Benson Third at Rockingham

#10 Valvoline Pontiac driver Johnny Benson posted the best average finish of
any Winston Cup driver at North Carolina Motor Speedway in 2001.

He took a big step toward defending that title on Friday when Benson and his
Valvoline teammates qualified third just behind teammate Kenny Schrader for
Sunday's 400-mile race in Rockingham.

"We are very happy with that," Benson said seconds after qualifying. "(Crew
Chief) James Ince said we needed to make some changes right before qualifying and that's what we did and it sure paid off. Last time we were here we started 39th and ended up third so we vowed we'd come back here and qualify better and we did just that today. Now we just need to finish two spots better."

Six of the last eight races at Rockingham have been won from a top-10 starting
position.

"I'm glad we are in the top 10," added Benson. "That seems important here."

Ricky Craven won the pole followed by Schrader and Benson.

"That might be about the best our two cars have qualified. I know they work
hard at the #36 and I'm happy for them. Our program is improving each week and I hope you see more qualify like you did today."

Benson hopes his trend of qualifying at the back but racing brilliantly at
Rockingham continues on Sunday. He performed the best of any driver last season at Rockingham posting a third-place finish in October and a sixth-place finish in February.

"Sure we can repeat that. I hope we do even better. Rockingham is one of my
favorite places and I think we have as good a shot as anyone on Sunday."

Benson was tenth quickest in practice Friday morning. Benson is also tenth in
Winston Cup points following his 10th-place finish at season-opening race at
Daytona last Saturday.

Benson and his Valvoline teammates will practice 9:30 -10:15 a.m. on Saturday
and 11:15-noon. Fox will televise Sunday's race at 1 p.m.

Benson is racing this week for the Greensburg, Ind. chapter of the Big Brothers
and Big Sisters of America. Valvoline matches Benson's performance by donating $5,000 for a win, $2,500 for a pole, $1,000 for a top ten 10 finish, $500 for a top 20 finish and $20 for each lap led to both the local chapter as well as the national chapter. Since 1999 Valvoline has raised more than $700,000 for BBBSA.