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."