Benson Indy Test & Pocono Advance

It’s Indy-Pocono-Indy In The Next Nine Days
Benson: Indy Test Will Help Pocono Race Which In Turn Helps Indy Race

#10 Valvoline Pontiac driver Johnny Benson will spend Tuesday and Wednesday
testing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before heading to Pocono for Sunday’s
race. The test followed by the Pocono race is the perfect preparation for Indy.
But Benson and his crew chief James Ince believe the Indy test will also make
all of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series teams faster at Pocono. The Series visited
Pocono only six weeks ago. It’s the shortest period between point races at the
same track.

Benson On Pocono-Indy Relationship:

“The Indy test is important but if you go to Pocono and run good that’s the car
you will take to Indy. If you run badly at Pocono then you take a different
car. The tracks are that similar. I don’t think NASCAR designed it like that.
It’s just the way it fell on the schedule. It would be nice if there was a week
in between so you could really get your car like you want it after Pocono.”

Benson On Pocono Expectations:

“Pocono is Pocono. We know that track as well as any. We race there twice a
year just a few weeks apart. Nobody can complain we aren’t familiar with
Pocono.”

Benson On Indy Test:

“At Indy we are testing aerodynamics, shocks, springs, and all the normal
stuff. We are trying to get the rhythm of the race track. It’s tough place to
get around, it’s tough to be consistent. Then, on top of all that you have to
be fast. You have to do everything you can there because that track changes so
much that you have to be prepared for just about any track conditions.”

James Ince On How This Week’s Indianapolis Test Will Help At Pocono:

“The Indianapolis test is really a test for two race tracks. Yeah, we are at
Indy, but if you look at the qualifying times from Pocono last time and compare
it to what will happen on Friday you’ll see the entire field will be faster.
That’s because Indy and Pocono are so similar that you go to Indy and learn
what makes a fast race car and it all applies to Pocono also.”

Ince On Pocono:

“It’s not a heat race for Indy. Pocono is a good race. We enjoy being there.
Pocono is a rougher race track and you have to be a little bit better on your
chassis there than you do at Indy. There are never any surprises at Pocono. It’
s probably going to be a little hotter and a little slicker. You know the
things you go to work on you know the parts of the track you have to be right
on. Pocono isn’t a place that provides a lot of surprises.”

Ince On Secret To Indy:

“I’m not sure I know the secret to running well at Indy. It is such a
temperature sensitive track. For me personally, it’s a place where I haven’t
got the rhythm of the race so I can help the driver a little bit better.
Theoretically, if you run well at Pocono you should run well at Indy. That’s
what this week’s test is going to be all about. Maybe I can learn that rhythm.”




Drew Brown
1335 Torrence Circle
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704-906-7992 C
drew_brown@mindspring.com