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NAPA and Jett Johnson go Tru-Blu for opening round of Trans Am Series
Jett Johnson will field an all-blue NAPA Auto Parts entry for the opening round of the National Trans Am Series at Symmons Plains Raceway next weekend.
The livery is a tribute to Jett’s grandfather – five-times Australian Touring Car champion Dick Johnson. Driving the Tru-Blu XD Falcon in the early 1980s, Johnson Sr ultimately became a household name in Australian sport after being taken out of the Bathurst 1000 by a rock in 1980, before returning to win the race the following year.
The Tru-Blu Falcon was also a winner at Symmons Plains back in 1981, and 42 years on, his fast grandson will tackle the seven turn, 2.41km circuit, located south of Launceston, Tasmania.
Johnson will compete in three Trans Am races over the weekend, taking on a strong entry list that boasts the likes of James Moffat, Ben Grice, Owen Kelly, Tyler Everingham, Brett Holdsworth, Jay Robotham, Lachie Dalton and more.
The third-generation racer is coming off the back of a stand-out 2022 Trans Am season, having won the TA2 Muscle Car Series, and twice finishing on the podium in Trans Am at Queensland Raceway.
The opening round of the National Trans Am Series will be held as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries on February 24-26. Saturday and Sunday’s races are broadcast live and ad-break free on Stan Sport, while Saturday’s racing will feature free-to-air coverage on 9GEM from 2pm-5pm.
QUOTES
Jett Johnson
Driver, #117 NAPA Auto Parts Mustang
“I’m really looking forward to kick starting the 2023 Trans Am Series in the all-blue NAPA Mustang,” said Johnson.
“All blue cars and my family have been linked for many years, not just with Granddad, but my dad (Steven) ran his Tru-Blu XD in Touring Car Masters in blue as well.
“It’s a part of my family’s history, and I hope the fans down at Symmons Plains like it.”