NOVEMBER 2005 NEWS

The JBFC would like to wish you and your family a very Happy
Thanksgiving.  We have a lot to be thankful for as we reflect on
the 2005 season.  Especially the support of the Johnny Benson
fans.  Please be safe in your travels this weekend!

A Third Place Finish in Miami
After a 12 hour rain delay, the Craftsman Truck Series teams got up bright and early to compete in the last race of the 2005 season.  Johnny and the #23 Toyota team worked hard together to earn another top five finish.  Unofficial Point results places Johnny in 10th.   PR to follow. 

NASCAR Nation
Johnny will be part of the Nascar Nation show "On Location" in Miami that will be broadcasted on Saturday, November 19th on SPEED.  He took a boat trip through the Everglades and the Nascar Nation crew. 

Johnny Finishes 3rd in Phoenix
It was another top five finish for Johnny and the #23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles at the Phoenix International Speedway.  PR to follow. 

Congratulations
The JBFC would like to congratulate Annette McCullough of Ohio for winning one of the annual JBFC contests this week.  Annette correctly predicted that Johnny would score his first 3rd place finish in Texas on November 4th.  Look for your prize to arrive shortly!  (11-06-05)

Johnny Finishes 13th in Texas
The #23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Tundra set-up was right on the mark for Johnny to run most of the race in the top five.  Late race pit strategy did not play out for the #23 team and the best Johnny could do in making up positions was 13th.  Complete PR to follow.  (11-06-05)

Berlin Raceway introduces Hall of Fame
Mysliwiec Family Named Inaugural Inductees 
One of the longest continuously running short tracks in the country will now have a means to permanently immortalize its greatest drivers and contributors. Berlin Raceway officials announced the establishment of the Berlin Raceway Hall of Fame at its annual Driver Awards Banquet Friday night.

The Hall of Fame mission is to preserve the rich history and heritage of Berlin Raceway by recognizing and honoring outstanding individuals who have made significant accomplishments in and contributions to the sport of auto racing at Berlin Raceway.

Inaugural inductees to the Berlin Raceway Hall of Fame are track co-founders Chester and Rose Mysliwiec, Charles Mysliwiec and Richard Mysliwiec. Founder Chester "Chet" Mysliwiec was the track's promoter for 49 years until his passing in 1999. Working hand-in-hand with Chester was his wife Rose, who was actively involved in the operation of the track from day one and continued in the footsteps of her late husband as promoter of the track through its 50th anniversary. It was a true family affair for the Mysliwiecs, as brother Richard "Dick" Mysliwiec handled public relations and brother Charles "Chuck" Mysliwiec handled ticket sales and operations for the track from its inception.
Complete PR   (11-06-05)
 

Boyne Machine Driver Awards Banquet
Concludes Berlin Raceway's 2005 season
Berlin Raceway's annual Boyne Machine Driver Awards Banquet presented by Bailey Excavating and Sweet Manufacturing was held Friday night at the Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville, and a sold-out crowd of 625 drivers, crew members, families and car sponsors were in attendance to honor the 2005 award winners. Champions Tim DeVos, Brian Wiersma, Casey Berenbrock and Terry Bockheim were awarded championship trophies for their respective divisions, and several other awards were presented for driver accomplishments. More than 70 Berlin Raceway drivers attended the banquet.

DeVos, of Wyoming, MI, won four races and posted 10 top five finishes and five fastest qualifying times on his way to his second Coors Light Late Model championship in three years. Coopersville, MI, native Wiersma defended his 2004 Engine Pro Super Stock championship successfully, earning his fourth championship in the division with consistency on the track. Wiersma won just one race but finished in the top five 12 times and finished outside the top 10 just twice in 18 races.

Berenbrock, of Coopersville, MI, became the youngest-ever Berlin Raceway champion at 18 years of age and first teenage champion by winning five features and finishing in the top five in 18 of 22 races in the Standale Lumber Pro Stock division. And in the Standale Interiors Sportsman division, Bockheim, of Grand Rapids, MI, won seven races and finished in the top five in 16 of the 21 events on his way to winning his first championship in his 19-year racing career at Berlin.

Also of note was Sara Moerman, a 22-year-old second-year driver from Kent City, MI, who became the first woman ever to grace the Berlin Raceway awards podium by finishing ninth in the Standale Interiors Sportsman division. 
Complete PR     (11-06-05)
 

Johnny Qualifies 6th in Texas
A new truck for Johnny and the #23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles team made all the difference as they qualified 6th at a speed of 182.371 mph.  Johnny's teammates - Mike Skinner and Bill Lester will start on the front row for tomorrow night's race.  (11-03-05)