NASCAR's roots were the bootleggers.
Sure thing
Junior Johnson started runnin shine at 14. Became a Winning NASCAR Driver and made it big as team owner.
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Junior Johnson
Racing driver
Description
Robert Glenn Johnson Jr., better known as Junior Johnson, was a NASCAR driver of the 1950s and 1960s. He won 50 NASCAR races in his career before retiring in 1966. In the 1970s and 1980s, he became a NASCAR racing team owner; he sponsored such NASCAR champions as Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip.
Wikipedia
Born: June 28, 1931,
Ronda, NC
Died: December 20, 2019,
Charlotte, NC
Spouse:
Lisa Johnson (m. 1994–2019)
First win: 1955
Hickory Motor Speedway
en.wikipedia.org
JUNIOR JOHNSON WAS BORN TO RUN MOONSHINE.
It’s deep in his roots and it flows in his blood. Hell, back during the Whiskey Rebellion in 1791, his ancestors were some of the first to make ‘shine in Appalachia. And, about 150 years later, Junior’s family kept the tradition going in order to survive. Running moonshine wasn’t always easy, or legal for that matter, but the Johnsons did what they had to do to keep food on the table.
TOO YOUNG TO DRIVE...
Throughout the years, this rebellious approach to living sent Junior’s father and brothers in and out of prison. In fact, the only one in the family never to get busted was his dear mother. And when Junior got behind the wheel to run ‘shine at the tender age of 14, things finally started to turn around. He had the spirit of a racer, and his slick driving skills were good for the family business…and bad for the authorities in the rearview.
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."
Of interest to NASCAR fans.
Midnight Moon Moonshine is inspired by Junior Johnson’s legendary moonshine family recipe. Now available for purchase online. Grab It. Sip It. Share It.
www.juniorsmidnightmoon.com