There is a saying in racing that, “Nice-guys finish last.” But that is not the case for Wilmot Raceway’s 2019 track champion, Ryan Johnson, of Salem. “He’d give you the last dollar out of his wallet if you needed it,” said crew chief and car owner, Brad Becker, of Lake Geneva.
Johnson, a 2012 Central grad, demonstrated a calm and strategic approach in his rookie season of dirt track racing. “He always kept his cool. He went out there and hit his marks every night,” said Becker. “He always wanted to learn more and improve. He would ask after the heat races, ‘What did I do wrong?’He took critisism very well.”
Johnson’s advice to anyone considering trying out dirt track racing, “Go for it. Everybody down there that I’ve met will do their best to help you out. Ask a lot of questions, and listen to everything the guys tell you. Also, don’t be afraid to bump and bang a bit, just don’t wreck anybody. But rubbin’ is racin’ and it’s so much fun.“
So, the nice-guy from Salem wins the 2019 Bandit Championship, out there just trying to learn, and be in consideration for rookie-of-the-year.