On December 26, 1986, President Ronald Reagan granted Johnson a presidential
pardon for his 1956 moonshining conviction. In response to the pardon, which
restored his right to vote, Johnson said, "I could not have imagined anything better."
Posted on 12/20/2019 2:56:39 PM PST by rdl6989
Junior Johnson, a stock-car racing giant whose career spanned the sport’s history from its moonshining roots to its modern era as a fierce, hard-nosed driver and an innovative mechanic and team owner, has died. He was 88.
Johnson’s passing was confirmed by the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He had been in declining health and entered hospice care earlier this week.
(Excerpt) Read more at nascar.com ...
I think most of the early drivers were moonshiners. If I had it I would watch “Thunder Road’ tonight.
I’d guess a very colorful, fun 88 years. Rest in peace.
There was once talk of Junior Johnson entering politics, but he kept turning to the Left.
That is the history of stock car racing. Moonshiners who got together on Saturday night to race their rigs.
He was an old time Democrat who never saw the light.
They made a movie about him.
Jeff Bridges as Junior. Entertaining, especially the derby.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070287/
RIP Junior Johnson, you lived a full life.
If you ain’t first you’re last.
RIP
.
Saw him race back in the day - think it was the same race that Fireball Roberts lived (died) up to his name.
Highly regarded as a decent person. RIP, Junior.
He was more a Bootlegger than a Moonshiner.
Loved that movie. It was on TV a couple months back.
Speedy ride to heaven in your “mystery engine” 427 junior. You earned it.
Well said.
In the movie they had a professional singer do the song. I like Mitchum’s version better. Mitchum also co-wrote it.
On December 26, 1986, President Ronald Reagan granted Johnson a presidential
pardon for his 1956 moonshining conviction. In response to the pardon, which
restored his right to vote, Johnson said, "I could not have imagined anything better."
I’ve got a signed 65’ Galaxie sitting on my shelf. He retired in 1966.
I worked for Elmo Langley in the early to mid 70’s...Saw and talked with Junior in the garage areas and pits quite a bit...Really good guy...
Bye, Junior.....
Watched a show on how moonshiners became the precursors to NASCAR years ago. They were outrunning the “revenuers”.
A lot of Scots settled in the mountains of VA, NC, KY and TN starting in the 1700’s and knew a bit about distilling alcohol.
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