The Wayne High School Power Drive team kicked off their 2025 race season in Lincoln on April 5.
The Blue Devils were "charged up and ready to compete" on a 0.42 mile oval track for 60 minutes at the UNL Tractor Test Facility.
Wayne was competing with three cars, Advanced class Car A107, and two Exhibition class Cars — E22 and E39.
In Advanced class racing the A107 took an early lead and never looked back. First time driver Allan Brenner created a two lap lead by the 20 minute mark when he headed to the pits for a driver's exchange. Quick work by the pit crew got the second driver, Wyatt Hawkins, into the car and back on the track. Hawkins, also a first time driver, maintained the lead throughout the remainder of the race.
Car A107 finished in first place with a two lap lead with 57 laps completing 23.94 miles.
In Exhibition class racing, Car E39, driven by Josh Doring, began the race in a battle for first, and the E22 driven by first time driver Mason Blickenstaff tailed the leaders in fourth place. The E39 traded positions for first and second place throughout the first half of the race, while the E22 maintained position. With 10 minutes to go in the race, E22 made a late race surge and took the third place position, and the E39 was pushing to gain the lead. Car E22 finished in third place with 73 laps, completing 30.66 miles and the E39 car finished in second place with 75 laps, completing 31.5 miles.
"This was a very successful start of the season for the Blue Devils with no mechanical issues, clean driving, and the fastest time in the pits. It is fun to see the students' offseason work pay off," said Power Drive Head Coach Tony Cantrell.
The Power Drive team travels to Motorsport Park Hastings in Hastings to compete on a 1 mile road course on Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m.
Area residents are also encouraged to "mark your calendars" as Wayne will host the 2025 EVERON Power Drive Championships on Saturday, May 3.
