Jason Johnson stands a top his sprint car with his son, Jaxx, after winning a race at the Jackson Motorplex. Photo by DB3 Imaging.
By Nic Meyer
Is there a racing term that is equivalent to “greenhorn?” If so, that’s me.
I’ve followed racing on and off most of my life. I certainly remember times growing up in the 90’s watching sprint cars on TNN (the heart of country). We made it to a couple local dirt tracks as a kid, but it wasn’t until summer 2019 that I made my first trip to Knoxville.
I’ve really gotten into racing hard the last couple of years, primarily sprint cars. Something about the way the cars look, how they take a corner, how they have to be pushed to start, etc just really interests me.
I’ve enjoyed learning about and meeting drivers, both locally and nationally. I’ve learned that you never, ever say anything that could even be misconstrued as negative about the PA Posse. That’ll ruin your whole week.
As I’m learning about all the current drivers and cars, I’m doing what I can to learn the history of sprint cars. All the drivers who made it what it is today. Some of them are with us. And unfortunately, some of them aren’t.
I want to share my story/perspective of The Ragin Cajun, Jason Johnson, with today being the two-year anniversary since we lost him. I said we, because even though I wasn’t there and didn’t know about him before, I’ve learned that the sport is really one big family.
David Gravel is the only driver I’ve known for Jason Johnson Racing. He took over as driver in 2019. He’s been one of the top guys with the World of Outlaws since I started following closely, winning 12 times with JJR.
What I was always curious about was why every time he won, I’d see several tweets saying “shit, I wanted to win!” I have since gone back and watched the highlights and interview of the 2016 Knoxville Nationals with Jason and get it now. That is a post-race interview I’ll be sure to watch several times a year.
I’ve seen Jaxx Johnson around a winning sprint car more times than I can count, usually standing next to Gravel while waving the checkered flag. How cool is it to see this team and family come together around the driver who has taken over since Jason’s passing? It really makes me appreciate the family aspect of these teams.
I got to see Gravel with the 2019 Knoxville Nationals. Again, what an amazing sight to see the whole team and family come together just three years after Jason won it himself and made that now famous statement: Shit I wanted to win!
The legacy Jason Johnson has left behind is tremendous. And amazingly, it seems to be growing with every race.
I hope we can continue to see Jaxx at tracks and around podiums with the 41 team. I hope I am able to continue learning more about folks like Jason that helped make this sport what it is today.