up the track but there are some nights that the track gets that little bit wider and allows for more passing in the 360 heats.

I hope they run the track in more on those nights...

________________________________

I'm not sure the not telling what the format is until the night of the race is such a good idea either...but, quitting due to a minor rule variation is not the answer either. I've adopted that rule in my life, every time I have a boss that asks me to do something I don't like, I just quit..it has worked out well for me...if every owner quit a track or a circuit every time they didn't like a rule, we wouldn't have a sport....it's not like they are asking the drivers to put on "bunny suits" and pitch peanuts into a bucket in order to set the heats...oh wait, a draw is kinda like that..if they do a draw a few nights, and include passing points with the heats, I don't think this is gonna effect anyones season and may even lead to some exiting heats...

I wish I had a dime for every time a racer said "I ain't ever going to that place again"

Meanwhile, keep in mind that Knoxville, like most other entertainment venues, is suffering from less fans in the stands.

The most common complaint I hear is the consistant later than advertized start, and later than expected finish.

Knoxville has taken the bull by the horns, and is trying things that may (or may not) put butts in the bleachers

I am happy to see that Knoxville is attempting to do new things this season as it is fairly obvious that the crowds are shrinking faster than the dollar is.

Save your butt, get a colon screening TODAY

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How about this..Everybody runs 2 heats...Draw for the first set of heats,,run them,,, then invert for the second set of heats with the winners in the back and the last place car on the pole. Give points for your finishing place and use passing points. Then take the top 6 and run a Dash for the first 6 in the A Feature. Then whatever dont make the A. Run a B feature and take whatever out of it to the A.

This way its far to the guy on the pole and you dont have to win the heat to get the pole.More races for the fans. And everybody has an equal shot .Even if you drop out of a heat you can still win the next one and make the show.

With a 24 car A Main Heats points 12-10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. 10 car heats ,, ,, and give 1.25 points for passing the .25 on there will brake up ties and gives and edge to drivers who passed more.if there is a tie 1st heat drawer is on the inside.You could use subtract if needed if you finish lower than you start take .10 {10 percent of one point away]then if you loss 3 spots you would still not loss one finishing position only 30 percent of it.. If you start on the pole of a heat and drop out you only loss one full point in lost postions. There would be few ties this way.

Dash 6-5-4-3-2-1.. AMain 35-32-29-26-24-22-21-19-18-17-16-15-14-13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3,,,, 24 cars there are 2 points left if they add a local provisioal or 2

This also keeps the fast guy from winning the pole so easy and makes him work for it which makes it better for the fans,,the only down fall is 10 more laps than normal for all cars.

Win as if you are use to it.And lose as if you enjoyed 
it for a change.Its hard to get to the top and alot 
harder to stay there.

Wait - I'm confused. It's not OK to pill draw with a 410, but its OK to go run a pill draw format with the 360? Why would that be?

I was thinking if they qualify, invert X in the heats, and award points/passing points/subtract passed points, and line the mains up off of that, then the fans and drivers/owners would have nothing to complain about.

LMAO. Sorry. I said I was confused.

The greatest knowledge is to know that you know nothing
at all.

If you think there is no passing in the heats on the nights they qualify just wait and see how much there will be on nights they draw. The track will still be one lane wide by the time we get to the 410 heats and it will be follow the leader. Time trials at Knoxville helps push the track up.

hell knoxville has stepped up pay, held the line on cost, so they want to try something different and drivers start bailing on them, SHAME on the drivers, perhaps they should just go ahead and drop the cry babie 410 class who can race weekly no where else for the weekly purse, point fund all for less entry fee and pit passes, was a WJ fan, have lost a bit of respect now