Johnson hopes racing festival becomes big deal

DARLINGTON — It’s no secret who Junior Johnson is pulling for in the Chase for the Championship.

The North Carolina native definitely is behind the 50-year-old Mark Martin, who is attempting to be the oldest Cup champion.

“Seeing a guy at his age doing what he is doing is unbelievable,” Johnson said Friday on the eve of the Darlington Historic Racing Festival. “I hope he wins the championship.”

Johnson said he was interested in signing Martin when he was an owner in the 1980s but Martin was under contract with Jack Roush.

Still, he continued to admire his racing talent and his patience on the track.

“He doesn’t go out and try to press anybody. He waits until the time is right and goes after it,” Johnson said. “And he is good enough to get it. I like how he tries to outsmart the guy.”

While Johnson appreciates Martin’s drive to be an active driver in his 50s, it wasn’t something he was going to do in his career. The North Carolina native retired from racing when he was 34 after 50 career victories.

Johnson, 78, stayed involved in the sport as an owner, where he won six championships — three each with Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip. He also branched out into various business ventures, including country ham and pork and his own brand of moonshine.

“I won about everywhere you can win at and wanted to do something else. I know I didn’t want to race stock cars all my life,” Johnson said. “I wanted to go on and live a happy life and that’s where I am right now.”

These days, Johnson is living out his love of racing through his 16-year-old son Robert III, who has four Sportsman wins at Caraway Speedway and has drawn some interest from various organizations.
But this weekend, Johnson will be reflecting on his days and reconnecting with the fans and some of his peers from his racing days.

Johnson attended last year’s inaugural event and says it has a bright future.”

“I think this will eventually turn into a great thing,” Johnson said.

SCHEDULE
Today
Q & A sessions
11:00 am–noon — Cale Yarborough & Junior Johnson
2-3 p.m.— Johnny Rutherford & Bud Moore
Autograph sessions
Noon-1 p.m. — Cale Yarborough, Junior Johnson, Marvin Panch, Ray Fox
1-2 p.m. — Ned Jarrett, Charlie Glotzbach, Reb Wickersham
3-4 p.m. — Johnny Rutherford, Bud Moore, Waddell Wilson
Sunday
Q & A sessions
11-noon — David Pearson & Leonard Wood
2-3 p.m. — Humpy Wheeler & Jim Hunter
Autograph sessions
Noon-1 p.m. — David Pearson, Leonard Wood, Marvin Panch, Charlie Glotzbach
1-2 p.m. — Donnie Allison & Rex White
3-4 p.m. — Humpy Wheeler & Jim Hunter

TICKETS: $15 per day or $25 for the weekend