Brandon "BJ" Johnson (Born January 8th, 1976) is a retired monster truck driver out of Merced, California. BJ has driven numerous monster trucks for numerous teams since he began in 1998. Johnson also raced with dirt bikes, boats, and other types of motor sports. He currently resides in Apollo Beach, Florida. He is perhaps best known for always sporting a mohawk.
Career[]
Johnson began his career in 1998, when he met Kreg Christensen. He would crew and drive the hauler before he got to drive one of the trucks. He made his competition debut driving Misbehavin', which he was filling in for a sick Julie Christensen. He then began driving Dragon Slayer and Kaptain Insano until 2000.
In 2001, BJ joined Paul Shafer Motorsports and began driving several trucks, including a short-lived retro themed Bear Foot. Johnson's time with PSM is best-remembered for him driving the black and yellow Bear Foot from 2001-2002, touring alongside Larry Swim in Monster Patrol/The Scorpion King.
In 2002, he drove The Mummy Returns at a Monster Jam event in the Houston Astrodome, winning the freestyle competition. Johnson would leave Paul Shafer Motorsports by 2004.
In 2008, BJ would begin to drive Scott Anderson's newest truck, Shattered. Also that year, he drove Arachnophobia in Tacoma, making him perhaps the only driver to fill-in for a fill-in driver. BJ was already driving Shattered that weekend.
In 2009, BJ began working with Bill Payne. He began driving the California Kid for Payne from 2009 to 2011.
In 2012, he would crew for Monster Mutt Dalmatian driver Candice Jolly on the Monster Jam circuit. BJ would then get his own ride once again, getting the second Mohawk Warrior for 2014. BJ would get invited to the Young Guns Shootout in 2014 and 2015. Johnson would get his biggest win in 2014, when he won the racing event in Adelaide, Australia filling in for an injured Madusa.
In 2015, he would drive Grave Digger in Fresno.
In 2016, he began driving the new Gas Monkey Garage truck. He made his World Finals debut at Monster Jam World Finals 17 with this truck.
In late 2018, he drove Zombie in Argentina.
In 2019, he drove in the Monster Jam International Tour.
On March 19, 2020, Johnson announced his retirement from driving, although in 2021, he made his return driving Wild Card as the teammate to Eric Swanson's Obsessed in Glendale.[1]
World Finals appearances[]
- 2014 - Mohawk Warrior (YGS)
- 2015 - Mohawk Warrior (YGS)
- 2016 - Gas Monkey Garage
- 2017 - Gas Monkey Garage
- 2018 - Gas Monkey Garage
Trivia[]
- BJ's wife, Lindsey Hilgendorf, also served as his crew chief for Gas Monkey Garage.
- Johnson is also a tattoo artist.
- BJ has driven at least 12 different trucks.
Gallery[]
