Cave Johnson Jr.

Stock Car Racer

March 8, 1932

Cave Johnson Jr., a pioneering figure in Clarksville's rich racing history, was the eldest son of Cave Johnson Sr., a prominent member of the black-owned business community in mid-century Clarksville. Born into a family deeply rooted in the automotive world, Cave Jr. grew up around cars at his father's Sixth Street Automotive Repair, a well-known establishment on the corner of 6th and Franklin Streets. 

Cave Sr., not only repaired cars but also built and owned four of them, with Cave Jr. taking on the role of driver. In the 1950s, Cave Jr. made history by becoming the first black driver to place in the popular New Providence Race, earning a $50 cash prize. This achievement, captured in a photograph from the same day, highlights the early popularity of racing in Clarksville, even before the establishment of the Clarksville Speedway on Needmore Road in the 1960s. Cave Johnson Jr.'s legacy is a testament to the enduring spirit and passion for racing in Montgomery County.