It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Ray “Hollywood” Johnson – in fact, nearly eight months. And in that span of time, a lot has happened for the Connecticut-based racer. Shortly after we posted our last article on his Outlaw 10.5 build, Johnson learned that his mother had been diagnosed with  cancer, opted to pull the plug on the build and put the car up for sale.

“When I made the decision to pull back and put the car up for sale, it was one of those things that if it’s meant to be, it will be. My mom is now in remission after a tough six months of chemo, which makes you realize every day is a gift. I could have traded the car for everything but a helicopter, and thankfully it didn’t sell. Rich Yale and Jamie Miller continued working on it so if and when the time ever came it would be ready – they are true friends for sure. There’s still more to be done, but the list is much smaller – I’m going to call these next few months the ‘Final Days’ build,” he explains.

This championship-winning car was purchased from Conrad Scarry and Kenny Seeger, and when Johnson picked the car up, it was completely disassembled for a double-framerail upgrade and engine upgrade. The engine has been enlarged to 632 cubic inches by the wizards at Pro Line Racing, and will wear a set of Precision Turbo 94mm snails for extra motivation. Miller has the car in the shop currently to do the finish work, and then it’s headed to fellow Outlaw 10.5 racer Steven Crisafulli’s shop to be wired before Johnson gets it out on the track.

He has his sights set on performing well in the northeast corner of the country, where the Outlaw 10.5 scene is very much alive and well with monthly programs at Cecil County Dragway, Maryland International Raceway and Atco Raceway.

As you can see from the photos compared to the last time we wrote about Ray’s build, there is not nearly as much work that needs to be done to get the car finished up. Hollywood’s hoping to be making some laps come early summer in this beautiful piece of machinery.