Several years ago a movie was released that -- as I recall -- was roughly
based on the life and career of Junior Johnson -- or maybe not. The
important part is that the sound track included a song by Jim Croce -- "I've
Got A Name". Anyone recall the name of that movie?

I don't think it was "Days of Thunder" starring a young Tom Cruise and
Robert Duval -- but maybe it was, I turned 61 today and I forget a lot of
stuff from back then.

It's raining and gray here in East Tennessee and I'd like to rent the movie
tonight and watch it with my friend Jack from Lynchburg, TN.

Thanks.

"Joe S." <anon (AT) mous (DOT) com> wrote in news:dnkqaq0fiq (AT) news1 (DOT) newsguy.com:


The movie was titled "The Last American Hero" and starred Jeff Bridges as
Junior Jackson. Here is a brief description:

Lamont Johnson's subtle direction graces this true-life success story
about racecar driver Junior Jackson (Jeff Bridges), based on stock-car
champion Junior Johnson. As a child in North Carolina, Jackson stays one
step ahead of reform school until his father (Art Lund) is thrown in
prison for moonshining. Seeing the error of his ways, Jackson begins to
concentrate... More his driving skills, hoping to become a professional
stock car racer to raise money to get his father released from jail.
Jackson rises from the ranks into the highest rung of professional stock
car racing, but Jackson finds his independent nature is compromised by
the corporate realities of the professional sports world. The real Junior
Johnson served as technical advisor on the film. ~ Paul Brenner, All
Movie Guide...

EDinNB

"Another Ole Fart" <eva (AT) nbnet (DOT) nb.ca> wrote

good shots of short track racing in the 70's in that one. The scenes at
Martinsville come to mind, in particular, with a passing freight train
moving behind the short back stretch grandstands.

Carey in Manvel

On Mon, 12 Dec 2005 16:33:38 -0500, "Joe S." <anon (AT) mous (DOT) com> wrote:

Like the pine trees linin' the windin' road
I've got a name, i've got a name
Like the singin' bird and the croakin' toad
I've got a name, i've got a name
And i carry it with me like my daddy did
But i'm livin' the dream that he kept hid
Movin' me down the highway
Rollin' me down the highway
Movin' ahead so life won't pass me by

Like the north wind whistlin' down the sky
I've got a song, i've got a song
Like the whippoorwill and the baby's cry
I've got a song, i've got a song
And i carry it with me and i sing it loud
If it gets me nowhere, i'll go there proud
Movin' me down the highway
Rollin' me down the highway
Movin' ahead so life won't pass me by

And i'm gonna go there free
Like the fool i am and i'll always be
I've got a dream, i've got a dream
They can change their minds but they can't change me
I've got a dream, i've got a dream
Oh, i know i could share it if you want me to
If you're going my way, i'll go with you
Movin' me down the highway
Rollin' me down the highway
Movin' ahead so life won't pass me by
__________________________________________________ __________

"I've Got A Name" and the title cut is part of the soundtrack for 20th Century
Fox's new film, "The Last American Hero."

This is 5 stars if you are a true race fan. Otherwise, it's still an interesting
story. This film is loosely based on Tom Wolfe's essay about the younger days of
Junior Johnson, although for some reason they changed his name for the film.
(Notice, though, that Junior himself was a paid racing consultant on the film.)
The race footage is very well done and there is some good footage from the old
Southern 500. Bridges and Busey are a lot of fun to watch together as well.If
you like stock car racing and wonder what the old days were like when the sport
was still developing, you'll love this film. Only pity is it's not on DVD. [May
be an old review. Amazon.com lists a DVD version and a VHS version.]

(Also another great film (although a little cheesy) about the old days is 43 The
Petty Story starring Darren McGavin as Lee Petty and Richard Petty as himself
AND Dale Inman AND Buddy Baker!!! It is a classic look at the old values that
are still carried forward in the sport to some degree. It also has some insight
to what NASCAR was and what it has become..Some really good vinatge racing
footage is also included.) Also a pity it's not on DVD...We need to prolong the
life of these smaller "special interest" films. Anyway have fun, great summmer
stuff.

Days of Thunder is the only racin' movie worth watchin'.

May I recommend another?

How 'bout "Greased Lightenin' ", starring the late Richard Pryor as Wendell
Scott-NASCAR's first and only black star.

Another good one to watch on a grey rainy day!

In article <Lsnnf.4093$Jz6.52@trnddc06>,
"pe2" <dalejr.fan08 (AT) somewhere (DOT) net> wrote:


star?



Dan
----------------------------------------------
Marriage is a 3 ring circus.
Engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffering....

Yes - "Star". for the 60's era, Wendell was well known on the NASCAR
circuit. Grant it-he only had 1 win, but 20 top-5's and 147 top tens for
being an independent owner/driver.

http://www.racing-reference.com/driver?id=scottwe01

"galloping.moron" <nascar42 (AT) cox (DOT) net> wrote

Its funnier than "Stroker Ace"

"armpit" <udontneedit (AT) myemail (DOT) addy> wrote

I really like the part where the new guys tells the old hand that he learnt
all about NASCAR racing from watching the telecasts on ESPN.

100 miles on the tires, 1 gallon of gas left, 140 degrees in the car, race
cars on all sides.....

I bet the wisdom to the ESPN analyst would really help at that point.