Page 254 - 2019_NPPG_digital copy

NASCAR’S MOONSHINING ROOTS

By Alex Apple Junior Johnson is Scotch Irish, a North Robert Glenn Johnson Sr. missed much
Carolina boy from Wilkes County. Those of Junior’s life as he sat behind bars
Most know Robert Glenn Johnson Jr., that have visited there know there’s not in prison. You see, the government
as Junior Johnson. much to see, unless one’s on a foliage knew the Johnson’s were bootleggers.
tour looking to smell some sweet Legend has it that their family was part
He won 50 NASCAR races in his career Southern air. of the largest seize in United States
and retired midway through the 60s history; federal agents walked out of
before heading to pit lane to become a It does not take a special college degree the Johnson house with more than 400
team owner. NASCAR has roots deep in to surmise that Johnson’s Scotch Irish gallons of illegal alcohol.
the fertile soil of Appalachia and deep in family knew whiskey like they knew
the metal stills that distilled the sharpest each other. Generations of Johnson’s Junior even spent a year in prison in
of rye whiskies during America’s flirtation created it, drank it, perfected it. Ohio. Even one illegal still would land
with prohibition. you in trouble with the law. Yet, I doubt

254 THE OFFICIAL NASCAR 2019 PREVIEW & PRESS GUIDE