Johnson: 'Special' laps an 'experience' in new car

Dick Johnson cut a proud figure alongside son Steven and grandson Jett at Queensland Raceway.

Three generations of Johnson cut laps aboard Shell V-Power Racing Mustangs on Monday.

The track running came at the circuit which bears Johnson senior’s name on pit straight.

Johnson’s eponymous team added the famous surname to three cars below the team’s iconic #17.

Monday marked Dick’s first Supercars laps since 2019; Steven last raced a Supercar in 2014.

The trio shared the track together, the Mustang convoy led by 77-year-old Dick.

'They tried to slow me down because it was wet'

Speaking afterwards, the Supercars Hall of Famer couldn’t hide his elation despite rain arriving in Ipswich.

"They tried to slow me down because it was wet," Johnson joked.

"I didn’t want to plant old mate’s car where it didn’t need to be.

"It was an experience… the cars have changed so much, even since 2019.

"It was something special… Jett’s been hanging out to get into the car."

Monday’s running was the first for Dick since the 2019 Adelaide 500, where he got behind the wheel of a Mustang.

L-R: Jett, Steven, Dick and Jill Johnson

They were the first official laps at an event for the Mustang before its race debut.

Johnson was joined by two-time champion Marcos Ambrose and eventual champion Scott McLaughlin.

In 2002, Johnson gave Ford’s new BA Falcon Supercar is public debut in Bathurst.

Johnson lapped the BA Falcon, which made its debut in 2003, alongside Ford Australia boss Geoff Polites.

In 2004, Johnson turned laps aboard Steven’s #17 Falcon in the name of charity at the Gold Coast event.

Current Shell V-Power Racing Team drivers Anton De Pasquale and Will Davison were also present on Monday.

De Pasquale and Davison are second and fourth respectively after five rounds in 2022.

Ryan Story, who was instrumental in Monday’s running, said it was an opportunity "too good to refuse”.

"It’s very special," DJR Executive Chairman and co-owner Story said.

"We’re very much a people’s team, and we’re also a family team. It’s a big part of how close-knit we are.

"The Johnson family is instrumental in everything we do. Dick comes to work most days.

"The opportunity to have three generations of Johnson in a Supercar on track at the same time, it was too good to refuse."

The 2022 season will resume in Darwin on June 17-19. Purchase your tickets now.