So, my Dad and I were having a discussion the other day about Lori Johns. He told me he heard something about why she "really" left the NHRA. He said something about her suing the NHRA for some reason or the other?

I am looking for some insight into this rumor and any other info regarding Lori Johns and her "demise" from NHRA Drag Racing. I used to be a huge fan of hers and regret not keeping tabs on her career after 1992 or so.

Thanks!

Lori Johns before she made it famous in TF raced in Comp eliminator, she had a nasty wreck at the Cajun Natls. back in 87???? Anyway Jim Van Cleaf was in the other lane, he was sponsored by Budweiser. Both cars tangled and Lori got hurt pretty bad, I have NO idea who's fault it was or anything. Just that Lori got Banged up pretty good, her family sued NHRA/Budweiser and Kenny Bernstein! I had heard(?) that the Top Fuel Operation was a settlement for the crash but not sure. The Term Lawsuit Lori became a household name. As far as why she lost her ride, apparently she's very hard to work with, at least that's what I heard from some people.

If I'm missing some critical info, someone fill me in. I was told this story by a number of people so....

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Shift for Brains!!!!

jim van cleve

Lori Johns was involved in a bad crash before she ran in TF, and sued the NHRA. I do remember after a year or two, the case got dismissed. She did continue to race while the lawsuit was still pending. She started racing in TF in late 1988 and her first full year was in 1989 and she was sponsored by Jolly Rancher candy and in 1991 or so she demanded alot more money from Jolly Rancher so I heard and they told her get lost, and that led to the end to her TF career.

Since she was involved in the lawsuit steming from a racing crash, it ticked off some people, mainly Shirley Muldowney. I do remember from the old tv coverage, they always made a real big deal when Lori and Shirley raced. (See the coverage from the 1989 houston race)

Interviews from 1990(?)
Lori Johns

Isn't You Tube something? Thanks!

She 'coulda been a contender (instead of a 'kinda footnote or trivia answer). In reflecting, I think, she just rubbed a LOT of people the wrong way.

Still, I wish her well.

Talk about a career going in the Tank fast!

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Shift for Brains!!!!

If I remember this correctly Jim crossed over into her lane at or just past the finish line. That was the root of the lawsuit. He hit her and destroyed both cars. She felt she had a case for damages. The funny thing is a good freind of mine had the same thing happen the next week at a bracket race and nobody sued. The guy who hit him offered some cash to try and help replace the car. Racing is racing..

I recall something about Shirly Muldowney winning a race and she received some black roses from anomious sender (roses were sent from where ever Lori Johns lived??
I recall mentioning to Shirley in Pomona and she just nodded and confirmed the story.
I still have a WINSTON mug w/ Shirleys signature.

And as a footnote to all this, (and please feel free to update/correct this if my memory fails) I believe the Van Cleves lost their dealership due to legal costs of the lawsuit, and this whole deal led to the disbanding of the multi-class MOTORCRAFT racing team of which the Van Cleves were a part. The upshot of the whole deal was, the Van Cleves are fianancially devastated and unable to race because of Lori's lawsuit, and here comes Lori back shortly after with a TF ride--it just didn't set too well with many.

I love the quote i remember from Shirley about Lori:

"Shes a 2 that thinks shes a 10."

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--------------------------------------------------Moodus ,Ct. Home of the former Connecticut Dragway

The accident happened at the '86 Cajun Nationals. Round 1 of Comp which started late on Saturday evening. And was delayed even more by a preceding accident that resulted in a section of guardrail [yes I said guardrail] repair. Van Cleve lost traction in high gear which wasn’t hard with the amount of humidity in the air and when the correction was made the car went airborne. Lori was making her way down track from the handicap start and Van Cleve’s car came down very near the driver’s compartment on her dragster. His car barrel-rolled many times after and her dragster spun at a high rate of speed - not sure if it rolled over or not - but she was very lucky to survive. It was one of the scariest accidents I have ever witnessed. There is no way racing should have continued under those conditions. An unfortunate accident that should not have happened.

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Greg
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Say it ain't so Joe!

Didnt her family own jolly rancher

Do you know what you call a happy farmer???





A Jolly Rancher


and now make to your regularly scheduled thread

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Tact is for those not witty enough for sarcasm

Ummm - Nope.

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Greg
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Say it ain't so Joe!