John Howard “Johnny” Lee
1893 – 1955
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Johnny Lee Taken c1899 at the Lee family home in Illinois Gene Ward collection
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Johnny Lee was born February 5, 1893 at the Lee family home in the Woodview community, just north of Rushville, in Schuyler County, Illinois. He was the sixth of nine children born to Theodore Marion Lee (1854-1927) and his second wife, Rachel Ann Finkenbinder (1859-1927). He also had eight half-siblings from his father’s first marriage to Sarah Jane Lynch (1854-1889).
With World War I looming on the horizon, Lee joined the Illinois National Guard and served as a quartermaster sergeant for the army infantry.
He moved to Michigan where he took a job as an auto mechanic at the Continental Motor Company on Jefferson Avenue in Detroit.
Lee married his first wife, Hazel Zoa Loring (1891-1962), on March 31, 1917 in Flint, Michigan and they had three sons: John L. “Major” Lee (1917-1985), Lawrence Richard Lee (1920-1973) and Theodore Edward “Ted” Lee (1924-1964). Lee’s second wife was Eugenia Donald (1898-1982).
Always interested in things mechanical, the blue-eyed, redhead youngster fell in love with the sport of automobile racing at an early age. Some sources say that he started participating in local auto races as early as 1912 although there is no known record that he actually participated in an organized auto race until 1919. By then, he was working at an automobile garage in Ponca City, Oklahoma and driving his own white #1 Dodge Brothers’ special automobile known as a “Bearcat” Dodge, on dirt racetracks across the Midwest.
Lee moved from Ponca City to Alva, Oklahoma and then on to Oklahoma City later in 1920.
In 1921, Lee moved his growing family first to Wichita, Kansas and then on to Salina, Kansas, always finding work as an auto mechanic at various garages. He also continued to race his “J.H.L special” Dodge-powered dirt track racing car, that he occasionally referred to as a “Bearcat Dodge,” wherever he went.
1922 found the Lee living back in Wichita but, sometime before 1926, he had settled his family at San Angelo, Texas where he found work at the Bailey Auto Company.
There was also another John H. Lee, who was born in Minnesota and was approximately two years younger than Johnny Lee. That John H. Lee resided at Fargo, North Dakota and participated in auto races in South Dakota and surrounding states at the same time that Johnny Lee was racing in the southern states, but there is no known connection between the two drivers.
Following is an incomplete listing of the races that Johnny Lee is known to have participated in.
September 26, 1919 – ½ mile dirt oval – Central Kansas Fairgrounds at Abilene, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own “Bearcat Dodge”
Finish: 3rd in the 2nd 5-mile heat race behind Jake Strickler of Enid, Oklahoma in a Hudson special and Billy Tipton of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, also in a Hudson special.
Feature race winner: Jake Strickler of Enid, Oklahoma in a Hudson special.
April 23, 1920 – ½ mile dirt oval – Pavilion Racetrack east of Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own “Bearcat Dodge”
Finish: Lee’s name
does not appear in the published results of these races.
Feature race winner: Leo Rice of Ardmore, Oklahoma in a Dodge special.
April 24, 1920 – ½ mile dirt oval – Pavilion Racetrack east of Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own “Bearcat Dodge”
Finish: These races
were postponed until April 27, 1920 due to rain.
April 27, 1920 – ½ mile dirt oval – Pavilion Racetrack east of Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own “Bearcat Dodge”
Finish: These races were postponed and rescheduled as a 2-day event
of April 30, 1920 and May 1, 1920, due to cold weather.
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Johnny Lee, third from left, with
his Bearcat Dodge in 1920 Chick Studio photo from the Connie Bellamy
collection |
April 30, 1920 – ½ mile dirt oval – Pavilion Racetrack east of Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own “Bearcat Dodge”
Finish: Lee’s name
does not appear in the published results of these races.
Feature race winner: Johnny Mais of Salina, Kansas
who was driving his own Essex #24.
May 1, 1920 – ½ mile dirt oval – Pavilion Racetrack east of Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own “Bearcat Dodge”
Finish: Lee’s name
does not appear in the published results of these races.
Feature race winner: Leo Rice of
Ardmore, Oklahoma in a Dodge special.
May 28-29, 1920 – 1 mile oiled dirt oval – Alva Motor Speedway one mile northwest of Alva, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own “Bearcat Dodge”
Finish: These races
were postponed until June 2-3, 1920.
June 2, 1920 – 1 mile oiled dirt oval – Alva Motor Speedway one mile northwest of Alva, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own “Bearcat Dodge”
Finish: These races
were canceled due to rain.
June 3, 1920 – 1 mile oiled dirt oval – Alva Motor Speedway one mile northwest of Alva, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own “Bearcat Dodge”
Finish: Lee ran the
2nd fastest time trial of 54.6 seconds which was only slower that
the time trial run by Jake Strickler
of Enid, Oklahoma in a Hudson “Super-Six”.
Lee finished 3rd in the
Southwestern Sweepstakes race to win $75 from the purse. 1st and 2nd places in
that race went to winner Jake Strickler
of Enid, Oklahoma in a Hudson “Super-Six” and Johnny Mais of Salina, Kansas who was
driving his own Essex #24.
Feature race winner: Jake Strickler of Enid, Oklahoma
in a Hudson “Super-Six”
June 15, 1920 – ½ mile dirt oval – Barton County Fairgrounds at Great Bend, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own “Bearcat Dodge”
Finish: Dropped out with a broken crankshaft
Feature race winner: Harold Roller of Abilene, Kansas in a 16-valve Roof Ford special
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Johnny Lee in his Dodge Brothers special Photo from page 32 of the July 3, 1921 issue of the Wichita Daily Eagle, Wichita, Kansas |
July 5, 1920 – ½ mile dirt oval – Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas
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Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: Lee’s name does not appear in the published race results.
Feature race winner: Johnny Mais of Salina, Kansas although he was claiming to be from Indianapolis, Indiana at the time
August 8, 1920 – ½ mile dirt oval – Kay County Fairgrounds northeast of Newkirk, Oklahoma
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Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: Lee finished in 3rd place in
the 10-lap race for cars with engines smaller than 230 cubic inches. Dick Jones of Pawnee, Oklahoma won that race
in an Essex while Johnny Mais of
Salina, Kansas finished in 2nd place in his own Essex. Lee won $15 from the purse for his 3rd
place finish in this race.
Lee won the 10-lap “Free for All” race for which
he was paid $50 from the purse.
Lee’s Dodge collided with an Essex driven by Dick Jones of Pawnee, Oklahoma in an attempt by Jones to pass Lee in a corner on the 3rd lap of the 20-lap “Free for All” race. Both cars spun to a stop but no one was injured.
Feature race winner: Ray “Frats” (“Fritz”, “Fratz”, “Fraty” or “Fat”) Willard of Ponca City, Oklahoma who was driving a Hudson.
August 21, 1920 – ½ mile dirt oval – Russell County Fairgrounds at Russell, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: Results of these races have yet to be located.
September 6, 1920 – 1 mile dirt oval – Alva Motor Speedway located one mile northwest of Alva, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: These races were
postponed until September 14, 1920 due to rain.
September 14, 1920 – 1 mile dirt oval – Alva Motor Speedway located one mile northwest of Alva, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: Lee ran the
fastest lap in time trials of 39.0 seconds which won him $25 from the purse.
2nd in the 3-lap “light car” race behind Johnny Mais of San Antonio, Texas who
was driving an Essex #24. Lee was paid
$25 from the purse for his 2nd place finish.
Won the 5-lap “Free-for-All” race in 5:01.0 to collect $75 from the
purse. Johnny Mais of San Antonio, Texas who
was driving an Essex #24, finished in 2nd place.
Feature race
winner: Johnny Mais of San Antonio,
Texas who was driving his own Essex #24.
September 26, 1920 – Kay County Fairgrounds northeast of Newkirk, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: Lee’s name does not appear in the published results of these races.
Feature race winner: A. R. Hatfield of Pawnee, Oklahoma who was driving a Ford.
October 1, 1920 – ½ mile dirt oval – Central Kansas Fairgrounds at Abilene, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: 2nd in the 10-mile feature race behind Johnny Mais of San Antonio, Texas who was driving an Essex #24.
Feature race winner: Johnny Mais of San Antonio, Texas although he was claiming to be from Indianapolis, Indiana at the time.
October 8, 1920 – ½ mile dirt oval – Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas
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Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: 3rd fastest 2-lap time in time trials of 1:09.6 behind Leonard E. Kerbs and Harold Roller.
6th place in the 10-mile feature race behind Harold Roller, Fred Lentz, Albert “Al” Koepke, Jake Strickler and Leonard E. Kerbs
Feature race winner: Harold Roller of Abilene, Kansas who was driving a 16-valve Roof Ford special
October 9, 1920 – ½ mile dirt oval – Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: Won $200 by placing 2nd place in the 15-mile Free-for-All won by Harold Roller.
Feature race winner: Harold Roller of Abilene, Kansas who was driving a 16-valve Roof Ford special
October 12, 1920 – ½ mile dirt oval – Ellsworth County Fairgrounds at Ellsworth, Kansas
Car: Lee entered his own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: Lee finished 5th in the 4-lap professional race behind Harold Roller, Al Koepke, James “Toots” Higgins & Elfrieda Mais.
Lee finished 2nd .75 seconds behind Harold Roller in the 6-lap professional race.
Lee finished 2nd, 6.0-seconds behind Harold Roller in the 10-lap professional race.
Feature race winner: Harold Roller of Abilene, Kansas who was driving his own a 16-valve Roof Ford special
October 14, 1920 – 1 mile dirt oval – Kenwood Park Speedway at Salina, Kansas
Car: Lee entered his own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: Lee turned in the second fastest lap in time trials, running one lap in 59.0 seconds but that was a full second slower than the lap turned in by Harold Roller of Abilene, Kansas.
Lee won $60 for his 2nd place finish in the 10-mile “free for all” race, 33.0 seconds behind Harold Roller.
Lee won $200 by finishing in 3rd place behind Johnny Mais and Harold Roller in the 50-mile feature race.
Feature race winner: Johnny Mais of Salina, Kansas although he was claiming to be from Indianapolis, Indiana at the time
May 15, 1921 – ½ mile dirt oval – Hallett Fairgrounds at Hallett, Oklahoma
Car: Lee drove a car that had been entered for him by car owner Elfrieda Mais of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Total purse: $1,000
Attendance: “2,000 to 3,000”
Finish: 3rd in a 10-lap heat race behind Curt Hatfield in a Ford special owned by Roy Gilmore, both men being from Pawnee, Oklahoma; and Forrest Wayne “Frosty” Hopkins who was driving a Ford special owned by Oscar S. Holroyd, Sr., both men from Cleveland, Oklahoma
2nd in the 30-lap Sweepstakes race, 42.2 seconds behind Curt Hatfield in a Ford special owned by Roy Gilmore, both men being from Pawnee, Oklahoma
Feature race winner: Curt Hatfield who was driving a Ford special owned by Roy Gilmore, both men being from Pawnee, Oklahoma
May 24, 1921 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Stock Pavilion 1-mile east of Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma
Car: Lee entered his own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself.
Finish: Ran the 3rd
fastest 2-lap time trial of 1:11.8. His
time was only slower than the times run by Cart Hatfield of Pawnee, Oklahoma
who was driving a Ford special owned by Harold Roller
of Abilene, Kansas; and John Hopkins who was also driving a Ford special.
Feature race winner: Johnny Mais of San Antonio,
Texas who was driving his own Dodge special #24.
July 4, 1921 – ½ mile dirt oval – West Side Racetrack in Wichita, Kansas
Car: Lee entered his own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: Lee won $50 from the purse for running the fastest lap in time trials of 30.0 seconds.
Lee won another $50 when he finished 2nd in the 1st 10-lap heat race behind ______ Martin who was driving an Essex.
Lee won $100 when he won the 2nd 10-lap heat race over James I. “Toots” Higgins of Newton, Kansas in 6:13.0. That time was nine seconds better than Higgins’ time.
Lee won $50 when he finished 2nd to Merle Warren of Newton, Kansas in the 3rd 10-lap heat race. Warren was driving an Essex.
Lee won $50 when he finished 2nd to Merle Warren of Newton, Kansas in a 10-lap special open heat race.
Feature Race Winner: No feature race was run due to a shortage of entries present.
August 6, 1921 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Kay County Fairgrounds northeast of Newkirk, Oklahoma
Car: Lee entered his own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself.
Finish: Lee finished 3rd in the 5-mile race behind Bob Peckham of Blackwell, Oklahoma who was driving a Dodge, and James “Toots” Higgins of Newton, Kansas who was driving an Essex owned by Merle Warren who was also from Newton.
Feature race winner: Bob Peckham of Blackwell, Oklahoma who was driving a Dodge #7.
August 31, 1921 – 2-mile oiled dirt oval – Dodge City Speedway northeast of Dodge City, Kansas
Car: Lee entered his own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
11 cars were entered in these races.
Finish: Lee finished 2nd in the 50-mile race behind Johnny Mais of Salina, Kansas in his own Dodge special #24.
Feature race winner: Johnny Mais of Salina, Kansas who was driving his own Dodge special #24
September 5, 1921 – 1 mile dirt oval – Kenwood Park Speedway at Salina, Kansas
Car: Lee entered his own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself, but then he got W. K. “Bill” Adolph of Salina, Kansas to drive it for him after he came down with a sudden illness. Adolph spend the afternoon of the day before the races, familiarizing himself with the car. Lee spend the day of the races recuperating at the home of W. K. “Bill” Adolph.
Finish: 8,000 spectators watched as Adolph drove the races “daringly, to the point of recklessly”.
Adolph took the lead on the fifth lap of the 50-mile feature race and led the remainder of the event, winning in 50:21.0. He drove the last 45-laps at better than a-mile-a-minute and pulled away from the rest of the completion. In doing so, he received an “immense silver loving cup” from the City of Salina, which went to the winner of that event. He also received a hearty round of applause from the spectators when the cup was presented by race promoter, Johnny Mais.
Feature race winner: W. K. “Bill” Adolph of Salina, Kansas who was driving the 16-vlave Dodge-bowered “J.H.L. special” built and owned by Johnny Lee.
September 7, 1921 – ½ mile dirt oval – Athletic Park in Newton, Kansas
Car: Lee entered his own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: These races were postponed until September 8, 1921 so they would not interfere with other activities that were scheduled in Athletic Park on this date.
September 8, 1921 – ½ mile dirt oval – Athletic Park in Newton, Kansas
Car: Lee entered his own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: Although Lee entered these races, the local newspaper reported that he had been stricken with typhoid fever and was unable to appear.
15-Mile “Free-for-All” race winner: Harold Peterson of Wichita, Kansas who was driving a Dodge-powered “Lassen special” owned by Bill Lassen
September 23, 1921 – ½ mile dirt oval – Cloud County Fairgrounds in Concordia, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: Lee finished 2nd to W. W. Brown of Kansas City, Missouri who was driving a Peerless 8.
Feature race winner: W. W. Brown of Kansas City, Missouri who was driving a Peerless 8.
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A very poor-quality photo of #5 Johnny Lee leading the 3rd lap of the 1st 10-lap heat race at Anthony Downs in Anthony, Kansas on March 31, 1922. Lee was driving his 16-valve Dodge-powered #5 “J. H. L. special” bobtail race car and went on to win this race in 6:01.75. The victory paid him $37.50 from the day’s purse. Somewhere between 1,200 and 1,500 spectators were on hand for these races but most had arrived early and taken their seats in the grandstand before the ticket sellers were in place. That resulted in a small purse for the races on this afternoon and the races scheduled for the following day to be canceled by the race promoter, Fred R. Dunlavy (1886-1950). Anthony native Jimmie Costa (1891-1922) had planned to compete in these races but was called away to participate in other races in the southeastern United States. The airplane he was riding in crashed at Macon, Georgia on the same afternoon as these races at Anthony, and Costa was fatally injured. Front Page of the April 6, 1922 issue of the Anthony Republican newspaper
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October 3, 1921 – ½ mile dirt oval – West Side Racetrack in Wichita, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: These races were canceled when the promoter, Merle Warren, learned that there was a state law against “amusements” on Sundays.
October 4, 1921 – ½ mile dirt oval – West Side Racetrack in Wichita, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: Won the 5-mile heat race in 6:09.0 which was a new track record time
Feature Race Winner: James “Toots” Higgins of Newton, Kansas in a Hudson owned by the Warren Motor Company in Newton, Kansas
October 5, 1921 – 1½ mile dirt oval – Meridian Speedway in Wichita, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: 3rd in the 15-car, 60-mile feature race behind Johnny Mais in a Dodge and W. W. Brown in a Peerless 8.
Feature race winner: Johnny Mais of Salina, Kansas although he was claiming to be from Indianapolis, Indiana at the time
October 6, 1921 – 1½ mile dirt oval – Meridian Speedway in Wichita, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: 2nd in the 15-Mile Open feature race behind John A. Boling who was driving the C. L. Richards special which was powered by a 300 cubic-inch Hudson “Super-Six” engine.
Feature race winner: John A. Boling of Tulsa, Oklahoma in the C. L. Richards special which was powered by a 300 cubic-inch Hudson “Super-Six” engine.
November 24, 1921 – ½ mile dirt oval – Speedway Park one mile north of Cushing, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: 3rd fastest 2-lap qualifying time in time trials of 1:01.8 behind Dick Calhoun and John A. Boling of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Feature race winner: Feature race results for this date have yet to be located
March 31, 1922 – ½ mile dirt oval – Anthony Downs at Anthony, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered #5 “Lee special”, the engine for which had been built by Johnny Mais
Attendance: Somewhere between 1,200 and 1,500 although most slipped in without paying admission
Finish: Lee turned in the 2nd fastest time in time trials of 1:11.5. Only Johnny Mais was able to run a faster time.
Lee won the 1st 10-lap heat race in 6:01.75 over Harold Peterson. The victory paid Lee $37.50 from the total purse.
3rd in the 10-lap “free-for-all” race behind Johnny Mais and Harold Peterson. Lee collected another $12.50 from the purse for that finish.
2nd in the 20-lap “free-for-all” behind Johnny Mais. That finish won Lee another $37.50 from the total purse.
2nd in the 40-lap “free-for-all” behind Johnny Mais. That finish paid Lee another $62.50 from the total purse.
Feature race winner: Johnny Mais of Salina, Kansas although he was claiming to be from Indianapolis, Indiana at the time
April 1, 1922 – ½ mile dirt oval – Anthony Downs at Anthony, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered #5 “Lee special”, the engine for which had been built by Johnny Mais
Finish: The races on this date were canceled due to poor paid attendance the preceding afternoon and there being only about 80 spectators in the grandstand at race time on this afternoon.
May 7, 1922 – 1 mile dirt oval – Osage Speedway at Hominy, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself.
Finish: Won $75 from the posted purse for finishing 3rd in the 25-mile “Hominy Inaugural” feature race behind Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma and Matt Berg of Cushing, Oklahoma.
Feature race winner: Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma who was driving a Ford special owned by Oscar S. Holroyd, Sr. who was also from Cleveland, Oklahoma.
May 21, 1922 – 1 mile dirt oval – Osage Speedway at Hominy, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself.
Finish: Few results of these races have been located to date.
Feature race winner: Ira Vail of Brooklyn, New York who was driving a Duesenberg
May 30, 1922 – ½ mile dirt oval – Okmulgee County Fairgrounds at Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve
Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special #9” that he had built
himself
Finish: Lee finished 2nd in the 20-lap
feature race,34.2 seconds behind Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma who was
driving a Ford special owned by Oscar S. Holroyd, Sr. who was also from
Cleveland, Oklahoma.
Lee finished 2nd in the 3-car,
3-corner match race in 3:53.75, finishing behind Johnny Mais by .15 of a second.
Lee
finished most of the preliminary races run on this afternoon, in 2nd
place behind winner Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma and ahead of 3rd
place finisher Matt Berg of Cushing, Oklahoma.
Feature race winner: Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma who was driving a Ford special owned by Oscar S. Holroyd, Sr. who was also from Cleveland, Oklahoma.
June 4, 1922 – ½ mile dirt oval – Colcord Speedway at the Old Oklahoma State Fairgrounds on the east side of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special #9” that he had built himself
Finish: Won the 100-mile “free-for-all” race in 2:20.0 and collected $375 from the purse. Roy Fisher of Oklahoma City who was driving a Mercer finished in 2nd place.
Feature race winner: Johnny Lee of Wichita, Kansas
June 11, 1922 – 1 mile dirt oval – Osage Speedway at Hominy, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special”, the engine for which had been built by Johnny Mais
Finish: 3rd quickest in time trials behind Dick Calhoun and Jake Strickler of Enid, Oklahoma in a Hudson “Super-Six”
3rd in the 1st 10-mile heat race behind John A. Boling and Dick Calhoun. Lee finished 22.2 seconds behind winner Boling.
3rd in the 30-mile feature race behind Dick Calhoun and Jake Strickler of Enid, Oklahoma in a Hudson “Super-Six”
Feature race winner: Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma who was driving a Ford special owned by Oscar S. Holroyd, Sr. who was also from Cleveland, Oklahoma.
July 4, 1922 – 1 mile dirt oval – Kenwood Park Speedway at Salina, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: 4,200 spectators watched as Lee was presented a “loving cup” for tying Glenn Breed’s track record for 1-lap in time trials of 54.6 seconds.
1st in the 2nd 10-mile race for cars with engines with 230 c.i. or under. Lee went the distance in 9:36.8 and was followed by Albert “Al” Koepke of Topeka, Kansas in 2nd place.
1st in the 5-mile “free for all” race. Lee went the distance in 4:54.2 and finished ahead of Albert “Al” Koepke in 2nd place.
Led the 50-mile feature race for the first 39 laps with the second place Duesenberg, driven by W. W. Brown, being clocked by a “track-o-meter” at 93 M.P.H. and closing in quickly on the back straightaway but losing out “heavily” in the turns.
Lee’s engine broke on the 40th lap forcing him from the race and leaving the victory to Brown.
Feature race winner: W. W. Brown of Kansas City, Missouri who was driving a Duesenberg owned by George L. Wade of Kansas City, Missouri
September 1, 1922 – ½ mile dirt oval – Allen County Fairgrounds at Iola, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: 2nd in the 5-mile “free-for-all” race behind Albert “Al” Koepke of Topeka, Kansas in his own 231-cubic-inch-displacement Dodge special.
Feature race winner: Albert “Al” Koepke of Topeka, Kansas in his own 231-cubic-inch-displacement Dodge special he called “Maggie.”
September 4, 1922 – 1 mile dirt oval – Kenwood Park Speedway at Salina, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself
Finish: Lee’s name does not appear in the results of these races.
50-Mile Feature race winner: Harold Roller of Abilene, Kansas who was driving a Dodge special.
September 7, 1922 – ½ mile dirt oval – Forest Park at Ottawa, Kansas
Car: Ford special
Finish: 3rd in the 7-car, 15-mile Free-for-All race behind William K. “Billly” Adolph of Salina, Kansas driving a 16-valve Dodge special owned by Johnny Mais also from Salina, Kansas and John Boling of Tulsa, Oklahoma who was driving a Ford. Boling lead the 1st 2 laps before Mais passed him for the lead and went on to win the race. Verne Ellis of Kansas City, Missouri was hospitalized in serious condition after his “Chevrolet plowed through the back-turn fence, jumped a ditch and turned over early in this event.”
Feature race winner: William K. “Billly” Adolph of Salina, Kansas driving a 16-valve Dodge special owned by Johnny Mais also from Salina, Kansas. [Note: According to the story about these races published in the Ottawa (Kansas) Herald, Johnny Mais won each of the races run on this day however, a story about these races in the Salina (Kansas) Daily Union, indicates that the reporter for the Ottawa Herald just saw that the car that won was Mais’ Dodge special and incorrectly assumed that it was Mais driving it.]
September 9, 1922 – ½ mile dirt oval – Chase County Fairgrounds at Cottonwood Falls, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own “J.H.L special” Dodge that he built himself
Finish: These races were postponed until September 11, 1922 due to rain.
September 11, 1922 – ½ mile dirt oval – Chase County Fairgrounds at Cottonwood Falls, Kansas
Car: Lee’s own “J.H.L special” Dodge that he built himself
Finish: Lee ran the fastest 2-lap time trial of the 11 cars that took time trials. Lee’s time of 1:06.0 was a new track record.
Lee finished 2nd in the 10-lap “Free for All” race behind Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma who was driving a Dodge special #24 owned by Johnny Mais of Salina, Kansas.
Lee finished 2nd in the 20-lap “Free for All” race behind Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma who was driving a Dodge special #24 owned by Johnny Mais of Salina, Kansas.
Feature race winner: Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma who was driving a Dodge special #24 owned by Johnny Mais of Salina, Kansas.
September 23, 1922 – ½ mile dirt oval – Okmulgee County Fairgrounds at Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Car: Lee’s
own “J.H.L special” Dodge that he built himself
Finish: Lee ran the 2nd fastest 2-lap time
in time trials of 1:12.4 behind the quickest 2-lap time trial ran by Johnny Mais
of 1:07.6.
Lee finished 2nd in the 3-car, 3-corner
match race in 3:53.75, finishing behind Johnny
Mais by .15 of a second.
Lee
finished 2nd in the 3-car, 3-mile “Free for All” in 4:09.4 which was
9.2 seconds behind winner Johnny Mais
who was driving his own Dodge special.
Lee finished 2nd in the 5-mile “free for All” in 6:16.2. Johnny
Mais finished in 1st place .3 seconds ahead of Lee.
Lee won the 5-car, 10-lap
Okmulgee Sweepstakes race, finishing 5 seconds ahead of Johnny Mais who was driving his own
Dodge special.
Feature race
winner: Johnny
Lee who was driving his own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L.
special” that he had built himself.
September 29, 1922 – ⅝ mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Dodge special owned by Johnny Mais
Finish: Started the 26-mile feature race outside of Phil “Red” Shafer on the front row and finished 5th behind Shafer, Eddie Eckenroth, Jack Calkins and George Clark.
Feature race winner: Phil “Red” Shafer of Des Moines, Iowa who was driving a #21 Duesenberg
October 8, 1922 – 1½ mile dirt oval – Gulf Coast Speedway at Bellaire, Texas
Car:
#20 “Kansas Dodge” owned by Johnny
Mais
Finish: Lee led the 8-mile heat race for “large cars” until he dropped out with spark plug trouble leaving the victory to Henry Bradshaw driving a #13 Marmon.
Feature race winner: Bill Melaun of Houston, Texas in a #1 Fronty Ford owned by Herman L. Silverstein also from Houston, Texas.
November 5, 1922 – 1½ mile dirt oval – Gulf Coast Speedway at Bellaire, Texas
Car: 10,000 spectators was as Johnny Lee drove a sleeved down #19 Dodge owned by Johnny Mais and a Dodge special #20 also owned by Johnny Mais.
Finish: Lee drove the #19 Dodge to 3rd place in the 1st 25-mile heat race behind Phil “Red” Shafer and Earl Graham. That finish won Lee $75 from the posted purse.
Lee drove the #20 Kansas Dodge to victory in the 2nd 25-mile heat race in 10:17.0, finishing in front of Russell Henline in Gus Pameson’s #32 Hudson. That victory won Lee $100 from the posted purse.
Drove Johnny Mais’ Dodges special #19 to 3rd place in the 24-mile free-for-all race behind Glenn Breed in his Hudson and Bob Davis who was driving the Ried Oakland special owned by E. F. Reid.
16 -Mile Feature race winner: Glenn Breed of San Antonio, Texas who was driving his own white #5 Hudson.
November 26, 1922 – 1½ mile dirt oval – Gulf Coast Speedway at Bellaire, Texas
Car: #20 “Kansas Dodge” owned by Johnny Mais
Finish: Lee finished 4th in the 2nd 7-mile heat race behind Dick Calhoun, Red Fondren and Glenn Breed.
DNF the 24-mile feature race to do damaged steering.
Feature race winner: Earl Graham who was driving an Oakland owned by E. F. Reid.
November 30, 1922 – 1½ mile dirt oval – Gulf Coast Speedway at Bellaire, Texas
Car: 7,000 spectators was as Lee drove a #19 Dodge and the #20 “Kansas Dodge”, both owned by Johnny Mais
Finish: Lee drove the #20 “Kansas Dodge” in the 1st heat race but he dropped out of that race with a broken crankshaft.
Lee drove the #19 Dodge to 3rd place in the 24-mile feature race behind Glenn Breed and Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma. Lee finished the feature race one second out of 2nd place and 40.5 seconds behind the winner.
Feature race winner: Glenn Breed of San Antonio, Texas in his own white #5 Hudson.
January 7, 1923 – ½ mile dirt oval – Gulf Coast Speedway at Bellaire, Texas
Car & Driver: Mais drove his own #20 Dodge special and Johnny Lee drove Mais’ 16-valve Dodge special #19
Finish: Lee was flagged off of the course in the 1st heat race for holding Jack Saunders of Houston, Texas back in the Herman L. Silverstein owned Fronty Ford #1 and not allowing Saunders to pass.
Lee finished 2nd in the 24-lap feature race behind Glenn Breed who was driving his own white Hudson Super six #20.
Feature race winner: Glenn Breed of San Antonio, Texas who was driving his own Hudson Super six #20.
February 4, 1923 – ½ mile dirt oval – Southwest Louisiana Fairgrounds at Lafayette, Louisiana
Car & Driver: 16-valve Dodge special #21 owned by Johnny Mais.
Finish: These races were postponed until February 11, 1923 due to rain.
February 11, 1923 – ½ mile dirt oval – Southwest Louisiana Fairgrounds at Lafayette, Louisiana
Car & Driver: 16-valve Dodge special #21 owned by Johnny Mais.
Finish: These races were postponed until February 18, 1923 due to rain.
February 18, 1923 – ½ mile dirt oval – Southwest Louisiana Fairgrounds at Lafayette, Louisiana
Car & Driver: 16-valve Dodge special #21 owned by Johnny Mais.
Finish: Lee’s name does not appear in the published results of these races.
Feature race winner: Jack Saunders of Houston, Texas who was driving a Dodge special.
April 8, 1923 – 1½ mile dirt oval – Gulf Coast Speedway at Bellaire, Texas
Car: His own #11 “Harris Dodge”
Finish: Lee finished 3rd in the 2nd 8-mile heat race behind Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma and Jack Saunders of Houston, Texas
Lee finished 3rd in the 24-mile feature race behind Dick Calhoun and Johnny Mais.
Feature race winner: Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma
May 6, 1923 – 1½ mile dirt oval – Gulf Coast Speedway at Bellaire, Texas
Car: #14 “Chevrolet Brothers Fronty Dodge” owned by Johnny Mais. The engine in this car was built as an experiment by the Chevrolet Brothers in their Frontenac factory in Detroit, Michigan.
Finish: Lee was replaced as driver by Fred Shawhan who then finished 4th in the 2nd heat race and 2nd in the 24-mile feature race.
No record has been found that Lee drove anything at all in these races.
Feature race winner: Johnny Mais of Salina, Kansas
May 27, 1923 – 1½ mile dirt oval – East Texas Motor Speedway between Port Arthur and Beaumont, Texas
Car: His own #11 Dodge
Finish: Both cars were eliminated from the race when Lee was involved in a two-car accident with Frank Miller on the 1st lap of the 24-mile feature. (Webmaser’s note: One source says that Lee “received a broken collar bone and minor injuries when his car was completely demolished) and names the driver of the other car as being “Henry Bradshaw” rather than Frank Miller.
Feature race winner: Bill Melaun of Houston, Texas
August 26, 1923 – 1½ mile dirt oval – Gulf Coast Speedway at Bellaire, Texas
Car: Lee entered his own yellow #11 “Harris Dodge” plus Floyd C. Shawhan entered his #14 “Chevrolet Brothers Fronty Dodge” with Lee listed as the driver. The engine in this car was built as an experiment by the Chevrolet Brothers in their Frontenac factory in Detroit, Michigan.
Finish: Lee drove the #11 “Harris Dodge” to a 3rd place finish in the 1st 16-mile heat race behind John A. Boling and Rex Edmonds.
10-Mile Feature race winner: Johnny Mais of Salina, Kansas
September 2, 1923 – 1½ mile dirt oval – Gulf Coast Speedway at Bellaire, Texas
Car: #14 “Chevrolet Brothers Fronty Dodge” owned by Floyd C. Shawhan. The engine in this car was built as an experiment by the Chevrolet Brothers in their Frontenac factory in Detroit, Michigan.
Finish: Lee did not place in the 24-mile feature race.
Feature race winner: Bill Wade of New Orleans, Louisiana who was driving a Studebaker special
November 11, 1923 – 1½ mile dirt oval – East Texas Motor Speedway between Port Arthur and Beaumont, Texas
Car: Mais special Dodge owned by Johnny Mais of Salina, Kansas
Finish: Both cars were eliminated from the feature race when Lee was involved in a two-car accident with Frank Miller on the 1st lap of the 24-mile feature. (Webmaser’s note: One source says that Lee finished 3rd in a 15-mile race behind Bill Wade in a Studebaker special and Gus Schrader in a Chalmers while another source says that Lee “received a broken collar bone and minor injuries when his car was completely demolished) and that source names the driver of the other car as being “Henry Bradshaw” rather than Frank Miller.
Feature race winner: Bill Wade of New Orleans, Louisiana who was driving a Studebaker special
March 9, 1924 – 1½ mile dirt oval – Gulf Coast Speedway at Bellaire, Texas
Car: Dodge special owned by J. H. Welborn
Finish: 2nd in the 2nd 10-mile heat race behind Paul Clancy.
3rd in the 3rd 20-mile heat race behind Ernest Breisch and Jack Saunders
3rd in the 12-mile feature race behind Paul Clancy and Ernest Breisch. Lee finished one minute even behind the winner.
Feature race winner: Paul Clancy of Chicago, Illinois
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Johnny Lee In his 16-valve Dodge-powered “J. H. L. special” Page 2, March 30, 1922 issue of the Anthony Republican newspaper
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April 6, 1924 – 2 mile dirt oval – San Antonio Speedway at San Antonio, Texas
Car: #1 Fronty owned by the Rupert Motor Company
Finish: Results of these races have yet to be located.
July 4, 1924 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Marmon owned by Johnny Mais
Finish: 2nd behind Phil “Red” Shafer the 1st 8-mile heat race for the 8 fastest cars in time trials
3rd behind Phil “Red” Shafer and Herbert Haas in the in the 3rd 16-mile heat race
Was running in the 15-mile feature race when it was stopped on the 11th lap due to rain. Lee was not one of the 1st four finishers that were named.
Feature race winner: Phil “Red” Shafer of Des Moines, Iowa who was driving a Duesenberg
September 26, 1924 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #12 Fronty Ford
Finish: Lee did not place in the 15-mile feature race.
Feature race winner: Phil “Red” Shafer of Des Moines, Iowa who was driving a Duesenberg
September 27, 1924 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – Tri-State Fairgrounds at Amarillo, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: #6 Dodge special
Finish: 2nd in the 2nd heat race behind Hobart L. Bogus.
2nd in the 3rd heat race behind Hobart L. Bogus.
Won the 10-mile feature race in 10:23,2. Hobart L. Bogus finished in 2nd place.
Feature race winner: Johnny Lee of San Angelo, Texas
June 18, 1925 – 1 mile dirt oval – Brownwood Speedway at Brownwood, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 5,000 spectators watched as Lee qualified 8th quickest in time trials behind George Souders, Harold Peterson, Harry Milburn, Johnny Mais, C. C. Kenner, Norman York and Bob Stillwell.
Won the 2nd heat race in 4:49.0. Norman York finished 2nd in place.
3rd in the 3rd heat race behind George Souders and Harold Peterson
2nd in the 4th heat race behind Harry Milburn
Started 6th in the 15-mile “Brownwood Opening” feature race and finished 3rd behind George Souders and Harold Peterson.
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San Antonio Speedway San Antonio, Texas April 6, 1924 Jeff Adams collection
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Feature race winner: George Souders of Austin, Texas who was driving the #400 Roberts & Warrick Chevrolet
July 4, 1925 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 4th in the 1st heat race behind Frank Lockhart, Eddie Hearne and Dick Calhoun
4th in the 25-mile feature race behind George Souders, Eddie Hearne and Dick Calhoun
Feature race winner: George Souders of Austin, Texas who was driving the #400 Roberts & Warrick Chevrolet
July 11, 1925 – 1 mile dirt oval – Fair Park Speedway at Dallas, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: Lee did not place in the 15-mile feature race.
Feature race winner: Harry Milburn of Ft. Worth, Texas who was driving his own Duesenberg
August 8, 1925 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – Oil Belt Speedway at Breckenridge, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 1st in time trials with a lap of 1:20.4, followed by George Souders in 2nd place.
Won the 1st heat race in 5:05.4. The 2nd place finisher in this race was Norman York.
2nd in the 16-mile “Breckenridge Opening” feature race behind George Souders
Feature race winner: George Souders of Austin, Texas who was driving the #400 Roberts & Warrick Chevrolet
August 9, 1925 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – Oil Belt Speedway at Breckenridge, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: Won the 15-mile feature race in 11:27.0. The 2nd place finisher in this race was John A. McFadden.
Feature race winner: Johnny Lee of San Angelo, Texas
September 23, 1925 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 4th in the 4th heat race behind Dick Calhoun, John McFadden and Herbert Haas
30-Mile Feature race winner: Frank Lockhart of Los Angeles, California who was driving a #27 Miller owned by Harry Miller.
September 25, 1925 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 2nd in the 2nd heat race behind Herbert Haas
Feature race winner: Frank Lockhart of Los Angeles, California who was driving a #27 Miller owned by Harry Miller.
September 27, 1925 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 2nd in the 2nd 8-mile heat race behind Dick Calhoun
Feature race winner: Frank Lockhart of Los Angeles, California who was driving a #27 Miller owned by Harry Miller.
September 29, 1925 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – Oil Belt Speedway at Breckenridge, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 1st in time trials with a lap of 1:20.4, followed by George Souders in 2nd place.
3rd in the 2nd heat race behind Dick Calhoun and John McFadden
2nd in the 3rd heat race behind Bill Tennill
2nd in the 15-mile feature race behind Dick Calhoun
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The Daily Oklahoman Oklahoma City, Oklahoma June 1, 1922 – Page 12
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Feature race winner: Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma who was driving a #11 Fronty Ford owned by O. M. Berg
October 1, 1925 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – Oil Belt Speedway at Breckenridge, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 3rd in the 2nd heat race behind Slim Harper and H. L. Bogus
3rd in the 3rd heat race behind Bill Tennill and Roy Huston
1st in the 4th heat race behind Harry Norris
3rd in the 25-mile feature race behind Roy Meacham and Dick Calhoun
Feature race winner: Roy Meacham of Pawhuska, Oklahoma who was driving a #8 Miller owned by “Hollywood” Bill White
October 4, 1925 – ½ mile dirt oval – Wichita County Fairgrounds at Wichita Falls, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 4th in the 3rd heat race behind Bill Tennill, Harry Milburn and Anthony M. “Booby” DeMuth.
Won the 4th heat race. Herbert Haas finished 2nd in this race.
Did not finish among the first four finishers in the 20-mile feature race.
Feature race winner: Phil “Red” Shafer in a Duesenberg 8.
October 7, 1925 – ½ mile dirt oval – Childress Fairgrounds at Childress, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 3rd in the 2nd heat race behind Harry Milburn and Roy Meacham
Feature race winner: George Souders of Austin, Texas who was driving the #400 Roberts & Warrick Chevrolet
October 8, 1925 – ½ mile dirt oval – Childress Fairgrounds at Childress, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 2nd in the 1st heat race behind Roy Meacham
November 11, 1925 – 2 mile dirt oval – San Antonio Speedway at San Antonio, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: Most of the results of these races have yet to be located.
Feature race winner: Jimmy Lawrence of San Antonio, Texas who was driving a Ford
December 25, 1925 – 1 mile dirt oval – Douglas Fairgrounds at Douglas, Arizona – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 1st in time trials with a time of 1.48.0 which was a new track record for the distance.
2nd in the 50-mile feature race. Lee finished the feature race 11.4 seconds behind winner Jimmy Randolph.
Feature race winner: Jimmy Randolph of Douglas, Arizona who was driving his own Ford Frontenac known as the “Douglas special”.
July 5, 1926 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 5th fastest of the 23 cars that took time trials with a 2-lap time of 1:11.2 behind the laps turned in by Frank Lockhart, Fred Lecklider, A. M. DuMuth and Curtis Cross.
Feature race winner: Frank Lockhart of Los Angeles, California who was driving a #7 Miller owned by Harry Miller.
August 29, 1926 – 1 mile dirt oval - All American Speedway at Albuquerque, New Mexico – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: #1 owned by Johnny Mais
Finish: 3rd fastest lap in time trials of 45.6 which was slower than the laps turned in by Dick Calhoun and Cliff Bergere
Won the 3rd heat race over Roy Miller
Feature race winner: Cliff Bergere of Los Angeles, California who was driving a #22 Miller owned by Clarence Tarbet of Culver City, California.
September 6, 1926 – 1 mile dirt oval – Highland Park at Holbrook, Arizona – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Dodge
Finish: 2nd in the 1st heat behind Harry Milburn
2nd in the 25-mile feature race behind Harry Milburn to collect a total of $300 from the posted purse.
Feature race winner: Harry Milburn of Ft. Worth, Texas who was driving his own Duesenberg
September 22, 1926 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 5,000 spectators watched Lee run the 10th fastest time in time trials of 1:16.6 which was slower than the times turned in by Fred Frame, Dick Calhoun, Babe Stapp, George Souders, Roy Meacham, Chet Gardner, Anthony M. “Booby” DeMuth, Pete de Paolo and Harry Milburn.
Dropped out after 1-lap in the first 8-lap heat race and was credited with last place behind Dick Calhoun, George Souders, Roy Meacham, Babe Stapp, Harry Milburn and A. M. Demuth.
4th in the 2nd heat race behind Harry Milburn, Chet Gardner and Anthony M. “Booby” DeMuth.
Won the consolation race in 5:02.2. Rex Edmonds finished in 2nd place in that race.
Started 6th and finished in 3rd place in the 32-lap (20-mile) feature race behind, Chet Gardner and Pete de Paolo.
Lee won $180 from the posted purse.
Feature race winner: Chet Gardner of Long Beach, California who was driving a Rajo Ford
September 24, 1926 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 2nd in the 2nd heat behind Harry Milburn
Won the 5th race in 4:50.2. Fred Roberts finished in 2nd place. This race was stopped early due to a wreck involving Dick Calhoun.
Lee won $400 from the posted purse.
Feature race winner: Harry Milburn of Ft. Worth, Texas who was driving his own #16 Duesenberg
September 29, 1926 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – Oil Belt Speedway at Breckenridge, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: 3rd in the 2nd 7½ mile heat race behind John Lindsey and Chet Gardner of Long Beach, California
4th in the 7½ mile consolation race behind Roy Gardner, C.K. McFadden and Rex Edmonds
2nd in the 5-mile consolation race behind Harry Milburn
4th in the 15-mile feature race behind Fred Frame, George Souders and Chet Gardner
Feature race winner: Fred Frame of Culver City, California who was driving a Miller
October 10, 1926 – ½ mile dirt oval – Wichita County Fairgrounds at Wichita Falls, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: Won the 15-mile feature race in 15:52.6. Ray Gardner finished in 2nd place.
Feature race winner: Johnny Lee from San Angelo, Texas
October 17, 1926 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – Tri-State Fairgrounds at Amarillo, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: #2 Dodge special
Finish: 3rd in the 5-mile free-for-all race behind Fred Frame and Chet Gardner.
Feature race winner: Fred Frame of Culver City, California
November 14, 1926 – ½ mile dirt oval – Limestone County Fairgrounds at Groesbeck, Texas – Sanctioned by T.S.A.
Car: Lee’s own #44 Dodge special
Finish: Results of these races have yet to be located.
December 1, 1926 – ½ mile dirt oval – Harlingen Motor Speedway at Harlingen, Texas
Car: Dodge special
Finish: Results of these races have yet to be located.
December 2, 1926 – ½ mile dirt oval – Harlingen Motor Speedway at Harlingen, Texas
Car: Dodge special
Finish: Results of these races have yet to be located.
July 4, 1928 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Finish: 4th in the 25-mile feature race behind Eddie Neva, Bill Tennill and A.E. “Ed” Edwards
Lee won $310 from the posted purse.
Feature race winner: Eddie Neva of San Antonio, Texas who was driving a Ford Frontenac known as the Well-Brook special that was co-owned by Maxie L. Brooks and M. T. Wells, both of whom were from San Antonio, Texas.
July 4, 1929 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #77 Dodge and a #12 Miller owned by Harry Milburn. Lee drove the Miller in these races but not the Dodge
Finish: 4th in the 1st heat race behind Pat Cunningham, Earl Hovenden and Francis Quinn
2nd in the 2nd heat race behind Francis Quinn
24-Lap Feature race winner: Pat Cunningham of St. Joseph, Missouri who was driving a yellow #4 Ford Frontenac owned by John Bagley
September 25, 1929 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own Rainbow special
Finish: 2nd in the 3rd heat race behind Vic Felt to win $40 from the posted purse
DNF in the 24-lap (15-mile) feature race
Feature race winner: Chet Gardner of Denver, Colorado who was driving the #47 “Buckeye Duesenberg” owned by Gibson Bradfield
July 4, 1930 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.
Car: Lee’s own #72 Chrysler
Finish: Did not qualify. Lee was one of 4 leaders of a strike demanding that the participants be paid a guaranteed purse that included $100 to each of the striking participants.
100-Lap Feature race winner: Francis Quinn of Los Angeles, California who drove his own #8 “Dayton Thoroughbred” Miller
July 13, 1930 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – Oil Belt Speedway at Breckenridge, Texas
Car: Lee’s own #72 Chrysler
Finish: Lee did not place in the 16-lap feature race.
Feature race winner: Anthony M. “Booby” DeMuth of Los Angeles, California who drove a Ford Frontenac owned by Earl Hovenden.
July 4, 1931 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas
Car: Lee’s own black and white Dodge and a Chevrolet roadster stock car.
Finish: 1,200 spectators saw Lee turn in the fastest 2-lap time in time trials of 70.8 seconds. Jimmy Davis had the 2nd best time.
2nd to Jimmie Davis in the lone 5-mile stock car race after Lee had led all but the final few feet of the race.
1st in the 8-lap “speed dash” in 5:3.2. Augustus “Cotton” Grable finished in 2nd place in this race.
1st in the 4-lap Texas Championship race in 2:33.5. Rex Edmonds finished in 2nd place in this race.
1st in the 1st 4-lap semi-final in 2:28.2. Rex Edmonds finished in 2nd place in this race.
1st in the 15-mile sweepstakes in 15:13.0. Augustus “Cotton” Grable finished this race in 2nd place, 4 seconds behind Lee.
As an added attraction, Johnny Lee and Augustus “Cotton” Grable staged a head-on crash between two stock cars in front of the grandstands. At the last moment, both drivers were to jump clear. On the first attempt, the cars just grazed each other and the stunt had to be performed over again. Grable turned an ankle when he jumped though so Austin Wetzler a.k.a. “Tex West” replaced Grable for the 2nd attempt. All worked as planned on that 2nd try.
Sweepstakes race winner: Johnny Lee of San Angelo, Texas
The contest board of the American Automobile Association (A.A.A.) met and acted on a petition by D. H. Jefferies who was the A.A.A. representative at the races at Abilene, Texas on July 4, 1930. The contest board handed out lifetime suspensions from A.A.A. sanctioned races, to the strike leaders and lesser suspensions to the others who took part. The four leaders of the strike called on that date were identified as: Harry Milburn of Ft. Worth, Texas; Lee Bammel of Taylor, Texas; Johnny Lee of San Angelo, Texas and Augustus “Cotton” Grable of Houston, Texas. The other participants in the action were identified as: Gene Frederick of Dallas, Texas; M. T. Wells of San Antonio, Texas; George Barringer of Duncan, Oklahoma; Earl Hovenden of Duncan, Oklahoma; Maxie L. Brooks of San Antonio, Texas; M. H. Evans of Dallas, Texas and W. E. Granger of Dallas, Texas.
Memorial Day of 1939 found Lee’s wife and children still residing at San Angelo while he was living in a boarding house in Albuquerque, New Mexico and promoting auto races on the 5/8 mile dirt road course Hell’s Half Acre Speedway “two miles northeast of the Triangle on Monte Vista Boulevard” in Albuquerque. On June 23, 1939, he announced that, after only 3 racing programs, he was abandoning the Hell’s Half Acre Speedway and would begin promoting midget races at the “old First American grounds on East Central” that was, by then, a dusty dirt oval racetrack known as Navajo Speedway, 6 miles east of downtown Albuquerque at Elkins, New Mexico. Lee hired Earl Hovenden, a driver he had compete against on the racing circuit, to be flagman and the official starter at Navajo Speedway.
May 30, 1939 – 5/8 mile dirt horseshoe shaped road course – Hell’s Half Acre at Albuquerque, New Mexico
Race Promoter: Johnny Lee of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cars: Stripped down stock cars
Finish: 1,300+ spectators watched Shorty Bowen set the fastest time of 29.7 seconds in time trials followed by Korky Coen 31.5, Eddie Randack 32.0, Ernie Burnett 33.2, Ted Cordova 34.6, John Pierce 35.0 and Bob Moore 36.0.
Shorty Bowen won the 1st 7-lap heat race in 3:48.0 followed by Ernie Burnett 3:55.0, Ted Cordova and John Pierce.
Henry Puccetti won the 2nd 7-lap heat race in 4:05.5 followed by Howard Hooten 4:07.5 and Ted Cordova.
Howard Hooten won the 3rd 7-lap heat race in 4:06.7, Ted Cordova and Henry Puccetti.
Howard Hooten won the 35-lap sweepstakes race in 20:59.4 followed by Ted Cordova. Shorty Bowen, Ernie Burnett and Bob Moore did not finish.
Final Event Winner: Howard Hooten of Albuquerque, New Mexico
June 11, 1939 – 5/8 mile oiled dirt horseshoe shaped road course – Hell’s Half Acre at Albuquerque, New Mexico
Race Promoter: Johnny Lee of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cars: Midgets
Finish: Shorty Bowen set the fastest time of 31.8 seconds in time trials.
Shorty Bowen won the 1st 7-lap heat race.
George Roberts won the 2nd 7-lap heat race.
George Roberts won the 3rd 7-lap heat race.
Henry Puccetti won the 2-car match race over Shorty Bowen who finished in 2nd place.
George Roberts won the Australian Pursuit.
Shorty Bowen won the 35-lap final event.
Final Event Winner: Shorty Bowen of Albuquerque, New Mexico
June 18, 1939 – 5/8 mile oiled dirt horseshoe shaped road course – Hell’s Half Acre at Albuquerque, New Mexico
Race Promoter: Johnny Lee of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cars: Midgets
Finish: Henry Puccetti set the fastest time of 32.0 seconds in time trials.
Howard Hooten won the 1st 7-lap heat race in 4:01.5 followed by Henry Puccetti and Bernard Burnett.
Aaron Baca won the 2nd 7-lap heat race in 4:18.0 followed by Shorty Bowen and Henry Puccetti.
Shorty Bowen won the 3rd 7-lap heat race in 5:36.0 followed by Jerry Unser, Sr. and Howard Hooten.
Howard Hooten won the 5-lap match race in 3:25.0 followed by Shorty Bowen.
Howard Hooten won the 10-lap sweepstakes race in 6:21.43 followed by Bob Moore and Shorty Bowen.
Final Event Winner: Howard Hooten of Albuquerque, New Mexico
June 25, 1939 – ½ mile dirt oval – Navajo Speedway at Elkins, New Mexico – Sanctioned by A.A.R.C.
Race Promoter: Johnny Lee of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cars: Midgets
Finish: Shorty Bowen set the fastest time of 31.2 seconds in time trials.
Shorty Bowman won the 1st 7-lap heat race followed by Jerry Unser, Sr. and Ernie Burnett.
Ernie Burnett won the 2nd 7-lap heat race followed by Jerry Unser, Sr. and Ted Cordova.
Shorty Bowen won the 10-lap Australian Pursuit over Jerry Unser, Sr. and Ernie Burnett.
Shorty Bowen won the 5-lap match race over Henry Puccetti.
Shorty Bowen won the 25-lap sweepstakes race over Ernie Burnett; Jerry Unser, Sr. in his Unser special; and Henry Puccetti in his Model A special.
Feature Race Winner: Shorty Bowen of Albuquerque, New Mexico who was driving the Clyde Moore special.
July 4, 1939 – ½ mile dirt oval – Navajo Speedway at Elkins, New Mexico – Sanctioned by A.A.R.C.
Race Promoter: Johnny Lee of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cars: Midgets
Attendance: 3,00
Finish: Shorty Bowen set the fastest time of 31.4 seconds in time trials.
Ted Randyke won the 1st 7-lap heat race in 3:34.0 followed by Henry Puccetti and Jerry Unser, Sr.
Ernie Burnett won the 2nd 7-lap heat race in 4:03.0 followed by Shorty Bowen and Aaron Baca.
Ernie Burnett defeat Howard Hooten in the 6-lap “Kangaroo Novelty” race in 4:09.0.
Ted Randyke won the 7-lap Australian Pursuit in 4:44.0. He was followed by Johnny Pierce and Ted Riggan.
Jerry Unser, Sr. “conquered” Shorty Bowen in his Clyde Moore special in the 25-lap feature race. Midgets driven by Ernie Burnett and Henry Puccetti dropped out of this race with mechanical trouble.
Feature Race Winner: Jerry Unser, Sr. of Albuquerque, New Mexico who was driving his “Unser special” midget. Right after winning this race, Unser sold the car to Gerald Cornelius.
July 9, 1939 – ½ mile dirt oval – Navajo Speedway at Elkins, New Mexico – Sanctioned by A.A.R.C.
Race Promoter: Johnny Lee of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Starter / flagman: Earl Hovenden of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cars: Midgets
Attendance: 2,500
Finish: Shorty Bowen and Ernie Burnett tied for the fastest time of 31.5 seconds in time trials.
Ernie Burnett won the 1st 7-lap heat race in 3:44.0 followed by Shorty Bowen and Henry Puccetti.
Henry Puccetti won the 2nd 7-lap heat race in 3:45.0 followed by Aaron Baca and Jerry Unser, Sr.
Shorty Bowen won a 5-lap match race in 2:05.0. Lloyd Roberts finished in 2nd place.
Ernie Burnett won the 7-lap handicap race in 3:53.0 followed by Jerry Unser, Sr. and Lloyd Roberts.
Shorty Bowen won the 6-car, 24-lap sweepstakes race in 12:42.0 followed by Ernie Burnett; Aaron Baca; Henry Puccetti; and Jerry Unser, Sr.
Henry Puccetti won a 5-lap “grudge race” and $25, over Jerry Unser, Sr.
Feature Race Winner: Shorty Bowen of Albuquerque, New Mexico
July 16, 1939 – ½ mile dirt oval – Navajo Speedway at Elkins, New Mexico – Sanctioned by A.A.R.C.
Race Promoter: Johnny Lee of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Starter / flagman: Earl Hovenden of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cars: Midgets
Attendance: 2,800
Finish: Shorty Bowen set the fastest time of 31.0 seconds in time trials breaking his own track record by 1.5 seconds.
Shorty Bowen won the 1st 7-lap heat race in 3:40.0 followed by Floyd Roberts, Aaron Baca, Ernie Burnett and Aaron Butler.
Ernie Burnett won the 2nd 7-lap heat race in 3:43.0 followed by Henry Puccetti and Aaron Baca.
Shorty Bowen won a 5-lap match race in 2:46.5.
Nick Pardeau of Denver, Colorado won the stock car race over Ernie Burnett.
Shorty Bowen won the 25-lap “free-for-all” race in 13:34.04 followed by Floyd Roberts, Ernie Burnett, Henry Puccetti, _____ Boyd, Aaron Baca and Arley Regan.
Feature Race Winner: Shorty Bowen of Albuquerque, New Mexico
July 30, 1939 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Navajo Speedway at Elkins, New Mexico – Sanctioned by A.A.R.C.
Race Promoter: Johnny Lee of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cars: Midgets
Finish: Shorty Bowen set the fastest time of 30.0 seconds in time trials breaking his own track record by one second set just 2 weeks earlier. Ernie Burnett tied for the 2nd fastest time with his time of 30.8.
Shorty Bowen won the 1st 7-lap heat race in 3:34.2 followed by Ernie Burnett.
Floyd Roberts won the 2nd 7-lap heat race in 3:58.0 followed by Earl Hovenden, Jerry Unser, Sr. and Aaron Baca.
Ernie Burnett won the 5-lap match race in 2:40.0. Earl Hovenden finished in 2nd place.
Ernie Burnett won a 7-lap race in 3:41.0. Shorty Bowen finished in 2nd place and Jerry Unser, Sr. finished in 3rd place.
Floyd Roberts won the 15-lap handicap race in 9:06.0. He was followed by Henry Puccetti in Jerry Unser’s Unser special and Earl Hovenden.
Feature Race Winner: Floyd Roberts of Albuquerque, New Mexico
August 20, 1939 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Navajo Speedway at Elkins, New Mexico – Sanctioned by A.A.R.C.
Race Promoter: Johnny Lee of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cars: Midgets
Finish: Shorty Bowen set the fastest time of 30.0 in time trials. Floyd Roberts and Ernie Burnett tied for 2nd place, both with times of 30.8. Burnett was driving the Kubby special from El Paso, Texas.
Shorty Bowen won the 1st 3-car, 7-lap heat race in 3:34.2. He was followed by Earnie Burnett and Floyd Roberts.
Floyd Roberts won the 2nd 4-car, 7-lap heat race in 3:58.0. Earl Hovenden finished 2nd, Jerry Unser, Sr. finished 3rd and Aaron Baca DNF.
Ernie Burnett won the 3rd 3-car, 7-lap heat race in 3:41.0. Shorty Bowen finished 2nd and Jerry Unser, Sr. finished 3rd. This was the 1st time that Shorty Bowen had been beaten.
Ernie Burnett won the 5-lap match race over Earl Hovenden in 2:40.0.
Floyd Roberts won the 35-lap handicap sweepstakes race followed by Henry Puccetti in 2nd place in Jerry Unser, Sr.’s car and Earl Hovenden finished in 3rd place. Ernie Burnett and Shorty Bowen DNF.
Feature Race Winner: Floyd Roberts of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Navajo Speedway closed after the races there on August 20, 1939 and Lee served as the official flagman / starter of the races run at the First American Speedway east of Albuquerque, New Mexico on Memorial Day, 1940.
On June 26, 1954, Lee agreed to participate in a promotional “grudge race” against Clyde Johnson, the race promoter of Raceway Park at San Angelo, Texas. The results of that event have yet to be learned.
Johnny Lee suffered a stroke on July 25, 1955 and passed away as a result on December 10, 1955 at Shannon Hospital in San Angelo, Texas. He is buried in Forest Park Cemetery in Houston, Texas.
Autograph signed June 5, 1917
Thank you
Kris Gende, Nancy Pearce and Gene Ward