JANUARY NEWS
 

Benson Fans At RV Show

       January 2010

 

Johnny to Drive in Daytona
By:  Steve Kaminski

Grand Rapids stock car driver Johnny Benson Jr. has been itching to take a green flag since he crashed out of a Supermodified race at Berlin Raceway in June and spent three nights in the hospital.

The wait is almost over for Benson, who said Friday that he has a ride for the upcoming season-opening NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 12.

Benson will be driving the No. 95 Team Gill Racing Ford F-150 for the brand new team.  A press release was published on jayski.com Thursday night stating that Team Gill Racing was committed to racing all 25 races. However, Benson said the team has committed to race only Daytona at this point.  “I haven’t seen that release,” said Benson, the 2008 Camping World champion who lost his ride this past June when his Red Horse Racing team folded due to lack of sponsorship. “As far as I know, right now, I am only doing Daytona. It might be more races, or it might be a one race deal. I just don’t know.  But I am extremely excited about going to Daytona. (Car owner) Danny Gill has been around a long time and he’s a great guy, and I’m confident that we will be able to run in the top five.”

Gill is a veteran crew chief from Tennessee, and he will be doubling as Benson’s crew chief at Daytona. He has assembled the team this off-season.

Benson has been working with NASCAR superstar Kyle Busch in recent months in an attempt to secure sponsorship to race one of Busch’s trucks. He said the search for funding is continuing.

Benson said he remains optimistic that he will be running the entire circuit this year.  “I would like to think that is possible,” Benson said. “Without some sponsorship aspect, I don’t think it will happen. But you never know. We just have to go to Daytona, work hard and do what we got to do. If I have to jump around a little bit from team to team, I will do that.”

Benson said his health is great. He had a chance to test Busch’s trucks at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida earlier this month, marking the first time he has been behind a wheel since the Berlin accident.  “It’s great to get in a truck and run some laps,” Benson said. “Everything seems to be normal. Nothing bothered me and that is a plus. I knew I was going to be fine, but you never know until you go do it. I have to thank Kyle for letting me go down there and do it. That was a very good opportunity."

Judy Benson
 

ndees thought we were the sales people and starting asking us questions.   The salesman said if I sold it I would get $100.  It was all in good fun until someone mentioned the antifreeze was leaking - then I wanted no part of it!

Tammy Phillips, Darryl Eacott and Friend
traveled from Canada to meet Johnny

Around noon, the race fans started to show up and get in line for an autograph.  I must say - the fans were so nice.  They were concerned about how Johnny was feeling.  And if Johnny was getting a sponsor to he could be racing - why is it so hard to get a sponsor?  My response - the economy is tough these days and sponsorships are hard to secure.  You need everything in line between the owner, the driver and the team brand.  One lady mentioned that Kyle has all these sponsors like M & M's.  I said not really, M & M's is a JGR sponsor.   Bottom line - most of the fan said,   "If Johnny isn't racing, they were not going to be watching NASCAR!".

    

The best part of the show was watching the kids come through the line to meet Johnny.  Fan club members were scattered through out the line and it was nice to see them in attendance.  Jan Florence made the event - but I did not do a good job in taking her picture - it came out blurry!  She asked me if Johnny was fixing his supermodified.  I told her she would have to ask Johnny.  When she got her turn in line - she did not want an autograph - just thanked Johnny for coming back to GR.  And oh, by the way - "Barb wants to know if you are fixing your supermodified?"  Johnny laughed and told Jan to tell Barb it's none of her business.  I had a good laugh over that one!

NASCAR Cutting Race Purses to all Three Series
NASCAR is cutting by about 10 percent the race winnings it will award teams in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Truck Series this season, officials confirmed on Friday. The reduction is part of cost-cutting measures that will alleviate some of the financial burdens on tracks that have suffered during a tough economic environment that has forced them to cut ticket prices with declining attendance.

 "Last year we launched an industry-wide effort to help the sport manage budgets in this economy," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Friday. "NASCAR did the right thing to work with the tracks to reduce their costs in order to manage the economic realities. In return, the tracks have done a great job reducing ticket prices and enhancing the fan experience. Likewise, we worked with the teams to contain costs such as elimination of testing and other steps. This is consistent with how virtually every sport and business has adjusted to the economy over the past year." Bruton Smith, the chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., which owns nine tracks that host Cup, Nationwide and Truck events, applauded NASCAR for making the cut. He doesn't believe drivers will particularly like it, "but they understand.
 

Congratulations!
To Robert Wojton of Missouri who won the fan club contest for December.  He won a Craftsman Truck Victory Lane hat - autographed by Johnny.  Your prize is on its way!

Congratulations!
To Donald Apsey of Michigan who attended the RV show and won the hat drawing.  It is a Toyota Certified Used Vehicle victory lane hat  - autographed by Johnny.  Your prize is on its way!
 

Get Well!
The JBFC would like to send out get well wishes to Carol Penninga who is recovering at home from recent surgery. 
 

Trucks Return to Darlington Speedway
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will make a return to the track “Too Tough to Tame” on August 14, 2010 announced. “Our fans have asked us to bring back the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series because Darlington is a perfect fit for the tough racing the series offers,” said Darlington President Chris Browning. “We are excited to be able to bring back the trucks in 2010 and look forward to putting on a memorable show for all of our fans.”

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series raced at Darlington Raceway from 2001-04. The late Bobby Hamilton won the Inaugural event in 2001 and again in 2003. Ted Musgrave raced to Victory Lane in 2002 and Sprint Cup driver Kasey Kahne took the checkered flag in 2004 – the series’ last visit to the track. General admission seating is available for only $25 and children 12 and under will be admitted free. Each admission includes all practice and qualifying sessions as well as the Too Tough to Tame 200 which is set to take the green-flag at approximately 7:30 p.m. In addition to grandstand seating, fans may also purchase a pre-race pit pass for just $15 each. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Darlington Raceway ticket office at 866-459-RACE or online at http://www.darlingtonraceway.com/tickets/

Fans Turn Out to Meet Johnny at RV Show
By:  Steve Ungrey - GR Press

Some people will do a lot to show dedication to their favorite NASCAR driver.

Crossing over from Canada was not out of the question for people who wanted to meet Johnny Benson Jr. during Saturday’s Camper and RV Show at DeVos Place.

Darrell Eacott and his girlfriend, Tammy Phillips, who live about an hour north of Toronto, made the drive across the international line to meet Benson and have him sign their die-cast automobiles.

“A friend of mine is from Gravenhurst in Ontario and he found out about this, so we made the trip down,” Eacott said. “We’re just big fans. Johnny is the grassroots guy who races Saturday nights, and he doesn’t think twice about racing in different events if he isn’t doing NASCAR.

“At a young age, my dad said, ‘Let’s go to the race track,’ and ever since then I’ve been hooked,” said Phillips, who is a member of the pit crew when Eacott races cars in Ontario.

The dedication does not surprise Benson, who still is looking to find a long-term ride for the 2010 season. Although economic conditions are improving at a crawl, many NASCAR sponsors are affected by slow business.

In a sponsor-heavy sport such as auto racing, it means Benson often must wait for a ride to come along. He has been testing vehicles in Florida in advance of the Daytona 500.

Benson might join Kyle Busch’s team for Nationwide Truck Series events. Benson said he also is in talks with another group to attain a ride for the first few races of the year if the Busch team does not materialize.

“It’s contingent on sponsors. I may have a Daytona ride, but the goal is to try and get sponsorship and carry through,” Benson said. “We’re trying hard, and with the economy, it’s pretty tough. We’re still working on details, but we’re pretty optimistic about things. To make a good run at the championship season, we’d pretty much have to have sponsorship in the next two weeks.”

The last time Benson raced in the West Michigan area, he was involved in a horrific crash in a Super Modified race at Berlin Raceway. Benson said he is healed and ready to race again after the June accident.

“Things are going good there. For a little while, things were a bit sore, but now it’s like it never happened,” Benson said. “Obviously, I had left shoulder surgery and that meant time to heal. Even as far as a month and a half ago it was somewhat bothersome, but now it’s great and I’ve passed over that threshold.”

Benson is staying busy testing cars on the track, and off the track, his right arm got a workout Saturday signing autographs for fans such as John Henderson of Grand Rapids.

“I’ve been to about five or six events of his here in Grand Rapids,” Henderson said. “I’ve always been a fan of Johnny, he’s a great guy. Hopefully he gets that truck sponsorship.”

Bonnie Lipan, of Muskegon, may have a jealous boyfriend on her hands today. Her boyfriend, Jim Latch, of Muskegon, was unable to attend Saturday’s event, so Lipan went and got autographs and a picture taken with Benson.

“I’m new to NASCAR, and Johnny is my boyfriend’s favorite driver,” Lipan said. “He’s so upset with Johnny losing his sponsorship, and he’s been a big Benson fan. My favorite driver is Kyle Busch, and he may be Johnny’s boss someday."

Johnny Returns to Grand Rapids
Johnny is making a stop at the Camper Travel and RV Show this Saturday, January 16th and will be signing autographs during the hours of 1 - 4:30 p.m.   A special  autograph card has been created to celebrate Johnny's four championships he has earned over his racing career.  The JBFC will also be there with souvenirs when the show opens at 10:00 a.m.  We look forward to seeing you! 

Michigan’s largest RV Show at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, January 14-17, 2010
Special guests include Johnny Benson and authors Jim DuFresne and Michael Zadoorian

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 3, 2009 – The spirit of adventure that makes America unique led to explorers opening up the west, the rise of the automobile, and the landing on the moon. That same spirit is leading Americans to hit the road in RVs and campers to explore this great land, one beautiful mile after another.  As the RV industry celebrates its 100th anniversary, Michigan’s largest RV show (www.GrandRapidsRVShow.com) at DeVos Place January 14-17, 2010, will help modern-day adventurers set their dreams in motion. 

Fan-favorite and 2008 NASCAR Truck Series Champion Johnny Benson will be on hand Saturday to sign autographs. 

Hours for the show will be Thursday, Jan. 14, from 3 to 9:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 15 from noon to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 16, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 17, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Admission is $8 for adults, $3 for children 6 to 14, and free for children 5 and under. 

For more information, call 800-328-6550 or visit www.GrandRapidsRVShow.com. Advance tickets are available at the website and discount coupons for the show are available at participating Wendy’s restaurants in the Grand Rapids area.

Complete Release
 

Busch Still Searching for Sponsorship
Speedtv.com
Kyle Busch said Saturday that he's still trying to sign a sponsor so that 2008 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Johnny Benson can run full time this season in a third Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota Tundra. "We're still working on sponsorship projects for Johnny Benson in order to get him down to Daytona," Busch said Saturday in Nashville, where he was attending the Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust fan event. "We have till the 22nd to make something happen to that. We'll see how it works out. But I'd really like to get Johnny down to Daytona and be able to have him compete for a championship for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

Rick Ren, who won series titles as crew chief for Ron Hornaday in two of the last three years, is the team's competition director and has most of the personnel in place. Eric Phillips, who most recently was with Randy Moss Motorsports, will be crew chief for the truck shared by Busch and Brian Ickler. Dan Stillman, who spent much of last year as crew chief for Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards in the Nationwide Series, will be the crew chief for Tayler Malsam. Both have worked with Ren before; Phillips at Bang Racing and Stillman at Kevin Harvick Inc.

Arena Racing Fills Void for Fans, Drivers
By:  Steve Kaminski
Bob LeClaire and Steve Chapin were finishing off their beers in the DeltaPlex Arena concourse before some recent arena racing action, and the two buddies still were discussing the race from the week before. 

"His driver won last week,” LeClaire said. “He roots for the girl.”  Mention “the girl” at DeltaPlex or Berlin Raceway, and there’s a good chance it’s a reference to Kelsey Steele, 15, of Coopersville. Steele is arguably West Michigan’s most exciting young driver.  Last week, she did something she had never done. Ever,” LeClaire said. “She has been in the front, and then all of a sudden, once she gets passed by one, then she ends up in the back. Last week, no way. Nobody was touching her. She showed the boys. She is fantastic.”

Joe Gibbs called arena racing “family entertainment” when he visited the DeltaPlex in summer 2007. Gibbs is an investor in the series that was founded by Ricky Dennis in Norfolk, Va., in 2002.

Tickets are $9.50 for adults and $5 for children, and a night at the races lasts nearly three hours, so prices are competitive with local movie theaters.

That’s not why LeClaire makes the nearly four-hour trip to Walker from his Belle River, Ontario, Canada, home, though. He attended all 15 arena racing nights last year, and he plans on catching all 15 this year.

LeClaire is a former racer and a diehard fan. Arena racing is held indoors, the cars are half the size of regular stock cars and the track has an aluminum surface and is about one-tenth of a mile, making Berlin look like the Brickyard in comparison.

Arena racing appears to be a whole different product than outdoor racing, but don’t tell LeClaire or Chapin this isn’t the real deal.  “When I came to the first race last year, I was expecting little go-karts with people’s heads sticking out of the top of them,” said Chapin, of Wyoming. “I was almost immediately struck by the fact that, sure, it is a scaled-down track, but it is a hoot to watch and there is strategy and a skill level involved. Maybe even more so than on a big track because every move you make, you have to wait for your chance, and there is a very small window.”

Don’t tell drivers this isn’t the real deal, either. They race each other hard, and they get on each other’s nerves and bumpers, just like the outdoors version.  “Get in the car and try it,” said Clay Sanders, 15, of Holt. “It’s racing. You will get a workout in these cars. It’s challenging.”

Arena racing fills a niche for gearheads starving for short-track racing action during the winter months.  And different doesn’t mean bad.  
That’s what Jeff Striegle of Byron Center said. Striegle covers NASCAR races for the Motor Racing Network, and now that the season is done, he helps out Norm Jelsma with arena racing announcing duties.  “Does it remind me of Berlin? No,” Striegle said. “Does it remind me of Daytona or Michigan International Speedway? No. It’s its own venue. Its own entity. I think what it is, is exciting.  “If you want to come in and watch good short-track racing, where you are going to see people banging fenders, where you are going to see someone get upside down and walk away from a wreck, and you want to see some good hardcore, fast-paced racing, who you are not sure is going to win when you get here, then I think this is the place you want to be.”

What arena racing has in common with the area’s outdoor tracks is the drivers. This year’s field consists of 14-to-16 drivers, and they will compete throughout the state when the weather warms up.
It includes points leader Dave Sensiba of Middleville and defending champion Tim Phillips of Otsego. The veterans find that arena racing helps keep their skills sharp for the summer.

Teenage drivers such as Steele, Mitch Meppelink, Brandon Hermiller and Lauren Bush used arena racing to launch their stock car racing careers. They ran last winter before heading out to Berlin to compete in the track’s Young Guns division.

“What arena racing has done for Mitch is not only teach him how to drive in traffic, but he is really involved in the set-up of the car,” said Meppelink’s father, Randy Meppelink. “He has learned about caster, camber, stagger, track bar adjustments. It’s just like making an adjustment to a big car, so this is a great training ground for what he does at Berlin.”

Action returns to the DeltaPlex at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The program will host Quarter Midget racing along with the Arena cars on Jan. 9.

Media Selects Top Drivers, Top Race of Decade in National Series - Truck Series Results
With the recently completed 2009 season closing out another decade of NASCAR racing, media members have selected the top drivers and top races of the decade for all three national series as voted upon in a poll on NASCARMedia.com. Ron Hornaday Jr. was picked as the top NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver of the decade, followed by Todd Bodine and Johnny Benson.

Hornaday is the series' first four-time champion and won a pair of NCWTS titles during the decade - 2007 and '09. He has the most series wins (20) in the decade and set a modern-era record for consecutive wins (five) this past season.

The top NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race was the Feb. 18, 2005 event at Daytona International Speedway. The 2004 series champion, Bobby Hamilton, won by leading the last two feet. Jimmy Spencer mistakenly thought he had won the race and came to Victory Lane, when he in fact had finished second. The Nov. 14, 2003 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway came in second. Heading into the season finale, any one of the top four drivers in the points standings - Brendan Gaughan, Ted Musgrave, Travis Kvapil and Dennis Setzer - had a shot to win the championship. Kvapil took home his first NASCAR title after Gaughan was involved in an early wreck and Musgrave jumped a restart. Third-place honors went to the Feb. 16, 2007 race at Daytona, when three-time series champion Jack Sprague won following a three-wide race to the checkered flag.