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If Johnny ever needs a back up driver Judy "Mama" Benson and Glenda Royster will be ready to get behind the wheel.  They enjoyed themselves at the Toyota Display at ORP

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OCTOBER NEWS
 

Homestead Testing

On hand for Monday’s test were 63 cars from 40 current and future NEXTEL Cup Series teams. Additional cars are expected for Tuesday.

Teams are allowed to test for only two of the three days. Harvick was sixth fastest in the opening session with a lap of 31.478 seconds on the variably banked 1.5-mile oval. Reed Sorenson was fastest in the No. 41 Target Dodge, 31.459, followed by the Chevrolet of Martin Truex Jr., 31.463; the Dodge of Casey Mears, 31.465; the Chevrolet of NEXTEL Cup points leader Jeff Burton, 31.473; and the Chevrolet of Kyle Busch, 31.475.

The session mixes in cars competing in the 2006 NEXTEL Cup Series, along with several 2007 cars and at least five examples of the Car of Tomorrow.

Toyota is represented by at least five teams, including two Cars of Tomorrow. Con-Way has one COT, driven by Johnny Benson, while Bill Davis Racing has a No. 22 COT for Dave Blaney and Jeremy Mayfield.

Also testing a Toyota is Red Bull Racing, with Mike Skinner. Blaney and Mayfield are also sharing time in the No. 55 NAPA Dodge fielded by Michael Waltrip Racing, giving both drivers time in a current car, the 2007 Camry plus the Camry Car of Tomorrow. Mayfield had the fastest Toyota in the opening session, 31.766 in the 2007 Camry.

Additional Cars of Tomorrow are a pair from Roush Racing, the No. 26 and No. 99, and the No. 1 from Dale Earnhardt Inc., driven by Martin Truex Jr. and Kerry Earnhardt. Truex was credited with the fastest COT lap, 32.020 seconds.
 

Battle Royale ....With Trucks?
By:  Amy Henderson

There’s a championship battle heating up, and it’s not in Nextel Cup with its made for TV, NFL-wannabe Chase (although those points are artificially tight). It’s not in the NASCAR Busch Series, either – that title could be wrapped up as soon as Friday night, even though there’s still five races remaining in the season. No, the points race this year finds itself in the Craftsman Truck Series…where things find themselves just getting heated up.

With five races remaining on the schedule, Todd Bodine leads Johnny Benson by a mere 113 points for the Truck Series title. These are not two of the young, hungry, drivers that the series has seen in recent years, but two NASCAR veterans who have raced in each of the top three series before finding a niche in Trucks this year. The two men, while consistently on top when it comes to trophy contenders, couldn’t be more different based on both their time and experience. Bodine has raced everything from Modifieds on up; Benson, on the other hand, is an accomplished NASCAR Busch Series champion and former Nextel Cup winner. Bodine’s team is a Truck Series-only powerhouse; Benson’s is by far the most successful venture by owner Bill Davis within any of NASCAR’s top three series. Bodine has three victories this season, putting him atop the points ladder; Benson, on the other hand, has four.

Despite the differences between drivers, the competition for this championship isn’t flashy, like Nextel Cup; many casual race fans are possibly unaware of the battle royale that is culminating. After all, it isn’t on network television or plastered all over the sports pages; that’s the sad state of the Truck Series itself, possessing some of the best racing in NASCAR to go along with some of the least publicity. It’s too bad, really; the series provides for some great racing, tailor made for old-school racers to battle it out up at the front of the pack. The ironic thing is that these two men battling tooth and nail for the championship trophy came off as complete opposites in some ways. Bodine is brash and aggressive on-track, but his racing style was often criticized as too rough in the Busch and Cup Series, where the more aerodynamic cars don’t need more than a hard nudge to spin into a retaining wall. Surprisingly, though, Bodine has found that the same style works in trucks, simply because these behemoth machines are more amenable to the beating and banging style that Bodine often imparts on his competition.

Benson, on the opposite end of the spectrum, has developed a much more “Mr. Nice Guy” reputation. Ultra-fast and always smooth, Benson can work his way to the front of a pack like quicksilver; once there, he will not concede the point if he can help it, making his rear bumper twice as wide as any measurements would dare to show. He has settled for second place rather than wreck a competitor to win many times; but, at the same time, if he gives anyone named Bodine a clear lane up in the hills of North Carolina, he’ll be sure to take every inch. If Benson and Bodine were NASCAR cowboys, Benson would wear the white hat…that’s for sure.

Of course, this type of back and forth melee is just what the current point system was developed for. Just when one of these men is able to grab the momentum, the other takes it for himself. The lead, forever fragile, could double or evaporate in one race. It’s an old policy, one that always guaranteed the series’ two best teams would be battling it out for bragging rights and the title of Champion. That’s disappointing to see such an ideal is no longer the case, and I know what you out there are thinking; still, just know that covering a race simply doesn’t get any better than this. Really ... 


Congratulations! 

To Missy McLaughlin of West Virginia who had the winning bid for the 1:24 diecast sponsored by Toyota Certified Used Vehicles and to Clyde Lorenz of Michigan who had the winning bid for Johnny's race tire.  This auction benefits the Johnny Benson Foundation. Thank you for your support. 

 

Sandusky Photos

Photo By: 
Christopher M. Nicastro - Nicastro Racing Productions
"Official Video Of M.S.A"


Berlin Photos
By: Tom Devette

         

NAPA to Sponsor #23 Toyota Tundra
Bill Davis Racing announced today that NAPA AUTO PARTS will serve as the primary sponsor of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship contending No. 23 Toyota Tundra driven by Johnny Benson at two upcoming races.  The leader in auto parts will join the No. 23 Bill Davis Racing team at both Martinsville (Va.) Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway in October.  NAPA AUTO PARTS will also continue to serve as the primary sponsor of Michael Waltrip and the No. 55 team in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.

"NAPA has been such a great partner in 2006, and with the No. 23 Toyota Tundra's success in 2006, we felt like it was a great fit," said team owner Bill Davis.  "All the guys who work on the NAPA racing program have really been supportive of Bill Davis Racing, and we wanted to show them we really appreciate it.  Johnny has had a fantastic year and is vying for the championship, and we believe adding NAPA AUTO PARTS to the lineup would add value to their program.  NAPA has already won a couple of championships in the NASCAR Truck Series in their infancy as a sponsor, and we would like to be a part of another championship in 2006."

"We are excited to be a part of this championship run as Johnny Benson and Bill Davis Racing continue to close in on the points lead.  Bill Davis Racing has been instrumental in the development of Toyota in the NASCAR Truck Series and we look forward to the NAPA Toyota Tundra running up front" said NAPA President, Bob Susor.

The No. 23 Toyota Tundra has had a breakout season in 2006.  Benson has driven his Bill Davis Racing Tundra to victory lane a series-leading four times.  The team has accumulated 11 top-five finishes and 14 top-10 finishes in 19 starts.  Because of his success, Benson is only 91 points behind championship leader Todd Bodine.

"I am really excited about NAPA AUTO PARTS being a part of this program," Benson said.  "They have been a staple in the NASCAR community for many years and are committed to winning.  We have had a great year, but we could not have done it without the help of all our sponsors like NAPA.  I am hoping we can bring all of our partners, including NAPA, Bill Davis Racing's first championship in 2006."

Team Patco Steals Show at Sandusky
By: Chris Meyers

Team Patco's Trio
Johnny Benson Jr., Mike Lichty, Dave Mcknight
(NRP Photo)

Sandusky, Ohio....Any time the ISMA drivers show up to the track you know you have to be on top of your game. Sunday afternoon proved why. Car Owner Brad Lichty decided to bring his trio of Patco Transportation/ Stage Door supermodifieds to Sandusky Speedway for the 2006 Enerco/ Mr. Heater Midwest Supermodified Association season championship. This marked the third race in three days for the team after running at Delaware Speedway in Canada on Friday night and Berlin Raceway in Michigan on Saturday night. Lichty's two regular drivers, his son Mike Lichty, and Dave McKnight, showed why they are top dogs on the ISMA Circuit. His third driver, Johnny Benson Jr., showed why he is a Nascar veteran. Twenty-one of racing’s fastest short-track cars were on hand for a nice and sunny Sunday afternoon of racing that would decide the 2006 MSA Champion.

Eighteen year old Matt Palmer and veteran supermodified hot shoe Pat Shullick, driving the famous George Shullick owned number 61 supermodified, paced the field of to the green flag. Rich Reid’s night on the start when contact with another car sent him to the pits with mechanical failure. With a complete restart in order, Shullick used his years of expertise at Sandusky Speedway to take the lead on the first circuit. Behind Shullick, Mike Lichty got around Palmer and Fisher to move his silver bullet into second spot on the first go-around. Also moving their way up through the field were Randy Burch and Johnny Benson Jr.. Benson worked his way into the top five on lap four getting around Fisher while Burch worked his way into the third spot getting around Palmer. A lap later, Benson got around Palmer for the fourth spot.

On lap six, early race leader Pat Shullick approached lapped traffic with a car high and a car low going down the backstretch, and got hung up. Lichty made a sensational move going low into turn three splitting a lapped car and Shullick, with the other lapped car to the high side of Shullick. Robb Stasick took his number 22 showcar to the pits with fuel pickup issues at this point, while Benson then manuevered his way around Burch for the third spot on lap seven.

On lap eleven, Pat Shullick who was running fifth at the time, slowed down on the front stretch to bring out the second of three cautions. Benson inherited second because of Pat Shullick's flat tire. After a quick trip to the pits, he rejoined the field at the tail end. Craig Reed went pitside at this juncture and did not return. Lichty led Benson, Burch, Fisher, and McKnight to the green flag. Fisher and McKnight began a short two lap heavy battle for the fourth spot with McKnight winning out as Fisher spun between turns one and two to bring out the final caution of the night on lap thirteen. Spinning to avoid Fisher were Dawson, Lilje, Grunda, Lehnert Jr., and Palmer. Palmer and Lehnert Jr. made contact ending Palmer's night with front end damage. Grunda went to the pits ending his night as well. Lehnert went pitside for front end repairs, rejoined the field at the tail end, and pulled off a lap later. Shullick Jr. inherited fifth from the Fisher spin.

Lichty led Benson, Burch, McKnight, and Shullick Jr. to the green once again. McKnight powered his supermodified around Burch to get into a podium spot on lap fourteen. Behind Burch, Shullick Jr.'s setup was beginning to come in but it was a bit too late. The top six ran neck and neck for the remainder of the race with Shullick getting around Burch on lap twenty-eight for fourth. It was evident that Team Patco was no match for the rest of the field as they claimed top three finishing spots.

Lichty claimed his second career supermodified feature win with his other coming at Mansfield in MSA competition last year. After having two second place finishes at the Hy-Miler in July at Sandusky, the nineteen year old Lichty made sure he wasn't going to be denied of this one. A happy but tired Mike Lichty talked to announcer Randy Wynne about his move that ultimately won the race. He stated, "I'll tell ya it wasn't easy. Just want to say hats off to the whole crew. We worked so hard this weekend, running Delaware on Friday and Berlin on Saturday. Having such a great guy like Johnny Benson as a teammate, is pretty cool. I knew I needed to get into the lead quickly with only a thirty lap race. I definately hurt the right rear there when I saw Johnny the last fifteen laps. He's a hell of a driver. It was a little loose but I started the race off a little tight. So I basically abused the right rear to try to loosen it up a little bit. An excellent job by everybody. I just want to dedicate this one to my grandfather. He had a stroke about a month and a half to two months ago. So this one's for him.

Second place finisher Johnny Benson Jr. who currently sits second in the Nascar Craftsman Truck Series Point Standings talked about driving a supermodified. When asked about a comparison between a Winston Cup car and a supermodified, he explained, " There's no comparison. These things are real racecars. There's no doubt about it. They are extremely fast. Brad Lichty gave me the opportunity to run one at my home track (Berlin). About two weeks ago at Berlin, we ran about fifteen laps at the track dodging rain drops. We went to Loudon and jumped into my Nascar Craftsman truck and I said, "Boy this thing is slow!" We were able to win the race there so that was pretty cool. At Berlin, we were only able to run twenty-five laps because of the rain. We didn't show a very good outing. We were quick in practice and in the feature we were just a bit off. We ended up thirteenth. So it rained and everybody was like so what are we going to do now? I told them I had to go back to North Carolina and they said go through Sandusky first. I thought I'd come here. I ran a late model here years ago. We had a great time running here with alot of great fans, so that's pretty cool.  Johnny further stated. "My dad used to race supermodifieds years back. I've always admired them. They've always been a tremendous looking race car and they are a lot of fun to be around. Tonight went better than last night. I'm glad I came to Sandusky, it was a tremendous time. I've really got to thank Brad Lichty, his son Mike, and Dave McKnight. Dave and Mike both helped me out a bunch here at the track. Just trying to get used to this car and racetrack, it ended up great! Brad, Mike, and Dave were all a tremendous help and I couldn't have finished second without them.

Third place finisher Dave McKnight was happy to be running with the MSA and explained his battle with Fisher, "Denny was trying and couple of times we were tight. I don't know if Denny knew we were there. But hey that's racing. All in all, two teammate cars in front of you, what can I say. I had further to go. We got there but they were just as good as we were. We gave it our best shot. It was fun today. No pressure, ISMA points, no nothing. Just coming to have some fun. I was shocked we were coming. It was kind of like a 2 o'clock in the morning decision. He (Brad) asked if we wanted to go and we said let's go! So we did and so we were here. It was a lot of fun. I'm glad all the fans came out today and hope you enjoyed it. This place puts on a great show for everybody. We were happy to come and ISMA's happy to come when we come here to put on a show at the nationals." stated the Brampton, Ontario Canadian resident.

Car owner Brad Lichty was pleased with his cars finishing 1-2-3. He explained his thoughts on his team's run, "Wonderful seeing them one, two, three, isn't it? One, two, three on the grid and a fantasic weekend. It was a pleasure to be a part of the MSA and join this party today. The drivers did a fantasic job. I'd like to thank Johnny for tagging along today and being part of the show." When asked how he got Johnny Benson to drive the 74, Brad replied, "When you mention supermodifieds, everybody wants to race them."  

Sandusky ISMA Modified Race
Johnny did not get enough of racing the #74 ISMA Supermodified at Berlin on Saturday night ...  Canadian car owner Brad Lichty made the decision to take all three of his supermodifieds to Sandusky Speedway to compete in their rain delayed race.  Johnny was up for the challenge since it was on his way home to Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Johnny qualified third out of 20 supermodifieds.  He finished 2nd in his heat race and went on to finish 2nd in the main event.  His teammates finished 1st and 3rd.  Sounds like a great day for car owner, Brad Lichty and Johnny who had another opportunity to make laps. 

Points Battle Heat Up with Six Races to Go
By: TruckSeries.com

In typical NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series fashion, the championship points battle is intensifying as the series heads towards its fall finale.

Todd Bodine, driver of the No. 30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota continues to lead, but his once-mammoth margin of 182 points, which he held after the 15th race of the season at Indianapolis, has been cut in half thanks to Johnny Benson's performances in the last four races.

Benson, No. 23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Toyota driver, has two wins and two fourth-place finishes in his last four starts.

Bodine's 91-point advantage over Benson seems narrow compared to his previous margin, but in put into a historical perspective, it's the fourth-largest margin in series history with six races remaining.

Benson says it's been a great season no matter what the points standings reflect.  "We have not lost any sleep over the points battle," said Benson. "I have been fortunate enough to have won a couple of championships in my career and you really can't do much about them. You really just have to go to the racetrack each week and do the best you can and the points will take care of themselves."

"Todd Bodine is going to be really hard to catch," said Benson. "He has some really big numbers for us to go get, and we are going to have to battle for every point. The 30 team is not going to hand us anything. We need to have a lot of weekends like we did at Loudon or Las Vegas in order to have a chance to win the championship."

The past bodes well for the leader. In the three largest margins with six to go (Greg Biffle, 2000, 193; Ron Hornaday Jr., 1996, 152; and Jack Sprague, 1997, 95), the then-leader went on the claim the title.
 

John Deere to Sponsor Race
By: TruckSeries.com

Talladega Superspeedway Vice President and General Manager Rick Humphrey announced today that John Deere Company, the Official Turf Equipment of Talladega Superspeedway, has signed on as title sponsor of the track's inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. The Oct. 7 event will be called the John Deere 250.

"We have enjoyed a great relationship with the people of John Deere Company for many years, and we are very excited that they have stepped up to extend that relationship as title sponsor of our inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race," Humphrey said. "Our race fans have been asking for a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race for a long time and we are thrilled to have our long-time partner John Deere on board with us in presenting this inaugural event."

John Deere Company Product Promotions Manager Dan G. Walls said Due to the series' overwhelming popularity with race fans, the sponsorship offers an excellent opportunity to show support for the interest of its customers.

"We at John Deere are extremely excited over the opportunity to sponsor the John Deere 250 Craftsman Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. This is where our customers are, so we chose to show the fans our support of the event, too," Walls said. "This is a wonderful opportunity for John Deere to give something back to our customers who are NASCAR fans. The pride felt by our employees and customers when the John Deere logo is seen displayed at Talladega Superspeedway is tremendous."

Tickets are still available for the inaugural John Deere 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Talladega on Saturday, Oct. 7, which will account for 250 miles of a whopping 1,000 miles of racing in three days at NASCAR's Most Competitive Track.
 

Paving is Complete
By: TruckSeries.com

Talladega Superspeedway’s Paving Project 2006 is officially complete, and fans returning for the upcoming UAW-Ford 500 event weekend Oct. 6-8 will not believe their eyes when they take in Talladega Superspeedway’s new look. In addition to an all-new Talladega, fans will also see the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series compete at the track for the first time ever on Saturday, Oct. 7 in the Talladega 250.

On Sunday, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams will compete in the UAW-Ford 500, race four in the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup! The fall race weekend will feature 1,000 miles of racing in 3 days, with the Food World 250 ARCA RE/MAX Series race on Friday, Oct. 6.

Benson Had a Blast at Open Wheel Event
Johnny Benson Jr. has no plans on giving up his ride in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.   But he said racing a Supermodified sure is a blast.  Benson made his open-wheel debut when the New York-based International Supermodified Association arrived Saturday night at the Berlin Raceway, and the Grand Rapids native was asking for more when the checkered flag dropped before 5,589 fans.


Johnny taking a lap at Berlin Raceway
Photo By:  David Bradley

 

The 50-lap feature race was stopped on lap 24 due to rain with Chris Perley of Massachusetts out in front. Benson was lapped two laps before the race was called.  "It was pretty neat," Benson said. "I wish we could have ran the whole race. I wish I had more time to figure out what we needed."

Supermodifieds weigh 1,850 pounds and produce up to 850 horsepower, making them the fastest cars to hit the Marne half-mile.  Benson, second in the Craftsman Truck point standings, turned the fastest lap in practice. However, he had to start 19th in the 20-car field because the qualifying heat races were scratched.

Canadian car owner Brad Lichty offered Benson an opportunity to race one of his Supermodifieds, and Benson had the chance to take him up on it when the circuit returned to his home track and the Craftsman Trucks off this weekend..

Benson has raced in all three of NASCAR's top ranks, including Cup and Busch, as well as dirt and asphalt Late Models. He said he has never run anything like a Supermodified.   "No. Not even close," Benson said. "With no practice and no heat races, we got 10 laps in and they went right to the feature, so it was pretty hard to guess what it needs."

Saturday's Open Wheel Extravaganza also brought in the Vintage Racing Organization of America, the Auto Value Super Sprints and Midget racing. Former Berlin regular Rob Parker took top honors in the 11-lap VROA feature after taking the lead from Rick Nelson on lap 10. The scheduled 20 lapper was cut due to threatening weather.

Officials spent about an hour trying to dry the track after the ISMA race but were unable make it race ready. The Super Sprints and Midget features were cancelled.  Action will continue at Berlin for two more weekends. The track will host school bus races Oct. 7, followed by the 1st annual 100-lap Four Cylinder Enduro on Oct. 14.

 

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Victory Lane


ORP
July 25, 2008


Kentucky
July 19, 2008



Milwaukee
June 20, 2008

 

2008
Point
Standings
(As of ORP)
 

1. JOHNNY  
2. Ron Hornaday -15
3. Matt Crafton -31
4. Rick Crawford -155
5. Mike Skinner -157
6. Todd Bodine -204
7. Eric Darnell -225
8. Terry Cook -246
9. Jack Sprague -284
10. David Starr -322

Berger
Chevrolet

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Berlin Raceway
Hall of Fame

John Benson Sr.
Harry Obie
Bob Knight

Gail Cobb
Ralph Baker
Jimmy Meyer

The Mysliwiec's
 


2008
Craftsman Truck Schedule
02/15 Daytona
02/23 California
03/07 Atlanta
03/29 Martinsville
04/26 Kansas
05/16 Lowes
05/24 Mansfield
05/30 Dover
06/06 Texas
06/14 MIS
06/20 Milwaukee
06/28 Memphis
07/19 Kentucky
07/25 Indy
08/09 Nashville
08/20 Bristol
09/06 Gateway
09/13 Loudon
09/20 Las Vegas
10/04 Talladega
10/18 Martinsville
10/25 Atlanta
10/31 Texas
11/07 Phoenix
11/14 Homestead
 
2008
Nationwide
Schedule
02/16 Daytona
02/23 California
03/01 Las Vegas
03/08 Atlanta
03/15 Bristol
03/22 Nashville
04/05 Texas
04/11 Phoenix
04/20 Mexico
04/26 Talladega
05/02 Richmond
05/09 Darlington
05/24 Lowes
05/31 Dover
06/07 Nashville
06/14 Kentucky
06/21 Milwaukee
06/28 New Hampshire
07/04 Daytona
07/11 Chicago
07/19 Gateway
07/26 Indy
08/02 Montreal
08/09 Watkins Glen
08/16 Michigan
08/22 Bristol
08/30 California 
09/05 Richmond
09/20 Dover
09/27 Kansas
10/10 Lowes
10/25 Memphis
11/01 Texas
11/08 Phoenix
11/15 Miami
 
2008
Sprint Cup
Schedule
02/17 Daytona
02/24 California
03/02 Las Vegas
03/09 Atlanta
03/16 Bristol
03/30 Martinsville
04/06 Texas
04/12 Phoenix
04/27 Talladega
05/03 Richmond
05/10 Darlington
05/25 Lowes
06/01 Dover
06/08 Pocono
06/15 MIS
06/22 Sonoma
06/29 New Hampshire
07/05 Daytona
07/12 Chicago
07/27 Indy
08/03 Pocono
08/10 Watkins Glen
08/17 MIS
08/23 Bristol
08/31 California
09/06 Richmond
09/14 Loudon
09/21 Lowes
09/28 Kansas
10/05 Talladega
10/11 Lowes
10/19 Martinsville
10/26 Atlanta
11/02 Texas
11/09 Phoenix
11/16 Miami
 

 


2008
JB's Berlin
Schedule
  August 2nd
September 27th