|
JOHNNY
BENSON APPROACHES 2004 SEASON WITH YOUTHFUL ANTICIPATION
SPARTANBURG, SC (February
11, 2004)
Johnny Benson is no kid. Yet
the 40-year-old driver certainly feels like one every year
about this time. "The start of racing season is like
Christmas to a race driver," says Benson, driver of Yellow
Transportation Dodge for Phoenix Racing. "You can't wait
for it to get here."
Benson's racing version of Christmas is only a few days
away as the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series season will open the
first of its 34 presents on Saturday at Daytona
International Speedway with the running of the Hershey's
Kisses 300.
"No one expects to win all 34 races," says Benson. "But
you go into each race thinking you've got a chance to win
that one. You don't know which one will be the one you
win. But with a team like Yellow Racing, you are confident
that you have a chance to win every time out."
This will be Benson's first
year as the driver of the Yellow Dodge. "I couldn't
be happier that (car owner) James Finch called me and
asked me to drive the #1 car," says Benson. "I know that
Phoenix Racing is one of the best teams in the Busch
division."
Benson, the 1995 Busch Series champion, believes he has a
shot at winning a second championship in the Yellow car.
"We need to get off to a good start with a good run on
Saturday," says Benson. "If we can do that and put
together four or five good runs to start the year, it will
help everyone's confident that this team can be a
championship one. "James has never really run for
the championship, but I know that is one of his goals for
the team this year. And it certainly is one of mine."
|
