John Paul Jr. (racing driver)
John Lee Paul Jr. (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.
| John Paul Jr. | |||||||
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| Born | John Lee Paul Jr. February 19, 1960 Muncie, Indiana, U.S. | ||||||
| Died | December 29, 2020 (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 finish | 8th (1983) | ||||||
| First race | 1982 Road America 200 (Elkhart Lake) | ||||||
| Last race | 1994 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis) | ||||||
| First win | 1983 Michigan 500 (Michigan) | ||||||
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| IndyCar Series career | |||||||
| 24 races run over 3 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 11th (1998) | ||||||
| First race | 1996 Indy 200 at Walt Disney World (Orlando) | ||||||
| Last race | 1999 Mall.com 500 (Texas) | ||||||
| First win | 1998 Lone Star 500 (Texas) | ||||||
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| NASCAR Cup Series career | |||||||
| 2 races run over 1 year | |||||||
| Best finish | 56th (1991) | ||||||
| First race | 1991 Miller Genuine Draft 500 (Pocono) | ||||||
| Last race | 1991 Budweiser at The Glen (Watkins Glen) | ||||||
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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. In May 1986, Paul Jr. received a five-year sentence for racketeering, with the drug charges dropped. Paul Sr. was found guilty, served time for a number of crimes, and disappeared in 2001.