CONCORD, NC – MAY 22: Former NASCAR driver Junior Johnson speaks to the media at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 22, 2010 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Statement from NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France on the Passing of Junior Johnson
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 20, 2019) – “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. 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.”
CHARLOTTE, NC – MAY 20: Junior Johnson revels a granite tile bearing his signature and induction year as his wife Lisa Johnson (R-C), daughter Meredith Johnson (L-C) and son Robert Johnson (R) during the Walk of Fame unveiling at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on May 20, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Chris Keane/Getty Images for NASCAR)
1965: Junior Johnson poses with his Ford during his final full season as a driver on the NASCAR Cup circuit. Johnson started 36 of the 55 Cup races during the year and won 13 of them. Bobby Isaac drove for Johnson in 1966. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)
HILLSBORO, NC – MARCH 10, 1963: Junior Johnson poses with actress Jayne Mansfield after winning the NASCAR Cup race at Orange Speedway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 14, 1960: Junior Johnson and car owner Ray Fox celebrate winning the 1960 Daytona 500. Johnson won many times in NASCAR competition as a driver and later as a team owner, and was the subject of a best-selling book “The Last American Hero” and movie. (Photo by ISC Archives via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – MAY 23: Hall of Fame inductee Junior Johnson pose prior to the 2010 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at The Ritz-Carlton on May 23, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
