Pennzoil Pontiac Racing Preview: Benson Aims for Top 10
15 September 1997
Benson Plans To Go Out In Top 10
Pennzoil Pontiac driver Johnny Benson announced last week he will
join Roush Racing in 1998. Before he and Bahari' Racing part ways,
both driver and team plan to finish in the top 10 in the 1997 Winston
Cup point standings. Benson is tied for 11th in the point standings
with Ricky Rudd. They trail 10th-place Jeremy Mayfield by 42 points.
One of the biggest factors in Benson's climb in the points race is the
Pennzoil Pontiac's ability to finish races. Benson is third in the
number of miles completed during the 1997 season as well as laps
completed.
Miles Completed in 1997 Laps Completed in 1997
1. Dale Jarrett 9,761 1. Dale Jarrett 7,319
2. Dale Earnhardt 9,676 2. Dale Earnhardt 7,265
3. Johnny Benson 9,642 3. Johnny Benson 7,219
4. Bill Elliott 9,624 4. Bill Elliott 7,214
...third in miles and laps completed:
"I think that is a tribute to the engines Ron Puryear and his guys
are building this year and our ability to stay out of accidents. We
haven't had many great races this year, but we are as high as we are
in the points because of our ability to finish races. And in our point
system, finishing races is one of the most important factors in any
team's season."
...Dover:
"I'm sure every driver will tell you they are glad this race will
be only 400 miles. I think there will be less riding and more racing
because of it. In the past you did everything with the thought that
you just wanted to survive until the end. Now you have a little less
time to get to the front so you might see the drivers going a little
bit harder during the middle of the race than they would with the
extra miles we used to have."
...Rest of 1997:
"We announced last weekend that I'm not coming back to Bahari' next
year. I've got a great opportunity, but I'm going to miss a lot of the
people here. It's not like we want the season to end now. We know this
Pennzoil team has a chance to finish in the top-10 in points and that
motivates everyone. When this season ends, there are going to be a lot
of good drivers and teams who wish they would have finished where we
will in the points."
Johnny Benson's Winston Cup Career At Dover
Race S F LC TL Status Winnings
1996 Miller 500 23 17 496 500 Running $26,065
1996 MBNA 500 30 24 492 500 Running $25,465
1997 Miller 500 29 21 495 500 Running $26,840
For More Information
Contact: Drew Brown
Cohn & Wolfe
(404) 880-5269
drew_brown@cohnwolfe.com
