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JULY NEWS
Grand Rapids Driver Johnny Benson to Run
No. 23 Bill Davis Racing Toyota Tundra in
Line-X Spray-On Truck Bedliners 200 at MIS
Johnny Benson, a
Grand Rapids, Mich.-native, will return home this weekend to
race in the Line-X Spray-On Bedliners 200 NASCAR Craftsman
Truck Series (NCTS) race at Michigan International Speedway,
this Saturday July 31.
Benson will be making his
2004 debut in the Craftsman Truck Series driving the Bill
Davis Racing No. 23 Toyota Tundra. Last week, Benson tested
the No. 23 Tundra at Nashville Superspeedway.
“I’m really looking forward
to getting back to Michigan this weekend to race,” said
Benson. “The chance to drive for Bill Davis Racing and
Toyota is a great opportunity -- and the chance to race at
Michigan again makes it even better. There are a plenty of
places where I love to race -- but if I had to pick just one
track -- it would definitely be the one in my home state.”
Between 1995 and 1997, the
41-year-old driver made 12 NCTS starts. His most recent
NCTS start came at Martinsville (VA) Speedway in 1997 and he
recorded his best career NCTS finish -- a second-place -- at
Phoenix International Raceway in 1996. Benson also started
on the pole at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway in 1996.
“When we tested last
week, I discovered the trucks in the Craftsman Truck Series
are a little bit different than when I last drove one back
in ’97,” said Benson. “They seem to have more down force in
the front end now and they drive more like a car. I was
also impressed with the Toyota engine, which I found to be
remarkably smooth.”
This season, Benson has
qualified for four NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races and 11
Busch Series events. Between 1996 and 2003, Benson made 264
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup starts. He won his only Cup race at North
Carolina Speedway in 2002 and captured pole positions at
Michigan International Speedway (1997) and Atlanta Motor
Speedway (1996). Twice he finished 11th in the final
championship point standings (1997 and 2001).
The 1995 Busch Series
champion, Benson also earned Rookie-of-the-Year honors in
three different series -- the Cup Series (1996), the Busch
Series (1994) and the American Speed Association (1990).
A partner in Berlin Raceway
(Marne, Mich.), Benson has raced his Late Model at the track
located just outside of Grand Rapids three times this year,
finishing first and third twice.
Tickets are still available
for Saturday’s Line-X Spray-On Truck Bedliners 200 NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series race at MIS, along with Sunday’s
Michigan Indy 400 and Paramount Health Insurance 100. To
purchase tickets, or for more informatioin, log on to
www.MISpeedway.com,
or call the MIS ticket hotline at 1-800-354-1010. Children
12 and under are free the whole weekend and all seats for
Sunday's Michigan Indy 400 and Paramount Health Insurance
100 are just $40. All seats for the July 31 Line-X Spray-On
Truck Bedliners 200 are just $30 and a combination ticket
for both days, which includes three races, are just $50.
Kenny Irwin Foundation
Proceeds of the fundraiser to help bring under-privileged
and at-risk youth to summer camp. The foundation has been
created to develop and support programs to honor the memory
of the late NASCAR Winston Cup driver from Indianapolis.
More information will be posted when available or see the
www.kennyirwinjrfoundation.org site or call
1-877-987-CAMP (2267).
(07-22-04)
SHOP TALK with Nick Gebben
Standale Lumber Sportsman Championship Contender
by Brian Nelson
Ask anyone on pit road which
current Berlin Raceway driver is most likely to compete some
day at the higher levels of racing, and one name will keep
popping up: Nick Gebben.
"He's the total package," said one driver. "Looks, speaking
ability, relationships, and racing talent - the kid's got it
all."
That said, finding success in any of racing's big leagues
requires a lot more than a good smile and great driving
skills. No matter how well-connected a racer may be, he
still needs to prove he can win. While some racers have
quickly jumped from Berlin's junior class (Standale Lumber
Sportsman) in search of success in Engine Pro Super Stock or
Coors Light Late Model cars, Nick Gebben says he's in no
hurry.
Complete PR
(07-28-04)
MIS Truck Race
Johnny returns to NASCAR
competition on Saturday, July 31st at Michigan International
Speedway. He will be driving for Bill Davis Racing in
the #23 Toyota in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
The owner is listed as Gail Davis and the crew chief is Greg
Ely.
The race will be shown on SPEED at 1:00 pm.
(07-22-04)
Did You Know?
That Johnny drove the #18 Pennzoil Craftsman
Truck Series in 1996? The truck was owned by Kurt
Roehrig.
(07-25-04)
Congratulations!
To John Reiser, Matt Kenseth and
the entire Bayer HealthCare #17 crew on their win in the
Seimens 200 at the New Hampshire International Speedway.
(07-25-04)
Testing in Nashville
Johnny was behind the wheel of the #23
Toyota Tundra at Nashville International Speedway this week
for a one day test. This gave him an opportunity to
work with the team and get familiar with the handling of the
truck. Johnny felt it went well and is looking forward
to their race at MIS. (07-22-04)
Berlin Photos:
By Doug Dubois
Thank you for sharing your photos
with JB fans! (07-18-04)
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JB and Fred Campbell |
JB, Brian Prinz and Tom
Devette
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Jim Kurtz and JB push
the car |
Something is not right
with the car |
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Lined up for practice
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JB asks Tom Thomas to
take a couple
of laps which turned into about 10!
JB and his crew watches the #10 car |
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Around the track
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Berlin Fair Starts Today
The 149th Annual Berlin Fair comes to Marne beginning this
Sunday, July 18. The Fair, held at the Berlin
Fairgrounds/Raceway on Berlin Fair Drive, offers something
for everyone, from petting zoos to rides to demolition
derbys.
A re-configured midway will be the first thing fans notice
as they arrive. The midway stretches parallel to the road
now, running from Berlin Raceway's ticket offices beyond the
main entrance all the way back to a newly acquired piece of
land across from State Street. The new midway will
accommodate more carnival rides than last year - a total of
28 rides including the Ferris Wheel, Tilt-A-Whirl, Pirate
Ship and others will be supplied by Jules & Beck Combined
Shows. Many food vendors will line the midway with
traditional fair food such as corn dogs, elephant ears,
french fries, sausage, pizza, cotton candy and more. The
midway comes to life beginning Monday at 5 p.m.
A special promotion in conjunction with WLHT and Meijer is
the WLHT/Meijer Kiddie Corral. A coupon from area Meijer
stores gets kids free gate admission and kiddie rides from
11 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Friday. In addition to the
free rides for kids, mothers will get into the fairgrounds
for free during that time. Regular gate admission is $3 per
person 13 and over, and rides are $19.95 per day for
unlimited rides (1 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11
a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday). On Monday, rides are $10 for
unlimited rides from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday is Kids Day, with
all rides priced at .50 from 1 to 6 p.m. for kids 12 and
under. Guests can receive a free ride if they bring a canned
good for the WOTV-41/Spartan Stores Food Drive. Standard
ride prices are $1.00 per ticket, 12 tickets for $10 or 24
tickets for $20.
Complete PR
(07-18-04)
Condolences to the Hendrick Family
The patriarch of one of NASCAR's
most powerful teams, Joseph Riddick "Papa Joe" Hendrick Jr.,
died Wednesday. "Papa Joe" is the father of Rick
Hendrick, the owner of Hendrick Motorsports, which fields
the cars of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Terry Labonte and
Brian Vickers in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and of Kyle
Busch in the Busch Series. Johnny used Hendrick
Engines during his time at MBV Motorsports.
(07-15-04)
Petty Ride Special to
Air on Speed:
Speed Channel plans to
air a one-hour special on Kyle Petty's Charity Ride Across
America at 8:00pm/et on July 16. This year’s ride, the 10th
annual event, raised money for the Victory Junction Gang
Camp, which Petty and his wife, Pattie, have developed for
children with life-threatening illnesses.
(07-15-04)
Are You
Heading to Charlotte, NC?
Take an extra day and check check out
the Race Shop tours. It saves you from map reading, trying
to ask for directions and let someone else do the driving.
The Race Shop Tour takes you to the shops of Hendricks
Motorsports, Roush Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Penske Racing,
Robert Yates Racing, Dale Earnhardt Inc, MBV and MB2, and
Chip Ganassi Racing. You can reach them at 704-788-8802 or
www.raceshoptours.net
(07-14-04)
Johnny on SPEED Softball Team
During the Kentucky Truck weekend,
Johnny joined the Speed Team in a softball game against the
Craftsman Truck Series Drivers. For complete story and
photo gallery -
click here (07-13-04)
MIS and Bristol Trips
Momentum Sports Tours
is now offering 2 great trips to the NASCAR races. You
can travel to MIS for the Cup race on Sunday, August 22,
2004. This includes a motorcoach tour, grilled lunch
and quality seat. Prices range from $145 and $175.
The other trip takes you to Bristol Motor Speedway for the
night races for BGN and CUP on August 26 - 29th. This
package includes 3 nights hotel, 3 meals and track transfers
along with your race tickets. Prices is $695 plus tax.
Contact Ken Knoll at 616-249-8687 for
reservations.
(07-10-04)
Berlin Fair to roll into
Marne July 18-24
Grandstand Events Schedule brings excitement to Fair Week
The 149th Annual
Berlin Fair is just around the corner! Scheduled for July
18-24, the Berlin Fair is the highlight of the summer for
many area kids and parents as well as fans of all ages
attending the exciting grandstand events.
Whitecaps Racing (Berlin Raceway) has partnered with the
Berlin Fair Association in 2004 to manage the grandstand
events, and the two organizations have put together an
exceptionally strong slate of events.
In addition to the fan favorites Coors Light Demolition
Derby (Tuesday, July 20), Miller Lite Motocross (Wednesday,
July 21) and Bud Light Off-Road Demolition Race (Saturday,
July 24), two new events are coming to the Berlin Fair this
year: the Bud Light Night of Destruction on Thursday, July
22 and the Coors Light Enduro 250 on Friday, July 23.
Complete PR
(07-06-04)
Kentucky Truck Race
Johnny returns to the announcers booth with
Rick Allen and Phil Parsons for the Truck Race in Kentucky
on Saturday, July 10th. This race will be on SPEED at
8:00 pm.
(07-07-04)
Berlin Raceway - Driver
Profile
SHOP TALK with Joe Bush
Coors Light Late Model Points Leader
by Brian Nelson
Hard as it may be to believe, Joe Bush never
wanted to be a race car driver. Though his father (John
Bush) had raced at tracks throughout Michigan before Joe's
birth, the sport never really piqued this attention as a
kid. That is, until the day Joe and his buddy Denny saw an
old sportsman race car for sale in the newspaper.
Complete Story (07-07-04)
Kentucky Photos:
By Barb Benson
Truck Series - O'Reilly Auto Parts 250
Johnny returns to the announcing booth this
weekend for the Truck race in Kansas. The race will be
shown on SPEED at 3:00 pm ET.
(07-01-04)
Berlin Raceway - Driver
Profile
Note: During
our membership renewal process, JB fans requested more
information on Berlin Raceway drivers. Here is our
first profile.
SHOP TALK with Terry Van Haitsma
Standale Lumber Sportsman Points Leader by Brian
Nelson
Blink, and you'll miss it. Drive down 48th Avenue, a few
miles south of Chicago Drive, and you'll come upon a world
that hasn't changed much over the last 100 years. Few have
even heard of the small town of Zutphen, MI, which lies
somewhere southwest of Hudsonville and northeast of
Vriesland. But the tiny community that boasts a church, a
dairy supply store, and a handful of family farms now boasts
its own Terry Van Haitsma, driver of the silver #21 Standale
Lumber Sportsman car.
Terry, a curly-haired
23-year-old heavy equipment mechanic, lives with his parents
on a farm that the state of Michigan says has been in the
Van Haistma family for more than 100 years. Situated between
the 110-year-old house and 120-year-old barn lies the
2-year-old machine shop/garage that houses Terry's race car.
Complete Story
(07-01-04)
VanderLaan to be
Honored in
Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame
The Board of Directors for the
Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame, whose objective is to
promote and preserve Michigan's extensive racing history,
are pleased to announce the 2004 inductees. The
inductees include the late Harry Melling of Jackson, who
was a NASCAR team owner, drag strip owner John Grivins
from Otsego, NHRA drag racer Harry Doolittle of Hillsdale,
track owner/promoter and announcer Tom Kestonholtz of
Lansing, and announcer/writer Gary Lindahl of Plymouth.
Also included is AMA motorcycle racer Scott Parker of
Swartz Creek, along with Late Model drivers Neil Penny of
Galesburg, John Tenney, the Kesolowski Family (John, Ron
and Bob) from Rochester, former ASA competitor Bruce
Vanderlaan of Grand Rapids, and Roger Wing.
Complete PR
(07-01-04)
Inside Nextel Cup
Johnny will not be on Inside
Nextel Cup this week. Look for him to return to the
expert panel after Daytona.
(06-27-04)
Berlin Photos: By Tom
Devette
Thanks to Tom Devette for allowing us to use his photos.
Hope you enjoy them! (06-28-04)
Broadcast Booth at Milwaukee Mile
Johnny joined Rick Allen and Phil Parsons in
the broadcast booth in Milwaukee this past weekend. He
provided a driver's perspective on both the Truck and BGN
race.
(06-28-04)
Berlin Photos:
By Doug Dubois
Thanks to JB fan Doug Dubois with sharing his photos from
the Berlin Race on June 16th.
(06-28-04)
Berlin Raceway Video
Did you miss the race at Berlin Raceway that featured Johnny
Benson and Michael Waltrip? Every week, Steve Bennett and
his staff set up cameras around Berlin Raceway to capture
all the action. Videos are now available for you to
purchase. Cost: $20 plus $3 for S/H for each tape. Send your
check or MO to: Prime Trax Video, PO Box 304, Ada, MI 49301.
(06-22-04)
Berlin Fair
The Berlin Fair is scheduled for the
week of July 18 - 24. It is a great event to take your
family. With an emphasis on youth and agriculture, the
Berlin Fair provides the community with a financially sound
fair that educates, entertains, and allows for community
involvement with wholesome family atmosphere. For more
information on grandstand events and tickets prices you can
check them out at
www.berlinfair.org
(06-17-04)
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