Pennzoil Pontiac Racing Preview: Benson Heads for Charlotte
1 October 1997
Charlotte's Night and Day Difference
Pennzoil Pontiac driver Johnny Benson's quest to finish in the
top-10 in the 1997 point standings continues this week at the
Charlotte Motor Speedway where Winston Cup qualifying begins on
Wednesday for Sunday's UAW-GM Teamwork 500.
Race for 10th Pts. Behind
10. Ricky Rudd 3,079 --
11. J. Mayfield 3,050 -29
12. Johnny Benson 2,990 -89
13. Rusty Wallace 2,976 -103
Benson on:
...racing at Charlotte in the daytime:
"This race at Charlotte is run totally in the daytime and that
makes a lot of difference when it comes to the handling of the
Pennzoil car. In the daytime the track is definitely slicker than at
night. Our race cars just don't have that much grip on a hotter track
which means the race pace will slow down and pit strategy will be an
issue. You will see more green flag stops in this race because it's a
day race.
"At night you can race with a full fuel load and maybe get by if
the car isn't just right. In the daylight, the slicker track requires
that you have the handling, chassis and tires perfect. The track is
just harder to get around during the day."
...how big is this race:
"The Charlotte Motor Speedway is a fabulous race track and a great
facility. It's a week-long event for us. I'm not sure qualifying on
Wednesday and dragging the whole thing over as many days is best for
all these teams that have been on the road since February, but since
it's close to home for most people it's tolerable. If it were up to me
we would qualify on Friday and race on Sunday like we do at most
places."
Johnny Benson's Winston Cup Career At Charlotte
Race/Track S F LC TL Status Winnings
1996
Coca-Cola 600 11 38 192 400 Accident $ 16,400
UAW-GM 500 14 17 333 334 Running $ 22,450
1997
Coca-Cola 600 40 15 333 333 Running $ 39,200
For More Information
Contact: Drew Brown
Cohn & Wolfe
(404) 880-5269
drew_brown@cohnwolfe.com
