Rest in Peace Mel Johnson

Charles Nungester · 6/14/09, 12:19 AM

I didn't see it posted here but it was announced at the track today very emotionally that Mel Left us for a better place this afternoon. A very fitting tribute and words were spoken. A victory lap for a Man who loved LBurg Speedway, Its racers and fans, More than we will ever know.

Condolences to the Family and close friends. And rememberance from us Just friends. He had many!

Chuck

Eatin Dirt · 6/14/09, 12:56 AM

I worked for Mel at the track in the late 80's, played basketball against his son Tim in high school and most recently coached his granddaughter when she helped us win a Sectional in 2002 in basketball. What a GREAT man Mel Johnson was, I always looked forward to the next time I would see Mel and talk to him, Patty his wife or Teri his daughter. He was always willing to talk to me about racing or my basketball team or whatever the topic of the day was. I will truely miss Mel and it will NEVER be the same going to The Burg again. RIP in Peace Mel, and Patty, Teri, and Tim you guys are in my thoughts and prayers and if you need anything you know how to get ahold of me.

Bob Bressert

6/14/09, 5:36 AM

A fine man - one of my memories of Mel was working for him - might of been the Hoosier Fall Classic or a USAC show - but after long after the race Brad Dickison and I found him mopping out the bathroom - He was great to works for

IndyBound · 6/14/09, 8:37 AM

My thoughts and prayers are with Mel's family and friends. R. I. P. Mel! Although I have never had a chance to meet Mel from everything I have read about him I know the racing community has lost a true gentleman.

God Speed Mel,

Patti

Lawrenceburger · 6/14/09, 10:36 AM

Thaoughts and prayers to the Johnson family. There won't be much dust in heaven now!

kawkaw2 · 6/14/09, 11:35 AM

Mel was the "HEART" of Lawrenceburg Speedway. He loved it and we are all better for it. RIP

ShaneMugavin57 · 6/14/09, 11:18 PM

Mel was an awesome promoter and human being. I have seen some promoters treat everyone the same and thought that was great but Mel actually kept an eye out for the little guys and went the extra mile to take care of them. He started paying the modifieds 100.00 to start when the norm was 50. He also would have a big sprint shows and at the end of the night you would get two envelopes one with your normal finishing pay and the other had whatever you paid extra to get in. Mel took over the track after I won the championship and heard I was given a free season pass to another track by the old promoter. Mel called me up to let me know that I had a pass to his track. I asked him if I needed a pass or a note or something and he said "no just tell them I said you get in free" I never had a problem. There was one thing that Mel loved more than racing that I saw and that was family so our thoughts and prayers are with them now. The Mugavin Family

Dave Rudisell · 6/15/09, 1:04 AM

I have lost my dearest friend this week!! I met Mel 5 years ago. When i was working on getting the lease for Lawrenceburg Speedway, everyone i talked to about the track mentioned a guy by the name of Mel Johnson. They all told me i needed to get him and his son Tim, to help with the track. So i looked up the phone number for Mel and low and behold he lived just down the road from my home. So i gave him a call, and met with him and told him my plans, and he was on board. From that point on we became very close friends. We traveled the country researching dirt tracks, going to conventions and trade shows and learning all we could to prepare for the 2007 season as promoters of Lawrenceburg Speedway. I quickly fell in love with the entire Johnson family, and they became my second family. Mel has taught me sooooo much about everything there is to know about anything. I could write a book about him and my 5 years of learning from him. His entire family has been involved with the speedway since i took over the lease in 2007. In that time we have grown very close and i am honored to have met such a wonderful family.
I have spent more time the last five years with Mel than anyone else. And i will cherish my time with him forever.
Mel's legacy will carry on for many many many more years, in what he has taught me and the thousands of others he has touched.
This is just a brief message of a my feelings at this point, i will add more memories as we move forward.
I ask anyone of you that has been touched by Mel to tell your story here. I know there are thousands of people who have met Mel over the years and have stories....I know this because everywhere Mel and i traved people knew him.
Please let me here your stories and memories of Mel.
Sincerely, Dave Rudisell

riskybrisky5 · 6/15/09, 11:25 AM

R.I.P. Mel you will be sorely missed. Mel was alway's concerned about his racers. One of the best promoters I have ever competed for. But most of all Mel was a great friend.

Dave Argabright · 6/15/09, 11:53 AM

Mel's passing is very sad news for Indiana racing. He was as dedicated as you'll find, and a pleasure to work with. I have very good memories of coming to the Burg under his tenure.

Rest in peace, old friend.

6/14/09, 12:19 AM	#1 Rest in Peace Mel Johnson
Charles Nungester Senior Member Race Count This Year: 6 Race Count Last Year: 14 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 22,027	I didn't see it posted here but it was announced at the track today very emotionally that Mel Left us for a better place this afternoon. A very fitting tribute and words were spoken. A victory lap for a Man who loved LBurg Speedway, Its racers and fans, More than we will ever know. Condolences to the Family and close friends. And rememberance from us Just friends. He had many! Chuck __________________ Charles Nungester

6/14/09, 11:35 AM	#6 Re: Rest in Peace Mel Johnson
kawkaw2 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 299	Mel was the "HEART" of Lawrenceburg Speedway. He loved it and we are all better for it. RIP __________________ Keith Wheeler "He who dies with the most toys wins"

6/14/09, 12:56 AM	#2 Re: Rest in Peace Mel Johnson
Eatin Dirt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,919	I worked for Mel at the track in the late 80's, played basketball against his son Tim in high school and most recently coached his granddaughter when she helped us win a Sectional in 2002 in basketball. What a GREAT man Mel Johnson was, I always looked forward to the next time I would see Mel and talk to him, Patty his wife or Teri his daughter. He was always willing to talk to me about racing or my basketball team or whatever the topic of the day was. I will truely miss Mel and it will NEVER be the same going to The Burg again. RIP in Peace Mel, and Patty, Teri, and Tim you guys are in my thoughts and prayers and if you need anything you know how to get ahold of me. Bob Bressert

6/14/09, 5:36 AM	#3 Re: Rest in Peace Mel Johnson
psullivan Posts: n/a	A fine man - one of my memories of Mel was working for him - might of been the Hoosier Fall Classic or a USAC show - but after long after the race Brad Dickison and I found him mopping out the bathroom - He was great to works for

6/14/09, 8:37 AM	#4 Re: Rest in Peace Mel Johnson
IndyBound Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,626	My thoughts and prayers are with Mel's family and friends. R. I. P. Mel! Although I have never had a chance to meet Mel from everything I have read about him I know the racing community has lost a true gentleman. God Speed Mel, Patti

6/14/09, 10:36 AM	#5 Re: Rest in Peace Mel Johnson
Lawrenceburger Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 29	Thaoughts and prayers to the Johnson family. There won't be much dust in heaven now!

6/14/09, 11:18 PM	#7 Re: Rest in Peace Mel Johnson
ShaneMugavin57 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 251	Mel was an awesome promoter and human being. I have seen some promoters treat everyone the same and thought that was great but Mel actually kept an eye out for the little guys and went the extra mile to take care of them. He started paying the modifieds 100.00 to start when the norm was 50. He also would have a big sprint shows and at the end of the night you would get two envelopes one with your normal finishing pay and the other had whatever you paid extra to get in. Mel took over the track after I won the championship and heard I was given a free season pass to another track by the old promoter. Mel called me up to let me know that I had a pass to his track. I asked him if I needed a pass or a note or something and he said "no just tell them I said you get in free" I never had a problem. There was one thing that Mel loved more than racing that I saw and that was family so our thoughts and prayers are with them now. The Mugavin Family

6/15/09, 1:04 AM	#8 Re: Rest in Peace Mel Johnson
Dave Rudisell Inactive Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,372	I have lost my dearest friend this week!! I met Mel 5 years ago. When i was working on getting the lease for Lawrenceburg Speedway, everyone i talked to about the track mentioned a guy by the name of Mel Johnson. They all told me i needed to get him and his son Tim, to help with the track. So i looked up the phone number for Mel and low and behold he lived just down the road from my home. So i gave him a call, and met with him and told him my plans, and he was on board. From that point on we became very close friends. We traveled the country researching dirt tracks, going to conventions and trade shows and learning all we could to prepare for the 2007 season as promoters of Lawrenceburg Speedway. I quickly fell in love with the entire Johnson family, and they became my second family. Mel has taught me sooooo much about everything there is to know about anything. I could write a book about him and my 5 years of learning from him. His entire family has been involved with the speedway since i took over the lease in 2007. In that time we have grown very close and i am honored to have met such a wonderful family. I have spent more time the last five years with Mel than anyone else. And i will cherish my time with him forever. Mel's legacy will carry on for many many many more years, in what he has taught me and the thousands of others he has touched. This is just a brief message of a my feelings at this point, i will add more memories as we move forward. I ask anyone of you that has been touched by Mel to tell your story here. I know there are thousands of people who have met Mel over the years and have stories....I know this because everywhere Mel and i traved people knew him. Please let me here your stories and memories of Mel. Sincerely, Dave Rudisell

6/15/09, 11:25 AM	#9 Re: Rest in Peace Mel Johnson
riskybrisky5 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 284	R.I.P. Mel you will be sorely missed. Mel was alway's concerned about his racers. One of the best promoters I have ever competed for. But most of all Mel was a great friend.

6/15/09, 11:53 AM	#10 Re: Rest in Peace Mel Johnson
Dave Argabright Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 118	Mel's passing is very sad news for Indiana racing. He was as dedicated as you'll find, and a pleasure to work with. I have very good memories of coming to the Burg under his tenure. Rest in peace, old friend.