January News

Congratulations!
To Jim Stack of Michigan who won the Autorama JBFC member contest.  Look for your prize to arrive soon!   (01-30-04)

World Snowmobile Association to hold
Regional Snocross event at Berlin Raceway
MARNE, MI - Berlin Raceway will be transformed from its summertime use as an asphalt stock car track into a snow-packed, high-banked, hilly snowmobile course on February 20 and 21, 2004. The World Snowmobile Association, considered the worldwide leader in snowmobile racing, will make its first-ever appearance at Berlin Raceway for the Nelson's Speedshop Snocross.

The event is part of the WSA Woody's Michigan Regional Circuit and offers 28 classes of competition relating to the age of the racer (as young as 4 years old), the competitive level of the driver (from beginners to pros) and the type of snowmobile being raced. More than 650 entries are expected for the two-day event. Local snowmobile enthusiasts are welcome to enter the competition, which also serves as a qualifier for a national event called Arctic Cat Snocross at the Speedway, to be held the following weekend at Michigan International Speedway.  (01-09-04)    Complete Story
 

2004 JBFC Celebration
Attention Johnny Benson Fan Club members - please mark your calendars!  The 2004 JBFC Celebration - sponsored by Berger Chevrolet is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15th.  The event will be held at Berlin Raceway.  More details to follow in upcoming newsletters.  (01-20-04)

JBFC Children's Contest
The JBFC held a contest in November for JB fans under 12.  Congratulations to Amanda Yates, Megan and Hannah Troupe Chris Carreras, and Haelee Koster.  For a glimpse of their entry on "Why they like Johnny Benson" -
Click Here   (01-27-04)
 

Johnny Testing in Daytona
Johnny will get behind the wheel of the #1 Yellow Transportation Dodge for testing in Daytona on Tuesday, January 20th.  The testing will last for 2 days which is in preparation for the Hershey's 300 on February 14th.  (01-19-04)
        **January 20th - 10th fastest in morning practice - 176.755
                              12th fastest in afternoon practice - 176.981
      **January 21st - 12th fastest in morning practice - 177.837
                                8th fastest in afternoon practice - 178.327

Daytona Testing
The NASCAR Preseason Thunder annual testing sessions at Daytona International Speedway as as follows:
     January   6 - 8:  Nextel Cup - Odd Owner's points
                              6th - Michael Waltrip - Fastest at 186.834  (Chevrolet)
                              7th - Michael Waltrip - Fastest at 186.590  (Chevrolet)
                              8th - Michael Waltrip - Fastest at 187.731  (Chevrolet)
     January 10 - 12:  Craftsman Truck
                              10th - Carl Edwards - Fastest at 181.218  (Ford)
                                        11th - Bobby Hamilton - Fastest at 180.774  (Dodge)
                                        12th - Steve Grissom - Fastest at 182.994 (Dodge)
     January 13 - 15:  Nextel Cup - Even Owner's points
                               13th - Jimmie Johnson - Fastest at 187.535  (Chevrolet)
                                          14th - Ricky Rudd - Fastest at 188.470  (Ford)
                                          15th - Kenny Schrader - Fastest at 187.793  (Dodge)
     January 17 - 18:  Busch - Odd Owner's Points
                                17th - Joe Nemechek - Fastest at 181.087  (Chevrolet)
                                18th - Rained out
                                19th - Dale Earnhardt Jr - Fastest at 181.056  (Chevrolet)
     January 20 - 21:  Busch - Even Owner's Points
                                20th - Jason Leffler - Fastest at 179.662  (Chevrolet)
                                21st - Jason Leffler - Fastest at 181.156 (Chevrolet)

Congratulations! 
To Haley Sisson of Arizona who won the early renewal contest for the 2004 Johnny Benson Fan Club!  Haley has been a fan club member since 1995.  Your 2 diecast cars personally autographed by Johnny will be delivered next week by the big brown truck!  (01-17-04)

Johnny Returns to the BGN Series
SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Phoenix Racing owner James Finch announced Friday that Johnny Benson will be the driver of the No. 1 Yellow Transportation Dodge in the NASCAR Busch Series.

Benson Back in Driver's Seat with Limited Ride
By Steve Kaminski - The Grand Rapids Press
Johnny Benson Jr. has been in this situation before, and last time, he nearly stunned the world of stock car racing. It was February of 2000 when the Grand Rapids native went down to the Daytona 500 with a little known team and came within four laps of winning NASCAR's Super Bowl.

Benson announced Tuesday that he will be taking another shot at Daytona glory in the Feb. 15 Nextel Cup season opener. Benson will again assume the underdog role when he attempts to qualify for the race in the No. 09 Phoenix Racing Dodge, a part-time Nextel Cup team owned by James Finch.
Complete Story  (01-14-04)


Benson to run Cup, Maybe Busch for Phoenix Racing
By Lee Montgomery, Turner Sports Interactive
Johnny Benson will drive Phoenix Racing's Dodges in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series in 2004, and there's a good chance he'll end up in the team's Busch Series car.

Phoenix team manager Marc Reno confirmed the Nextel Cup deal with Benson to drive the team's No. 09 Dodge in at least eight races this season. Joe Ruttman is testing the car this week because the deal with Benson happened too late to changeover the cars' seats to fit Benson.  Complete Story  (01-14-04)

A Ride for Daytona!  
The JBFC is happy to share with you that Johnny has agreed to drive the #09 Dodge owned by James Finch.  Their first race will be in Daytona - Johnny will be part of the field qualifying for a spot in the Daytona 500.  Johnny will not be testing the car at Daytona this week. Joe Ruttman will be handling the testing duties.  Johnny will be making a trip to Daytona to check things out. 

     Johnny's Schedule #09 Dodge - NEXTEL Cup   
     Daytona - February 15th      Las Vegas - March 7th
     Talladega - April 25th          Richmond - May 15th
     Daytona - July 3rd              Richmond - September 11th
     Talladega - October 3rd      Schedule Subject to Change

This is the information we have as of today - more information to be coming. There may be more races added to the schedule based on sponsorship.  Side Note:  James Finch Racing has a very good speedway program. Mike Wallace finished 9th in the season opening 2003 Daytona 500.  According to the information on the team page for #09 on jayski.com - this shop is located in Spartanburg, SC.   (01-13-04)

Remembering the Past

Do these 2 gentleman look familiar?  They are two of the smartest men I know in short track late model racing.  John Benson Sr. and Ed Howe have a discussion at Jennerstown Speedway in 1990.  This is the year that Johnny ran his first season in ASA and won the Rookie of the year honors.  (01-11-04)
 

Thank You - Exhibit Design
The Johnny Benson Fan Club would like to thank the staff at Exhibit Design for providing the display for the JBFC booth at the Autorama this weekend.

Exhibit Design Consultants uses eye catching graphics and high impact exhibit design to create unique displays that turn heads, making your message stand out above the rest!  They can provide you with
     * Portable Pop-up Displays
     * Custom Modular Island Displays
     * Kiosks and Podiums
     * Table Throws and Banner Stands
     * Booth Accessories
     * Creative Graphic Design
     * Large Format Printing
You can contact them at 1-800-536-9955 or check out their website at www.exhibitdesign.com      (01-12-04)

Congratulations!
To fan club member - Beth Imhoff for winning the first 2004 JBFC Message board contest.  Beth picked Michael Waltrip to record the fastest speed at the Odd Owner testing in Daytona.  Honorable Mentions - Jack Orange, Pete Hansen, Cathi Brownfield, Jack VanArtsen, David Bradley and Ralph Manting.  The big brown truck will be delivering a JBFC helmet to Beth next week!  The 2nd contest is underway on the message board - deadline is Monday!   (01-10-04)

Fan Fest vs. Preview:
NASCAR executives may be having second thoughts about moving the NASCAR Preview - now the NASCAR Fanfest -out of North Carolina. What was a successful Saturday-long venture in Winston-Salem for so many years was a flop here [Daytona] Wednesday night. Daytona Speedway officials said that 4,600 people showed up (at $10 a head) to ask questions of nine drivers, who sat on stage and didn't sign autographs, although autographs were available in souvenir packs. Others pegged the audience at fewer than 1,500. While in Winston-Salem, the event annually drew a sellout of 25,000. The drivers' stage was so low that most in the audience couldn't see the drivers. NASCAR officials said they would consider moving the preview around, perhaps one year in Charlotte, the next year in Richmond.  (Winston Salem Journal)  (1-9-2004)

Kyle Petty's Car at Rockingham
The #45 Dodge driven by Kyle Petty and sponsored by Brawny has a special paint scheme at the Rockingham race in November.  There was a handprint for every Winston Cup driver along with their signature. 

Johnny's signature was on the left rear quarter panel between the signatures of Kurt Busch and Mark Martin.  (I found that to be ironic - because that is who JB battled for the win in 2002).  As the cars lined up for qualifying, you could find the drivers taking a tour around the car to find their signature.  The hand that brought out the most smiles - Kenny Schrader - because they shortened his thumb!   (01-06-04)

JB Story at ESPN.com
Mike Massaro of ESPN did a phone interview with Johnny on his status for the 2004 Nextel Cup racing season.  For the complete story.  (01-04-04)

2004 Racing Schedules
The JBFC has combined the racing schedules for Cup, BGN, Truck, ASA and Johnny's appearances at Berlin Raceway on johnnybenson.com.   It's in order by month and includes the date, series, track and television production.      Check it out for an easy reference.  (12-24-03)

Daytona Testing and Fan Fest Activities
The 2004 season begins this week!  The JBFC is looking for "pit reporters" for this week's action at Daytona.  If you are interested in sharing your adventure with other JB fans, please email us at support@johnnybenson.com  (01-05-04)

Johnny's 2004 Racing Plans
At this point in time, it doesn't look like Johnny will be competing full time in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.  Since the notification of his release, Johnny has been taking to several owners and owners have been talking to him - but a full time ride has not transpired.   We are hoping that something will work out in the future to get Johnny behind the wheel of a Nextel Cup car.  We promise to keep you posted.    (12-28-03)   

Fan Fest Dates
Bands, Pit stop demonstrations and inquisitive fan forums with drivers are just some of the exciting features fans will experience at the all new 2004 NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest at historic Daytona International Speedway.  The 5 - 10 pm events will be held on the following days: 
     January 7 and 14:  Nextel Cup
     January 10:  Craftsman Truck
     January 17 and 20:  Busch 

Momentum Sports Tours
The coach tour is leaving from Grand Rapids to travel to the heart of NASCAR racing.  This trip takes you to Lowe's Motor Speedway at Charlotte for Memorial Day Weekend - May 28 - 31.  This package includes Cup and Busch Tickets, 3 nights at a Clarion Hotel and 3 meal transfers.  Price:  $695 each plus tax based on double occupancy.  Contact Ken Knoll at 616-249-8687 for reservations.  (12-18-03)