But Don’t blink, or you’ll Miss Him sticking His
Boots in Lake Washington…
Yeah, I know we’re All getting wound-up over Ye
momentous Day-Toner’ 500 upcoming this weekend.
As typical, this story got washed down sometime
last year, and I just managed to finally spool-up Ye waterlogged turbine…
Actually managed to tune-in to Heat 3B and
Seattle Seafair Final race this past August via H1 Unlimited’s Youtube channel.
Which had somewhat better sound quality, only needing to crank up the volume by
16-20 levels…
Reading H1 Unlimited’s pathetic dribbled of
News content on their website, I learned that ‘Ol JJ’, aka Jimmie Johnson would
be driving the Atlas Van Lines fabled “Blue Blaster” during an exhibition run
Friday afternoon on Lake Washington.
If this is the boat I think it is? Since have I
reminded Y’all I’m Blind lately? Although I’m fairly certain having confirmed
it was the first of the successful Cabover designed Unlimited Hydroplanes. Then
its Uber Funny for Mwah. Since I recall always thinking the boat looked ugly!
As I can visually remember it having no engine
cowling for the exposed Rolls Royce Merlin V-12 (WWII Airplane) engine behind
the cockpit, and the boat always lunging forwards out of the water, with a
dull, silver engine plemum exposed…
Yet that being said, it was one of the most
successful Hulls in Unlimited Hydroplane racing. With Bill Muncey
“Three-peating” at its tiller. Winning the 1977-79 APBA Gold Cup races, and the
1978-79 National High Points Championships. Along with a total of 24 victories
aboard this Hull.
Yet being a devoted Miss Budweiser fan, it
wasn’t until Bernie Little claimed another “Unfair Advantage” with the Rolls
Royce Griffon powered Miss Bud, which ended Muncey’s streak! As the Griffon
powered Budweiser itself became unbeatable between 1980-84. Although we lost
the second star Unlimited driver Dean Chenoweth, when His Mis Bud Hydroplane
flipped at the Tri-Cities race on the Columbia River in 1982.
But back to ‘Ol JJ’ and last summer’s romp in
the fabled Blue blaster. Having read that Johnson was reuniting His longtime
association with the Muncey family and Miss Atlas Van Lines.
During Jimmie’s 2024 induction to the
Motorsports Hall of Fame Of America, (MSHFA) a picture resurfaced of Jimmie Age
4 sitting upon the Blue Blaster at Mission Bay in 1979. When Bill Muncey’s
Hydroplane had broken down during competition on Mr. Hydro’s Home court in San
Diego.
As this is the very same Blue Blaster that
Muncey lost His life aboard in Acapulco in 1981. Which ironically I
“celebrated” the 30 year anniversary the very same weekend that Danny-boy
Spike’ Wheldon was meeting His maker in Las Vegas…
HYDROS:
The Day the Sport’s King met His Maker
Jimmie mused His Dad used to take Him to the
Hydroplane races, which fell on His birthday weekend. Watching the action from
Fiesta Island. Where Muncey’s Blue Blaster floated to after retiring that day,
some 46 years prior…
Another Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
inductee, Chip Hanauer, Class of 1995. The youngest ever MSHFA inductee
“reached out” to Johnson during His induction ceremonies over possibly driving
the restored Miss Atlas Van Lines. Which naturally, JJ’ got very excited about!
As I love hearing Jimmie wryly not He’d learned
where the Merlin’s redline was, and pushed the Blue Blaster up to the limit…
VIDEO: Jimmie Johnson Drives
the 1977 “Blue Blaster” Unlimited Hydroplane
While you may enjoy this 16 minutes H1 Unlimited
Onboard video, which chronicles the entire driving experience, i.e.; somewhat
troublesome start-up to returning to the Stan Sayres Dock…
As Chip Hanauer, third winningest Unlimited
Hydroplane driver, including 11 Gold Cup wins served as Jimmie’s mentor. And
can be heard saying Well Fucking done! At the end of the video.
While its interesting hearing Johnson
describing how physical driving the Hydroplane was. How it wanted to hunt round
and constantly moved about after getting on plane…
Meanwhile, Johnson’s “Day Job”, if Yuhs can
call it that? Since JJ’ has only been contesting NASCAR Cup races on a
part-time basis since 2023. Will once again enter this year’s Daytona 500 in
His No. 84 Toyota Camary.
As the seven times NASCAR Champion became
majority owner of Legacy Motor Club last year. With the team fielding Charter
team entries for the No. 42 of John Hunter Nemechek and No. 43 of Erik Jones
also driving Toyota’s.
As Legacy Motor Club and Rick Ware Racing (RWR)
have settled their lawsuit of last year, stemming over sale of one of RWR’s
vaunted Charter.
Whilst I was totally unawares’ that RASSCAR’
will be racing at Naval Base Coronado, beginning this June 19-21. Until reading
Jimmie’s press release for His participation in this year’s Day-Toner’ 500.
Ironically making the announcement the very same day that Greg Biffle’s Jet
crashed in North Carolina…
As Johnson, now Age 50, a native of El Cajon,
California, will also compete in this summer’s inaugural San Diego Street Race.,
aboard His No. 84 Legacy Motor Club’s Toy-Yoter’ Camry. Thus completing another
“full Circle” adventure, albeit I believe Four Lefts makes a Circle!
As JJ’ will plull “Double Duty” in San Diego.
Also driving the No. 1 Tricom Garage’s Toyota Tundra PickEmUp’ Truck in the
inaugural Craftsman Truc Series race at Naval Base Coronado.
Since that’s where this story all began at,
Wayback’ in Gory 1979 on Mission Bay’s Fiesta Island. Arse-sumedly just a Hop
‘N Skip away from Naval Base Coronado, Righto?
Johnson, who’s tied with Cale Yarborough for sixth in career victories with 83 apiece, finished third in last year’s Day-Toner’ 500. With the two times Daytona 500 winner (2006, 2013) capping His 700th Cup start in last year’s Charlotte Coca-Cola 600 All Star race.
