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Jett Johnson’s first Supercar showcases famous family colours

By Thomas Miles

Third generation racer Jett Johnson will take on the next step in his career in a familiar colour scheme at Newcastle this weekend.

Johnson will make his Super3 debut in a distinctive #117 Nissan Altima on the streets of Newcastle with backing from NAPA Auto Parts and colours his family knows well.

The 17-year-old is the son of 2001 Queensland 500 winner Steven Johnson and grandson of five-time ATCC champion Dick Johnson.

In his first Supercars race at Newcastle, Jett will race a livery that will evoke memories of the famous Tru-Blu #17 Fords Dick carried in the 1980’s, which hit the rock and won Bathurst in the space of two years.

After winning the 2022 TA2 Muscle Car Series, Jett Johnson was originally slated to contest the 2023 Trans Am Series and raced at the recent Symmons Plains season opener in another Tru-Blu look.

Jett Johnson’s tribute livery from the opening round of the Trans Am series at Symmons Plains.

But he is full of excitement to be following in his family’s footsteps by contesting Super3 in 2023.

“I can’t believe this is the year I get to start my Supercars career,” Jett Johnson said. 

“Being around Supercars with Dad and Grandpa all my life, I feel the time is right. I’m nervous but really excited so I can’t wait to get into it at Newcastle”

“It’s been great running in TA2 and Trans Am. I’ve really enjoyed the category so much. We won the title in TA2 last year and picked up podiums in Trans Am, but with the way that things have worked out, it was time for me to take the step into Super3 and hopefully continue my career forwards.”

The Tru-Blu XD Falcon that Dick Johnson and John French took to victory at the James Hardie 1000 in 1981

Johnson will not be the only driver with a famous name on the Super3 grid, with Todd Kelly’s son Mason also making his Super3 debut at Newcastle.

With the pair both running Nissan Altimas, the former rivals have joined forces in the next chapter of their long-lasting and successful Supercars journeys.

Jett Johnson on his way to the TA2 Muscle Car Series championship at Winton. Image: Supplied

Johnson and Kelly hope to emulate not only their famous relatives in a Supercar, but also the likes of Jack Smith, Tyler Everingham, Broc Feeney, Nash Morris and Brad Vaughan and win a Super3 crown.

The Newcastle 500 kicks off the Super3 season this weekend.

For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.

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