John Deere 200
March 17, 2005
Atlanta Motor Speedway

Atlanta Photos:  By Phil Cavali

Atlanta Post Race Interview
The reporters from Truckseries.com are very busy after the completion of the truck race.  Check out Johnny's interview after his third place finish in Atlanta.  Look on the right side of the page under Friday Sounds and click on Mark Martin / Johnny Benson for JB`s post race interview.  Click here

BDR Race Report - Atlanta
Coming off their first top-10 finish of the season two weeks ago in California, Johnny Benson and the No. 23 Bill Davis Racing team hoped for even better results this weekend in Atlanta during the John Deere 200.  

Benson, whose truck was adorned with the Exide batteries logo for the weekend, was the 17th of 39 competitors to take to the track for qualifying Friday afternoon, and a lap of 179.755 mph earned him the 17th starting spot for that evening’s race.  When the green flag waved for the start of the event, Benson wasted no time making his way to the front of the field.  By lap seven of the 130-lap event, Benson had already driven into the top 10. 

Benson communicated to crew chief Rick Ren that his truck handled a touch loose heading into the corners and a bit tight in the middle.  Ren made plans to make air pressure and track bar adjustments to the truck during the first pit stop. Benson was running sixth when the first caution flag of the day waved, giving the team the opportunity to call Benson to the pits for four tires, fuel and the needed changes to the truck.  The pit crew put together a lightning-fast stop and gained one spot in the pits, placing Benson in fifth when the green flag came out once again for the restart on lap 36. 

With his sights set on the lead truck, Benson held the fourth spot when another yellow flag waved.  The veteran driver let his crew know that no adjustments were needed to his machine.  Benson had one of the fastest trucks on older tires, but the team bolted on four fresh Goodyears and filled the tank with fuel when Benson drove in for service on lap 62. Benson restarted third after another fast pit stop. 

Benson and David Reutimann waged a spirited battle for second after the restart.  Benson found his truck handling a bit loose again, and the team planned additional air pressure adjustments to help him in the closing laps.  Benson was running in third when a spin in front of him resulted a caution with four laps remaining, resulting in another green-white-checkered finish, the third such finish as many NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races this season.  Benson eventually crossed the finish line in third, scoring his best finish of the season. 

Their first top-five finish of the season helped Benson and his team advance four spots in the points standings.  They now stand in fifth place, only 127 markers behind leader Mark Martin. 

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series next heads to Martinsville (Va.) Speedway for the Kroger 200 on April 1.

NOTES:

• This week’s race truck for Atlanta Motor Speedway is Chassis No. 23-70.  The No. 23 Bill Davis Racing team raced 23-70 at the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.  Benson brought the truck across the finish line in the third position.
• Welcome aboard…  Bill Davis Racing is pleased to announce that EXIDE, the leader in consumer batteries, has come on board as a sponsor of the No. 23 Toyota Tundra.  EXIDE’s logos will adorn the hood and sides of the No. 23 Toyota Tundra this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
• Nice Stat…  Benson has two top-15 starts at Atlanta Motor Speedway.  Last fall, Benson was battling for the win and came across the finish line in the grass to finish in the third position.
• Listen and watch … The John Deere 200 is scheduled to start at 9:15 p.m. EST Friday, March 17.  It will broadcast live on Speed (TV), MRN (radio) and XM radio (144).

Johnny Benson on racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway:
“I am looking forward to going to Atlanta.  We have had some success there in the NASCAR Cup car, and I have won a race there in the NASCAR Busch Series.  [Crew chief] Rick Ren and the boys have been giving me great equipment and are bringing a great truck to Atlanta.

“I love night racing.  It really is exciting for the competitors, as well as the fans.  I remember a couple of years ago we ran the NASCAR Cup race there at night because of a rain delay, and it really was a treat.” 

Rick Ren on racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway
“I am really looking forward to going to Atlanta.  We had a great run there last fall, and I think we can go back and be as competitive.  We have really run well on the mile-and-a-half racetracks over the last two years.  The No. 23 team is still looking for its first win, and I think it might come this weekend at NASCAR’s fastest track.”