Whelen Richmond Preview

Former NASCAR Busch Series Champion Johnny Benson makes his return to the Busch Series this weekend in Ted Marsh’s #31 Whelen Monte Carlo. Benson and Crew Chief James Ince will lead Marsh’s effort to add a Busch South trophy to go along with its NASCAR modified and Busch North trophies the Old Lyme, Connecticut-based team earned in recent years.

Since announcing the agreement in April, Marsh and Ince have been preparing the cars in Connecticut for at least five races and possibly even more. The Marsh team plans to bring the car to the Valvoline team’s shop in Concord, N.C. during the week then on to Richmond. After Richmond, Benson and Marsh will team up again to race in Loudon, N.H. the following week

Benson has competed in a handful of Busch races since the 1995 season when he won the championship for Bace Motorsports.

Benson On Busch Return:

“I’m looking forward to it. Going back to the Busch Series should be a lot of
fun. There are a lot of good people over there and I’ve had a lot of success in
the Busch Series. It’s going to be fun and competitive but one of the reasons
we are going over there is to see what we can learn for our Winston Cup deal.
It would be great if we can go there and win for Whelen and learn a lot for our
Valvoline program.”

Benson On Whelen and Marsh Crew:

“I had met them last year but didn’t really start getting to know them until
this year. It seems like you can’t go to a racetrack up in the Northeast
without seeing their logo somewhere. I’m going up to their plant next week to
see their employees so that should be a lot of fun. I used to work in tool and
die so I can relate to a lot of their employees. We want to win for them no
doubt. I don’t know who will be more excited about winning Whelen or me. But I’
d like to find out.

“The Marsh guys have been great so far as well. We haven’t had a chance to test so we are going to get to know each other this weekend. But I think we are
going to be fine. This is going to be kind of fun I think.”

Benson On Busch Cars Vs. Cup Cars At Richmond:

“You drive Richmond the same in both cars. I mean the Busch car will probably
turn better because of the shorter wheelbase. Outside that, as a rule, you
drive the cars the same. The groove is the same. I’ve raced there in the Busch
Series and watched a lot of races there and it’s pretty much the same.

“From the driver perspective you don’t change your strategy that much either.
It’s still a long race. Yes, it’s half the distance but that’s still a long
race. Tire wear is an issue and you still have to be smooth during the race. I
think from watching the Busch Series on television lately, you also need to
keep your car going in the right direction and avoid all the wrecks.”

The Race:

Hardee's 250
Richmond International Raceway
Friday, May 3, 2002
7:30 p.m. ET
TV: FX Radio: MRN

Race Schedule

Thursday, May 2nd
12:30 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. Practice
4:00 p.m. Qualifying - All Positions (2 laps)
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Happy Hour

Friday, May 3rd
7:10 p.m. Drivers Introduction
7:40 p.m. Start - Hardee’s 250