NASCAR Hall of Famer Robert Glenn Johnson Jr., affectionately known as Junior Johnson, passed away at the age of 88 after experiencing declining health, the NASCAR Hall of Fame confirmed Friday.
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Junior Johnson on behalf of the Johnson family. First and foremost, everyone at the NASCAR Hall of Fame offers our most sincere condolences to Lisa, Robert, Meredith and the entire family,” NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley said. “We have lost one of NASCAR’s true pioneers, innovators, competitors and an incredible mechanical and business mind. And, personally, I have lost one of my dearest friends. While we will miss Junior mightily, his legacy and memory will forever be remembered, preserved, celebrated and cherished at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and in the hearts and minds of race fans around the world. Please join us in remembering and celebrating Robert Glenn Johnson Jr. ”
Johnson is survived by wife Lisa, daughter Meredith and son Robert Glenn Johnson III.
Johnson was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers for a promotion celebrating NASCAR's 50th anniversay in 1998 on the strength of 50 race wins in 313 races between 1953 and 1966. He didn't win a top-level NASCAR championship as a driver, as he never ran enough races in a single season to contend for a title.
As a car owner, though, Johnson claimed six NASCAR Cup Series titles — three-straight with Cale Yarborough as driver in the 1970s and three more with Darrell Waltrip behind the wheel in the 1980s. As a team owner, Johnson won 132 races before retiring from NASCAR team ownership at the end of the 1995 season.
Johnson also is credited with introducing R.J. Reynolds to NASCAR, resulting the tobacco company becoming the first title sponsor of NASCAR's top series through its Winston brand in the early 1970s.
“Junior Johnson truly was the ‘Last American Hero.’ From his early days running moonshine through the end of his life, Junior wholly embodied the NASCAR spirit,” NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France said. "He was an inaugural NASCAR Hall of Famer, a nod to an extraordinary career as both a driver and team owner. Between his on-track accomplishments and his introduction of Winston to the sport, few have contributed to the success of NASCAR as Junior has. The entire NASCAR family is saddened by the loss of a true giant of our sport, and we offer our deepest condolences to Junior’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
Johnson was called the "Last American Hero" by Esquire magazine in 1965. Eight years later, a movie about Johnson was released with the same title.
Johnson also was a moonshiner, but in 1986 he received a full pardon from then-President Ronald Reagan, overturning a 1956 federal conviction.
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