Logan Wagner Cements Place in Port Royal History as Back-To-Back Sprint Car Track Champion

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: November 28, 2019

Courtesy of Port Royal Speedway

By- Justin Snyder

PORT ROYAL, Pa- Logan Wagner came into the 2019 season looking to build on the success of having won his first career Port Royal Speedway track championship the previous season. With three career wins at the Juniata County oval entering the year and once again flying the legendary John & Pee Wee Zemaitis Zemco #1 colors in weekly competition, Wagner felt confident about his chances.

While it took misfortune for Greg Hodnett on the final points race of the season and a dramatic drive through the field to narrowly claim the championship in 2018, Wagner was looking to make a statement and prove that he wasn’t just lucky.

On the strength of five victories, 15 top-five finishes, 20 top-10’s and only failing to qualify for one show, Wagner dominated the 2019 season and proved to be a force to reckon with for years to come.

“To get one championship is cool, but to build on that and get another is a special feeling,” said Wagner. “I felt like we were pretty good in 2018. But 2019 was something special and I don’t even think we knew how good we could be.”

To put his season in perspective, Wagner only finished below seventh twice all season. One of them was a non-points event against the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws event where he finished 11^th and the other was a 12^th in the third race of 2019 that saw the team dealing with mechanical issues early in the night and a drive through the field after qualifying via the B-Main.

He also became the first driver since Todd Shaffer in 2008 and 2009 to win back to back championships at the speedway, not to mention in the 10 years since that no driver had been able to win multiple championships at all.

With the who’s who of Central Pennsylvania competing weekly at the speedway throughout the years, it’s an accomplishment that’s not lost on the Harrisonville, Pa. native.

“I honestly look back and it’s truly and honor to even be on the same list as some of the drivers who have won championships there,” said Wagner. “A few years ago, I was just trying to win races and show I could do this. Now I’m a back to back champion and that’s truly a special thing.”

Highlights for the 2019 season included a win in April during Open Wheel Madness night, a $7000 win during the Weikert Memorial finale and a sweep during the twin 20’s in early June. He last visited victory lane at the Speedway in a regular show in August.

While the wins were memorable, it was a race that saw Wagner finish second to Danny Dietrich in the Weikert Memorial opener that lit a fire under Wagner and his Zemco team. With $10,000 on the line, Wagner led for 23 laps and looked to be in control before Dietrich capitalized on a late restart to claim the victory. Wagner had also been driving on three shocks as one broke on the opening circuit and the car was tough to hold onto.

“I was really frustrated after that one because I felt like we had the best car and a mechanical issue cost us,” said Wagner. “But then I also looked at it and told myself if we can be this fast on three shocks, we can really do something special when the car is all together. It just made me want to be better and really was big for our confidence.”

With the 2020 racing season ahead of him, Wagner is looking to get even better. He points to the longevity of all-time Port Royal Speedway feature winner Keith Kauffman as something he strives for.

“It’s a cool accomplishment to win two in a row and such, but when I look back Keith Kauffman, he was a guy that not only won, but he did it in multiple decades,” said Wagner. “It’s amazing to see championships in the 70’s, 80’s 90’s and 00’s from the same guy. That’s the kind of success we all strive for as drivers and I hope I can be half the driver he was.”

He is also extremely proud to represent Port Royal Speedway as their champion as they continue to grow and become one of the premier dirt tracks in the country. He points to the continued offseason improvements as reason’s he loves the ‘The Speed Palace’. But it’s the tracks dedication to safety and preventative maintenance that most impresses him.

“In the aviation world it’s really about preventing something before it’s too late and in that aspect, Port Royal Speedway is on top of their game like few others out there, “said Wagner, who is a pilot by trade in his day-to-day life. “Whether it’s a catch fence, new facilities, safety changes or just plain improving on the old, as a driver you have to appreciate that effort.”

“They don’t have to do a lot of things they do. But to see them thinking ahead and thinking of us as drivers and the fans, it makes you want to support that. And because of that, I’m extremely proud to be their track champion.”

Banquet Information

Tickets remain on sale for the annual Port Royal Speedway Awards Banquet to be held on Saturday, January 4th, 2020 at the Lewistown Moose Family Center.

Doors will open at 5:00pm and dinner will be catered by Harshbarger’s Sub N Malt and will be served at 5:30pm with the awards program to follow.