Wayne County Speedway revved for April 3 opening night
Took Wiles' new entry, built during the winter, will feature an orange paint scheme.
It’s been a productive off-season at the Wayne County Speedway, where general manager/promoter Jason Flory is committed to keeping the volume cranked up at the 3/8-mile dirt oval on Carr Road near Orrville.
When the flagman waves the green for the first time this season on April 3, race fans will experience a number of upgrades — some more noticeable than others.
And for all the innovations, the 2021 agenda will even include a little nostalgia. While he hasn’t been behind the wheel at WCS for 14 years, veteran leadfoot Took Wiles said he will return to race against his son, Tyler, in the super stock division. Both will drive machines with the number 187 on the side.
Be not confused, though. Took Wiles' new entry, built during the winter, will feature an orange paint scheme. Tyler’s car is blue.
“If you’re color-blind, you’re in trouble,” Took Wiles said in a recent WCS webcast.
The elder Wiles — formerly of late model fame — said he got the itch to build a new super stock after Tyler allowed him to drive his car last fall. Took Wiles is eager to get back out on the dirt, and he has support from family and friends.
“Will I take it serious? Yes, but I want to have fun. That’s what it’s about,” Took Wiles said, knowing his son isn’t likely to give him any breaks in close quarters.
To say Tyler Wiles is pumped up about the opportunity is an understatement.
“I’m excited. It’s always been my dream to race with Dad,” said Tyler Wiles, who has made a name for himself in the mini stock class. “Hopefully, we can get side by side and do some good racin’. I can’t wait to get out there with him and maybe put a little tire rub on the side of that shiny car.”
Took Wiles said he also has a late model in the garage, all tuned up and ready for action in that class as well.
As for the 2021 opener on April 3, Flory said it will be a Fast Five card featuring sprint cars, modifieds, mini stocks, super stocks and late models.
One of the improvements fans at the bullring will notice right away is the new public address system that has been installed. Flory said it was a need fans have wanted for quite some time. The new PA comes complete with an audio-mixing board and several new loudspeakers throughout the facility.
Another innovation at WCS is designed to encourage more participation in the 410 sprint car vein. The new four-race program is being called the “King of the County” series, with dates set for April 17, June 5, Aug. 7 and Sept. 25. The series will pay $3,500 to win.
The track will host a “Sudden Impact Demolition Derby” on April 10. Flory said the derby was scheduled so as not to conflict with activities at the Attica Speedway that same date.
Area drivers, mechanics and fabricators have been busy during the quiet months in preparation for the 2021 slate.
Other upcoming highlights will be the Duffy Smith Memorial on June 14 and the Pete Jacobs Memorial on Sept. 5.
Flory called the Jacobs event the track’s “biggest race of the year” for the sprint cars, and it will pay $15,000 to win.
With racing altered significantly in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone involved is looking forward to 2021 with renewed hope.
Perhaps the biggest happening at WCS last season was the World of Outlaws “national show.” While originally rained out, the WOO special was rescheduled for last fall and drew a massive crowd. At the present time, there is no Outlaws date on the 2021 WCS schedule. Flory, however, said the door is always open to try to bring back the big names. The 2021 schedule, just released, does have a couple of open dates for such possibilities.
At the track for 10 years, Flory has said he generally takes a conservative approach in terms to scheduling. “I’m a guy who likes to under-promise and over-deliver,” he said on a recent WCS webcast.
With new sponsorships and returning supporters in tow, the goal always is to help racing in Wayne County prosper.
“Everything’s on the table to make it better this year,” Flory said.