1996
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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.
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The Shop |
Located in Mooresville,
NC |
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Carolyn and the late Chuck Rider
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Doug Hewitt and Johnny
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Johnny earned the pole position at
Atlanta Motor Speedway in only his fourth start just
after the birth of his first child, Katelyn.
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The Timing Board
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Getting his award
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Posing with team
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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.
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The team hard at work
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Relaxing in the Lounge |
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It takes a team to race
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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".
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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 ...
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Johnny signing
autographs
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Being interviewed
by Ned Jarrett
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John Sr. and Chuck Rider
sharing a laugh
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Johnny and Rob Albright
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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: 21st
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:
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First
year in Winston Cup Racing
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Won
the 1996 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year award
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Earned pole position at Atlanta Motor Speedway in only
his fourth start just after the birth of his first
child.
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Led
70 laps in the 1996 Brickyard 400, the most of any
driver
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Ran
Super Truck – #18 sponsored by Pennzoil
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Competed in the IROC Series
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Competed in last race at N. Wilkesboro
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Competed in Japan
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Panelist on Inside Winston Cup Racing
Headlines:
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“Oh,
Baby: Rookie Benson Wins Pole” – Atlanta Race”
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“Benson Not Your Typical Winston Cup Driver”
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“It’s
Just Plain Harder In Cup”
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“Benson Drives with Pneumonia at the Rock”
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“Crew
Chief – 2 week suspension after Wilkesboro”
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“Major Crash in Coca Cola 600 – Benson Hit By Craven”
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“Kaminski – GR Press Reports – “Water Boy at MIS
Race”
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“Benson Gains Respect”
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“Benson Falls Short in Bid for Victory at Brickyard”
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“Benson Scores a Career Best”
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“Rookie Benson Now Running with Big Boys”
Busch Series
Point Standings: 107th
Earnings: $9,100
Competed: 1 of 26 events
Total Laps: 30
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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
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#18 Super Truck |
