Marion Johnson oral history interview, 2009 February 25

Description

Marion Johnson discusses his career as a flagman for stock car races, spanning the 1950s to the 1990s. He began his career working at dirt tracks throughout the state of North Carolina. Mr. Johnson also served as a flagman for NASCAR races, including Winston Cup Series events. He describes his relationship with fellow flagman and mentor Harold Kinder. Mr. Johnson explains the different flags used in stock car racing and his techniques for flagging. Having visited most of NASCAR's tracks during his career, Mr. Johnson also discusses which tracks he likes and what makes the different venues unique. Other topics include Mr. Johnson's memories of flagging at Bowman Gray Stadium, as well as the brushes with danger he had being close to serious racing accidents.

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Motorsports

Details

Title: Marion Johnson oral history interview, 2009 February 25
Interviewee: Johnson, Marion Thomas
Interviewer: Wright, Christina
Place of Publication: Charlotte, North Carolina
Publisher: J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Date of Interview: 2009-02-25
Physical Description: 1 audio file (1:39:30) : digital, MP3
Object Type: sound recording-nonmusical
Genre: spoken word
Language: eng
Interviewee Biography: Marion Johnson was a 77-year-old man at the time of interview, which took place at his home in Browns Summit, North Carolina. He was born in Guilford County, North Carolina in 1931. He was educated at Monticello High School and was employed as a flagman and electrician.
Abstract: Marion Johnson discusses his career as a flagman for stock car races, spanning the 1950s to the 1990s. He began his career working at dirt tracks throughout the state of North Carolina. Mr. Johnson also served as a flagman for NASCAR races, including Winston Cup Series events. He describes his relationship with fellow flagman and mentor Harold Kinder. Mr. Johnson explains the different flags used in stock car racing and his techniques for flagging. Having visited most of NASCAR's tracks during his career, Mr. Johnson also discusses which tracks he likes and what makes the different venues unique. Other topics include Mr. Johnson's memories of flagging at Bowman Gray Stadium, as well as the brushes with danger he had being close to serious racing accidents.
Digital Object Notes: MP3 access copy created on ingest from WAV preservation master. Interview originally recorded on a Marantz PMD670 digital recorder in two files, which were later combined using Pro Tools 11.
Interviewee Occupations: Automobile racing managers
Electricians
Subjects--Names: Johnson, Marion Thomas
Kinder, Harold, 1925-1991
Subjects--Organizations: NASCAR (Association)
Subjects--Events: Daytona 500 (Automobile race)
Subjects--Topics: Motorsports
Stock car racing
Racetracks (Automobile racing)
Farm life
Automobile racing--accidents
Automobiles, Racing--Design and construction
Automobile racing managers
Automobile racing drivers
Flags
Subjects--Geographic: North Carolina--Winston-Salem
Subjects--Genre: Interviews
Oral histories
Coverage--Dates: 1950-2010
Digital Collection Title: Motorsports
Rights: This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
This material is protected by copyright. Copyright is held by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Internet Media Type: audio/mpeg
Identifier: OH-JO0577

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