Benson Ends Up and Down day In 14th at Darlington

Benson Ends Up and Down day In 14th at Darlington
Valvoline Pontiac Moves To 10th in 2001 Points Race

Just when it looked like Johnny Benson’s #10 Valvoline Pontiac was in for a
long day at the back of the pack in the annual Southern 500 at Darlington
Raceway he charged to the front of the pack.

When it appeared he would easily earn a top-five finish if not contest for the
victory, he fell to the back of the lead lap cars.

When the checkered flag finally fell on the 500-mile race on the egg-shaped
oval Benson was in 14th – good enough to move into 10th in the 2001 points
race.

“That was an up and down day,” Benson said after the long, hot race. “We worked
and worked on our car all day long and got it running really good. There at the
end our tire strategy didn’t work like we wanted it to then we got caught up in
that last lap wreck. But all in all it wasn’t too bad of a day.”

Benson started 17th, dropped as far back as 30th, then worked his way up to as
high as fifth and was even sitting sixth with about 30 laps to go. Benson
followed the leaders strategy and elected to stay on the track during a late
race caution. The cars behind him came into the pits for new tires which proved
considerably faster.

When the green flag dropped, so did Benson on the scoreboard as the newly shod
car drove by him.

“I was just hanging on at the end,” he said.

In the final laps, Dave Blaney triggered a multi-car wreck which took out
several cars. Benson suffered damage but managed to limp around to the front
stretch and take the checkered flag.

Ward Burton won Dodge’s second race of the 2001 season.

Benson moves to 10th passing Steve Park who did not start Sunday’s race nor
score any points. Park was still in a Florence, S.C. hospital following a Busch
Series accident on Saturday in which he suffered a concussion and severe
bruising.

Benson and his Valvoline teammates return to action Saturday night in Richmond,
Va.





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