LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Junior Johnson, one of the five charter members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, will be on hand to greet fans in the Neon Garage during the Feb. 26-28 NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
"While NASCAR may have its roots in the southeast, the sport has always had a strong following in the western part of the country. "— Junior Johnson
LVMS is beginning what it hopes to be an annual tradition by inviting legendary NASCAR drivers to take part in the racing activities at the speedway. Johnson will greet fans in the Neon Garage at different intervals each day during the NASCAR Weekend.
“Racing pioneers such as Junior Johnson are the reason NASCAR has achieved the success it enjoys today,” said LVMS president Chris Powell. “We’re honored to have one the most historic figures in NASCAR join us for our NASCAR Weekend in February.”
Johnson amassed 50 victories from 1953-1966 in what is now known as the Sprint Cup Series, placing him 10th on NASCAR’s all-time list. But his greatest success came as a car owner. He garnered 132 wins as a car owner and claimed six NASCAR Sprint Cup championships – three with Cale Yarborough and three with Darrell Waltrip. Johnson can count legendary drivers such as Fred Lorenzen, A.J. Foyt, David Pearson, Gordon Johncock, Curtis Turner, Neil Bonnett, Terry Labonte and Bill Elliott among his former drivers. Johnson will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in May along with Bill France, Bill France Jr., Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.
“I’m really excited to be a part of the NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas,” Johnson said. “While NASCAR may have its roots in the southeast, the sport has always had a strong following in the western part of the country. I also think it’s an honor that Las Vegas Motor Speedway is choosing to recognize those who laid the groundwork for today’s NASCAR.”
In addition to Johnson, several restored “Grand National” cars, including Johnson’s 1963 Holly Farms car, will be on display in the Neon Garage throughout the weekend.
Passes for the Neon Garage are available by calling the LVMS ticket office at 1-800-644-4444 or by logging on to www.lvms.com. Tickets for the Feb. 28 Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and the Feb. 27 Sam’s Town 300 also are available.
