Gateway Post Race Report
Johnny Benson and the No. 23 Newbold Toyota Tundra team knew Saturday’s event at Gateway International Raceway was critical to the 2006 championship race.  The team was only 50 points outside the top five in points and needed a good performance to place it closer to the top of the standings.   

An inch of rain on Saturday made the day’s events appear doubtful, but the trucks hit the pavement after an eight-hour delay.  Benson was happy with his Newbold Tundra but said it handled a little loose in the corners.  The team tried a number of different spring combinations to tighten the handling for the race.  The team finally hit on something late in the session that really catered to Benson’s driving style.  At the end of the one-hour practice, the No. 23 Newbold Toyota Tundra was sixth on the speed chart.

Because the lineup was determined by owners’ points, Benson started 11th for the 160-lap race.  As soon as the green flag was displayed, Benson’s competitors knew he had a truck capable of running at the front of the field.  Seven laps into the race, Benson told his crew the truck was tight in the middle of the corners but was really good coming off the turns.  The team discussed adjustments it would make to the truck during the first pit stop of the evening. 

Crew chief Rick Ren called Benson in for service under caution on lap 46, and the team performed a four-tire stop with a track bar adjustment.  Benson was 14th when the race restarted two laps later.  By lap 75, Benson stood ninth.  On lap 86, Benson had the fastest truck on the track and continued to march forward.  He was third and battling for the lead by lap 100.   When the caution flag waved on lap 104, the No. 23 Newbold Toyota Tundra team decided to make its final pit stop of the night.  Benson rolled down pit road on lap 107 for four tires, fuel and another trackbar adjustment. 

The team restarted the race on lap 110 in the 18th position.  There were a number of slower trucks that did not pit in front Benson, which made it difficult for him to return to the front.  Benson was cautiously aggressive in the final 50 laps while making his way toward the front.  Benson picked up 13 spots in the final stages of the race and brought his Tundra home in the fifth position.   The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will take two weekends off before heading to Lowe’s Motor Speedway Friday, May 19.  (05-01-06)
 

NOTES:

• This week’s race truck for Gateway International Raceway is Chassis No. 23-60.  The truck was in action at Phoenix International Raceway in 2005.  Johnny Benson finished third after qualifying on the outside front row for that event.
• Welcome aboard…Bill Davis Racing is proud to announce that Newbold Toyota will serve as the primary sponsor of Benson’s No. 23 Toyota Tundra during the race weekend at Gateway International Raceway.
• Autographs anyone?  Benson will sign autographs at Newbold Toyota in O’Fallon, Mo., Friday, April 28 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Heading Home…Benson headed home to Michigan two weeks ago to compete at Berlin Raceway.  He was running fifth on lap 38 of the Late Model Stock race before he experienced a mechanical failure that forced him to retire from the event.  The 1995 NASCAR Busch Series Champion will return to Berlin Raceway June 14.
• Tested and Approved…  Benson and the No. 23 Toyota Tundra team tested last Monday and Tuesday at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.
• Listen and watch … The Ram Tough 200 is scheduled to start at 8:15 p.m. EST Saturday, April 29.  It will broadcast live on Speed (TV), MRN (radio) and XM Radio (144).

 

Johnny Benson’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results at Gateway International Raceway

 

Bill Davis Racing Quotes:
Johnny Benson on racing at Gateway International Raceway:
“I am looking forward to going back to Gateway.  We ran decent there last year, finished in the 11th spot, but had a good run.  We struggled a little during the middle part of the race but bounced back for a solid top-15 run.  We have Newbold Toyota on board again this year, and I am looking forward to going to the dealership on Friday and signing autographs for the fans and employees. 

“We are taking a truck that really has had some success.  This is really good short track truck that we ran in Phoenix last year and had a third-place run.  Hopefully with a little bit of tweaking, we can gain two more spots and get our first victory in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. 

“We had a good test in Richmond.  We need to pick up just a little bit, but we learned a lot when we were there.  Hopefully, the things we learned there we can apply to Gateway.  Without having the Goodyear tire, it is hard to figure out where you stand, but I am optimistic and think we are going to have a top-five truck.” 

Crew chief Rick Ren on racing at Gateway International Raceway:
“We have had some great trucks at Gateway with good drivers in the past.  I know we are bringing one of our best trucks in the fleet, and we definitely have a great driver.  We had a great test at Richmond, and I am looking forward to this weekend.  Gateway is going to be a challenge for me because I have not been there since they implemented the gear and transmission rule.  I understand they put down some sealer in the corners, and I am not sure if it will affect the truck until we get there.  Weather is always an issue at Gateway and can have an adverse effect on the outcome of the race.  We will have to play that into our strategy to try and get our Newbold Toyota to victory lane.”