Pennzoil Pontiac Race Preview: Johnny Benson Heads to Pocono
16 July 1997
Johnny Benson's Improvement Pennzoil Pontiac driver Johnny Benson hopes Sunday's race at Pocono is a repeat of last year's race that saw the 1996 Rookie of the Year qualify sixth and lead several laps before finishing fifth - his best finish of the season. Benson's unspectacular, but steady year is an improvement over his rookie season that saw him post one of the best seasons by a first-year driver in recent history. Statistical Comparison of Benson's first 17 races in 1996 & 1997 % of laps Avg. Start Avg. Finish finished DNF Top-10s Points 1996* 21.25 23.12 87% 3 2 30th 1997 24.4 18.20 97% 2 4 14th * Does not include missed race at Bristol Benson on: ...season so far: "We are a very quiet 14th in points right now. That isn't a bad spot to be in, but we want more top ten finishes and some top five finishes. I think we have a reasonable shot to get the Pennzoil Pontiac in the top ten in points before the end of year. We just have to start running a little bit better. We need some top-five finishes and we need start battling with leaders for the checkered flag." ...secret to success at Pocono: "As much as any track on the circuit, Pocono takes the whole package. That means a lot of horsepower on that long straight-away and then handling in the three turns." ...first win coming at Pocono: "We'd take our first win anywhere." For More Information Contact: Drew Brown Cohn & Wolfe (404) 880-5269 drew_brown@cohnwolfe.com