Pennzoil Dodge Racing Report: Benson Marks Another Memorable Brickyard Performance
4 August 1997
Brickyard 400 August 2, 1997 Indianapolis, Ind. Pit Strategy, Hard Driving Give Benson Another Memorable Brickyard Performance Ricky Rudd won the 1997 Brickyard 400, but Pennzoil Pontiac driver Johnny Benson might have worn the biggest smile. Benson saw his fortunes go from near disaster in a third turn collision to a respectable 7th-place finish and a move to 12th-place in the 1997 Winston Cup point standings. Benson knew he had a tough act to follow at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Last year, the 1996 Rookie of the Year came from mid-pack to lead 70 laps in the Brickyard 400 before finishing eighth. It appeared the 34-year-old Michigan native had little chance of duplicating the impressive performance midway through Saturday's 1997 edition of the 400-mile race. Benson ran consistent laps throughout the day, but from his 20th starting spot he hovered just outside the top ten most of the day. Then Benson and his Bahari' teammates parlayed fuel strategy to perfection. As other cars battled for track position, Bahari' Crew Chief Doug Hewitt called Benson into the pit on lap 117 so gas man Bill Tucker could squeeze just a few more gallons into the Pennzoil Pontiac. The move put the second-year driver back in the pack in 29th but in a position to drive the rest of the race without a pitstop and possibly win the prestigious race. If it remained caution free, nearly every car required another fuel stop. Benson's chances brightened as the laps dwindled, but a caution with 13 laps left seemed to eliminate chances of victory. Only Ricky Rudd and Benson remained on the track as all of the leaders made quick gas-only pit stops. Benson moved to third with about a dozen of the faster cars breathing on his back. "I'm just going to do my best and see what happens," Benson said to the crew over the car radio. Benson's best proved spectacular as he held off the charging cars and clung to third place. After another brief caution the race resumed with only three laps remaining. Benson continued to maintain his position until Mark Martin and Dale Jarrett dove under Benson in turn three. Martin might have clipped Jarrett before he slammed into the Pennzoil Pontiac sending Benson sliding through the turn and apparently into a race-ending crash. "Man, I had to do everything I could to save it. He hit us pretty good," Benson said after the race. "It will be pretty exciting when we look at this on the video." Benson's car swung wide in turn three nearly wrecking as a few cars managed to slip past. Benson regained control and drove the car to a seventh-place finish. "Well, we weren't as good here as we were last year, but we had a pretty good finish," Benson said after the race. "We probably have one of the top averages over the last two years here so I think we have something to be pretty proud of." The 7th-place finish moved Benson from 13th to 12th place in the 1997 Winston Cup point standings. Benson is 50 points behind 10th-place Bill Elliott. Benson and the Pennzoil Pontiac return to the track next weekend in the Bud at the Glen in Watkins Glen, N.Y. For More Information Contact: Drew Brown Cohn & Wolfe (404) 880-5269 drew_brown@cohnwolfe.com
