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NASCAR: Benson Preps for Daytona

29 January 2001

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

"What a difference a year makes" could be Johnny Benson's slogan as he prepares to debut the No. 10 Valvoline Pontiac Grand Prix in the Feb. 18 Daytona 500. Benson ran a lap of 184.087 mph during mid-January tests at Daytona, a race he came close to winning last February, beginning a roller-coaster season that almost saw his team close its doors. It eventually joined forces with MB2 Motorsports, which fields the M&M's Pontiac of Ken Schrader, and now is co-owned as well as sponsored by Valvoline, the first major consumer products company to co-own a Winston Cup team. "Last year was pretty stressful," admits Benson. "I wasn't sure how long we'd be around. When MB2 came on board, it kind of saved us. Then, Valvoline put us on solid ground. The commitment Valvoline has made to Winston Cup racing, and its fans, is pretty impressive to me."

Text Provided By Michael Knight

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