Rick Mears, AJ Foyt, Mario Andretti, Steve Knapp. Three of these names are known as legends of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and all solidified their legacy with one key piece of history: finishing somewhere in the top three or four at the famed “Brickyard.”
Now hoping to add himself to that same list: Mike Johnson.
A behind-the-scenes staple of the modern sportscar paddock, as well as mid-90’s reality television, the St. Louis native was once self-heralded as a driving legend.
As documented on the highly acclaimed MTV series The Real World: London, Johnson originally rose to prominence in 1995, having his European junior open wheel career documented 20 years before Drive to Survive, and earning the moniker “the fastest(ish) driver on basic cable.”
Earning a level of fame that was only matched by his ego, Mike Johnson’s driving career peaked when he crossed back to America throughout the 2000’s, using a combination of grit, ambition, and family money to form Archangel Motorsports, most known at the time for their accolades in the Grand-Am SRP II prototype category, where Johnson would take multiple championships and a victory at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Mike Johnson’s last notable driving achievement was a podium at Petit Le Mans in in the LMP2 ranks, in 2005.
Since that time, Mike has been seen in a number of behind-the-scenes and media roles, currently known as a for-hire race strategist, considered in parallel with strategy legends like Thomas Blam, Sean Heckman, Don Salama, Sean Heckman, Peter Baron and Sean Heckman. Equally, Mike has brought the Archangel brand back to the sport in recent years, servicing a number of motorsport clients in SRO and IMSA.
Turning to this weekend’s SRO GT America round at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, an opportunity arose to compete in the highly sought after GT4 bronze category. Realizing they had a car available and at the most cherished venue in the world, Pro-Sport Competition team owner Doug Livingston, in partnership Archangel
Motorsports team owner Mike Johson, realized only one driver would fit the bill: Mike Johnson.
It is with that in mind that Pro-Sport Competition and Archangel Motorsports are proud to announce the driving return of Mike Johnson during this weekend’s SRO GT America round at Indianapolis, driving the team’s Aston Martin Vantage GT4.
“I’m thrilled to be back behind the wheel, and I have to thank everyone at Pro- Sport Competition and Archangel Motorsports for their careful consideration in still seeing my potential as a driver,” stated Johnson. “The opportunity to compete at Indianapolis was simply too tempting to ignore, and I appreciate everyone at the team as well as Aston Martin for providing the opportunity. My ambitions are high, but my aim is either a podium or nothing.”
A 40-minute race run in combination with this weekend’s 8 Hours of Indy, Mike Johnson and team will only accept a podium result. Knowing the importance of being seen in the exact same light as names like Helio Castroneves and Al Unser, Johnson knows he must give it everything he has he has for podium glory.
At current the class has three cars entered.
This weekend’s SRO GT America round at Indianapolis will take place this coming Friday, October 17 at 4:50PM ET. All races can be found live at youtube.com/@GTworld