Johnson awarded Ford’s highest racing honour

Supercars Hall of Famer Dick Johnson has been awarded Ford’s highest racing honour, with the legendary driver-team owner named the latest Spirit of Ford honouree.

Johnson won five ATCC drivers’ championships and three Bathurst 1000s between 1981 and 1994, all in Ford machinery with his eponymous team.

The 79-year-old was awarded the honour at Ford Performance’s season launch on Friday (AEST), with Johnson joining a long list of legendary names.

Johnson joins the likes of Richard Petty, Mario Andretti, Sir Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark, Phil Hill, Stirling Moss and A.J. Foyt in receiving the Spirit of Ford.

Edsel B. Ford II, former vice president and board member of the Ford Motor Company, paid tribute to Johnson.

"Dick Johnson means a great deal to me,” Ford II said.

"Today, Dick Johnson is a Supercars and racing legend. He spent 22 seasons driving Ford vehicles, including winning five championships. He even had seven NASCAR Cup starts.

"DJR has won 10 championships and 148 race wins, but more importantly, it has become the face of Ford in racing in Australia.

"Dick himself has been a loyal, talented, witty, and intense competitor on the track as a driver, with the media and fans, and now as a team owner.

"Just as important, he is a treasured friend of mine and all of us at Ford."

The full Edsel B. Ford II statement reads:

As someone who has been around the Ford racing program for almost 60 years, I have always said that it’s the people that make this sport so special. Dick Johnson is one of those special people, and he is this year’s Spirit of Ford award honoree. It’s the highest honor Ford Motor Company gives to people in racing who have made a significant contribution to the sport, on and off the racetrack.

Dick Johnson means a great deal to me. When I worked for Ford Australia in 1980, we were in the midst of trying to improve our Australian Touring Car racing program.

In 1980, the same year he started Dick Johnson Racing, Johnson started second in his Falcon at the famous Bathurst 1000. But he was knocked out of the race early by a large, errant rock that had been kicked onto the track by some fans.

Channel 7 in Australia, who was covering the event organized a fundraiser that raised $72,000 for Johnson to get back into the sport. We at Ford saw an opportunity to help this popular racer and pledged that Ford would match what the fans raised. The $144,000 raised between fans and Ford was enough for Johnson to get a new Falcon for the 1981 season, and the rest, they say, is history.

Today, Dick Johnson is a Supercars and racing legend. He spent 22 seasons driving Ford vehicles, including winning five championships. He even had seven NASCAR Cup starts.

DJR has won 10 championships and 148 race wins, but more importantly, it has become the face of Ford in racing in Australia. This year, Johnson and DJR enter their 45th season with Ford. The rock incident is part of Supercars lore, where some of the most loyal and passionate Ford fans remain.

Dick himself has been a loyal, talented, witty, and intense competitor on the track as a driver, with the media and fans, and now as a team owner. Just as important, he is a treasured friend of mine and all of us at Ford.

Johnson's team, which runs under the Shell V-Power Racing Team banner, will commence its 2025 campaign at the Sydney 500 - Opening Round on February 21-23. Tickets are on sale now.

Spirit of Ford award winners