Remember When by Don Gamble

The Johnson Family…A Racing Legacy

Twenty years ago, three of the Johnson family members were very involved in local dirt track racing.  The first photo is a picture of Davey Johnson in victory lane at Motordrome 70 Speedway.  This was just the beginning of a very successful racing career for Davey. I looked over the archives at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway’s website because for many years it was the home track of the Johnson Family.

Some of Dave’s titles included Street Stock Champion 1982 & 1983. Late Model Champion 1986 and Super Series Champion in 1989. Davey won three Pittsburgher’s in 1992, 1994, and 2000.

The second photo is Dave’s father, Bucky, prior to one of his many feature wins at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway.  Feature victories were a common occurrence with Bucky at Heidelberg, Greater Pittsburgh Speedway, Sharon, and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway.  When he retired from driving, he took on the chore of car owner for his youngest son, Mike. Bucky was the 1985 Limited Late Champion.

John Johnson, Bucky’s brother, pictured in victory lane after one of his many short track victories at the local speedways in the Tri State area.  His retirement plans have included being the car owner for late model champion, John Flinner.  The team of Johnson and Flinner has recorded five consecutive late model championships at the Lernerville Speedway plus the 2005 track title at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania’s Motor Speedway. In 1997, John finished second to Brad Malcuit in the Super Late Model Points at Pittsburgh.

Mike Johnson, Bucky’s youngest son, is currently campaigning the #2J Late Model with the Mid Atlantic Championship Series.  When Mike was a regular competitor at Pittsburgh, he recorded several championships and many feature victories in the limited late division. Tiles for Mike included 1991, 1992, and 1993 Limited Late Champion plus the 2002 Fast Qualifier for the Pittsburgher.

Bucky Johnson

Davey Johnson

John Johnson