Rain Holds Off, Benson Starts 11th In California

#10 Valvoline Pontiac driver Johnny Benson was the last guy who wanted to see rain at California Speedway on Friday afternoon. After two hours of practice Friday morning, Benson and his Crew Chief James Ince were convinced they could qualify well.

If only they could get the chance.

After practice, rain soaked the two-mile D-shaped oval. A cancellation meant the field would be determined by owner points and Benson would have to start 30th for Sunday's race that begins at 3 p.m. Eastern time. But the rain stopped.
Under overcast skies and in a cold piercing wind, Winston Cup qualifying began and Benson and Ince's optimism proved correct.

Benson posted the 11th quickest time of the 46 qualifiers. "I'm just glad we got this in today," said Benson after the run. "That was a pretty good lap. I smoked down into three a little too much but we are alll pretty happy with that. Now we will just concentrate on Sunday and get a good finish." Ryan Newman won the pole. Benson will race the Eagle One paint scheme this weekend.
 

Results
1 Ryan Newman* 187.431
2 Kurt Busch 187.412
3 Dale Jarrett 186.852
4 Jimmie Johnson* 186.620
6 Michael Waltrip 185.897
8 Tony Stewart 185.481
9 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 185.433
10 Rusty Wallace 185.304
11 Johnny Benson 185.185
12 Casey Atwood 185.104
13 Joe Nemechek 185.075
14 Jeremy Mayfield 184.966
15 Ricky Craven 184.933
16 Jeff Green 184.933
17 Jeff Gordon 184.904
18 Steve Park 184.876
19 Kyle Petty 184.861
20 Matt Kenseth 184.766
21 Kevin Harvick 184.662
22 Jimmy Spencer 184.634
23 Ken Schrader 184.520
24 John Andretti 184.364
26 Mark Martin 184.232
27 Ward Burton 184.133
28 Bobby Labonte 184.133
29 Greg Biffle 183.931
30 Bobby Hamilton 183.659
31 Hut Stricklin 183.523
32 Dave Blaney 183.500
33 Mike Skinner 183.411
34 Terry Labonte 183.043
35 Stacy Compton 182.922
36 Brett Bodine 182.922
37 Ricky Rudd 182.736
38 Jeff Burton 182.796
39 Bill Elliott 175.905
40 Robby Gordon 182.204
41 Steve Grissom 182.167
42 Rick Mast 181.832
43 Shawna Robinson*181.328
44 Brendan Gaughan 182.764
45 Chad Little 182.486
46 Hermie Sadler