Post by 14fan on Mar 11, 2010 19:12:14 GMT -4
Benson Returns to I-96 Speedway
Lake Odessa, MI. NASCAR veteran Johnny Benson Jr. will make his return to the track that helped launch his racing career.
Benson will race at I-96 Speedway on August 14th as part of the tracks annual NASCAR night.
Benson, a Forest Hills Northern graduate, started racing on the dirt, and raced at I-96 back in 1982. Driving a chassis designed by his dad, and powered by Baker Engines, he competed in a limited schedule at the track.
From there, he raced in the ASA series wining the 1993 season championship. That championship helped spring board him into the Busch series, now called Nationwide, were he won Rookie of the year in 1994 and the season championship in 1995.
In 1996, he drove the Chuck Rider owned, Bahari Racing Pontiac in NASCAR were he was the rookie of the year. In 1997 and 2001 he finished a career high 11th in the point standings. He as won one race, two poles and over $17,000,000 while racing the NASCAR.
He is currently racing in the Truck series and is looking for sponsorship after finishing 8th in the season opener at Daytona, to continue racing in 2010. While racing in the truck series he as won nine events and took home the 2008 series championship.
While racing on the short tracks of the Mid West, he was the 1989 Berlin late model track champion and from 1982-1989, on dirt and pavement he won 23 features races.
“I really look forward to trying out the dirt again at I-96 Speedway. I have known Kris Patterson for a long time, and am looking forward to driving one of his cars. I also am looking forward to meeting the West Michigan dirt racing fans, and see if I can remember how to get around a dirt track”, stated Benson on returning to the dirt track racing.
For more information on Benson’s appearance and the rest of the I-96 schedule, check out www.i96speedway.com.
Lake Odessa, MI. NASCAR veteran Johnny Benson Jr. will make his return to the track that helped launch his racing career.
Benson will race at I-96 Speedway on August 14th as part of the tracks annual NASCAR night.
Benson, a Forest Hills Northern graduate, started racing on the dirt, and raced at I-96 back in 1982. Driving a chassis designed by his dad, and powered by Baker Engines, he competed in a limited schedule at the track.
From there, he raced in the ASA series wining the 1993 season championship. That championship helped spring board him into the Busch series, now called Nationwide, were he won Rookie of the year in 1994 and the season championship in 1995.
In 1996, he drove the Chuck Rider owned, Bahari Racing Pontiac in NASCAR were he was the rookie of the year. In 1997 and 2001 he finished a career high 11th in the point standings. He as won one race, two poles and over $17,000,000 while racing the NASCAR.
He is currently racing in the Truck series and is looking for sponsorship after finishing 8th in the season opener at Daytona, to continue racing in 2010. While racing in the truck series he as won nine events and took home the 2008 series championship.
While racing on the short tracks of the Mid West, he was the 1989 Berlin late model track champion and from 1982-1989, on dirt and pavement he won 23 features races.
“I really look forward to trying out the dirt again at I-96 Speedway. I have known Kris Patterson for a long time, and am looking forward to driving one of his cars. I also am looking forward to meeting the West Michigan dirt racing fans, and see if I can remember how to get around a dirt track”, stated Benson on returning to the dirt track racing.
For more information on Benson’s appearance and the rest of the I-96 schedule, check out www.i96speedway.com.