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Quotes from
Johnny and James
JOHNNY BENSON (driver of the
NASCAR Valvoline Pontiac, recovering from a
concussion and rib injuries two weeks ago at Richmond):
"One of the highlights of my
career was last October in Charlotte. We were sitting on the
grid getting ready to start the race and there was a delay.
I asked some of our guys what was going on and they told me
the war (in Afghanistan) had started. Man, you talk about
changing your perspective about a lot of things. I mean here
we are before a race, getting ready to do what we do for a
living and for fun, then all of a sudden you get hit with
that type of reality. I remember thinking then, as I do now,
that those people in the service all over the world are
there to keep us free and allow us to do what we want to do
in life. I can't think of a better thing to do in life than
that.
"I think every major race series in the world has a big race
during the (Memorial Day) weekend and there is nothing wrong
with that, but I hope everyone will remember that there have
been a heck of a lot of people who died fighting for our
freedom. There's no way you can really repay their sacrifice
except to remember and appreciate what they have done for
all of us. By racing and remembering we are honoring them."
JAMES INCE (crew chief on the Valvoline Pontiac):
"This (racing) is all fun and
games. I mean, we pay our bills racing, but what the people
in the Armed Services have done for us in the last year and
the last 200 years is something few of us can even begin to
appreciate. It's hard to believe guys my age and younger are
willing to make that kind of sacrifice. But I'm glad they
are and support them 100 percent.
"I think those moments before the race starts, when we honor
our military with the planes flying over, is the most
spine-tingling moment of the whole weekend. I know a bunch
of those people in the military will be listening or
watching our race this weekend and I hope they understand
how much we appreciate what they are doing for us."
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