First Fridays at the Museum: Moonshine. NASCAR. Junior Johnson.

Moonshine. NASCAR. Junior Johnson.

The three were inseparable after Esquire magazine published “The Last American Hero Is Junior Johnson. Yes!” in 1965. Meet the legendary driver, watch a documentary short (not rated; run time: 19 min.) and a feature-length film, The Last American Hero (PG-L,S; run time: 95 min.), starring Jeff Bridges and filmed in North Carolina.

While supplies last, sample Midnight Moon, the ’shine that’s earned Junior’s approval, and a couple moonshine cocktails! Samples from Raleigh’s Clouds Brewing will also be available, and the Museum Shop will be open throughout the evening.

While at the museum, also take time to explore our three lobby-level exhibits—Los Jets, Made Especially for You, and The Story of North Carolina.

August 5 First Friday Lineup

• All evening – Check out the 1965 Esquire article, “The Last American Hero Is Junior Johnson. Yes!” that mesmerized readers, made Junior Johnson a household name, and inspired the 1973 film.
• 6:00 p.m. – Beyond the Wheel Short Film: The Last American Hero (2015): In this documentary short by NASCAR Race Hub, Junior Johnson and Tom Wolfe reunite fifty years after the iconic Esquire article.
• 6:45 p.m. – Meet Junior Johnson: After the short, Junior Johnson will answer questions from the audience. Be sure to sample his ‘shine.
• 7:30 p.m. – The Last American Hero (1973): Stay for the feature-length film starring Jeff Bridges as Junior Jackson, based on stock-car champion Junior Johnson.

Join us for an evening of Moonshine, NASCAR, and Junior Johnson at the North Carolina Museum of History.