"I'm not a guy that lives...
"I'm not a guy that lives and dies racing. I'm a guy thatenjoyed it and had a good time at it and moved on."
SCR: How have you been involved in those efforts?
JOHNSON: "I have talked to them about it, but that's about as far as it's went."
SCR: What would you do with the track if you were the owner?
JOHNSON: "I would run a test track at first. That's what I would set it up for, because all the Cup teams now in the winter, and through the summer, too, build new cars and they want to take them somewhere and shake them down and run them. They only got a few tests, and when they use those tests up, it's over with.
"So, you could run probably every day of the year at North Wilkesboro it wasn't raining or snowing. I think it would be a great place for a driver's school. It'd also be a great place Modifieds, ASA. I think you could keep it busy. Car shows. All kinds of stuff."
SCR: For at least a decade, your team ruled the sport, with three championships with Cale Yarborough (during 1976-78) and three with Darrell Waltrip (during '81-82 and '85) in a 10-season span. Do you ever think back on those days?
JOHNSON: "No, I don't. And I'll tell you why.
"It's an everyday job when you're doing it. And you're not doing it for the glory. You're doing it for financial [security] and to make a living at it and get ahead in life. The championships and stuff that come with it are the icing on the cake.
"I don't boast that I've won six championships with Darrell and Cale or 139 races as a car owner or 50 as a driver. It's part of my career, but that's all it is. I'm very, very satisfied with the way my life is right now.
SCR: But that does give you a source of pride, right?
JOHNSON: "Well, somewhat, but not something that I dwell on.
"I'm not a guy that lives and dies racing. I'm a guy that enjoyed it and had a good time at it and moved on.