TULSA, Okla. (February 15, 2016) Getting ready for the 2016 season with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network National Tour has been a busy one for Wayne Johnson. An owner driver the past few seasons, the Oklahoma City native has handed over the title of owner to Todd and Kelly Carlile for the 2016 season.
“With Todd and Kelly taking over the team, you know, it definitely relieves some stress on me having to try and pay for everything,” said Wayne of the transition back to being just the driver.
Elaborating further, Johnson explained, “Now I can focus more on the driving aspect of it, but honestly, as much of a change as it is, it really isn’t because Todd’s been involved with me for several years as a sponsor. The only difference of having him as the owner, it takes a big burden off of me because as an owner/driver, you race differently because it comes back on you, but having said that, I’m not wanting to go out and cost him a bunch of money either, because I know what it takes and what it costs to do this.”
Looking over the roster of National Tour drivers, Wayne commented that this year’s lineup is among the toughest he’s seen in a long time. “I’m excited for this season. I can remember seasons where you had three guys that you know they were the ones you had to beat, and this year it’s almost all of them. It’ll be good for the series with so many good cars. It’s going to be tough.”
Normally the No. 77x, Johnson will have No. 2c on the sideboards of his Outlaw Wings in 2016.
“At first, Todd wanted to leave everything the same. He wanted it to look the same and I told him that I didn’t want it that way. We wanted a big change, and I wanted it to look like Todd and Kelly’s deal, not Wayne Johnson’s deal.”
While massive change has taken place in owner, numbers, and color, so much of the team will remain the same as Connor “Slippy” Nelson will start his fifth year as Wayne’s right hand man. Wayne’s brother, Bud Johnson, will also be a part of the crew as his schedule allows. The team will utilize EMI Chassis along with relying on Charlie Fisher Racing Engines under the bonnet.
Along with thanks to the Carlile family, Wayne would like to welcome Ray Williams and City Vending back as a sponsor in 2016. Special thank goes to Wayne’s sponsors, which include: Two C Racing, The Oil Medics, Rod End Supply, Outlaw Wings, City Vending, Slade Shocks, Sebastian Sand Blasting and Powder Coating, and Weld Racing Wheels.
Fans wanting to keep up with Wayne Johnson can do so via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WayneJohnsonRacing/?fref=ts). Anyone wanting news from the source can also sign up for “Wednesday’s With Wayne” by emailing Bill Wright (@BillWMedia) at sprntcar@hotmail.com.
The 2016 season is the 25th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing across the United States for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network. The 2016 season begins at the Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Okla. on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12 with the Sooner State Showdown.
For continued updates, and to see the full lineup of events for American Sprint Car Series, from the National Tour to the Regional Tours, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.
ASCS Online:
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Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lucasoilascs
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lucasoilascs (@lucasoilascs)
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Audio Broadcast: http://www.racinboys.com
Live Scoring (Where Applicable): http://www.ascsracing.com/live and the Race Monitor App
Lucas Oil Products is the title sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. More information can be found on Lucas Oil Products at www.lucasoil.com. MAVTV Motorsports Network is the presenting sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. Log onto www.mavtv.com for information regarding availability and listings in your area.
Associate sponsors for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network include: Hoosier Racing Tire and Brodix. All Heat Races are brought to you by ButlerBuilt Professional Seating Systems. All B-Features are presented by BMRS.
Team Lucas Sponsors for the American Sprint Car Series consist of Protect the Harvest, Geico, E3 Spark Plugs, LucasOilRacing.tv, and General Tire.
Communications for the American Sprint Car Series is provided by Racing Electronics. All events are broadcast online at http://www.racinboys.com.
Product and Contingency Sponsorship provided by: K&N Filters, KSE Racing Products, Fuel Safe, DMI Rear Ends, BMRS, SpeedMart, Competition Suspension, Engler Machine and Tool, FSR Radiator and Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Driverwebsites.com, Weld Wheels, Maxwell Industries, Simpson, Wesmar Racing Engines, Hinchman Indy Racewear, Rod End Supply, Smiley's Racing Products, Speedway Motors, and Hilborn Injection.
- Bryan Hulbert on Feb 16, 2016
- Article Date: 2/16/2016