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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
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