John Paul Jr. (racing driver)

John Paul Jr.
BornJohn Lee Paul Jr.
(1960-02-19)February 19, 1960
Muncie, Indiana, U.S.
DiedDecember 29, 2020(2020-12-29) (aged 60)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Championship titles
Major victories
24 Hours of Daytona (1982, 1997)
12 Hours of Sebring (1982)
Michigan 500 (1983)
Champ Car career
29 races run over 11 years
Best finish8th (1983)
First race1982 Road America 200 (Elkhart Lake)
Last race1994 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
First win1983 Michigan 500 (Michigan)
Wins Podiums Poles
1 5 1
IndyCar Series career
24 races run over 3 years
Best finish11th (1998)
First race1996 Indy 200 at Walt Disney World (Orlando)
Last race1999 Mall.com 500 (Texas)
First win1998 Lone Star 500 (Texas)
Wins Podiums Poles
1 1 0
NASCAR Cup Series career
2 races run over 1 year
Best finish56th (1991)
First race1991 Miller Genuine Draft 500 (Pocono)
Last race1991 Budweiser at The Glen (Watkins Glen)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0

John Lee Paul Jr.[1] (February 19, 1960 – December 29, 2020) was an American racing driver. He competed in CART and the Indy Racing League competitions, but primarily in IMSA GT Championship, winning the title in 1982.

During his career, Paul was a twice winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona, the first of these was while co-driving with his father, John Paul Sr. A few weeks later, the pair won the 1982 12 Hours of Sebring. Paul also triumphed in another major U.S. race, the 1983 Michigan 500.

Beside racing with his father, Paul also joined his father in criminal activities, in particular a drug smuggling operation.[2] In May 1986, Paul Jr. received a five-year sentence for racketeering, with the drug charges dropped.[3] Paul Sr. was found guilty, served time for a number of crimes, and disappeared in 2001.

  1. ^ "John Paul, Jr". www.champcarstats.com. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  2. ^ Glick, Shav (March 10, 1985). "Promising Driver John Paul Jr. Is Accused of Aiding Father in Smuggling Ring, Making It ... : A Rough Road Ahead". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  3. ^ Staff Writers (May 8, 1986). "SPORTS PEOPLE: Driver Gets 5 Years". The New York Times. Retrieved July 9, 2017.