Joe Lee Johnson

Joe Lee Johnson ( born September 11, 1929 † 26 May 2005) was an American NASCAR driver. In 1959 he was master of the NASCAR Convertible Division. In addition, he was the first rider to the World 600, today's Coca- Cola 600 won. He is not related to the NASCAR drivers Junior Johnson and Jimmie Johnson.

Career

Johnson's career in NASCAR began in 1957 in the race at the Daytona Beach Road Course, which he finished at No. 33. In 1957 he drove only one other race. In 1958, he competed in two races in the NASCAR Convertible Division, where he was relatively successful. Therefore, Johnson decided to all races of the Convertible Division Season to participate in 1959. He also drove a larger number of races in the Grand National Division, now the Sprint Cup in 1959. He won a race in the Grand National Division and two in the Convertible Division, in which he also won the drivers championship. Johnson was the last master of the Convertible Division, since 1960 there was this series not due to the lack of interest. Since there was no longer the Convertible Division, Johnson only focused in 1960 on the Grand National. He participated in 22 of the 44 races of the season. Eight times he came in the top -10 finish, six times in the top 5 and even he could win. This victory he won the World 600, which was at that time, first held in 1960. Following his victory in the World 600 he achieved nothing more remarkable. He finished on 5 August 1962 at the Nashville 500 at Nashville Speedway his racing career.

Joe Lee Johnson died on 26 May 2005 from cancer.