Throughout his career, Johnson always had guidance from his late father Milt, a former racer and successful engine builder. The elder Johnson’s B&M Speed Shop in Rochester, NY, supplied the power to such high-profile racers as Richie Evans, Jerry Cook and Merv Treichler. In 2013, Milt posthumously received Hall of Fame honors for his contributions as a mechanic. As Johnson ages, his resemblance to his dad is uncanny.
“I saw a picture of me the other day and I couldn’t believe how much I looked like him,” Johnson reflected on his father. “I think I’m a lot like him — there’s no doubt that he rubbed off on me. As I get older, I wish I would have paid more attention and spent more time with him.”
Johnson also respected what he learned from car-building mastermind Maynard Troyer, who died last year.
“I don’t know if we had a close relationship, but I spent a lot of time racing his cars,” said Johnson. “And in 1983, I started working for him, and that went on for quite a while. I learned a lot from Maynard. I recently had a dream about him! It was pretty cool seeing him again.”
Like most, Johnson can’t believe how fast time has gone. But he’s really enjoyed the ride along the way — the good, the bad and the ugly.
“There has been a lot of success, a lot of hard work and a lot of time! But I feel very fortunate that I didn’t get hurt over the years doing it,” Johnson said, remembering a long-ago incident where a broken driveshaft severely damaged Will Cagle’s leg. “Look at Cagle. I was driving the same car he was driving — that could have been me. But I’ve been fortunate and I am so thankful for that.”
Johnson is a dad to seven children — do they realize their pop’s accomplishments?
“To them, I’m just dad,” chuckled Johnson who has one son (Daniel) already racing. “There would be more racers in the family if there was more money.” The son has raced on and off for a couple of years. “He makes his own deals and does his own thing,” Johnson informed. “I think his desire is as strong as mine was when I was his age. He works really hard for me at the race tracks and has put in his time, so I hope it works out for him.”
As for dad — he’s not stepping down anytime soon. He’s still wishing for more seat time.
“We don’t race that much anymore, not like we used to,” Johnson lamented. “There aren’t enough shows anymore so it’s hard to make a living at it.”
And he admits the competition is greater.
As his career begins to wind down, “The wins seem to come few and far between now. But they still feel really good,” Johnson bottom-lined.
Despite having reached the Hall of Fame career milestone, he’s not done yet. Johnson is still actively looking for that next ride and next race.
“I will probably stop when I can’t get in the car anymore or when I don’t have someone that wants me in their car,” laughed Johnson. “I don’t feel any different than I did 20 years ago. I may not be as fast or as spunky as I was, but I’m fortunate. You just can’t plan the future — it is what it is and that’s pretty much how I’ve been doing it my whole life. I do things day to day. And today’s not over yet.”