Long Day At Pocono For Johnny Benson

Long Day At Pocono For Johnny Benson
Valvoline Pontiac Involved In Early 14-Car Accident, Finishes 24th

It was a long afternoon Sunday for #10 Valvoline Pontiac driver Johnny
Benson at Pocono International Raceway.

A day that began with the promise of a seventh-place start turned to
disaster about 50 laps into the race. Brett Bodine lost control of his car
going over the tunnel turn and amid all the smoke, flying debris, and
wrecking cars, Benson made hard contact with another car causing what turned
out to be major internal damage.

“That pretty much ruined our day,” Benson said as he described the 14-car
accident. “There were so many cars that you really couldn’t help from
hitting anyone else. It was just one of those racing deals.”

Benson and his James Ince-led crew spent the rest of the afternoon working
on the car to make it at least drivable. While they weren’t particularly
fast, their work was rewarded when Benson drove the wrecked race car home in
24th place.

The perseverance enabled Benson to remain 7th in points.

Ricky Rudd won Sunday’s race and was followed across the finish line by Jeff
Gordon and Dale Jarrett.

Benson and his teammates return to action Sunday on the road course at Sears
Point Raceway.


###

2001 Driver Points

1	Jeff Gordon 	2176
2	Dale Jarrett 	2140
3	Ricky Rudd 		2046
4	Sterling Marlin 	2029
5	Tony Stewart 	1937
6	Rusty Wallace 	1883
7	Johnny Benson 	1846
8	Steve Park 		1815
9	Kevin Harvick * 	1773
10	Bobby Labonte 	1760


Drew Brown
1335 Torrence Circle
Davidson, NC 28036
704-895-3651 H
704-906-7992 C
drew_brown@mindspring.com