Wayne Lewis - Page 2

Dirk Olson · 08-10-2020, 08:34 AM

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 · 08-10-2020, 09:03 AM

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 · 08-10-2020, 09:29 AM

Quote:

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 · 08-10-2020, 10:40 AM

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.

ckoppien · 08-10-2020, 12:41 PM

Wayne was one of the good guys. A friend for many many years, respected by all. A fixture in NHRA Div 5 as well as many National events. You will be missed, Rest In Peace my friend.

Chuck & Barb Koppien

MR DERBY CITY · 08-10-2020, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRINK

Wayne Lewis was a giant among all of the members of the tech crew. You always knew where you stood with Mr. Lewis. 100 percent by the rule book, always fair and honest. The loss of this great friend saddens me. His absence will be felt for many years in D-5 events. Godspeed Mr. Lewis, Rest In Peace.

Mr Rink, I believe you covered everything here. Prayers for the Lewis family. Godspeed....

Dan Wiese · 08-10-2020, 05:22 PM

We lost a true LEGEND ! I am just thankful I got to call Wayne a friend and learn from all the wisdom he had . Rest In Peace Wayne

Dan Wiese

BLAZER · 08-10-2020, 06:00 PM

Great guy-A Nhra Legend-when Wayne was in teardown--you could hear Knees Shake--will be missed by many--Bob K.

crose · 08-10-2020, 09:19 PM

I got to know Wayne somewhat better the last 4 years since I switched from Super Classes to stock. I never will forget our conversation when he was in our town and came over to my garage to recertify my sons dragster.
He asked me who I was going to have do my engine and I told him I was trying to decide between engine builder #1 or engine builder # 2.
He looked at me and said if I went with #2 to bring some gaskets to the first race because he was going to have me tear down. He said it in a nice way but I knew he meant what he said.
So I get to the second race with the car and stop at fuel check and go over the scale all good but Wayne is waiting for me and says pull over.So I have to pull the carb and he and the other tech guys are looking things over. After about 15 minutes he hands me my carb and looks at me and says with a smile, aren't you glad you went with builder #1.
He will certainly be missed at the races.
Chuck Rose

novassdude · 08-10-2020, 09:43 PM

Rest in Piece Wayne you were one of the good ones.

08-10-2020, 08:34 AM	#11
Dirk Olson Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 199 Likes: 50 Liked 172 Times in 46 Posts	Re: Wayne Lewis 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 __________________ Dirk Olson 5036 STK

08-10-2020, 09:03 AM	#12
Alan Nyhus VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Lower Dakota territory Posts: 1,180 Likes: 1,074 Liked 799 Times in 236 Posts	Re: Wayne Lewis 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. __________________ "That'll never work....."

08-10-2020, 10:40 AM	#14
btrc Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 253 Likes: 286 Liked 84 Times in 42 Posts	Re: Wayne Lewis 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. __________________ Bob Tilton 568 FS/H

08-10-2020, 12:41 PM	#15
ckoppien Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 4 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Wayne Lewis Wayne was one of the good guys. A friend for many many years, respected by all. A fixture in NHRA Div 5 as well as many National events. You will be missed, Rest In Peace my friend. Chuck & Barb Koppien

08-10-2020, 05:22 PM	#17
Dan Wiese Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 384 Likes: 7 Liked 204 Times in 69 Posts	Re: Wayne Lewis We lost a true LEGEND ! I am just thankful I got to call Wayne a friend and learn from all the wisdom he had . Rest In Peace Wayne Dan Wiese

08-10-2020, 06:00 PM	#18
BLAZER Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Wasthere,England Posts: 266 Likes: 1 Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Wayne Lewis Great guy-A Nhra Legend-when Wayne was in teardown--you could hear Knees Shake--will be missed by many--Bob K.

08-10-2020, 09:19 PM	#19
crose Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 34 Likes: 19 Liked 12 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Wayne Lewis I got to know Wayne somewhat better the last 4 years since I switched from Super Classes to stock. I never will forget our conversation when he was in our town and came over to my garage to recertify my sons dragster. He asked me who I was going to have do my engine and I told him I was trying to decide between engine builder #1 or engine builder # 2. He looked at me and said if I went with #2 to bring some gaskets to the first race because he was going to have me tear down. He said it in a nice way but I knew he meant what he said. So I get to the second race with the car and stop at fuel check and go over the scale all good but Wayne is waiting for me and says pull over.So I have to pull the carb and he and the other tech guys are looking things over. After about 15 minutes he hands me my carb and looks at me and says with a smile, aren't you glad you went with builder #1. He will certainly be missed at the races. Chuck Rose

08-10-2020, 09:43 PM	#20
novassdude Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: usa Posts: 752 Likes: 204 Liked 136 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Wayne Lewis Rest in Piece Wayne you were one of the good ones.