Johnboy Gowetski

[Stainless1]

This is a tough one to write, Bockscar driver, crew member. chief cook and bottle washer and general PITA Johnboy Gowetski has moved on to racing with Don Vesco, Ben Jordan, Nolan White, Barc Goodson and George Poteet...
John Entered the 200 MPH Club at SpeedWeek in 1995 driving the 1 liter NA Bockscar Lakester in fuel class at 221.183.  That record still stands.  His other standing record is in the 3/4 liter NA fuel class at 204.324 in 1997 piloting the Bockscar as well. 
Johnboy and I started our Bonneville adventure in 1972 when we stumbled on to Ben Jordan's car lot looking for something for John to drive.  John made it to his first Bonneville in 1973 and only missed a few since that time... He missed one when he was deployed and was late to one when he flew back from a deployment in Spain and arrived mid SpeedWeek.  He missed 2021 by getting bypass surgery the day before we planned to head to SpeedWeek.... yep that was not a planned event.  We spent a lot of our misspent youth living the dream and racing at Bonneville.
God Speed Johnboy... keep an eye on us 

[floydjer]

Never easy losing a friend. Deepest sympathies Bob. Jerry

[PorkPie]

Stainless,

this was one tough news you sent me last night....

Losing "the brother from a other mother", as we call us, happens far too early.....I wished JohnBoy so many more years, that he could enjoy the salt which he loves so....
and now....it is all over....

Thanks, Brother, for all you done for me....I will miss you....but I will never forget you....God Speed


photo....01 October 2024....World Finals....short after the record.....one happy man 

[71GSSDemon]

Sorry to hear Stainless.  Loss is always hard.  In our thoughts here

[desotoman]

Stainless, Pork Pie, and the rest of the Bockscar crew, my condolences to all. Johnboy and Freud will be having their long late night conversations once again as they used to enjoy at the Motel 6 in Wendover. Godspeed Johnboy.

Tom G.

[USFRAMONTE]

Stainless,
Deepest condolences, I know what it is like to lose a close friend. The two of you have left quite a legacy on the salt and in life. We get but very few "brothers" in this life. What a friendship, and a lasting trove of memories.
Peace be with you and his family.

Monte.

[little puke]

It?s taken me a couple days to gather my thoughts? this passing hits closer to home than normal.

While not necessarily the most upstanding role model I?ve ever had, I must credit Johnboy for always making myself along with scads of others feel welcome to the salt. He was an all-smiles type of guy with a lot of humor backing him and plenty of knowledge to make him a respectable mentor in regard to racing as well as salt related history. Most all of us who attend SCTA and USFRA events are familiar with the god awful Coach he drove to the salt each year. For myself and many others, that motorhome was a welcome sight, typically meaning there was a chance of food or coffee, a crew of fun people, and a guaranteed laugh to be had. Johnboy was always good for a story, didn?t take himself too seriously, and made sure to assist with being a poor influence on me throughout my young impressionable years. I?m going to miss those questionable (yet tasty) breakfast burritos and the guy that used 3 sticks of butter to scramble a dozen eggs.

Godspeed Johnboy. I?m quite fortunate to have known you.

[sabat]

I'm sorry for your loss, RIP John Gowetski.

[PorkPie]

and the guy that used 3 sticks of butter to scramble a dozen eggs.

Joel,

you have to seen Him, back home in Denver.....

and he done the best spare rips I ever eat

[Stainless1]

and the guy that used 3 sticks of butter to scramble a dozen eggs.

Joel,

you have to seen Him, back home in Denver.....

and he done the best spare rips I ever eat

OK guys, I'm in Denver working on getting Johnboys affairs in order... so I opened the fridge and pulled out the drawer.... yea I guess he has a little butter... oh the milk is not mine, but the milk stout is...
We'll all miss him 

[Tman]

Hate to hear this. RIP

[tauruck]

RIP John.

God Bless you.

So sorry to hear this. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻✝✝✝

[Stainless1]

I've been going through some of Johnboy's stuff... I will have a lot of new and lightly worn Bonneville t-shirts to sell to benefit his daughter, grands and great grands.... more to come on that.
I found this 1998 article from the Rocky Mountain News... page one and the second in the next post

[Stainless1]

and page 2

[dw230]

Not visiting the site as often as I use to I missed the opportunity to offer condolences. May years ago when John was in L.A. Joanie and I joined him for dinner. As always very entertaining and beer loaded.

Jonie and I wish you and the team our best wishes, God Speed Johnboy

DW & Joanie