Wayne Lewis

[Dirk Olson]

Like Chris I too was in the barn and was able to talk to Wayne for a while. He had a rough couple of years and even though he had a tough time at Topeka I got the feeling he really wanted to be there to see all of us. Wayne was tough but always fair, he so enjoyed S/SS. He will be Missed and Remembered by many in and out of Div 5. Rest in Peace Wayne.

Dirk

[Alan Nyhus]

I first came to know Wayne when he and partner Dick Heier were racing their Camaro in Modified Production. As you got to know him, you realized that under the gruff exterior was a heart of gold. Later on, as part of the Div. 5 Technical Team, he was devoted to making sure things were right...didn't make any difference what your name was or how big or small your budget.

Everyone has a 'Wayne story'. I'd been out of racing for about 20 years. When I got back into Stock Eliminator, the first NHRA event I went to was the D5 National Open in Pierre, South Dakota. When I went to have the car teched, Wayne was sitting there along with Dick Wassinger. Wayne looked up at me and said dryly: "Al Nyhus. I knew you were too (bleepin') dumb to stay away."

The World is a better place for Wayne having been here.

[Paul Merolla]

Originally Posted by Alan Nyhus

"Al Nyhus. I knew you were too (bleepin') dumb to stay away."

That line is classic Wayne! Thanks for the laugh, Al.
I think the D5 banquet this year needs to include a session where everyone can step up to the mic and tell their favorite Wayne story...we'll be there for hours. Might need to use substitute words, like "flange" instead of the other one.
The first time I won class, I went to the tech building to get my Wally. Went over to Wayne and asked him if he'd take a picture with me. His reply was, "What the flange for?!" I said, "This is the first one of these I've ever gotten and I thought it would be cool to have a picture of you handing it to me." He got a big grin on his face and we took the photo.

[btrc]

When I got back into racing about 6 years ago and went to my first NHRA race in Earlville, John McLeod was riding with us. As soon as we had the trailer parked he said "I have to introduce you to someone". It turns out that someone was Wayne Lewis. He had a few choice comments about the "new cars" but after he learned that we built it ourselves everything was fine.
I have always looked forward to seeing him at the NHRA races. He would always ask if I was going to go to this race or that race and also knew what was going on at the MCR races.
Just the weekend before Topeka he re-certified my car in Marion, SD. I'm glad I was able to visit with him again.