Wayne Anderson is the 2004...
Wayne Anderson is the 2004 FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model Serieschampion.
It was no contest in 2003, but that was a distant memory. The 2004FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model Series title would be settled at thelast race, the traditional running of the Governor's Cup. Wayne Andersoncould repeat as series champion, but there were still challengers to thethrone.
The day didn't get off to such a stellar start, either. The familiarnumber 84 had to be parked with an engine problem. If Anderson was goingto claim the title at the event, he had to do it in his father's car.
The afternoon hours were spent preparing the number 92 machine as the 84sat idly beside the crew. Wayne and the whole crew had plenty to do.Others were lining up for practice while this team was making sureeverything was right.
Wayne Anderson (left) works...
Wayne Anderson (left) works with his father, Dick Anderson, in the pitarea at New Smyrna (FL) Speedway. Wayne moved into his father's carafter problems with his primary car.
When it was all said and done, it wasn't another Governor's Cup trophy,but it was another series championship. The Triple Crown champion, aseries within the series, had slipped away, but the big prize was stillin the hands of Anderson.
Wayne Anderson began his racing career right out of high school. In manyways, it was a natural progression for the son of Dick Anderson, "Kingof Florida Short Tracks." However, there have been plenty of exampleswhere the next generation didn't quite measure up. This is not one ofthose examples. Wayne started winning from the start.
His efforts brought him rookie honors at Bronson Motor Speedway andLakeland Speedway. He spent time in the road going to different shorttracks throughout the state, picking up experience that was helpful.Soon, the top finishes and the wins came and so did the desire to expandthe horizons.
In 1993, Anderson was the class of the FASCAR organization and came homesecond the following year in the United Stock Car Alliance standings. Hestepped outside the Florida borders and got immediate attention. Hisfifth place finish in a NASCAR All-Pro Series race in Nashville was hisfirst battle with the regulars of that sanction. They would soon seemuch more of Anderson.
Buoyed by this success, Anderson struck out for the touring world ofNASCAR. Working as crewchief and driver meant long hours and manysacrifices, but the work paid off. Anderson snared five poles andfinished second to Tammy Jo Kirk in rookie of the year honors. He endedup fifth in the series points. The highlight was the win at Nashville inthe All-American 400 and there's a guitar somewhere to prove it.
Like most great short track...
Like most great short track racers, Wayne is a hands-on driver. Heserved as his own crewchief in the NASCAR All-Pro Series.
Anderson's sights were set on more and he entered a few NASCAR CraftsmanTruck events along with touring series events. It set the stage for afull assault on the truck series. Anderson still dabbled in the All-Proseries, winning the '98 season opener. His truck efforts brought hometwo Top-10 runs at Memphis and I-70.
The dog eat dog world of high level racing can demote a driver's abilitybelow the ability to find a sponsor or the sponsor's ability to supporta high dollar operation. As the 20th century started to wind down,Anderson found himself on a path through the All-Pro Series and itopened up the eyes of the world. He completed every lap in the seriesand led the series in wins. The success wasn't limited to sanctionedraces either. The driver from Wildwood claimed the Florida Governor'sCup and Powell Memorial.
Anderson's success just kept coming. A limited run in the All-Pro seriesstill meant more wins than any other driver in 2000. Anderson returnedas champion in 2001 and inched to the top of the all-time win list forthe series. (Jeff Fultz broke the mark in 2004). He also took the honorsat the annual Snowball Derby in '01 and won most popular driver honorsin the All-Pro ranks.
Since then, Anderson has added more Powell Memorials, won the Pete OrrMemorial and topped the big event at Hialeah in late 2004. He swept theGovernor's Cup, Triple Crown and Sunbelt titles in 2003.
Wayne Anderson qualifying...
Wayne Anderson qualifying for the 39th annual Governor's Cup. Anderson,the defending champion, couldn't repeat, but did win the series title.
The traveling bug still hit him as Anderson competed in events with theSouthern All-Star series, ASA, and ARCA RE/MAX Series in the 21stcentury.
In February 2004, Anderson qualified for the ARCA RE/MAX series openerat Daytona International Speedway. Following the afternoon race,Anderson hustled to New Smyrna Speedway to compete in the World Seriesof Asphalt Racing, doing a daily double.
Anderson's assault on the 2004 Sunbelt title was boosted with a dominantmid-season run. He logged five straight wins to charge into the pointslead and hold the spot to the end of the year.
Every championship is an accomplishment of merit. For Wayne Anderson,the meritorious achievements keep piling on.