1996 - Remember When
By:  Barb Benson

Johnny started his Winston Cup career with owner Chuck Rider and the Bahari Racing team.  He the #30 Pontiac Grand Prix. Doug Hewitt was his crew chief and Pennzoil sponsored the car.

 

The Shop	Located in Mooresville, NC

 

 

Carolyn and the late Chuck Rider	Doug Hewitt and Johnny

 

Johnny earned the pole position at Atlanta Motor Speedway in only his fourth start just after the birth of his first child, Katelyn.

 

The Timing Board	Getting his award	Posing with team

 

Won 1996 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year award.  Led 70 laps in the 1996 Brickyard 400, the most of any driver. Finished 21st in points.

 

The team hard at work	Relaxing in the Lounge

It takes a team to race	Can't live without the scorer  Nikki Taylor

 

Johnny was invited to run the 1996 IROC Series as the Champion of the BUSCH series.  He also made time to do a weekly television show - called "Inside Winston Cup Racing".
 

Johnny competed in the IROC Series with drivers Mark Martin and  Dale Earnhardt	Johnny and a IROC crew member debrief	Johnny was invited to be on Inside Winston Cup by Michael Waltrip.

 

Favorite Photos ...
 

Johnny signing autographs	Being interviewed  by Ned Jarrett	John Sr. and Chuck Rider sharing a laugh
Johnny and Rob Albright	Rob's wife, Connie and Debbie	Johnny, Judy  and John Sr.

 

1996:
Owner:  Chuck Rider - Bahari Racing – Mooresville, NC
Car:  #30 Pontiac Grand Prix
Sponsor:  Pennzoil
Crew Chief:  Doug Hewitt
Point Standings:  21^st
Earnings: $947,080
Competed:  30 of 31 events
Age:  33
Top 5:  1
Top 10:  6
Pole:  1
Laps Led:  105
Total Laps:  8,506

Achievements: 

• First year in Winston Cup Racing
• Won the 1996 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year award
• Earned pole position at Atlanta Motor Speedway in only his fourth start just after the birth of his first child.
• Led 70 laps in the 1996 Brickyard 400, the most of any driver
• Ran Super Truck – #18 sponsored by Pennzoil
• Competed in the IROC Series
• Competed in last race at N. Wilkesboro
• Competed in Japan
• Panelist on Inside Winston Cup Racing

Headlines:

• “Oh, Baby:  Rookie Benson Wins Pole” – Atlanta Race”
• “Benson Not Your Typical Winston Cup Driver”
• “It’s Just Plain Harder In Cup”
• “Benson Drives with Pneumonia at the Rock”
• “Crew Chief – 2 week suspension after Wilkesboro”
• “Major Crash in Coca Cola 600 – Benson Hit By Craven”
• “Kaminski – GR Press Reports  – “Water Boy at MIS Race”
• “Benson Gains Respect”
• “Benson Falls Short in Bid for Victory at Brickyard”
• “Benson Scores a Career Best”
• “Rookie Benson Now Running with Big Boys”

Busch Series
Point Standings:  107th     
Earnings: $9,100
Competed:  1 of 26 events
Total Laps:  30

Miami Race

Craftsman Truck Series 
Point Standings:  39th
Earnings: $34,525
Competed:  4 of 24 events
Top 5:  1
Top 10:  4
Pole:  1
Total Laps:  665
Laps Led:  119

#18 Super Truck