Bob Johnson

Car Owner, Crew Chief
CLASS OF 2007

Bob Johnson was a master mechanic and built fast modified racers in southern New England. His purple #17 traveled all over southern New England with the likes of Ed Yerrington behind the wheel, and then in the early to mid-1970’s with Ron Bouchard as the pilot. In 1973 they earned the Modified Championship at Stafford Speedway.

Johnson reunited with Bouchad in 1981 when he joined Jack Beebe’s #47 Race Hill Farms NASCAR Cup team. They scored the upset win at the 1981 Talladega 500 when Bouchard came out on top of a 3-wide finish with Darrell Waltrip and Terry LaBonte. Johnson stayed with the team through the 1982 season.

Johnson then paired with Randy Lajoie on the NASCAR North Tour for 1984-1985. They won 9 races and had 49 Top 10’s in 58 starts over those two seasons, and earned the 1985 NASCAR North Championship.

Johnson returned to the NASCAR Cup Series and was crew chief for many drivers along the way, including Ken Schrader (1987), Ernie Irvan (1988-89), Rick Mast (1990-91) and Derrick Cope (1993) among others.