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Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Cchampion Jimmie Johnson will realize a dream of a lifetime this summer, and one winning bidder and a guest can be part of it all in the latest Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) charity fund-raising auction on Bring a Trailer.
This no-reserve charity auction offers the winner and guest a two-day VIP experience at the 2025 Seattle Seafair unlimited hydroplane races, including attendance at an exclusive penthouse reception at the Seattle Four Seasons with Johnson (MSHFA Class of 2024), his friend and “coach” 11-time APBA Gold Cup champion Chip Hanauer (MSHFA Class of 1995) and other motorsports legends and leaders. The next day features Johnson driving the Bill Muncey (MSHFA Class of 1989) Atlas Van Lines “Blue Blaster” hydroplane at speed on Lake Washington, and the winner and guest will have “behind the ropes” access for this truly once in a lifetime opportunity.
Johnson’s chance to drive the legendary Blue Blaster fulfills a childhood dream and completes a 46-year journey that began in San Diego in September 1979, while celebrating his fourth birthday at the Unlimited hydroplane races on Mission Bay. His favorite boat, the two-time national champion and three-time Gold Cup-winning Blue Blaster, owned by the legendary hometown driver Muncey, broke down mid-race near the Fiesta Island beach.
Johnson’s father, Gary Johnson, carried Jimmie and waded into the water with a crowd of other fans to greet Muncey and his boat. Gary placed Jimmie on the rear deck of the hydroplane and, amazingly, a picture undiscovered for decades emerged in recent years clearly showing a small boy in a yellow hat on the back of the boat. A few quick phone calls confirmed it was indeed young Jimmie.
As part of Johnson’s 2024 MSHFA induction, the Muncey family – led by Bill’s widow and fellow Hall of Famer Fran Muncey (MSFHA Class of 2021) – and Hanauer told the story of the little boy in the photo and extended a formal invitation on behalf of the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum and the MSHFA for Jimmie to drive the Blue Blaster in a tribute to one of his heroes.
Muncey notched 24 race victories over four years in the Blue Blaster, including three Gold Cups and two national championships. Following his death in 1981, the boat was cosmetically restored, presented to the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in Washington D.C., and later transferred to the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in Kent, Washington, where it received a full restoration.
The Blue Blaster hydroplane features a cab-over design and is powered by a supercharged 1,650ci Rolls-Royce Merlin V-12 engine, which was originally built for WWII-era Spitfire fighter planes and produces an estimated 2,500 horsepower. The Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum team recently completed an engine installation and test-firing in preparation for the event.
The winning bidder and a guest will receive two of only 40 VIP invitations to an exclusive private reception being held at a penthouse suite atop the Four Seasons in Seattle on the evening of Thursday, July 31. The winning bidder and guest will then join the other attending VIPS along the shores of Lake Washington to watch Jimmie realize a lifelong dream of piloting the Blue Blaster at speed on Friday, August 1. The memorable day also includes the opportunity for the auction winners to watch Jimmie participate in orientation runs before driving the Blue Blaster.
Upon completion of the auction, the winning bidder will directly pay the Motorsports Museum & Hall of Fame of America Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Complete auction details and “need-to-know” information can be found in the auction listing on Bring a Trailer.
The MSHFA is housed in Daytona International Speedway’s Ticket & Tours Building located in front of the famed 2.5-mile DIS tri-oval. Access to the MSFHA museum is included with every Daytona International Speedway tour, which run throughout each day, or as a museum-only ticket. The museum is open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. nearly year-round except major holidays. It is visited by more than 150,000 guests each year from every state in America and countries all over the world. For museum tickets call 1-800-PIT-SHOP.
Click here for more information and to register on BaT and bid directly on the Jimmie Johnson “Return to the Blue Blaster” auction.
