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NASCAR WCUP: Benson At The Wrong Place At The Wrong Time

7 May 2000

Lycos Pontiac driver Johnny Benson couldn't have been at a worse place at just the wrong time Saturday night during the NASCAR Winston Cup race at Richmond International Raceway.

Benson was following Todd Bodine out of turn four on the 43rd lap when Bodine cut a tire sending the #91 into the wall then careening into Benson's path. The collision severely damaged the right front of the Lycos Pontiac dropping Benson from about 20th down to 38th place.

"It wasn't much fun after that," said Benson who pitted about a dozen times for his James Ince-led pit crew to repair the damaged car. "It sure messed up the handling. It was real hard to turn in the corners and we were scared we would cut a tire and make it worse."

Benson spent the rest of the race just persevering and staying out of the way of the leaders. But his work and the team's persistence paid off by the end of the night when they ended the race in 25th position several laps down to winner Dale Earnhardt Jr.

"I'm not sure how we would have done if we hadn't had those problems," said Benson who started the race in 23rd. "You never know. But we were pretty good. I think we could have had a top-ten car."

Benson and the Tyler Jet Motorsports team will enjoy an off weekend then race again in the Winston Open at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte.