Johnny's Comments at the Banquet
By:  TruckSeries.com

Former NASCAR Busch Series champion Johnny Benson was the runner up in the 2006 NCTS championship. Benson earned $163,931 in NASCAR point fund awards, and also picked up $10,000 for winning the Checkers/Rallys Double Drive-Thru Pit Crew Challenge. His overall earnings in 2006 were $770,157.

Benson talked about joining the elite club of drivers that have won in all three national NASCAR series.

"I came and ran a few races with Bill Davis in 2004 and found out it was a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be," he said. "There are a lot of great champions here and the competition is pretty tough. That first year with Bill and Gail was kind of neat. It was a week to week deal for a while. Finally, after doing that for six or eight races I finally told them to just call me when they didn't want me. I haven't had a call from you in a while Bill, so I guess we're still good!"

Banquet Photos
              

         

Johnny Benson, driver of the No. 23 Bill Davis Racing Toyota Tundra, knew he would accept his trophy for finishing second in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship standings Sunday evening during the Series awards ceremony at  the Grand Floridian Resort in Orlando, Fla.  What Benson did not know was that he would also accept the trophy for the Series’ Most Popular Driver.  After being selected by both the fans and media, Benson captured the coveted award for the first time in his NCTS career.

Benson has been a steady competitor in the Craftsman Truck Series garage for three years.  The NASCAR veteran always has a positive attitude, and his willingness to promote NASCAR and the Truck Series is infectious.  The Grand Rapids, Mich., native has always been a fan favorite and understands that his life-long dream of racing in NASCAR has come true in part due to the support of NASCAR’s devoted fans.

“I am honored to accept this award,” Benson commented.  “This is pretty cool.  Since this award is voted on by the fans and media, it’s a special honor to win.  The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is a great place with great drivers who pour their hearts and souls into putting on a great show for the fans every week.  I am honored to be recognized as a fan favorite and am looking forward to getting back into my Tundra in 2007.”

Benson and the No. 23 Bill Davis Racing Tundra team will hit the track at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in February as they begin their quest to win the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship.