Alumni
Winston Darrell Johnston, II
- Allen Miller
- Angela Bailey
- Armin Mehrtens
- Bender McKinney, Jr.
- Bill Luetkenhaus
- Bill Waeltz
- Brent Deady
- Chad Wunsch
- Chris Lugge
- Dan Shymanski
- Darrell Williams
- Darren M. White
- David Byington
- David Chasnoff
- David E. Kite
- Dean Alinder
- Dennis Daugherty
- Dennis Newman
- Don Huster
- Dr. Martin J. Sommer
- Earl Walker
- Edward Boenker
- Eric Nelson
- Frank Bokan
- Frank Finley
- Fred Mertz
- Geoff Dugopolski
- George Schofield
- Gerald Kohnen
- Glen Wildermuth
- Herbert Williams
- Ian Lackey
- James "Jim" Kyle
- James (Jim) Hesse
- James Payne
- Jason Prichard
- Jerry Halley
- Joe Davis
- John Kohnen
- Kent Markus
- Kevin Haller
- Kirk Skaggs
- Larry Kelso
- Lee Patrick Janey
- Lynn Glatt
- Matt Kuemmel
- Michael Aaron Davenport
- Michael Spratt
- Mike Hecht
- Patrick Earl Taylor
- Peter Lewis
- Richard Podorski
- Rick Rajnoha
- Robert (Bob) Finley
- Robert A. Gau
- Robert Dunavan
- Robert Fish
- Robert Kramer, Sr.
- Robert Ruth
- Robert Smith
- Rolf Mitchel
- Ronald Johnson
- Ronald Ray
- Ronald Walls
- Russ Milkoski
- Scott Krone
- Stephen Devine
- Steven Bohnenkamp
- Thomas Huelsing
- Tom Gieseking
- Tom Wood
- Walter Hellebusch
- Walter Koessel
- Walter Pumfrey
- Walter Wildermuth
- Wilbur Jackson
- William Fennewald
- William Orrill
- William Rueckert
- William Wagner
- Winston Darrell Johnston, II
Automotive Maintenance Technology, 1991
After completing and receiving his 2-year certificate from Ranken, he went to Ray’s Corvettes and Classic Cars of Bridgeton, MO where he continued his education in engine repair, body fabrication, and built two silver-state unlimited speed cars. As Ray’s apprentice, Darell quickly learned the trade as a race car mechanic and traveled across the country to show and race in SCCA series, all the while building, customizing and servicing Corvettes and classic cars.
When Ray William’s business closed, Darell moved on to work in privately owned shops and auto dealerships, creating a new learning curve and challenge.
Darell met his wife Shiela at church in 1994 and they were married on New Year’s Day, 1995. In 1997, Darell was recruited by Carl Webster, Winston West Series NASCAR driver and team owner. Darell was named Crew Chief and Chief Fabricator and served voluntarily in this capacity for the 1996-1997 racing season. Since then he has served as a Chrysler certified technician and later as a Shop Foreman of a Chrysler Jeep 5-Star Dealership.
Most recently, Darell had the exciting position as Car Chief for Phillip McGilton’s ARCA Series NASCAR team (S.I. Performance Motorsports of Marion, IL) and this year was General Manager for NEXTEL CUP series NASCAR’s Victory Motorsports Racing, LLC for 2006-2007.
Racing is in Darell’s blood — his dad and mom both street-raced as teenagers in the 1960s. Darell remembers being a toddler in his dad’s body shop “learning” all about cars from his dad. Among Darell’s favorite hobbies are woodworking, hunting and fishing, but his most unique enterprise has been his work as an Elvis Presley tribute artist. In 2003, Darell was the main entertainment for the Toys for Tots Christmas Event in Hudson Falls, NY and gave a commanding performance for 200 guests. Darell has used his vocal talents to contribute to many car shows since then and has organized exciting events for crowds numbering over 500.
After a long career, he has retired from racing and now owns his own shop in his childhood home of Bourbon, MO. He and his wife have five beautiful children ages 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. They are active in their new and growing small town community. “Darell’s Auto Service and Customs” will have a grand opening in the fall of 2007.
