Layne A Perfect 2-for-2 As He Aims For A Third Straight Pure Stock Title At South Boston Speedway

The 2017 racing season was bittersweet for Johnny Layne. So far, 2018 has just been sweet for the Nathalie driver at South Boston Speedway.

 

Layne captured the 2017 Budweiser Pure Stock championship at South Boston for back-to-back titles. But on the way to that title he won just won race after winning multiple times in claiming the 2016 championship.

 

But this year is sweet. Layne has three wins in three starts, two at South Boston Speedway and the third at another track in the region. And he is leading the points race as he guns for back-to-back-to-back Pure Stock championships at South Boston.

 

“At the end of last year, we picked up some speed, found some speed,” said Layne. “But I was starting from the rear (of the field) all the time to get extra points, so I didn’t win.”

 

Layne wrecked hard in the final race of 2017, an incident he still isn’t happy about, which led to extra work over the winter months.

 

“We rebuilt the right side of the car over the winter after I was wrecked in the last race,” said Layne. “We took our time to get everything just right. We didn’t want to throw the car together.”

 

What’s been the big difference for Layne in 2018? Simple he says: an infusion of funding to his team.

 

“I got hooked up with a good sponsor (Spainhour Diner) and I’ve been able to do things that I haven’t been able to do in the past,” said Layne, who also gets sponsorship help from the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, Shame 4 Sidney, McBride’s Design and Duffy’s Vinyl and Tile. I’ve gotten parts I should have had but could never afford. I’ve been able to do things to the car I’ve never been able to afford. It has made a big difference.”

 

Even with all the improvements, Layne said he was amazed by the win two weeks ago in a race which was interrupted by rain.

 

“I was surprised we didn’t get beat Saturday night,” said Layne. “After the rain I had a lot of push in the car. But I guess I wasn’t the only one that had that problem. But I’m still surprised we won.”

 

Layne isn’t exactly sure what it will take to keep his win streak alive, but he knows what will help.

 

“To keep it going? I don’t know … maybe a little more luck,” he said.

 

Layne will get a chance to keep that streak going Saturday with the running of the NASCAR Late Model Twin 75s racing program.

 

There will be six races: twin 75-lap Late Model races, a 50-lap Limited Sportsman race, a 30-lap race for the Budweiser Pure Stock Division, a 15-lapper for the Budweiser Hornets Division and a 30-lap race for the Mod 4 Division.

 

Rain checks from the May 26 racing action, which was stopped short by a storm, will be honored Saturday night.

 

Adult tickets for the race are $10, with children 12 and under admitted free with a paying adult.

 

SBS PR