Brandon Johnson is interviewed in victory lane at Oxford Plains Speedway. Johnson, a Street Stocks Division racer, started a new program this year through which he donates safety equipment to young drivers. Oriana Lovell photo

Growing up watching races at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, Brandon Johnson always wanted to get out of the stands and get into the driver’s seat.

And why wouldn’t he? There were two generations of racers in his family, and he wanted to make it three.

But for anyone who knows about local short-track racing, one of the biggest hurdles to making a dream a reality is money.

It was for Johnson.

Now 10 years after a racing career became a reality, the 28-year-old Limington native doesn’t want a monetary speedbump to stop the next generation’s prospective young drivers.

This offseason, Johnson, who races in Oxford Plains Speedway’s Street Stocks division, started his Gear Up For Safety Program, in which he’ll take a portion of his race winnings and use it to purchase and donate racing safety equipment for young drivers.

“My inspiration came from my own struggles of getting into racing growing up; the cost of safety equipment was the first barrier for me to get into racing,” Johnson said. “Instead of putting a sponsor on the trunk lid of the car, I decided this safety program would make more of an impact to the racing community, and at the same time keeping kids safe.”

Johnson shared his idea on Facebook in February, and immediately he had others from the racing community wanting to help. With the start of the season still a couple weeks away, Johnson has already made donations to multiple young drivers.

“I was very surprised at how well the community responded to the program. We have had enough donations to have four drawings for safety equipment, and we are about ready to do a fifth drawing,” he said. “My thought was if I could just help one young racer I will have succeeded.”

Brandon Johnson exits his car in victory lane at Oxford Plains Speedway. Johnson, a Street Stocks Division racer, started a new program this year through which he donates safety equipment to young drivers. Oriana Lovell photo

Johnson said the equipment he is donating is based on each driver’s specific needs.

“The driver that is selected in the drawing will let us know what piece of safety equipment they need (or is) outdated,” he said. “Some have fire suits that are outdated and need new ones. Neck restraints, helmets, seat belts. Some of the equipment can range anywhere from $150 to $500, for good safety equipment at decent prices.”

Racing has always had meaning for Johnson, who called the sport “a way of life for our family,” but this program has added to even that.

“It means a lot to give back to the future drivers of our sport, because when I was a kid I was in the stands telling my family I wanted to be out there on the track,” he said. “There was always obstacles. I now have a platform to be able to help the kid I was just wanting to be out there racing.

“Hearing from the parents how excited that their young racer is so excited to have a new piece of safety equipment, and seeing the smile on their face and keeping their safety equipment up to date, is what it’s all about.”

Johnson started racing in 2014 — when he turned 18 — at Beech Ridge. That track closed in 2021, but Johnson has made a new racing home at Oxford Plains.

Brandon Johnson waves the checkered flag after a win in his No. 55 car. Johnson, a Street Stocks Division racer, started a new program this year through which he donates safety equipment to young drivers. Oriana Lovell photo

He looks to be competitive again in the Street Stocks division this season, after finishing sixth in last year’s point standings while capturing two feature wins and two qualifying heat race victories.

The program, and its beneficiaries, will certainly be on his mind when he’s behind the wheel.

“The program has certainly given me more motivation to go out and be more competitive, to earn more winnings so I can be able to contribute more to the program,” Johnson said. “There will always be young drivers who need some assistance with safety equipment. Racing is an expensive sport.”

That boy in the stands at Beech Ridge two decades ago used to cheer for the “good, fast, clean drivers,” and Johnson said, “I told myself that’s what I want to be: I want to be remembered as the racer who was gonna be out there driving my heart out.

“Hearing from people that I’m their favorite driver reminds me what all the hard work in the shop is for — to go out there and win races and make a lasting, good impression.”

Johnson’s program is just getting started, but it’s already made an impression in the racing community that he always wanted to be a part of.