CLERMONT — Kurt Johnson is still getting used to life in front of the lens. He has no problem with a leadership roleor getting his hands dirty. It’s the interviews and photo opps that have him thrown for a loop, but he’ll have to work through it.

Johnson was recently named O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis’new director of operations. It’s a position he says he loves, but it requires a lot more social interaction then his last job.

”My phone battery used to last two days just fine,” he joked. “Now it’s good for half a day.”

In his former role, Johnson was responsible for managing the day-to-day marketing and operational functions at all National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) series events. He joined NHRA in 2008 and served as director of operations for Don Schumacher Racing.

”Coming from the tour, I kind of know the ins and outs of it,”he said.

His past experience included roles as a plant manager, logistics manager, and as owner of a business that involved contract marketing and sponsorship procurement for motorsports.

His phone continues to ring as he puts out small fires and answers last minutes questions for his first big event as director: The MAC Tools U. S. Nationals.

It’s the granddaddy of drag racing events, the Indy 500 of this sport, and Johnson is in charge.

”I’m a hands on person,”he said as he drove around in his truck, delivering items, inspecting the track, and taking calls. “If I’m not out in front, how can I expect anyone to follow me?”

Johnson is a Colorado native who now calls Brownsburg home. He attributes his work ethic and leadership ability to life lessons he’s learned on and off the track.

He grew up hanging out at the Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo., where he says he spent most of his week and got his start in racing. He was in his first drag race during high school, theday after he got his license.

”I got it on a Thursday and I raced on Friday,” he recalled.

It’s people like John Bandimere, for whom the Colorado Speedway is named, and Wes Collier, interim general managerat ORP, that Johnson admires.

”Wes has great ideas and the ability to have people follow him,”Johnson said. “We have a lot of the same values when it comes to most things.”

It was his four years in the U.S. Marine Corps that he credits with most profoundly shaping his life, saying he doesn’t know where he would be without it.

Where he is now, when he’s not relaxing with his black lab Roscoe, is at the park, creating ways to get the word out about racing and getting the community more involved at ORP. His goal is to start some partnerships with area schools and get more young people out to the track. Johnson said he believes that ifyouth get involved early, they’ll stay involved, steering them away from detrimental activity.

”If you find something they’re endeavored to, it keeps them out of trouble,”he said.

He said he also wants to educate children about drag racing and ensure that they understand that it’s not street racing.

”Movies like ‘The Fast and the Furious’ killed us,” Johnson said. “That’s not what it’s about. We don’t tolerate drugs, we don’t tolerate gangs or violence. That attracts a crowd that we don’t tolerate either.”

With such a nice facility and reasonable prices (adult tickets to the U.S. Nationals started at $14) Johnson said he wants to see bigger crowds and more Hendricks Countyresidents at the park.

”We’re going to treat people well here,” he said. “We offer great week-in and week-out programs. If we give the public a good race and good service, we can see 300 cars out. This is  drag racing. From Brownsburg to Mooresville, we should be the racing capital!”

For a schedule of events at ORP, visit the website at www.oreillyracewaypark.com.

courtney.essett@flyergroup.com