Evergreen Speedway operation company
sold to local driver, entrepreneur

by POLLY KEARY, EDITOR

As race car drivers go, Lex Johnson, 33, came to it somewhat late. He didn't start racing until he was 21 and an older brother got him involved.

But once he started, he moved fast.

Only four years later, he opened Concept Racing, a racing supply store. And two weeks ago, he bought the International Productions, Inc., the company that manages Evergreen Speedway, from Mickey Beadle, whose family has owned it for 30 years.

"The opportunity came up and I couldn't see not doing it," said Johnson.He has had a life-long interest in business, since he was a little boy planning to open a store at the end of his street to sell video games, he said.

With the racing season due to begin March 29, he doesn't plan to make any major changes, he said. "Mickey put together a pretty good group of people and everyone is staying," he said. Mostly, he said, he wants to improve relations between race car drivers and the office, and keep entertainment family-friendly and accessible. "I'm bringing a competitor's standpoint to the office, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to listen to competitors," he said.

The father of three young children whose wife Danny manages Concept Racing, Johnson describes himself as "big on family" and plans to increase family friendly activities. "When people want to bring family out, bring their four- and five-year-olds out, and their 13- or 14-year-olds, you have to keep them entertained as well as serious race fans," he said. "It has to work for everyone."

Managing the race track company, which he plans to rename, is a big job, involving marketing and promotion, managing a staff of about 10 and dozens more on weekends, setting schedules, coordinating with NASCAR and attracting sponsors.

Given that the Johnson family is also slated to open a Rhino Linings business soon, the family is very busy, said Danny. "It's the fullest plate I've ever heard of," she said with a laugh. "But I'm extremely excited."

Because the race track itself is publicly owned, the county will have to sign off on the sale, but no problems are expected. Financial details of the sale are not yet available.


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