Pennzoil Pontiac Race Preview: Benson on Martinsville
22 September 1997
Benson on Martinsville, Testing Pennzoil Pontiac driver Johnny Benson spent a day in South Carolina last week testing at an area short track in preparation for Sunday's race in Martinsville. Since the Greenville-Pickens track isn't part of the Winston Cup schedule, the Bahari' team does not have to count the session as one of the seven test dates allocated to each team. There is considerable speculation that NASCAR might eliminate testing in 1998 and add an extra practice day as part of the weekend schedule at several tracks. Benson on: ...preparing for Martinsville: "We went to a racetrack in Greenville, S.C. last week to prepare for Martinsville. This was our second trip this year. We don't have any test dates available to go to Martinsville so Greenville was the closest track we could go to that is similar to Martinsville. We tried a couple of new things with the chassis just to see what works and what doesn't work. We have only been good once at Martinsville so we need all the work we can. ...testing: "I know NASCAR is talking about banning testing on the tracks we race on. I have mixed emotions. People are always going to test even if it means you go to a track like Greenville or another track where we don't race. I've heard they were talking about letting us come in a day early at some places next year. That might work if they treat it like a regular test day where they gave us three sets of tires and allow us to unload two race cars to decide which Pennzoil car we want to race. I think that would be helpful. If they won't let us do that then testing really isn't that helpful. "Testing is always going to be around. you need to always test new cars because its not a good idea to just throw them out on the track in competition. Plus, the newer guys can always use time on the track. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised in a few years to see a team or a couple of teams go together and build their own test track." ...a lap at Martinsville: "You have a lot of horsepower to get down the fairly long straight-aways so you really have to avoid spinning the wheels. Then, you come to turns with no banking so you have to almost come to a complete stop just to get through them. Your car is definitely going to be different midway through the race from the way it started. The key is to get the handling close at the beginning so you don't have to make as many adjustments during the race or you will wear your brakes out." Johnny Benson's Winston Cup Record At Martinsville Race/Track S F LC TL Status Winnings 1996 Goody's 500 18 25 477 500 Running $ 19,965 1996 Hanes 500 22 17 498 500 Running $ 22,600 1997 Goody's 500 22 17 499 500 Running $ 22,365 Benson will drive the Dana Dodge in Saturday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck race For More Information Contact: Drew Brown Cohn & Wolfe (404) 880-5269 drew_brown@cohnwolfe.com