December News




Merry Christmas to you! 
from
Aunt Barb, Katelyn and Mikayla Benson
 

Dear JB Fans,
As the end of the year approaches, it's a good time to reflect on 2003.  The first thing that comes to my mind is the friendships formed with Johnny's #10 crew.  No matter what the record books show for their final performance year, nothing can take away from their desire to put Johnny in a safe car and perform competitively.  I wish them well in their new endeavors. 

What can I say about you -  the JB Fans.  You are a great bunch of people who are passionate about NASCAR racing and Johnny Benson.  I truly appreciate your support, positive comments and interaction on this site.  If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see on this site or in the newsletter, please let me know.  

I'm looking forward to the 2004 season.  As of today, we do not know what all  it will bring - but the good news is that Johnny is healthy and ready to race.  When the right deal comes along, he will let us know.  Many of you have sent in your 2004 renewals early and shared your happiness, sadness and stories of why you are a JB fan.  Thank you for sharing your stories with us.  

Please have a safe, happy and healthy holiday season ....  As you get ready for your celebrations, please remember to take time out for yourself.  Most of all, I hope that you are able to spend quality time with your family and friends.  I know that I will be fortunate enough to do so! 

Happy Holidays - Barb Benson  

Renewal Contest
Time is running out for renewing members  ....  Don't miss out on your chance  to get your name into the drawing for two  - 1:24 Team Caliber Series diecast personally autographed by Johnny.  Deadline is January 3, 2004 (postmarked).    (12-27-03)
 

2003 JBFC Bumper Sticker
Attention 2003 JB fans!  I have a supply of the 2003 JBFC member bumper stickers for 2003.  If you would like another bumper sticker, please send a self addressed stamped envelope to the fan club address.  (It's listed on the top of your newsletter).  Please add:  Attn:  Bumper Sticker.    (12-16-03)


In Memory
It's with great sadness that I share with you that Stewart Bradley (our uncle) passed away on Monday after a courageous fight with cancer. 


Uncle Stew and Aunt Jackie
May you rest in peace

He was a strong supporter of Johnny's racing career.  Sunday's activities were centered around the timing of the race.   We could always count on him to help out with the annual JBFC celebration at Berlin Raceway.  In recent years, he along with our Aunt Jackie made sure that you filled out your name tags - you may have met him while you waited in line.  He will be greatly missed. 
Stewart Bradley     
(12-16-03)
 

Dayton Bombers Hockey Game
Johnny will be appearing at this hockey game on Friday, January 2, 2004.
Full Story 
(12-15-03)


Driver Spotlight

An article written by Rupen Fofaria on Johnny Benson's 2003 season can be found at ESPN. com.  Full Story    (12-10-03)
 

ASA returns to Berlin Raceway's 2004 Schedule
MARNE, MI - Berlin Raceway and American Speed Association (ASA) officials announced today that the June 12 event at Berlin Raceway has returned to the 2004 schedule.  Berlin Raceway will host both the 300-lap ASA National Tour event and the ASA Late Model Series (formerly USPro) 100-lap race on Saturday, June 12, 2004.

Scott Lane, president of Berlin Raceway, said that ASA and Berlin officials were able to put their heads together and work hard to resolve the issues holding up the event. A tentative working agreement was originally in place this fall for the event, but the two sides could not come together over final details.
"I'm very proud of the fact that we were able to get together and work out our differences," Lane said. "The fans are the ones that ultimately will benefit by experiencing this fantastic racing event at a reasonable ticket price. Both sides worked very hard together to bring the show back to Berlin and Iım happy that weıre able to continue the long-standing tradition of ASA Racing at Berlin."


"We are delighted that ASA and Berlin Raceway have come to a mutual agreement to have the event at this fine facility," said Joe Balash, ASA vice-president of race operations. "We were able to resolve our holdups and come to an agreement that everyone can walk away from happy. This is always one of the most popular tracks on the schedule for both the fans and the competitors, and we look forward to coming back this season."

ASA and Berlin Raceway have had a long relationship, with Berlin hosting 38 ASA races dating back to 1981. The list of race and pole winners includes such notables as Johnny Benson Jr., Mark Martin, Dick Trickle, Butch Miller and defending 2003 ASA National Champion Kevin Cywinski.

Ticket prices for the event are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the race. Pit passes are $30. Children 3 to 12 are half price and 2 and under are free.
Berlin Racewayıs 2004 schedule is available online at www.berlinraceway.com. More information regarding the 2004 special events will follow at a later date.

(12-20-03)
 

JB's Coffee Table
Check out the pictures of Johnny's new coffee table.  Inside the glass is the #10 Valvoline Pontiac he drove at Daytona in July of 2002.  Special thanks to Steve Sierp of Sullivan's Ford Woodworking who helped JB with the glass. Related Link - #10 Car Crushed - Full Story     (12-15-03)  

 

Congratulations! 
Jay Guy will lead the team for the No. 14 Chevrolet, driven by Casey Atwood. Guy comes to FitzBradshaw Racing from MBV Motorsports, where he served as the crew chief for Johnny Benson and the No. 10 Pontiac.  They are competing in the 2004 BGN Series.  Congratulations, Jay and good luck on your new adventure!   (12/10/03)
 

1990 ASA Championship
In 1990, Bob Senneker was crowned the ASA champion.  Can you guess who had 3 podium and 6 top ten finishes to collect the 1990 ASA Rookie Honors?   Full Story   (12/10/03)


PRI Show
Johnny attended the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show (PRI) this past weekend.  It was held at the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome in Indianapolis, IN.   This was the 16th year of the PRI show and show cased over 1,300 exhibitors.  This show gives the drivers, owners and teams a chance to meet with exhibitors and check out the vendors newest products.  (12/09/03)
 

Congratulations! 
We would like to congratulate our Annual JBFC Contest winners ...  Bill Hemp, Martha Neal, Mark Fritsma, Frank Zachman, Cathy Rottman, Larry Murawa, David Schroeder, Carla Blakken, Tom Moelker, Aaron Mepplink, Charlotte Madsen and Herb Combs!   
(12/09/03)
 

2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Schedule
The 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, consisting of 36 championship points races, will kick off NASCAR's 56th season on Sunday, Feb. 15 with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR officials announced today.   Full Story
 

Charity Updates
Johnny and Debbie Benson have recently contributed their time and efforts to different charities.  After the Busch race in Atlanta - Johnny, Debbie and Mikayla along with other drivers and race fans participated in a walk around the track to raise money for
Speedway Charities/Victory Junction Gang "Fun Walk" .....  Debbie participated in "The Great Egg Race" at Miami.  She along with Angela Skinner, Shana Mayfield and Carla Wallace competed in making omelets.  The winner was Angela and they raised $30,000 for the Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxiliary ..... 


Johnny and his fishing team

Johnny competed in a fishing event - The NASCAR Winston Cup drivers Hot Rods and Reels Charity Fishing Tournament.  This event raised money for the Darrell Gwynn Foundation to Cure Paralysis and the Betty Jane France Pediatric Center at the Homestead Hospital.  Johnny's team won the event.  JB's team included fishing guide Allen Duke, EBay auction winners Skip Pletzer and Tony Crowder, both of Florida.  Their group reeled in a peacock bass and a largemouth bass total 8.59 pounds. 


2003 JBFC Bumper  Membership Packets
The JBFC is offering you a chance to join the fan club and get everything that was sent out in the 2003 season for a discounted price of $12.  Quantity is limited, so enroll today.  Click here for the form

 

Tis the Season
The Toys for Tots campaign has started.  For those fan club members who live in Kent County and want to participate and donate a toy - Berger Chevrolet is a drop off point for this US Marine Corps Reserve program which helps disadvantaged children.  Berger Chevrolet is located at 2525 28th St., Grand Rapids, MI
 

Berlin Raceway
Johnny announced that he will be competing at Berlin Raceway three times in 2004.  Check back here in the future for confirmed dates.  


2004 Inside Winston Cup
Johnny announced on Sunday that he will return to the Inside Winston Cup show in 2004.   


Racing History
If you are a fan who likes to check out racing from the past - here is a site you can view.  www.retrorockets.org     John Benson Sr. is featured.
(Thanks, to JB fan - Ray for the tip!)
 

Extend Your Holiday Greeting to JB  
The National Speed Sport News will have a special greeting section planned for race drivers.  These greetings, along with the year's top-10 stories, season results and statistics, will appear in their year-end December 17th Holiday / Christmas Issue.  (Greetings Deadline is December 10th)  All you need to do is enclose $5 for each driver listed (up to four family names per $5).  Include your driver name, hometown and state.  Mail to:  National Speed Sport News - Driver's Greetings - PO Box 1210 - Harrisburg, NC  28075-1210. 
 

Rockingham - JBFC Chalet
The 3rd Annual JBFC Rockingham chalet was a success!  (Although, I have never been so cold in my life!)   It was great to have a chance to meet all the JB Fans in person and sit together to watch the race.  I finally got copies of some pictures that I would like to share with you. 

I need to thank my "pit crew" who traveled from Grand Rapids to help with the event.  Chuck Burns made sure that all of us "girls" behaved ourselves.  You may ask - where was his wife?  Well, someone had to take the picture!   

Back:  Judy "Mama" Benson, Bonnie Fischer, Chuck Burns,
Barb Benson and Jamie Madaj.  Front:  Jan Hartman and Tammy Ferguson

We did finally let Sheryl get in front of the camera!  Actually, this is a picture of my good friends that I met decades ago at Berlin Raceway.  Glenda and I sat across from each other.  She would be screaming for Bob Senneker and I would be screaming for my dad.  You could find Sheryl sitting in the fourth turn cheering on her dad, Eddie Vanderlaan.  How we every got to be such good friends is a mystery to our parents!  Here we are together with "our" favorite driver, JB! 



Glenda Royster, Sheryl Burns, Johnny and Barb

Victory Lane


ORP
July 25, 2008


Kentucky
July 19, 2008



Milwaukee
June 20, 2008

 

2008
Point
Standings
(As of ORP)
 

1. JOHNNY  
2. Ron Hornaday -15
3. Matt Crafton -31
4. Rick Crawford -155
5. Mike Skinner -157
6. Todd Bodine -204
7. Eric Darnell -225
8. Terry Cook -246
9. Jack Sprague -284
10. David Starr -322

Berger
Chevrolet

Check Out
Berlin Raceway
Results


Berlin Raceway
Racing Broadcast on 92.5 - The Outlaw
Click Here
to listen on
 the web


Berlin Raceway
Hall of Fame

John Benson Sr.
Harry Obie
Bob Knight

Gail Cobb
Ralph Baker
Jimmy Meyer

The Mysliwiec's
 


2008
Craftsman Truck Schedule
02/15 Daytona
02/23 California
03/07 Atlanta
03/29 Martinsville
04/26 Kansas
05/16 Lowes
05/24 Mansfield
05/30 Dover
06/06 Texas
06/14 MIS
06/20 Milwaukee
06/28 Memphis
07/19 Kentucky
07/25 Indy
08/09 Nashville
08/20 Bristol
09/06 Gateway
09/13 Loudon
09/20 Las Vegas
10/04 Talladega
10/18 Martinsville
10/25 Atlanta
10/31 Texas
11/07 Phoenix
11/14 Homestead
 
2008
Nationwide
Schedule
02/16 Daytona
02/23 California
03/01 Las Vegas
03/08 Atlanta
03/15 Bristol
03/22 Nashville
04/05 Texas
04/11 Phoenix
04/20 Mexico
04/26 Talladega
05/02 Richmond
05/09 Darlington
05/24 Lowes
05/31 Dover
06/07 Nashville
06/14 Kentucky
06/21 Milwaukee
06/28 New Hampshire
07/04 Daytona
07/11 Chicago
07/19 Gateway
07/26 Indy
08/02 Montreal
08/09 Watkins Glen
08/16 Michigan
08/22 Bristol
08/30 California 
09/05 Richmond
09/20 Dover
09/27 Kansas
10/10 Lowes
10/25 Memphis
11/01 Texas
11/08 Phoenix
11/15 Miami
 
2008
Sprint Cup
Schedule
02/17 Daytona
02/24 California
03/02 Las Vegas
03/09 Atlanta
03/16 Bristol
03/30 Martinsville
04/06 Texas
04/12 Phoenix
04/27 Talladega
05/03 Richmond
05/10 Darlington
05/25 Lowes
06/01 Dover
06/08 Pocono
06/15 MIS
06/22 Sonoma
06/29 New Hampshire
07/05 Daytona
07/12 Chicago
07/27 Indy
08/03 Pocono
08/10 Watkins Glen
08/17 MIS
08/23 Bristol
08/31 California
09/06 Richmond
09/14 Loudon
09/21 Lowes
09/28 Kansas
10/05 Talladega
10/11 Lowes
10/19 Martinsville
10/26 Atlanta
11/02 Texas
11/09 Phoenix
11/16 Miami
 

 


2008
JB's Berlin
Schedule
  August 2nd
September 27th
 

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