Inductee Johnson lives 'a father's dream' on big day

It's a few minutes after 8 a.m. on Sunday and a hairdresser is just finishing up with Junior Johnson.

Yes, Junior Johnson -- the Wilkes County Wild Man, the former hard-scrabble bootlegger, the big ol' rough-and-tumble bear of a he-man -- is getting his hair primped by an honest-to-goodness hairdresser. Hours before being honored as one of the first five inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the next few moments are as close to rest as Johnson is likely to have on Sunday.

Junior Johnson hugs his son, Robert, during Sunday's ceremony at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

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After work on his snow-white mane is finished, Johnson puts on his shoes and socks. The bathrobe stays for now. Someone wonders what Johnson's buddies back in Wilkes County would think of so much fuss being kicked up about his hair. Johnson laughs, but his response is quick.

"Henry wouldn't mind," Johnson said, referring to Henry Benfield, his former employee at Junior Johnson & Associates. For many, many years, Benfield wore a pompadour to rival Elvis'. He still does, for that matter.

For the next 60 minutes, there's nothing for Johnson to do. Over the course of the past few days, Johnson's schedule contained a whirlwind of appearances, interviews and included a visit to the All-Star Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway where he and fellow NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Richard Petty gave the command to fire engines. Now, in this moment, he can kick back and relax.

Johnson eases back into the chair in his hotel suite and relaxes as much as his recently surgically repaired back will allow. Even then, Johnson sits up once in a while, not in pain, but to readjust a little bit. Lisa Johnson, Junior's wife, and their children, Robert and Meredith, are scurrying around, trying to get ready for the big day -- but Johnson is busy holding court with a visitor.

There isn't a formal interview, far from it. A tape recorder is present, but it's not even clicked on. This is just Junior Johnson shooting the breeze, talking about whatever comes to mind. He chats about some of the innovations he's made in racing, and there have been a gracious plenty. Then, it's on to some of his sponsors that came and went over the years and the deals he helped broker. (Continued)