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Johnny signing autographs for the fans at Berlin Raceway 
Photo By:  Tom Devette
(06/13/09)
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Berger
Chevrolet




 

 

 

 


07/02/09 - Thursday

JB Fans,

Greetings from North Carolina!

We have settled into a routine of daily walks, follow up doctor visits and processing insurance paperwork. Everyday I have thought, "Today, I will post an update and then reconsider that I should wait until we have seen Dr. "So and So."

It has been determined that Johnny has a grade 4 shoulder separation that will require surgery. Because of the bruise on his lung it has been recommended to wait another 10 days before proceeding with surgery. We are waiting to hear from the surgeon to find out what date has been scheduled but we are expecting sometime the week of July 20.

It sounds silly to say but Johnny is actually excited about the surgery. His shoulder is what has caused him the most pain and is also what he has worried about healing correctly. He is glad that a procedure exists to fix it!! He does have a burn on his elbow that Nurse Deb (that's me) washes, treats and bandages once a day.

He cannot drive yet so once a day I take him out in the car for a field trip or to run an errand. I am frightened to death of driving him. What if I hit something??!! Today his friend took him out to lunch (I get a break!).

We'll try to keep you updated. Have a great day!

                                          Debbie Benson

  

Get Well Cards ....  For those JB fans wanting to send get well cards to Johnny as he recuperates you may send them to:  JBFC - PO Box 150619, Grand Rapids, MI  49515. 
 




Berlin - $5 Night - July 4th
This Saturday, July 4, at Berlin Raceway is Stars and Stripes Night.  The USA Modifieds will return along with the Kerkstra Services Pro Stocks, Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinders and Young Guns.  There will also be Trash Can Bowling, a post-race fireworks show and $1 beer and $1 hot dogs.  Admission for ages 6 and up will be $5 and kids five and under are free.  Pit passes for those 14 and over is $25 and the first race starts at 7 p.m.
 

NASCAR: Truck Series Safe
By:  Jayski
Despite reports from independent blogger Mike Mulhern, NASCAR Vice President of Communications Jim Hunter says emphatically that there is no validity to a story circulating that the Camping World Truck Series will shut down. "There's no truth to it whatsoever," Hunter said. "It's total B.S. The demise of the truck series is the figment of one person's imagination. (Mulhern) has a history of fabricating false stories and this is another example of it. We're very aware that (the Camping World Truck Series) is affected the hardest during this economic recession. We're currently looking at options. We've never given up on a series and we're not going to start now." That said, NASCAR is looking at options to reduce costs such as decreasing the schedule, increasing the number of single-day dates and bringing back the half-time pit stops that could eliminate the traveling crews to five or six members. One possible solution that is off the table is the use of crate engines. NASCAR VP of Competition Robin Pemberton said they are not a viable option because "they're not durable to last much beyond one race" which would raise costs, not lower them. Pemberton feels the sanctioning body has made "good gains with new rules and regulations" and the series "still makes sense."


Congrats!

To Tom Thomas and family for winning the late model race at Berlin Raceway on Saturday, June 27th. 


JBFC Merchandise


Back of Shirt

 

 

 

 

The JBFC has the #21 Super Modified T-shirt available in L and XL.  Cost $15 plus S / H.  If you are interested in this shirt in a different size, please email us at support@johnnybenson.com and we will see if there is an interest for a 2nd printing of the shirt. 

All JBFC orders will be shipped with a 5 x 7 postcard celebrating Johnny's 2008 Craftsman Truck Championship ... 


NASCAR Fans
Thanks to the NASCAR fans who took the time to post their well wishes for Johnny this month.  Fans of Ron Hornaday, David Starr, Mike Skinner, Ted Musgrave and other drivers made their presence known during this difficult time.  We appreciate your support!
 

The Future of the Truck Series
By: Jayski
During an interview on SPEEDtv's NCTWS setup program, NASCAR VP Steve O'Donnell said the state of the series is "really strong." O'Donnell stated that NASCAR officials met with team owners earlier this year to help out the racing with some rule changes, they have been working with the teams, and that the series puts on the "best racing". When asked about double-file restarts, O'Donnell said that the series has two weeks off following Memphis, and that NASCAR will continue to look at it. (Also heard that O'Donnell addressed the state of the series during the Drivers Meeting in Memphis, assuring teams that NASCAR is full speed ahead for 2010. He also said that NASCAR is excited by new owners and drivers and the new tracks coming on line next year.)


Milwaukee Mile owes NASCAR money
By:  Jayski
The race promoter for the Milwaukee Mile owes NASCAR money stemming from the races last weekend, and the Indy Racing League won't say whether it has been paid yet for its event in May. The Mile hosted the Camping World Truck Series Copart 200 and the Nationwide Series NorthernTool.com 250 last Saturday. Claude Napier, head of Wisconsin Motorsports, did not disclose attendance numbers Friday but said the turnout for the truck race was low. As for the Nationwide Series race, Napier said it was in excess of 35,000 fans. Napier acknowledged that the track would lose money this year. The Legislative Audit Bureau, which recently completed an audit of Wisconsin State Fair Park, said in its report that the Mile would lose money this year, putting added fiscal pressure on the fair. "The sanctions fees are part of an overall deal," Napier said Friday. "We have been working closely with NASCAR in resolving these issues." Asked for details, Napier said: "I don't want to get into specifics about what we owe and what we don't owe. We are working very closely with NASCAR and in particular we are working on the future."

Ramsey Poston, a NASCAR spokesman, said in a statement that, "despite having a terrific day of NASCAR racing last Saturday there remain outstanding issues which concern NASCAR. As a matter of policy I won't get into the specifics of our business dealings. However, I can say we are working closely with the track management to resolve outstanding issues." The competitors were paid, according to a Charlotte Observer story.

 

Jeff Bloom wins Summer Spectacular
VanHaitsma, Thomas, Muyskens and Reimersma also take trophies
It was an action-packed night of racing at Berlin Raceway.  The Auto Value Super Sprints made their first of three appearances with Jeff Bloom taking the win.  The Coors Light Late Models ran two features and Terry VanHaitsma and Tom Thomas each notched one in the win column.  Chris Muyskens went to Victory Lane again in the Engine Pro Super Stock division, as did Dan Reimersma in the Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinders.

The Coors Light Late Models kicked the show off with a make-up 40-lap feature; the #32 Ross Meeuwsen and #13 Tim DeVos lead the field to the start.  Trouble on track before a lap was completed forced a complete restart when #19 Nick Shotko spun on the front stretch.   The #21 of Terry VanHaitsma was racy right off of the bat, claiming third on lap 3.  Just two laps later, #24 Lee VanDyk brought out the second caution with his spin on the frontstretch.  With the double-file restarts, had the advantage on the outside and got around Meeuwsen, but he didn’t get far.  VanHaitsma was closing in the leaders and their spirited battle for the lead.  At half-way, the #15 of Brian Maxim and #61 Alec Carll spun in turn 1.  After the restart, VanHaitsma pulled to the outside of Meeuwsen, swung around him and DeVos to take the lead.  VanHaitsma took off with the lead as Meeuwsen and DeVos continued to battle for position.  The car on the move and making up the most positions was the #1 of Randy Sweet who drove from 18th to fifth.  VanHaitsma took the win by 2.728 seconds over DeVos and Meeuwsen.  The rest of the top ten were #222 Caleb Bisacky, Sweet, #82 Tom Thomas, #28 Scott Thomas, #11 Leroy Magoon, #6 Dave Zagaiski and #27 Billy Shotko.

After a few heat races, the Coors Light Late Models were up again, this time with Scott Thomas and Tom Thomas on the front row.  Just two laps in, caution was out for Magoon; his car stalled while trying to join the field.  Tom Thomas took the lead on the restart and by lap 12, he had almost three seconds on the field.  That was erased just one lap later as a caution for debris stacked the field back up.  T. Thomas took the outside lane for the restart and took off.  The car on the move was the #19 of Nick Shotko who went from 17th to 10th in 20 laps.  With seven laps to go, leader Thomas was in traffic and beginning to lap cars.  Tom Thomas finally got back in to victory lane in dominating fashion, 3.853 seconds over Meeuwsen.  Sweet, S. Thomas, DeVos, VanHaitsma, Bisacky, B. Shotko, N. Shotko and #55 Chris Anthony rounded out the top ten.

The 30-lap Auto Value Super Sprints were next and #55 Curt Shumaker and #46 Jimmy Swain lead the field to the stripe.  Just after a lap was complete, #24 Bill Tyler spun coming out of turn 4, bringing out the first caution of the race.  When the cars were restarted, #26 Jeff Bloom was close behind the leaders and the #42 of Jason Blonde was in hot pursuit.  Bloom took the lead on lap 7 and four laps later, Tyler encountered problems and dropped out of the race.  Blonde took the lead on lap 11, but the leaders quickly caught slower cars and Bloom took advantage of that and took the lead back.  On lap 20, Blonde returned the favor and took the lead just as Bloom did.  On lap 22, a three-car accident involving the #70 of Dorman Snyder, Shumaker and #20 Kyle Flint came to rest in turn 3, this brought out the red flag and during this caution, leader Blonde pulled in to the pits, giving up his lead, to change a flat tire.  The lead was given to Bloom.  Once the race was restarted, second place #9 Chad Goff was unable to catch Bloom, he got the win by just over a half of a second.  Goff, #07 Jeff Banyas, #07 Ryan Litt, #99 Sondi Eden, Snyder, Swain, #10 Ryan Davis, #3A Mike Astrauskas and #44 Teddy Alberts completed the top ten.

The Engine Pro Super Stocks rolled next, #26 Chris Muyskens started on the pole with #77 Andrew Nylaan on his outside.  Muyskens took off with the lead and #18 Denny Anderson was challenging Nylaan for second and one he cleared him, Anderson began reeling in Muyskens.  The first caution of the race on lap 17 when the #76 Warren Speet and #5 Cal Castle made contact with the frontstretch wall.  On the restart, Anderson grabbed the lead, but before the cars got going, caution was out again for the #51 of Justin Ryan who hit the wall in turn 3 and came to a stop just before the start/finish line.   With the double-file restart, Anderson chose the inside, giving Muyskens the outside and he promptly took the lead.  With three to go, Anderson was there, but unable to make the pass.  Muyskens took the checkers and the rest of the top ten were Anderson, #1 Brian Wiersma, #55 Dave Lake, Nylaan, #8 Billy Eppink, #11 Nick Bonstell, #98 Bob Bliss, #10 Bob Spencer and #13 James Haney.

The Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder B feature rolled next; #20 Angela DeVos and #07 Clayton Brown started on the front row, but it was #47 Don McNabb who took the lead.  McNabb was immediately challenged by #80 Daryl Davis.  Coming around to turn the second lap of the feature, DeVos and McNabb made contact and McNabb came to a stop on the frontstretch.  He was rear-ended by #65 Andy Church and also involved in the caution was #64 Michael Church.  After a red flag for clean-up, the race resumed with Davis leading.  Davis and Brown swapped the lead, but Davis was the one who prevailed.  Brown had to settle for second and the rest of the top five were #61 Charlie DeJong, #20 Tyler Nawrocki and #2 Buck Spencer.

The final event of the night was the Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinder A feature, #11 John Elam and # 51 Brad Hastings were on the front row. Hastings lead, but he was being chased by #7 Ryan Hamm, #6 Ben Kleis, #100 Jason Scheid, #14 Jason DeVos and #13 Dan Reimersma.  On lap 8, Hamm took the lead and caution flew; Kleis, Scheid and Hastings made contact and went off of the backstretch.  Hamm took off on the restart and on lap 11, Reimersma was setting him up to take the lead when the caution came out again.  #81 Mike Reavis spun and while sliding across the track, he collected #15 Mel Parsons and #51 Mike Johnson.  With four laps to go, Reimersma got a run on Hamm, Hamm threw the block, but Reimersma was able to take the lead.  Hamm was quick to recover, but coming out of turn 4, Hamm over-drove and Reimersma got the win.  Hamm, DeVos, #26 Brian Tillema, #9 Nick Curtis, #7 Jake Loesch, Elam, #024 Cole Roelofs, Sheid and #28 Phil Speet completed the top ten. 

Next Saturday, July 4, at Berlin Raceway is Stars and Stripes Night.  The USA Modifieds will return along with the Kerkstra Services Pro Stocks, Burnips Equipment 4-Cylinders and Young Guns.  There will also be Trash Can Bowling, a post-race fireworks show and $1 beer and $1 hot dogs.  Admission for ages 6 and up will be $5 and kids five and under are free.  Pit passes for those 14 and over were $25 and the first race starts at 7 p.m.


Hornaday Wins in Memphis

Ron Hornaday continued his winning ways by earning the pole position and taking the win at Memphis Motorsports Park.  Brian Scott was 2nd followed by David Starr, Aric Arimola and Matt Crafton.  Hornaday continues to lead the point standings.


NASCAR Community
Thanks to the NASCAR drivers, officials, crew members and their families who inquired about Johnny's status after his accident.  Word spread quickly in the early morning hours Sunday after the crash.  They sent their prayers and best wishes in hopes that Johnny would be okay. 

GR Press reporter, Steve Kaminski  was in Brooklyn, MI and shared his comments with us. 
"Just so you know. I was at MIS yesterday, and your brother certainly has a lot of people praying for him. I had a lot of people stop me and ask me about him. Drivers expressed concern, too. Jeff Gordon told me some really nice things about Johnny, too during his press conference".

My phone started ringing early Sunday morning with crew members frantically trying to find out information.  I was told that Tony Stewart and Mark Martin talked about him in their interviews.  Even though Johnny is not racing in the CUP series - he had their full support. 

In the days following the accident, Johnny's phone kept beeping with voicemails and text messages.  It's nice to know that people care.  That's why NASCAR racing is the best - a community always pulls together.        Barb
 
 

Spectrum Hospital
Thanks to the doctors and nurses in the emergency room who quickly assessed Johnny's situation and provided quick medical care.  The ambulance driver's drove in record time to get him to the downtown facility. 

Thanks to the doctors, nurses, nurse's aide who handled Johnny's care for the time he was checked into the hospital.  Everyone was so nice and caring - right down to the aides who replenished the bedding, to those who ordered the food and brought in the food trays.  It didn't matter what time of day - they always asked - is there anything else you need? 


Berlin Raceway
Thanks to the safety crew for their actions in getting Johnny out safely from his #21 super modified.  Johnny's comments:  "They did what they did to get me out safely. I have been around races that should have been more professional than what we have at our local track. (Berlin's crew) is as good as any place where we have been."

To the Berlin employees who handled situation at hand just moments after the wreck and the inquiries from the media and concerned fans.  Thanks to the efforts of Mike Blackmer and Kevin Streigle for their support of Johnny and the JBFC.  
 

Hall of Fame Bricks
JB Fans will be represented at the NASCAR Hall of Fame located in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Thanks to the efforts of Ray Patten and donations from JB fans, there will be a permanent memory of Johnny's 2008 Craftsman Truck Championship and his 1995 Busch Championship.  Once the information is distributed on where the bricks are located, it will be posted on the board.  See photos of the bricks below.  Thanks, Ray for all your hard work!

 

~~~~~

Missed the News?
Have you been gone for the week and missed on the news on johnnybenson.com?  All you need to do is check out the press release page.  Click Here

Remember When
Take a trip down memory lane by season.  Click on the year.

      1994 -  Rookie in the Busch Series
      1995 -  Busch Series Champion
      1996 -  Rookie in the Winston Cup Series 

 

 

 

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Victory Lane

Autostock
Miami
November 14, 2008



Martinsville
October 18, 2008


Nashville
August 9, 2008


ORP
July 25, 2008



Kentucky
July 19, 2008


Milwaukee
June 20, 2008
 

2009
 Truck Schedule
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
02/13 Daytona
02/21 California
03/07 Atlanta
03/28 Martinsville
04/25 Kansas
05/15 Lowes
05/29 Dover
06/05 Texas
06/13 MIS
06/19 Milwaukee
06/27 Memphis
07/18 Kentucky
07/24 Indy
08/01 Nashville
08/19 Bristol
08/28 Chicagoland
09/05 Iowa
09/12 Gateway
09/19 Loudon
09/26 Las Vegas
10/24 Martinsville
10/31 Talladega
11/06 Texas
11/13 Phoenix
11/20 Homestead
 
2009
Nationwide
Schedule
02/14 Daytona
02/21 California
02/28 Las Vegas
03/21 Bristol
04/04 Texas
04/11 Nashville
04/17 Phoenix
04/25 Talladega
05/01 Richmond
05/08 Darlington
05/23 Lowes
05/30 Dover
06/06 Nashville
06/13 Kentucky
06/20 Milwaukee
06/27 Loudon
07/03 Daytona
07/10 Chicago
07/18 Gateway
07/25 Indy 
08/01 Iowa
08/08 Watkins Glen 
08/15 MIS
08/21 Bristol
08/30 Montreal
09/05 Atlanta
09/11 Richmond
09/26 Dover
10/03 Kansas
10/10 California
10/16 Lowes
10/24 Memphis
11/07 Texas
11/14 Phoenix
11/21 Miami
 
2009
Sprint Cup
Schedule
02/15 Daytona
02/22 California
03/01 Las Vegas
03/08 Atlanta
03/22 Bristol
03/29 Martinsville
04/05 Texas
04/18 Phoenix
04/26 Talladega
05/02 Richmond
05/09 Darlington
05/24 Lowes
05/31 Dover
06/07 Pocono
06/14 MIS
06/21 Sonoma
06/28 New Hampshire
07/04 Daytona
07/11 Chicago
07/26 Indy
08/02 Pocono
08/09 Watkins Glen
08/16 MIS
08/22 Bristol
09/06 Atlanta
09/12 Richmond
09/20 Loudon
09/27 Dover
10/04 Kansas
10/11 California
10/17 Lowes
10/25 Martinsville
11/01 Talladega
11/08 Texas
11/15 Phoenix
11/22 Miami