Jason Johnson’s shop in Rocky Mount, MO, is where his dream of becoming a World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series competitor became a reality. Through hard work, determination, and perseverance, the native of Eunice, LA, who called Rocky Mount home for the last number of years, rose to become one of the top drivers on the circuit. It was only fitting that the celebration of life, held on Wednesday for Johnson, was at his race shop.

The sprint car community turned out en masse to honor the five-time ASCS champion, 41, who earned the biggest win of his career in 2016, dethroning Donny Schatz in the Knoxville Nationals at the famed Knoxville Raceway in Iowa.

Among those in attendance who spoke was Steve Kinser, the 20-time World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion, for whom Johnson was a crew member nearly 20 years ago. Kinser talked about the fire he saw in Johnson’s eyes from the day he met him and how determined he was to become a full-time sprint car driver.

A trio of fellow World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champions were also on hand, as Schatz, Jason Meyers, and Daryn Pittman paid their respects. Johnson became close to Meyers in 2015 when the former was injured in California and the latter filled in for a couple of races behind the wheel. Meyers also offered Johnson advice on the business side of racing and a solid blueprint of how to be an owner/operator on the Outlaws tour.

Several current World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series drivers were in attendance to remember their fellow competitor. Also on hand were Knoxville Raceway kingpins Terry McCarl and Brian Brown. McCarl, who was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2017, was recently named to the Knoxville Raceway Hall of Fame.

Fellow Hall of Famers Shane Carson and Bobby Allen also attended. That pair, along with Kinser, were three of the original Outlaws back in the late 1970s and early 1980s who paved the way for current drivers such as Johnson.  

Steve Beitler, who was recently inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, made his way to Rocky Mount for the celebration of life. The owner/operator of Skagit Speedway in Washington, played a key role in Johnson’s career when, as a teenager, the Louisiana native was a crew member on Beitler’s team on the Outlaws trail.

Bob Baker, the executive director of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, headed south from Knoxville, Iowa, to Rocky Mount to pay his respects as well.

Max Papis, a winner of three Champ Car World Series races in his career, who now heads MPI (Max Papis Innovations)—the maker of the steering wheels that Johnson utilized—made the trip from the Charlotte area, where his business is based. Papis spoke about how dedicated Johnson was to family and what an important aspect that will be to his legacy.

A number of promoters were also in attendance, including Scott Boyd and Larry Hillerud from SLS Promotions, as well Steve Sinclair from the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association (IRA).

A large contingent from the World Racing Group (WRG), the parent company of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, made the trip west from their headquarters in Concord, NC. Brian Carter, the CEO of the organization, spoke about the time he sat down with Johnson as he was planning to hit the road with the Outlaws. Like the others, Carter saw the drive and determination that Johnson had and the love for the sport of sprint car racing he possessed. Joining Carter was Tom Deery, the chief operating officer of the WRG, and Ben Geisler, the chief marketing officer.

Fans and neighbors from near and far packed the shop as well to share their memories of Johnson. A moving video of Johnson’s career was shared by David Biro of DB3 Imaging. 

Johnson’s wife, Bobbi, also addressed those in attendance while holding their 5-year-old son, Jaxx. She thanked the racing community for its continued thoughts, prayers, and support while reiterating how much she loves the sport. Bobbi also spoke about acting with integrity, care, and kindness like her husband did each and every day of his life.

Those wishing to support the Johnson family can do so by making a contribution to the official GoFundMe page set up by the World of Outlaws. That site is https://www.gofundme.com/JasonJohnsonForever41.

It happened so quickly, but the @JasonJohnsonRac family fundraiser hit (and passed) the $41,000 mark just now. Thanks to all of you. Let's keep it going. #Forever41 https://t.co/ouduwT1s45 pic.twitter.com/sRj7Q3vVN1

— World of Outlaws (@WorldofOutlaws) June 26, 2018