Herm Johnson

Herman Austin Johnson (March 4, 1953 – December 10, 2016), was a driver in the CART Indy Car series, born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He raced in seven seasons (1979–1985), with 35 career starts. He drove in the Indianapolis 500 in 1982 and 1984. He finished in the top-ten eight times, with his best finish in sixth position in 1982 at Atlanta.

In 1976, Johnson won the SCCA National Championship at Road Atlanta and was the 1977 USAC Mini-Indy Champion. Johnson had two serious pit fires in 1981 roughly a month apart from each other. Johnson's father suffered a fatal heart attack, just days before the 1982 Indianapolis 500. Also during this race, Rick Mears bumped into the back of his car on a lap 183 pit stop. For his next race Johnson, who ran a business painting helmets, trimmed the back edge of his rear wing with the message "Rick...if you can read this, you're too close."

Johnson suffered a serious crash in practice for the 1986 Indianapolis 500. Johnson suffered injuries to his back and neck, and the crash effectively ended his Indy car driving career. After his recovery, Johnson was known to occasionally compete in sports car and ice racing events.

Johnson resided in Eau Claire, running a custom painting business, 'Just Herm Designs'. The shop has done work for several Indy 500 winners, IndyCar, and NHRA Champions, as well as amateur racers. The shop specializes in custom paint jobs for helmets, race cars, and motorcycles. Johnson also served as a performance driving instructor at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota.

On December 10, 2016, Johnson died from liver and renal failure.

Racing record

SCCA National Championship Runoffs

Year Track Car Engine Class Finish Start Status 1975 Road Atlanta Lola T324 Volkswagen Formula Super Vee 2 2 Running 1976 Road Atlanta Lola T324 Volkswagen Formula Super Vee 1 3 Running

Complete USAC Mini-Indy Series results Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pos Points 1977 Austin Johnson TRE MIL MOS PIR 1st 500 1978 Austin Johnson PIR1 TRE1 MOS MIL1 TEX MIL2 OMS1 OMS2 TRE2 PIR2 4th 773 1979 TEX1 IRP MIL1 POC TEX2 MIL2 MIN1 MIN2 30th 24

Complete CART Indy Car Series results Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Pos Points Ref 1979 Mergard Racing PHX ATL ATL INDY TRT TRT MIC MIC WGL TRT ONT MIC ATL7 PHX13 24th 98 1980 Menard Racing ONT14 INDYDNQ MIL17 POC11 MDO MIC WGL MIL11 ONT13 MIC13 MXS14 PHX8 24th 272 1981 PHX MIL22 ATL22 MIC33 RIR7 MIL13 MIC WTG9 MXC8 PHX9 17th 38 Cannon Racing ATL17 1982 PHX19 ATL6 MIL23 CLE13 MIC34 MIL16 POC RIV22 ROA17 MIC PHX 26th 24 1983 ATL INDYDNQ MIL CLE16 MIC24 ROADNQ POC RIV MDO17 MIC CPL LAG PHX 42nd 0 1984 Menard Racing LBH PHX INDY8 MIL18 POR MEA CLE MIC ROA POC 32nd 5 Pace Racing MDO23 Jet Engineering SANDNQ MIC PHX LAG CPL 1985 Menard Cashway Lumber LBH INDYDNQ MIL POR MEA CLE MIC 39th 1 Leader Card Racing ROA12 POC MDO24 SAN MIC LAG PHX MIA 1986 Team Menard PHX LBH INDY MIL POR MEA CLE TOR MIC POC MDO SAN MIC ROA LAG PHX MIA NC -

Indianapolis 500 results Year Chassis Engine Start Finish 1980 Lightning OffyFailed to Qualify 1981 Lightning ChevroletFailed to Qualify 1982 Eagle Chevrolet 14th 9th 1983 March ChevroletFailed to Qualify 1984 March Cosworth 9th 8th 1985 March CosworthFailed to Qualify 1986 March CosworthPractice Crash