John started his racing career in Stock Rods on the short ovals and was a great success taking many heat and final wins and he took runners-up spot in the 1992 World Championships. He first raced in the Legends in a one off drive in 1997 at Knockhill where he drove the Terry Grant Team car and stunned everyone by taking third place from the back of the grid in his very first race. This was followed by another one off drive in 1999. He returned to Legends for the latter part of the 2000 season in the UK and then travelled to America at the end of the year to compete in the Semi-Pro World Finals in California . A successful trip saw John return home as runner-up in that category.

2001 saw John's first full campaign in Legends and only bad luck (and a couple of driver errors) prevented him taking the crown in that first year, he finished a strong 3rd .

The 2002 season was a different story as John dominated the series with the other drivers struggling to regularly compete with him and he wrapped up the series with one round remaining.

2003 saw John defend his title in style, only his team mate for 2004 Steve Hobday, putting up any real challenge. John again wrapped up the title with rounds to spare before going off to America to contest the World Championship. John added the World Championship to his UK title at Infineon Raceway in November 2003 helping the UK team to win the Transatlantic Team Challenge Cup, he also lifted the 2003 World Ponts Championship.

2004 saw JJ battling for the Days of Thunder rookie title - one he only narrowly lost out on after some typically gutsy drives. John was back in Legends in 2005 and took third place in the UK championship. A limited programme in 2006 was followed by a full on assault on the 2007 championship during which John had a titanic battle with Chris Greive to take second place.

John holds many records including most race wins in a season and is also the most successful driver in UK Legends with over 80 career wins. He is the only competitor ever to hold consecutive British championships and the World title.