Defending Champion Johnny Benson Gets Collected in the "Big One" at Daytona
By:  RHR

Although not a believer in superstition, Friday the 13th proved to be a curse for Johnny Benson, when his No. 1 K&N Toyota Tundra was collected in a multi-car incident just under the halfway mark of the NextEra Energy Resources 250.

The former series champion started in 21st position and quickly moved inside the top five by lap 14.  The race ran two-wide for several laps with Benson frequenting the lead of the outside line challenging race leader Kyle Busch. A caution flag came out at lap 32 and the Red Horse Racing No. 1 crew took tires during the first pit stop, then added fuel and chassis adjustments during round two.  At the drop of the green flag on lap 37, Benson powered his Toyota Tundra around the outside and headed to the top of the field leading the next lap.

The action continued at the front of the pack with the inside and outside lines battling for top positions until lap 47 when Todd Bodine’s Toyota hit the rear bumper of the No.10 truck triggering a massive pileup that collected five Daytona race-winning contenders, including Benson.

“Usually the safest place is out front,” said Benson. “Apparently that wasn’t the case today.”  Benson’s No. 1 team, sponsored by K&N Air Filters only for the Daytona race, was forced to call it a  night and finished the Friday the 13th Daytona race in 26th place.

Johnny Benson on the Record:
“Somebody must have turned the No. 4 after the No. 10 was wrecking and it came out of nowhere and there was nothing I could do. The track conditions were fine and racing looked like it was good,
but I’m just not sure what happened there. I thought I was clear, but when I tried to beat him (No. 4), he wasn’t on the brakes, he closed the hole pretty fast. But our truck was sharp and very decent.”

Johnny Benson On DNF:
“Well that will happen, I mean it’s kind of a weird deal at Daytona and always is, but stuff like that happens. Cars that get involved after the initial incident are innocent guys but tend to not know what started it. Restrictor place racing is pretty tough but it always puts on a good race and I was hoping to have a good opportunity at the end. I don’t know if we had a shot to win, but I think we had a top five for sure. The Toyota Tundra was driving good, was a lot of fun, but sometimes some things happen and you don’t know what to do about it.”

Red Horse Racing will return next week to Fontana, CA with Johnny Benson powering the No. 1 Toyota Tundra in the San Bernardino County 200 at the California Speedway on Saturday, February 21, 2009. Benson started and finished and finished up front in third position in last season‘s race, and remains a fan favorite this season with both the fans and media. Tune into the event at 3:00 P.M. EST on FOX network

Daytona Preview
By: JBFC
Johnny, Trip Bruce and the Red Horse Racing Team head to Daytona this week to compete in the NextEra Energy Resources 250.  It will be a quick 100 laps around this 2.5 mile speedway.

Johnny returns to the Camping World Truck Series as the defending champion.  Last year, Eric Darnell and Roush Racing earned the pole position.  Todd Bodine and Germain Racing put a Toyota in victory lane after 100 laps. 

In four truck series starts driving a Toyota Tundra, Johnny has found success at Daytona with three top ten finishes.  In 2007, he finished 2nd and last year he finished 3rd.  (02-08-09)