Meet My Team

Alan Edsall, of Edsall Racing Development, is a decorated champion racer himself and, at only 22 years old, he runs a successful racing business.  This entrepreneur trains U.S. Legend Drivers and runs a highly sought-after U.S. Legends business while working full-time for his parents, the owners of Last Chance Wrecker Service.  In his spare time, he started a U.S. Legend Series a few years ago.  Alan's work ethic is insane.  He does all of this plus he Crew Chief's for Sam while still racing himself from time to time.  His understanding of race cars and his mechanical expertise make him an amazing Crew Chief.  Having such a talented Crew Chief running the show for Sam, allows Sam to shine.

Alan and Sam met when Alan was 15 years old and Sam was 12 years old.  Their history and respect for one another is unmatched.  They truly make an unstoppable race team.

Braedyn Matthews is new to our team in 2025 and has made a big impact.  He brings his passion for racing, his youthful energy, and his outstanding mechanical skills to the racetrack to run our pit stops.  Braedyn is an experienced mechanical technician and helps Alan work on Sam's car.  We call Braedyn our muscle in our race crew.  

Aaron Arnold is brand new to our team at the end of the 2025 race season.  Aaron works at an Indiana Car Manufacturer as an engine builder and is a tremendous asset to our team.  He helps Alan in the race shop as well as filling many roles at the racetrack.  Aaron also has aspirations to work on a higher level of NASCAR team.  He has embraced our team in order to gain experience and prepare for his future.  

Bill Johnson, Sam's Dad, is a senior mechanical engineer and has been working on race cars since Sam's sister started racing in 2011.  With a bachelor's degree from Purdue University but no background racing, Bill has navigated the race world to learn and understand how to run a successful race team.  Bill utilizes his engineering consulting company to support Sam while teaching Sam the ropes in the engineering world too.  Bill manages the budget for the team, orders all the parts, fixes anything that needs fixed and manages all the tires on race day, as the tire guy.  Handling and mounting 8-10 race tires on rims on race day is a full-time job itself.  Sam's racing success is truly built from his dad's professional success to finance this expensive sport so far.  Bill enjoys helping run Sam's pit stops while beaming with pride watching Sam race.  

Natalie Johnson, Sam's older sister, started our family racing first (at age 6).  She raced against Sam in the Rookie Divisions of Quarter Midgets when they were very young.  Natalie, at that time, claimed she taught Sam everything he knew back then on racing.  Once she stopped racing, around the age of 14, Natalie rarely misses Sam race and supports our crew by coordinating the radio system on race day.  She also provides our team photography with her creative eye.  Natalie is invaluable to our team and truly is the reason our family started racing in the first place.  Race families stick together.   

Donita Johnson, Sam's mom is the team's CEO and behind the scenes driving force.  When Sam is at school or at his internship and Sam's dad is at work, Donita manages the team.  With a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and criminology, Donita hung up her career using handcuffs to stay at home to raise her children.  Donita did everything but stay at home though.  She has volunteered in her community and at her kid's school system.  Once she and both children became chronically ill, Donita took the lead on researching medical options to get all 3 family members from being debilitated to functioning again.  During this time, Donita became a Central Indiana Lyme Disease Advocate working to pass legislation for patients.  In her spare time, Donita helps Sam race by running logistics for the team, coordinating all the marketing and public relations, and even applying logos to Sam's race car.  She helps do what needs done while also beaming with pride watching Sam race.

Sam is supported by the best in the Asphalt Late Model business.  VanDoorn Racing Development has the most winningest cars racing in CRA (Champion Racing Association).  Owners, Butch and Johnny VanDoorn, provide all the guidance for car set up, recommended parts and they also further develop Sam to get him prepared for the next racetrack.  They make precision race cars and support many of the best racers of today.  Sam is blessed to have them in his corner.