Johnny Layne’s Record-Breaking Triumph

South Boston Speedway Pure Stock Wins Record is Biggest, Most Exciting Accomplishment in His Three Decades of Racing

By Joe Chandler

Director, Public Relations

South Boston Speedway

SOUTH BOSTON, VA (July 8, 2026) – A huge smile of joy and relief radiated from Johnny Layne.

Race night had ended. Competitors and teams with their car haulers in tow, were pulling out of South Boston Speedway after its June 27 event. Layne and his father, Johnny Layne Sr., were among the few competitors that remained in the pit area.

Almost two hours earlier, Layne won the 20-lap Southside Disposal Pure Stock Division race, surviving a tough late-race battle with teenager Jay Hemenway to earn his 38th career win and break the record for all-time career wins in the division.

“Battling for this win and battling for the lead and the most wins makes this the most exciting win I’ve had since I’ve been racing cars,” the Halifax, Virginia resident said, his smile growing.

“It (breaking the record) is the biggest thing I’ve done in 16 years of racing go-karts and in 14 or 15 years of racing Pure Stocks.”

The excitement was also felt by Layne’s father.

“This is a special night,” he pointed out. “This means a lot to both of us. I put a lot of hours into it. It takes both of us. I know if I can get the car close Johnny will do the rest – and he does.”

“It’s kind of a relief now,” the elder Layne added. “Trying to get there was more fun than reaching it (the record), if people can understand that.”

See if Johnny Can Extend His Record on July 11. Get Your Tickets to CAS NAPA Race Night Here

Johnny Layne pointed out the record was more for his father and his engine builder, Tony Wilborn.

“It’s all them,” he explained. “Nobody understands how much those two guys are the reason that makes me look the way I do. If it wasn’t for those two there is no way I could do anything. Dad puts a lot of hours and hard work into the car, and it shows.

Johnny Layne (9) battles Jay Hemenway for the lead on June 27, 2026. Layne would come out on top, securing 38th Southside Disposal Pure Stock Division win, an all-time record-breaking victory.

“Tony’s engines have been the only ones I’ve raced with,” he continued. “His engines are so good and reliable that I’ve had only one failure in 14 years.”

In an ironic twist, Johnny Layne’s car sports a few parts that had once been on the car driven by former division champion and career wins record holder Nathan Crews.

“A few years back, I bought Nathan’s springs, struts, the whole works, and I couldn’t make them work,” explained Johnny Layne Sr. “I was sitting there during the winter looking at them. It took me the whole winter, and it just came to me. I figured out how he (Crews) was making them work. We made the car a lot better, and that’s when we started winning. To this day, I’m still running his springs and struts on the front of the car.”

Johnny Layne’s 38 wins have occurred over the course of 10 seasons as he has won at least one race each season starting with the 2016 season. Since the start of the 2019 season Layne has 27 wins, 15 second-place finishes, 20 poles, 50 Top-5 finishes, and 55 Top-10 finishes in 57 starts.

A question that looms is has Layne’s mission been accomplished. Layne says partially.

“It’s yes and no,” he remarked. “Once I found out what the (wins) count was this year that (breaking the record) was my goal. Every time I come to the track my goal is to win, so I’ll see if I can stretch it (the total) out a little more.”

Johnny Layne Sr. noted that while the goal to break the record has been reached adding to the number would be good if it can be accomplished.

“We’d better stretch it out a little more,” he said. “If we don’t, Nathan is liable to come back at any time. He was really good at this track in Pure Stock.”

Johnny Layne’s success this season with six wins and two second-place finishes in his nine starts has propelled him to a 28-point lead in the division standings heading into the upcoming July 11 event. He has won the division title three times (2016, 2017, 2023) and is in good position to attempt to grab a fourth title. So, how about a possible fourth title?

“I’m taking it race-by-race,” he explained. “I’ve been saying it depends on my daughter’s softball schedule. She is telling me I’m so far in this year that I’m not missing any races. Her softball is more exciting for me than for me to win races. I’m not going to miss something big when it comes to her. We’re playing it by ear.”

The next event at South Boston Speedway is the July 11 CAS NAPA Race Night event. All four of the track’s NASCAR-sanctioned racing divisions will be in action on the five-race card.

Twin 75-lap races for the Hitachi Energy Late Model Stock Car Division are slated for this weekend’s racing action. A big highlight of the night will be the 3rd Running of the Kenny Meadows Memorial Limited Sportsman Feature.

More than $17,000 in purse and special awards will be on the line in the Third Annual Kenny Meadows Memorial Limited Sportsman Feature. A $3,000 prize will go to the winner of the 75-lap race, the longest and richest race of the season for South Boston Speedway’s Budweiser Limited Sportsman Division. The race pays $500 to start.

The 3rd Running of the Kenny Meadows Memorial Limited Sportsman Feature honors the late Kenny Meadows who passed away December 7, 2021 at age 56 due to complications from COVID-19. Meadows was a life-long racing enthusiast. He was crew chief for his son, Calvin Meadows’, racing efforts and helped many other teams throughout the years as well. Kenny Meadows was involved in racing for 14 years.

A 25-lap race for the Southside Disposal Pure Stock Division and a 20-lap race for the Dollar General Hornets Division will round out the night’s racing action.

First Responders Appreciation Night is set for the CAS NAPA Race Night event with free admission for first responders and healthcare personnel with ID. A First Responders Parade will be featured during pre-race ceremonies.

The Saturday, July 11 event schedule has registration and pit gates opening at 2 p.m., practice starting at 3:25 p.m., frontstretch grandstand gates opening at 3:30 p.m., trackside parking gates opening at 5:30 p.m., qualifying at 6 p.m., pre-race ceremonies starting at 6:45 p.m. and the first race of the night starting at 7 p.m.

Adult advance tickets are priced at $12 each. Adult admission at the gate on race day is $15. Suite passes are $40 each. Seniors ages 65 and older, veterans and military personnel, and students with ID may purchase tickets for $12 each at the gate on race day. Kids ages 12 and under are admitted free.