FINDING THE NEXT DRIVER OF THE FAMOUS "BLUE BLASTER"

JACKSON has a deep and surprisingly wide understanding of Motorsports that help us to recognize and facilitate special opportunities for our clients. This is one of our favorite stories. Powerboat racing legend Bill Muncey's fabled Atlas Van Lines "Blue Blaster" unlimited hydroplane was acquired from the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in Washington D.C., by the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in Seattle. There the boat underwent an extensive restoration and eventual re-christening. A few years later, Muncey's successor, driver Chip Hanauer, reached out to a top NASCAR team to see if one of its drivers would be interested in driving the boat. One particular driver showed enthusiasm: seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson.

When Jimmie Johnson arrived at the MSHFA museum, he was stunned to find Hanauer and the Muncey family there to greet him. They recounted his story, and on behalf of the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum, presented a formal invitation, created by JACKSON, for him to drive the Blue Blaster. Plans were developed by the Hydroplane Museum for Johnson to drive the Blue Blaster in Seattle later that summer.