World of Outlaws Sprint Car Racing Series Founder

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World of Outlaws Sprint Car Racing Series Founder Passes

 

 

 

by Richard Day

 

 

PLANO, Texas -- Ted Johnson, whose tireless dedication to sprint car racing made the sport the national spectacle it is today, passed away peacefully at his home early Saturday morning.

 

Johnson, who drove midget racecars before becoming a china salesman, possessed a lifelong love for auto racing that prompted him to establish the World of Outlaws in 1978. The series ran its first event at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite and quickly became the world’s largest sprint car racing organization. Johnson sold the series to DIRT Motorsports in 2004 and served as a consultant the last 1½ years.

 

Johnson was a dedicated family man who worked closely with wife Stacy, daughter Lesa and son-in-law Carlton Reimers to build the World of Outlaws into the world’s fourth-largest auto racing series. The series has influenced thousands of sprint car racers, including 20-time champion Steve Kinser and Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne and Dave Blaney, who now enjoy successful careers with NASCAR.

[NickHolt]

Statement from Texas Motor Speedway President EDDIE GOSSAGE regarding TED JOHNSON, of Plano, Texas, who passed away Friday evening after a prolonged illness. Johnson, a former sprint car racer, founded the World of Outlaws sprint car racing series in 1978. He sold the series a few years ago while continuing to serve as a consultant:

 

“We lost one of the most charismatic pioneers in the sport and we lost a good friend. Prior to the formation of the World of Outlaws series, sprint car racing was disorganized and confusing to fans because racers went to whatever track would pay them the most – hence the nickname ‘outlaws.’ Ted gave sprint car racing and its fans order and helped it grow to a staggering level of acceptance. To underscore how singularly important Ted was to sprint car racing, all you have to do is look at the conflict and disorganization that has befallen sprint car racing since he stepped away from running the series in the last few years. It takes a smart, tough man to hold a group of ‘outlaws’ together. Personally, we will miss his quick wit, sharp observations and the warmth he shared in his relationship with the staff here at Texas Motor Speedway. We loved hosting World of Outlaw races, but we enjoyed Ted’s company and friendship even more.”

[TRACK ANNOUNCER]

It was my honor o join in the celebration of the life of Ted Johnson by attending his funeral. Family, friends and relatives gathered in a nice funeral home just south of McKinney Texas to share memories, and enjoy the thoughts that we all have of Ted Johnson. Many individuals such as drivers that was with the WoO organization from the beginning and individuals that had come to know Ted along the way all paid their respects. Officials from Texas Motor Speedway also paid tribute in attendence to Ted Johnson. Officials from DIRT and the NST was present. A long list of people who are well known in the racing community all came to the occassion. Many people was asked to share there memories of Ted ( At the podium ) and did so at Ted prior suggestion before he passed away. Ted was known to always be on his cell phone. And he knew it. Ted even suggested to have a cell phone in his closed casket to suddenly ring during the ceromonies. But it was decided by family to ignore Teds humorous request on that one. It was truely a celebration of Ted Johnson. Texas Motor Speedway's Track Chaplin performed the ceromonies.

 

Ted Johnson will be missed. And his expertise and wisdom will be missed as well. You came from a long ways from the fields of Wisconsin Ted to your last days in the racing world. You will forever have a lasting mark in dirt tack racing history!

 

Thank you so very much for all you have done. Rest in peace my friend.

 

Douglas Rollo