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NASCAR WCUP: Add Pocono To Benson Near Misses in 2000

20 June 2000

Johnny Benson and his Tyler Jet Motorsports teammates have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup season. The unheralded team that some didn't expect to finish in the top 40 in points nearly won Daytona, finished second at Bristol and sixth at Las Vegas.

"I know some people are surprised at those results, but we aren't," said Benson. "We know how good this team is and how close we are to winning."

Amid the high points there have been some near misses. A crash at Texas while running in the top 10, a rain out of second round qualifying at Atlanta that forced the team to miss the race, and then on Monday at Pocono International Raceway Benson blew an engine on lap 178 of the 200 lap race spoiling a sure top five finish.

"That's disappointing," said Benson who ran as high as second early in the race. "Our car was really good on long runs and when we could run by ourselves. To have something like that happen is frustrating. It may not show in the results tomorrow but we were one of the fastest cars today."

Benson began Sunday's race in 21st starting spot and slowly moved his way up through the field. A two-tire change on the second round of pitstops allowed him to climb even higher at one point holding down second while chasing leader Tony Stewart.

The Tyler Jet Motorsports crew serviced Benson in the pits as quickly as anyone throughout the race and crew chief James Ince brought Benson in with about 35 laps to go ready for an end-of-the-race charge. But seconds later disaster struck.

"Guys we just blew up," Benson radioed.

He returned the car to the garage to survey the damage and discuss what turned out to be a 34th place finish.

"We can't do much about part failures. But we ran well and its only about five weeks before we come back here. If we can be as good then as we were today it should be a lot of fun."