Pennzoil Pontiac Race Report: Benson Finishes 16th at Daytona
7 July 1997
Pennzoil Race Report Pepsi 400 July 5,1997 Daytona International Speedway Race-Ending Carnage Works in Benson's Favor This Time Daytona International Speedway repaid Pennzoil Pontiac driver Johnny Benson a debt owed since February when another driver's mistake relegated him to 28th and ruined a sure top-10 finish. On Saturday, Benson's struggles with the heat and slippery track eased when another last-lap crash eliminated more than six cars allowing Benson to climb to 16th place. Although Benson gained ground on several drivers higher in the 1997 Winston Cup point standings, he dropped one place to 14th. The 1996 Rookie of the Year is only 110 points behind ninth place. "It was a tough day," Benson said. Throughout the day Benson, like most drivers, complained of a severe understeer or push condition. Benson appeared headed for a 22-nd place finish when most teams thought the race had ended because of a crash involving Ricky Rudd with only 5 laps left in the race. But, NASCAR gave the leaders the green and white flag at the same time indicating only the final lap would be under green. That meant the 32 cars on the lead lap each had a lap to get to the front. "You better watch this boys because this is going to be big," Benson warned his crew over the radio seconds before the green flag waved. He was right. The one lap shoot-out resulted in a massive wreck that took out Mark Martin, Dick Trickle, Bobby Hamilton, Derrike Cope, Ward Burton and others. The crash demolished several cars, but no drivers suffered serious injuries. "I told you that was coming," Benson radioed after the checkered flag fell giving John Andretti his first victory. "Every time they give the green-white it seems that happens." Maybe the best news of the day for the Bahari' team came after the race when Pennzoil Pontiac jack man Gary Leffler limped back to the team truck from the infield care center . Leffler missed the last quarter of the race as he received five stitches on his leg. Kenny Wallace ran over Leffler during the final pit stop. ESPN commentator Dr. Jerry Punch cared for Leffler until track medical staff arrived and transported the first-year crew member to the infield care center. In other news, Daytona International Speedway will light up the night on July 4, 1998 for the 40th running of the NASCAR Winston Cup Pepsi 400. The Speedway announced on Saturday next year's Pepsi 400 will be raced at night with a new lighting system. 1997 Points Standings 1. Jeff Gordon 2400 0 2. Terry Labonte 2346 -54 3. Mark Martin 2290 -110 4. Dale Jarrett 2278 -122 5. Jeff Burton 2113 -287 6. Dale Earnhardt 2113 -287 7. Bobby Labonte 2029 -371 8. Ricky Rudd 1936 -464 9. Jeremy Mayfield 1850 -550 10. Ted Musgrave 1845 -555 11. Michael Waltrip 1816 -584 12. Rusty Wallace 1752 -648 13. Bill Elliott 1748 -652 14. Johnny Benson 1740 -660 15. Darrell Waltrip 1728 -672 Benson and his Bahari' teammates return to the track this weekend in Loudon, N.H. in the Jiffy Lube 300. For More Information Contact: Drew Brown Cohn & Wolfe (404) 880-5269 drew_brown@cohnwolfe.com
