Benson Finishes Sixth In A Supermodified on
Saturday With No Practice
By:  Kevin Rice
Johnny Benson hurried to the NASCAR Sanctioned All-Star Speedway quarter-mile to drive with the ISMA Supermodified Tour, following his second place finish in the NCTS event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday.

Benson arrived just in time to qualify into the race with the tenth fastest time out of 33 race teams, despite not even having a single lap of practice, at a race track that he has never even seen before.    "I got here just in time to run my three laps of qualifying," Benson stated. "That's all I had before the start of the race. No practice. The guys did a great job preparing the car. I came here on Thursday just to drive by and see it. Of course all of the gates were locked so I couldn't get in to see the track."

"I told (car owner) Brad Lichty, 'Are you sure this is the right place? It looks pretty small (Benson laughed). Brad told me it's a cool place that is fun to race on, and he was right. I mean that track is a blast, but it's a tough little place."

Benson ran many of the 100 laps in the top three, even challenging for the lead, before his car developed a tight condition, which forced him to settle for a sixth place finish.

Benson revealed, "I was really good at the beginning to tell you the truth. I was kind of biding a little bit of time there just trying not to burn stuff up and then I got just a little tight."

Referring to the Supermodifieds, Benson explained, "There's no comparison to the trucks. These things have a tremendous amount of horsepower and a lot of downforce, so they're a pretty neat car. That was fun."

Series reigning champion Chris Perley won the 43rd Annual All-Star ISMA Classic, taking the lead for good on lap 78, following some breathtaking three-wide moves around lapped traffic racing for the lead on the quarter-mile oval.

Johnny Finishes 6th in Super Modified
After finishing 2nd in the Craftsman Truck race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Johnny headed to Epping, New Hampshire to compete in the ISMA modified race.  Chris Perley won the 100 lap All Star Classic event and Johnny finished 6th driving for Brad Litchy.

Berlin Raceway Cancelled
Tonight's races have been postponed due to inclement weather. The races will be made up on Saturday, October 18.

The rescheduled event will include the CRA Super Series for 125 laps, USA Modified for 50 laps, the Coors Light Late Models for 100 laps, the Engine Pro Super Stock division for 35 laps, the De-Jay Slick Truck Pro Stock division for 30 laps, the Instant Cash Advance Sportsman division for 25 laps and the Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinders for 20 Laps.  Unfortunately, Lee Greenwood cannot reschedule, so he will not be able to perform. 

Fans who have tickets dated September 13 will be honored on October 18. Those who have a two or three-day pit pass should keep the pit band and turn it in on October 18.  Tickets will be $18 for adult general admission, $9 for kids 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and under. Pit passes for those 14 and over are $35. The gates open at 12:15 p.m. and the first race begins at 6 p.m.    

Craftsman Truck Qualifying Canceled
Benson on pole
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Camping World RV Rental 200 Driven by Winnebago Industries qualifying has been canceled because of the [Saturday] schedule changes. The field will be set by the NASCAR Rule Book.

Johnny To Race ISMA Modified Saturday Night
Mother nature once again has had an impact on racing at the All-Star Speedway, forcing the postponement of the 43rd Annual All-Star Classic 100 for the International SuperModified Association, better known as ISMA, on September 6.
   
The rescheduled date of this Saturday, September 13 falls in the middle of weekend events at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Realizing this, management and ISMA officials moved quickly to secure a ride for current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Points Leader Johnny Benson, who has agreed to compete.

"I look forward to the opportunity to compete at All-Star for Brad Lichty," Benson stated before practice at Gateway International Raceway in Missouri on Saturday.  I was disappointed that we were unable to finish the race when we competed in Lichty's car earlier this summer. I hope that there won't be any rain delays during the day so that we can arrive in time to qualify our way into the race at All-Star."
   
Benson will not have to worry if he does arrive late, as All-Star and ISMA officials will allow him some practice laps, and add a provisional starting position to the field if necessary.
   
Benson's father is a former Supermodified champion, and was the winner of the 1966 Oswego Speedway Classic. Johnny Benson is one of only17 drivers to have won a race in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Craftsman Truck Series. Benson has 11 top five finishes in 17 NCTS races this season, which includes four victories.
   
The favorite to win the 43rd Annual Classic is Chris Perley of Rowley, MA. Perley is the current ISMA Points Leader, and the reigning champion, but the last two Classic's have not been kind to Perley. In 2006 he struggled to a fourth place finish with handling problems, and last season he crashed hard into the turn one wall, finishing 19th.  This race means so much," Perley admitted. "There seems to be a little more pressure, but the win is a lot more gratifying when it's the local track where you've learned to drive a Supermodified.

To win there and go in the company of everybody else that has won this race is pretty awesome. I've been lucky enough to win it two times, and having your family and friends there to see it after traveling all over the place makes it that much better.

In fact the past winners list is impressive, but so is the list of drivers planning to compete in the 2008 event. Other local drivers in the field will include Russ Wood, Mike Ordway Jr., Jon McKennedy, Scott Martel and 2007 Classic winner Justin Belfiore.

Bobby Santos, like Benson will be arriving after he competes at NHMS, and he hopes to make a triumphant return to the track where his career started in a car prepared by Danny Soule.

Extra money is being added to the purse in the form of lap money at $50 per lap. Log onto www.ismasupers.com for more information. The All-Star ISMA Classic will also be an East-West Supermodified Qualifying event.

This Saturday night, September 13 marks the return of the ISMA Super Modifieds to All-Star Speedway for the 43rd Annual All-Star Classic, along with a full slate of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series events, including Tour-Type Modifieds. Qualifying begins at 5:45PM, with the ISMA Classic slated to begin by 9:00 PM. For more information log onto: www.all-starspeedway.com or call (978) 927-1322.

Johnny Benson .com to be presenting sponsor of the Boyne Outlaw 100 Late Model race on September 13 at Berlin Raceway

Jenison, MI (August 18, 2008) - The third annual Boyne at Berlin Presented by Wolverine Power Systems continues to grow on a daily basis. Along with the announcement of several West Michigan based companies that have decided to put their name on the Boyne at Berlin, so has another very well known name. Grand Rapids Native Johnny Benson Jr. has signed on to be the official presenting sponsor of the Outlaw Late Model race on September 13^th at Berlin Raceway!

The 100-lap feature event for the fast outlaw-bodied racecars will be known as the Boyne Outlaw 100 Presented by JohnnyBenson.com, a race where drivers will be looking to capture the $5,000 winners share. Johnny Benson Jr., a former Berlin Raceway Late Model Champion knows that the Boyne weekend has great potential.

Johnny Benson Jr. currently sits atop the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings by 45 points over Ron Hornaday. Benson has compiled three series poles and a series season high of four victories thus far with ten races remaining to be run. Benson will compete at the New Hampshire Speedway on Saturday afternoon September 13, the same day of the race he will sponsor in Marne.

Johnny has made scattered starts at Berlin in 2008, most recently on August 2^nd when he earned the fast qualifier award and was in contention for another victory until gremlins found the #10 Berger Chevrolet machine.  "The past couple of seasons we have had the chance to do business with Johnny and it has always been great." said Mike Blackmer on Monday morning. Blackmer, event promoter and car owner himself has several Johnny Benson Racecars in his shops, and knows that the winning combination can be found through Benson. "We are happy to be able to help Johnny promote his website, fan club, and all that he does with racing!"

The schedule of events for the Boyne Machine Weekend at Berlin is packed down to the minute. With practice being extremely limited for competing race teams on Friday and Saturday, open testing will run from 2-8pm on Thursday September 11^th. Grandstand admission will be free on Thursday.

Friday afternoon activity picks up immediately at 1pm and runs up to 6pm when the first green flag race action will begin! The USA Modified Series will run their 40-lap feature event vying for the $1,200-to-win purse. The CRA Super Series will qualify just prior to the 6pm start and will also run a FFR Fast Car Dash' on Friday night. Two Outlaw Late Model Features will also be run on Friday night, with the first being ˜Hometown' race teams running a normal points paying feature event, similar to what you would see on any given Saturday night. Immediately following that will be an ˜Out of Town' feature race, for all entered teams that have not finished within the top-20 in Berlin Late Model points in the past five seasons. Several outside teams are expected to enter, including Mike Brooks from the Kalamazoo Speedway. The top 10 from the ˜Hometown' as well as the ˜Out of Town' features will set the inside and outside row respectively, plus a last chance race and promoter provisionals.

The 4-Cylinder division is expected to be the biggest of the season as well, as they will go for an all-time high payout of $500-to-win! To cap off the action packed night will be the bright yellow Bus Races, which are always a crowd-pleasing favorite! Tickets for Friday night Sept. 12^th are only $12.00 for adults, half price for kids 12 and under.

Saturday September 13^th is the big race day, with practice beginning immediately at 1pm, last chance races for the Outlaw Late Model's, CRA Super Series, and Modifieds will roll off at 3pm in the afternoon. Country music legend Lee Greenwood will perform on the front stretch stage beginning at 5pm! Greenwood, most popularly known for his hit ˜God Bless the USA' will also perform the night's national anthem.

The CRA Super Series will race for $10,000-to-win, 125 lap feature. As mentioned above, the Boyne Outlaw 100 Presented by JohnnyBenson.com will roll off for 100 laps, as well as the four other weekly Berlin Raceway divisions which are paying increased purses and going extra laps. A Firework Spectacular will light up the September sky to end what is sure to be a memorable weekend of family fun! Tickets for Saturday night are $18 for Adults, with kids 12 and under half price. Don't forget to get there early, as the racing will begin at 6pm on both Friday and Saturday, with Lee Greenwood performing at 5pm on Saturday. Camping is welcome all weekend long. Also, you can save $2 off your general admission ticket if you present your ticket stub from the Kalamazoo Klash, to the Berlin ticket office on Friday or Saturday!

Visit our event website today for more information about this record-breaking weekend at www.BoyneAtBerlin.com

Johnny Third At Gateway
Hornaday Wins

Ron Hornaday took the checkers to win the Camping World 200 at Gateway Int'l Raceway. It was Hornaday's first win at Gateway, fourth win in 2008 and 37th overall series win. Rounding out the top five were; Dennis Setzer, Johnny Benson, Todd Bodine and Jack Sprague.  There were 8 lead changes among 5 drivers and 8 cautions for 38 laps.

Brian Scott Joins Bill Davis Racing
Bill Davis Racing announced today rookie sensation Brian Scott has signed on to drive a Bill Davis Racing NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Toyota Tundra for the entire 2009 season.  The 20-year-old Boise, Idaho native has competed in 23 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races in the last two seasons.  
 
Bill Davis Racing’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program has been the most successful organization in the garage since joining the series in 2004.  Since winning its first race in 2005, the organization has accumulated 22 victories. In the 61 starts since its first win, the team has a winning percentage of 36%.   The High Point, North Carolina based operation has accumulated 91 top-five and 144 top-10 finishes along with 39 pole positions.  
 
“We are excited about the addition of Brian Scott to our program,” commented team owner Bill Davis.  “Brian has done a great job this season learning what it takes to win in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and we are looking forward to having him in one of our Toyota Tundra entries in 2009.  Our two veteran drivers, Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson, have done a great job mentoring both Scott Speed and Michael Annett, and I think they will both take Brian [Scott] under their wing.”
 
“I am very excited to join Bill Davis Racing for the 2009 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season,” Scott said. “When you look at the success that Bill Davis Racing has had with both veteran and young drivers alike it makes you feel honored to be chosen to be part of such a successful organization. I look forward to working with both Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson and learning as much as I can from two very talented and accomplished drivers.”
 
Xpress Motorsports has also joined into an operating agreement with Bill Davis Racing for the remaining seven races of the 2008 season.  The No. 16 Xpress Motorsports team will convert its fleet into Toyota Tundras with technical and engineering support from Bill Davis Racing. The Xpress Motorsports team will continue to work out of its Mooresville, North Carolina shop and provide the manpower to compete in the remaining seven events.
 

Benson Not About to Retire
Grand Rapids driver Johnny Benson Jr. evidently didn't recall the conversation he had with his sister more than 10 years ago when he told her he was going to retire at 45.

So Barb Benson, who manages Benson's fan club, asked him if this season would be it.  That was last February, and Benson, who would turned 45 in June, had arrived at Daytona for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck season opener.  Obviously, his plans from a decade ago had changed.  "He just looked at me and said, 'Why? I'm still competitive,' " Barb said.

Retirement? Forget it.

Benson has won Berlin Raceway Late Model (1989), American Speed Association Challenge Series (1993) and NASCAR Busch Series championships. He is the only Michigan-born driver to win a NASCAR Winston Cup race. His career includes Winston Cup Rookie of the Year in 1996.

But Benson may be having the best season of his career.  Benson now is making a run at his first title in 13 years. The 1981 Forest Hills Northern graduate heads into Saturday's Camping World 200 at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill., leading the Craftsman Truck points standings with a 119-point lead over defending champion Ron Hornaday.

Benson is trying to become the third driver to win titles in two of NASCAR's three top ranks. Greg Biffle has Craftsman Truck and Busch championships, and Benson can join him if he can hold off the field over the final nine races, including the Nov. 14 season finale at Homestead. Bobby Labonte also won Busch and Cup titles.  "It has been important the last two years, but I just haven't been able to get it done," said Benson, who finished second in Truck points in 2006 and third last year.

"It's important for myself and (car owner) Bill Davis and (crew chief) Trip Bruce and all the guys on the team. It has been important the last two years. We just keep coming up short. We run second, we run third.

"It would sure be great to win it, but by the same token, there is so much racing to go. We have nine races. We don't have a comfortable lead, but we have a lead, and that's all I can ask for at this point."

What's most impressive about Benson's title run is how dominant he has been in the No. 23 Toyota. Take away the 33rd place finish he had at Memphis on June 28, due to engine failure, and Benson has four wins, a second, a third and a fourth in the past eight races.

Benson, who joined Davis midway through the 2004 season, has won 13 of the 57 Craftsman Truck races dating back to the June of 2006 race at Michigan International Speedway.  "Johnny is so focused, he always has been," said Mark Chambers, the general manager of Bill Davis Racing. "His goal is the championship. We have knocked on the door and have been so close, and they know they can do it. Maybe that has given everyone a little more drive this year.  We feel that we are in pretty good position because we are coming up on the strong point of the season for Johnny, and he continues to build momentum. We just have to keep doing what we have been doing."

It's not that Benson hasn't had his challenges this year. Kyle Busch's overly aggressive move on the final lap at Martinsville in March caused Benson to crash and left him ninth in points after four races. No one has come from that far back in the division's history at the point in the season to win the title.

But Benson quickly dug himself out of the hole.  Benson has had top-five finishes in eight of the 12 races since Martinsville.  "We have had problems this year, too," Benson said. "But everybody has had bad luck, and it's important to realize that. We all have had them. I've had them, Ron Hornaday has had them, Todd Bodine has had issues. All of the top guys have had issues.

"It's been a strange year. But we have won four races and I'm extremely proud of my guys. I think we are going to have to win more races. But I have lost 100 points in a race before, so that can happen. There is a lot of racing left."

Benson has become the most recent veteran to rejuvenate his career in Trucks, joining the likes of Hornaday, Bodine, Ted Musgrave, the late Bobby Hamilton and Mike Skinner.  "It has been a lot of fun," Benson said. "There are days that can be stressful, but that's no different than when we are racing at Berlin. You want to win. You want to go out there and do the best you can.  It has been a great last three years. I'm not going to complain about anything that has happened the last three years. It has been awesome."

ORP Blog
By:  Barb Benson

I got behind the wheel of my Chevrolet (from Berger Chevrolet) and headed to Indiana.  It was another girls weekend out to get to Indianapolis before the race to do a little shopping with Glenda’s daughter, Carrie and her friend.    Glenda booked the hotel on hotwire.com and we ended up staying at a Holiday Inn. Another successful booking!

I wish the traffic would have been that smooth. First I encountered a soybean oil spill on I-96 near Hudsonville, then it was the exit to I-65 being shut down and my re-route occurred in 5:00 traffic. Now I know why flying works out best for me - because I have no patience. Especially for drivers who are in the left lane and they are not even passing anyone!

We spent the morning and early afternoon downtown at the City Centre. Very nice mall - I told the girls I thought we should come back another day, but they are holding out for the Mall of America.

Glenda and I finally headed to the track.  I made my way to the infield to check things out.  Glenda went up the hill in turn 1 to locate my mom and find where she parked her chair.  They went on the fan concourse and found themselves in the Toyota tent - right where the #23 Toyota Tundra was located.  They got their photos taken with the truck.  My mom even signed autographs. I guess we will have to make sure that she never leaves home without a sharpie!

The transporters are not allowed in the infield, so the crews have to unload their pit equipment. The #23 pit stall was at an opening - conveniently the first pit when you come out of the tunnel.  Worked for me.  I greeted everyone on the crew and started to get to work taking pictures.  

The #23 Toyota Tundra had a new sponsor (Vemma) and paint scheme. It was black with orange lettering. Good thing I bought the new orange shirt!

After qualifying, Rocky Ryan (spotter) and his wife came down in the pits to talk to JB. She scores for Kelly Bires in the Nationwide Series. It was nice to see Rocky all decked out in his Bill Davis Racing shirt.

After the driver’s meeting, I took all of JB’s stuff back to the hauler outside turn 1 and 2. On my way back, I ran into Shirley Pierson and her son Chuck Pierson. Waved to Brad Kidner and friends who looked they had good seats high above the track.

The Speed Broadcast team was killing time before the race. Rick Allen, Phil Parsons and Michael Waltrip looked nice in their matching shirt and pants.

When I approached Michael to say hi, he thought I wanted an autograph - I laughed - I don’t want your autograph - I’m just your friend!  He laughed and said he said he was sorry - he didn’t even look up. They were nice enough to let me take a picture.  Did you know there will be a new member in the broadcast booth? Click above  to see the latest member of their panel!

Johnny had a few surprise guests in the pits ... 

It was time for the race and the grandstands were filling up with people. I made my way to the #23 Toyota Tundra to take photos.

JB and Trip	Johnny walked over to Shirley and Chuck Pierson at the fence.

Bill Davis arrives from his day at the brickyard. It’s always nice to see him at the track and hanging out in JB’s pit. It was an intense race. The announcers keep hammering on the fact that no one has won this race from further than 5^th.  Johnny started  8^th.  I felt he had a chance. The green flies and by lap 2 - the #23 Toyota Tundra is in 4^th. I felt it was going to be a good night.

Ron Hornaday led most of the race, but JB never lets him out of his sight. Can you believe that JB passed him from the outside - AWESOME!  There were plenty of restarts with the king of the restarts hot on Johnny’s trail - but all ended well as we all know my brother won at ORP! What a great night!

Another victory photo! The clock was made by Howard Miller Company which happens to be located in Michigan. How fitting!

After all of the victory photos are taken and the media interviews have been granted, Johnny joins his team in the Tech area.  Ron Hornaday stops by and congratulates Johnny and they talk about the race.   There are fans in the infield and Johnny takes time to give them autographs

JB and Ron Hornaday	Signing autographs for the fans

Another great day for Johnny and the #23 team ...  I hope you enjoyed the blog and gave you an insight of what I saw at ORP ...  Until next time!

A Lifetime in the Garage
By:  Ray Dunlap

Many of the young drivers coming up through the ranks in NASCAR today started racing before they were seven years old. Their resumes list multiple go-cart championships and wins at many different tracks. If you look at Johnny Benson’s resume, you will also see multiple championships and wins at many different tracks … the difference is he didn’t have any interest in driving until age 19.

“Looking back, I sure do wonder what might have happened if I had started earlier, but I must say, I’ve got no complaints about my career,” Benson said. “I love racing cars and love building cars and I couldn’t be much happier.”

The No. 23 team has won four of the last five races and after 15 events, Johnny Benson, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points leader, is the odds-on favorite to win his second NASCAR championship (1995 Busch Grand National champion).

It might seem odd that JB started driving at such a late age. After all, his father was a race car driver and owned Benson’s Speed Equipment from the time he was born. By the time little Johnny was seven years old, he was doing daily chores around the shop and even learned to weld before he was eight.

But coming home right after school and working until 10 p.m. every night was not always the favorite thing for a young boy in grade school.  “The cool part of it was that I learned to do just about everything,” Benson reflected. “But the flip side of that is that I didn’t do much of anything else. My dad worked for the railroad and always thought of racing as just a hobby, never dreaming someone could make a living doing it.”

Then, in 1981 John Benson hung up his driving helmet. Now it was decision time:   JB was now 19 and decided to try his hand at being the wheelman. He and his dad built a dirt late model car and he has never looked back. He has also made a pretty good living…

His career has been a whirlwind adventure through multiple teams in ASA, Sprint Cup, the Nationwide Series and for the past four years, fulltime in the Craftsman Trucks. He has raced on more than 80 different tracks and has wins in every division he has ever competed in, but I believe it may just be his understanding of the chassis building process that makes him so successful.

“I go to work at my shop everyday from 8-5 and work on race cars,” Benson said. “We build five or six outlaw chassis a year for customers and I make one or two new pieces each year for myself. For me, it is the hands-on part that makes it worth doing. I get a big kick out of helping a young kid go faster. Maybe someday I will do that fulltime, but NOT anytime soon!”

Funny how things look so different when you’re a kid. Ten-year-old Johnny Benson hated going to the racetrack and didn’t particularly like working in his father’s shop. He missed out on playing t-ball and never made it to the local swimming pool for a Saturday birthday party with friends. Today and everyday he takes with him all the knowledge he gained in those years and helps his crew make his Toyota Tundra lightning fast. At the time it may have seemed like a sacrifice but today it looks much more like an investment.

Johnny Benson has 17 NASCAR-sanctioned victories. He is among a very elite group of drivers who have won in all three of NASCAR’s top divisions. If he continues his tirade of wins over the next 10 races, he very well could become just the third driver in history to win two titles in the top three series (Bobby Labonte and Greg Biffle).

The Benson Speed Shop is still in the same garage behind his parents’ house. It is a long way from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Miami but I doubt they would mind closing up  the business for a few days and hanging a sign on the door that says: “Gone to watch our son accept another championship trophy!”

Barb's Blog - Kentucky
By:  Barb Benson 

After the Memphis race, I decided that I was not going to sit home and watch the race on television.  I need to hear the scanner chatter!  The next day, I made my reservations to Louisville, Kentucky on NWA and booked my hotel through Hotwire.com which put me at a Best Western. It was a nice hotel - so far I have been lucky to have success on hotwire.

Glenda decided to make the trip too - luckily she has a nice husband who lets who go to JB’s races. She drove down and picked me up and we headed to the track. We got there at the end of the first practice. Boy, was it hot! The crew thought we were just getting up, so we got a lot of grief and I was reminded on what time the garage opened.  I asked the boys how the first practice went - they said - we’ll see. I told them that I added Kentucky to my racing schedule and came all the way down here.  So they were going to win and I the trophy was mine!  Needless to say they raised their eye brows.  

Final practice went extremely well - JB only made 15 laps. You could tell he was happy with the truck. We were sitting in the lounge watching it on TV and I wondered why he was already out of the truck getting interviewed!   The team was very happy.

Glenda and I were staying for the ARCA race to watch Matt Merrill drive for the Win Tron team. We had a chance to stop by and talk to Kyle Busch. We wondered why he was not hanging out with his girlfriends family - they just happen to live in the same town Glenda does!  We had a good discussion, talked about Martinsville and I finally had an opportunity to get my point across.  

Then it was time for the ARCA race.  Finally made it to the Win Tron pit. They informed me that JB had walked on by and was heading to Scott Speed’s pit. After 25 laps were in the books, I went down to Speed’s pit and lol and behold - JB and Trip were on the pit box!

JB and Trip stayed for the entire race and hung out with owner Eddie Sharp and crew chief Patrick Donahue. JB and Eddie are friends and JB also wanted to support his BDR team mate. I guess it’s quite entertaining to listen to Scott on the radio.

The Win Tron car ran into some bad luck. We decided to pass on helping them remove their pit equipment and we headed down to Speed’s pit. I enjoyed observing their pit crew as Scott crossed the finish line for the win. I just knew it would be the #23 on Saturday night!

I know that NASCAR fans are dedicated. But I just have to share this with you. On Friday, Glenda showed up in a JB T-shirt. Then we headed to her car which had a JB license plate. Inside her car was a #20 Tony Stewart air freshener and when she started her car her keys were on a JB key chain.

Tony Stewart joined us at the pool on Saturday - via the beach towel along with a #20 coolie cup. (At least she kept her #20 pajama pants at home!  That would have sent me over the edge.)  Then when it was race time, a new JB shirt was pulled out. Sponsors really need to understand “How Bad NASCAR Fans have it!”

We made it to the track in record time. I said hi to the boys and told them it was going to be our night - and watch out - because the trophy was mine.  The guys thought I drank too much Red Bull, but  I was serious. I told Glenda when JB crosses the finish line - get the car, keep it running. Then when JB gets the trophy presented, I will run across the stage, grab the trophy and we will be out of there. Once the guys heard my plan - they knew I drank too much Red Bull!

Glenda’s son Kyle gave her strict orders to get Randy Moss’s autograph - so we were on a mission. Luckily, he was in the garage area doing an interview for a local television. So mission accomplished!

It was time for the race … The speakers were blaring with the Rolling Stones - “Start Me Up”. What an appropriate song. It was so hot … The air was thick, you could cut it with a knife. Sweat was dripping everywhere.

The race began …   I’ll tell you, I was so glad to be sitting on a Goodyear tire, turned into the scanner and watching JB lead the race!

The closing laps were exciting. I just caught a glimpse of JB going 4 wide down the backstretch. It was good to see that his move stuck!   JB praised Mark for good spotting.

What a happy day when Johnny took the checkered! We rushed to victory lane to celebrate. It’s hard to describe. Did I rush the stage to take the trophy? No - I was just glad to be here in person and see the team’s hard work pay off.  Glenda and I did get our picture take with Johnny and I made sure I held on to my trophy - ha!

After the celebrating was over, JB and Chip had to go to the media center. JB called me over and told me to take the trophy to the truck.   Did the trophy make it to the truck? Yes, it did - I never hesitated. But I must say I did enjoy walking through the garage area with it!  

Any time that JB finishes a race - it's a good day for me ... The win in Kentucky was icing on the cake!  Hope you enjoyed the blog!