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Wayne Johnson has had few opportunities to race in front of his hometown crowd in recent years, so the Oklahoma City native made the most of State Fair Speedway’s Spring Nationals finale by wiring the field in Saturday night’s 30-lap O’Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National feature event.
Johnson outgunned current series point leader Gary Wright for the lead at the outset and raced the entire distance virtually unchallenged aboard Mike and Tim Hammers’ Wesmar-powered H&H Enterprises/Pearson Farms No. 94 Eagle.
“Beautiful car tonight guys, absolutely great race car, ” Johnson exclaimed to his team as he climbed out of the mount in victory lane after his second triumph of the season and 22nd career ASCS National Tour victory. “It wasn’t that easy, but these guys gave me a car that made it look that way. “
Residing in Knoxville, Iowa over the past several years, Wayne commented that, “I raced here in Oklahoma City every week for a long time back in the ‘80s and early ‘90s and one thing hasn’t changed, the fans here are still great. “
Johnson made his way into the evening’s Pole Dash by climbing from sixth to second in Brodix Cylinder Heads heat race number one, earning the second highest passing point total for the night behind Aaron Berryhill.
Johnson drew the number one pill and took full advantage by winning the Pole Dash. And aside from one brief period past the midway point of the feature event when Berryhill and Wright closed in, Johnson had the race well in hand.
While Johnson gunned into the lead at the outset, fourth-starter Berryhill battled past Wright for second on the opening round. Johnson’s pace was interrupted after five laps when the caution flew for Jason Johnson, who came to a stop off turn four with a cut right rear tire. Jason Johnson’s crew changed the tire in short order, with Shane Stewart making a trip to the work area as well under the caution.
Back under way, Wayne Johnson amassed a half straightaway advantage over Berryhill and Wright by the eighth lap. A handful of laps later, Johnson held nearly a straightaway lead as he reached the tail of the field.
