Flooding Hits the Midwest
The rain will not go away in part of the Midwest.  Michigan is getting hit hard with most of the rivers overflowing and people being forced from their homes.  We hope that JB fans are surviving the weather challenges.   (05-26-04)

Why am I sharing this picture with you?
It appears that the JB Fan Club Director had
a problem with her car this week and she
 needs to show her brother that she has a sense of humor! 
 

Photo Collages
For those JB fans who purchased the 8 x 10 JB 2004 Daytona Photo Collage ...  The photos are being mailed out on 05/26/04 from Michigan. 
(05-25-04)

Bristol Motorcoach Tour
This motorcoach tour takes you to Bristol for the night races on August 26th—29th. This package includes Cup and Busch Tickets, 3 nights Hotel and track transfers. Price: $695 each plus tax based on double occupancy.  Contact Ken Knoll of Momentum Tours at 616-249-8687 for reservations.  (05-14-04)
 

A Fan's Perspective and Photos:  By Doug Dubois
A big thank you to Doug Dubois for sending the JBFC this great pictures of Johnny's activity at Berlin Raceway on May 15th.  Doug even took the time to write about his experience.  Thank you, Doug! 

I hung around JB's pit Saturday during practice and thought I would give a little report.  For those who don't know - JB is owner, driver, crew chief and head mechanic on this car he built himself.  When I first got there, he and his usual crew of four were rebalancing the tire and wheels for the 100 lapper.  The Hooiser Tire busters balanced the tire and wheels, but Johnny has his own balancing machine and does it again. 

Barb was there and we talked awhile about JB's situation and the less than smooth start to the ASA season.   (We both go to several ASA races a year).  John Sr. was there too.  I observed Sr. and Jr. talking about how the car was handling.  I could not hear what they were saying but I knew it was about handling because their were both using their hands.  (LOL).  After a few laps of practice, JB and the crew changed the camber in both front tires.  After a few more laps, he came back in and changed it again.  They did not qualify everyone as this was a make up from the previous weekends rain outs, but JB was fast.  Practice was over so it was time for me to head up to my seat in the stands.  JB looked calm, relaxed and having fun.  Why shouldn't he be having fun.   Like I always say, a bad day at a race track is better than a good day at work.   (05-18-04)

JB's Fan Support
The JBFC has received numerous emails showing support for Johnny and his racing career.  We truly appreciate your words of encouragement and are going to highlight some of them on the site.  Complete Story   (05-18-04)
 

Berlin Photos:  By Dirk Redder
Special thanks to Dirk Redder for sharing these photos with JB fans.  Dirk was one of the lucky fans who traveled to North Carolina to watch the races at Rockingham with other JB fans!  (05-17-04)

Johnny Finishes 4th at Berlin
On a cold and clear night, Randy Sweet won the 100-lap Coors Light Late Model points feature at Berlin Raceway on Saturday, May 15th.  Johnny started at the back of the field in the 32nd position and made his way towards the front to finish 4th.  (05-16-04)

Johnny and Fred Campbell                Going around the track

Charlotte Testing
For two nights at the Lowes Motor Speedway, Johnny got behind the wheel of the #96 Chevrolet owned and maintained by Cal Wells and the PPI Motorsports Team.  "I felt the testing went well.  We focused on making laps in race trim and seemed to be comparable on the speed charts, said Johnny.  "I really enjoyed working with the PPI Motorsports team."   (05-13-04)

Dear JB Fans,

     Wow - what a week!  From no longer being the driver of Phoenix Racing to testing at Charlotte for Cal Wells / PPI Motorsports to ending the week at JB's favorite track, Berlin Raceway.  It sure has been a roller coaster ride and I'm glad that you are hanging on! 

Thank you for your emails of encouragement and support.  I would like to share one email that I received - I believe it makes a strong statement. 

"My name is Tim and I have followed you as a driver for the past 5 years.
I wanted to take the time to send an "atta boy". Johnny from what I have
come to know about you from your show " Inside Nextel Cup Racing"
and just all the interviews you are EXACTLY the kind of driver I want my
 kids to look up to.  You are so well spoken and seem to care for your
fellow drivers and the sport as a whole. Please don't let this minor set
back change the way you live your life in anyway. You always take the
 high road and I just wanted you to know my wife and I appreciate it
very very much.  Best wishes in your future ride."

I would also like to thank Bob Moore, Team Yellow's PR rep for his pre race and post race press releases that he supplied to the JBFC.  Plus for answering all my questions and even putting up with me when I was so excited at Nashville when JB took the lead!  On a side note:  you can also see his articles in the Cup Scene weekly newspaper. 

      Johnny and Bob Moore walking down pit road

What's in store for Johnny past this weekend?  Nothing concrete is planned at the moment. We will try to keep you informed as racing events present themselves.  Again, thank you for your words of encouragement and support of Johnny and his racing effort.  Hope to see you at Berlin this weekend! 
(05-13-04)
                                              Barb Benson

Johnny Back to Berlin
NASCAR veteran Johnny Benson will make an unscheduled visit to Berlin Raceway Saturday night, May 15, to compete in a double-length 100-lap Coors Light Late Model points feature.

On Monday, Benson parted ways with Phoenix Racing, owner of the Busch Grand National and Nextel Cup cars that Benson had been driving this season. Benson tested a Nextel Cup car owned by Cal Wells' PPI Motorsports team earlier this week at Charlotte and recorded the eighth fastest speed of the 16 cars testing.

Benson faced a weekend without race plans and contacted the track today regarding his intentions to race his Late Model at Berlin on Saturday.

Fans can look forward to a full slate of racing action Saturday. In addition to the bonus of Benson's participation, fans will see a double-length Coors Light Late Model feature as part of a make-up from an April 24 postponement due to rain. Also scheduled is a special 50-lap Engine Pro Super Stock race (regularly 30 laps) and a 25-lap Standale Lumber Sportsman race. The event is a weekly points show dubbed as Engine Pro Super Stock Night presented by Engine Pro.

Ticket prices remain the regular rate of $11 in advance and $12 at the door despite the appearance by Benson and the extra-length feature races. Children 3-12 are half price and 2 and under are free. Pit passes are $25. Gates open at 11 a.m. and the first race begins at 7 p.m.

Benson, a Grand Rapids native who began his racing career at Berlin Raceway in 1986, has been a regular on the NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Grand National circuits since 1994. He won the 1995 NASCAR Busch Grand National championship and has finished as high as 11th place in NASCAR Nextel Cup points. His scheduled visits in 2004 include June 16 (with Michael Waltrip), July 17 and August 18 (with Bobby Labonte).      (05-12-04)

Charlotte Testing Photos:  By David Griffin

Special Thanks to David Griffin for allowing us to post his pictures to share with JB Fans!

Johnny and PPI Motorsports
Cal Wells and the PPI Motorsports team has asked Johnny  to do some testing for the team.  Johnny has agreed and his seats are fitted in the #96 car. He was supposed to test at Kentucky a couple of weeks ago, but it rained out. Yesterday was an afternoon / night test in which he was 7th fastest.  He is back at the track today (Tuesday) for additional testing.  (05-11-04)

Johnny and Phoenix Racing

Effective immediately,  Johnny is no longer the driver for Phoenix racing in the BGN or Cup series.  (05-10-04) 
 

The Martin's Travels
Dave and Donna Martin of Michigan are enjoying their retirement years by traveling throughout the USA. 

We finally made it to Daytona Speedway.  We toured the track and took in Daytona USA.  We were really surprised when they walked in and seen the 30 degree bank with the cars. At the top was Johnny's Valvoline car - Johnny B is on the roof - What a pleasant surprise for us!   

We also got the change to see the Daytona 500 movie they made and there was a lot of shots of Johnny.  There was even one walking up to get in his car.  After that movie, they showed the NASCAR 3-D Movie Imax.  Now we have the bug to come down for speed weeks.  What the heck - as long as we are retired we should just start track hopping for a living.  Take care and Boggitty ....  Boggitty ...  Boggity       PS ...  We are having a hard time finding RV Camp Sites that have Speedvision on Monday nights!  (05-10-04)

The JBFC would like to  wish you a very Happy Mother's Day!