Johnny Benson on his time at Roush, Mentoring Carson Hocevar, & Concussions
2Digest
This podcast chronicles the racing career of Johnny Benson Jr., beginning with his father's legacy and his own early immersion in the sport. Benson details his transition from dirt to asphalt racing, his success in the ASA series culminating in a championship, and a surprising call from Dale Earnhardt Sr. that led to his Cup Series debut. The narrative covers his time in the Busch and Cup Series with various teams, including challenges at Bahari Racing and Roush Racing, and his eventual return to short track racing. The conversation also touches upon his experiences in the Truck Series, the physical demands of racing, the long-term effects of concussions, his involvement with the Motorsports Appeals Panel, and his current pursuits in mentoring young drivers and personal projects.
Outlines
Introduction and Early Racing Roots
The podcast introduces Johnny Benson Jr., highlighting his extensive racing career. It delves into his father's racing legacy and Benson's childhood experiences growing up around the sport, including early memories of his father's super modified car and his own beginnings in the shop.
Transition to Driving and Pavement Racing
Benson recounts his decision to become a driver after his father's retirement, his initial foray into dirt racing, and building his first chassis. He then discusses the challenging transition to asphalt racing, adapting to tracks like Berlin, and achieving early successes and feature wins on pavement.
ASA Series Success and Cup Series Opportunity
The discussion covers Benson's entry into the ASA series, his initial reservations about longer races, and his performance as a teammate. A pivotal moment was receiving a call from Dale Earnhardt Sr. offering a Cup series ride, leading to his debut.
Busch Series Championship and Cup Series Move
Benson details his championship-winning season in the Busch Series and subsequent move to the Cup Series with Bahari Racing, acknowledging the team's limitations but also highlighting his determination.
Crew Chief Dynamics and Early Cup Struggles
The importance of the crew chief relationship, particularly with Steve Bird, is emphasized. Benson discusses early struggles in the Cup Series at Charlotte before finding a successful setup.
Continued Busch Success and Truck Series Debut
Benson's strong performance in the Busch Series continued with top finishes and wins. He also participated in the inaugural Truck Series race, showcasing his versatility.
Cup Series with Bahari Racing and Roush Racing Challenges
Benson discusses his move to the Cup Series with Bahari Racing, noting the team's status and his initial hesitation. He then describes the difficulties faced at Roush Racing, including team spread and culture, leading to his departure.
Unexpected Move to Jack Roush's Team and #10 Car Struggles
Benson recounts being approached by NASCAR to join Jack Roush's team, a move he felt compelled into, leading to a tumultuous experience. He discusses his move to the #10 car, sponsorship challenges, and a memorable Daytona 500 run.
MB2 Racing, Valvoline Sponsorship, and First Cup Win
The transition to MB2 Racing is discussed, highlighting financial instability despite initial success. Benson talks about securing Valvoline sponsorship, a strong run at Dover, and his remarkable first Cup Series win at Rockingham.
End of an Era and Return to Short Tracks
Benson reflects on the team's decline after his crew chief left, his release, and his decision to return to short track racing, embracing his passion and finding joy in competing at his roots.
Truck Series Success and Stepping Away from Top-Level Racing
Benson recounts his successful stint in the Truck Series with Bill Davis Racing, enjoying the competitive environment and winning races. He reflects on the process of stepping away from top-tier racing and the closure of Bill Davis Racing.
Continued Short Track Racing, Hall of Fame, and Mentorship
Benson details his return to super modifieds and short track racing, finding joy and reconnecting with the community. He discusses his Hall of Fame inductions, mentoring young drivers like Carson Hocevar, and the appeal of short track racing.
Racing Adjustments, Severe Crash, and Recovery
The speaker discusses adjusting race car setups, the speed and physical demands of modified cars, and a severe crash in 2009. They detail the aftermath, recovery, and return to racing in truck and modified cars.
Motorsports Appeals Panel and Continued Racing Career
The speaker shares experiences serving on the National Motorsports Appeals Panel, discussing rule interpretations and difficult decisions. They detail their return to full-time racing in super modifieds, achieving wins, and further Hall of Fame inductions.
Retirement, Future Pursuits, and Mentoring
The speaker contemplates retirement, the desire to continue racing, and shifts focus to working on cars and mentoring younger drivers. They discuss the process of assessing talent, adapting cars, and guiding them through testing and racing.
Post-Racing Life, Personal Projects, and Reflections
The speaker describes life after racing, focusing on fabrication work, restoring a Corvette, and enjoying a relaxed pace. They reflect on returning to short track racing or mentorship, weighing commitment against current lifestyle.
Concussion Impact, Memory, and Vision Changes
The speaker recounts a severe concussion in 2009, detailing its physical toll and lingering effects on memory and cognitive function. They discuss vision deterioration, the need for glasses, and managing memory lapses.
Lingering Concussion Effects and Physical Demands
The speaker explores how concussion symptoms can manifest months or years later, impacting vision and well-being. They reflect on their current physical condition and the intense demands of racing, even in recent truck races.
Adapting to New Racing Challenges and Conclusion
The speaker shares their experience in the Rowdy 250, initially apprehensive but finding success and realizing their capability for longer races, despite the demanding nature of the cars.
Keywords
Johnny Benson Jr.
A versatile NASCAR driver with a career spanning Cup, Busch, and Truck series, known for his short-track roots and championship success.
Short Track Racing
A discipline of auto racing on small ovals, emphasizing driver skill and close competition, often featuring unique car setups.
NASCAR Truck Series
A professional stock car racing series featuring pickup trucks, serving as a developmental platform for drivers.
ASA Series
An American Speed Association stock car racing series known for its competitive nature and development of future NASCAR stars.
Cup Series
The premier stock car racing series in NASCAR, featuring the highest level of competition and prestigious events.
Crew Chief
The primary engineer and strategist for a racing team, responsible for car performance and race strategy.
Super Modifieds
A class of open-wheel race cars known for powerful engines and aggressive handling, often raced on short tracks.
Concussion Effects
Physical and cognitive symptoms arising from traumatic brain injury, including memory loss and vision problems, with potential delayed onset.
Driver Mentorship
Experienced racers guiding newer drivers on car setup, race strategy, and career development.
Hall of Fame Induction
Recognition for significant achievements and contributions to motorsports, signifying a lasting legacy.
Q&A
What was Johnny Benson Jr.'s early exposure to racing?
Johnny Benson Jr. grew up around racing as his father was a successful racer. He recalls being in the shop at seven years old and remembers seeing his dad's super modified car when he was around four or five.
How did Johnny Benson Jr. get his start in driving?
Johnny Benson Jr. began driving after his father retired from racing. To keep the family business going, he built a dirt car and raced for three years before transitioning to asphalt.
What was Johnny Benson Jr.'s experience transitioning from dirt to asphalt racing?
Benson found asphalt racing, particularly at tracks like Berlin, to be challenging. He spent two years learning the nuances before achieving consistent success and winning features.
How did Johnny Benson Jr. get his opportunity to race in the Cup Series?
After success in the Busch Series, including a championship, Benson received a call from Dale Earnhardt Sr. offering him a Cup ride. This led to his debut in Ernie Irvan's car at Michigan.
What were the main challenges Johnny Benson Jr. faced at Roush Racing?
At Roush Racing, Benson experienced a team that was spread too thin financially and operationally. The team culture was also a factor, and he felt forced into the situation, leading to his eventual departure.
What led to Johnny Benson Jr.'s departure from Bahari Racing in the Cup Series?
Benson felt he was pushed towards Jack Roush's team by NASCAR, and the experience was difficult. After two years of a four-year contract, he walked away due to the team's struggles and internal conflicts.
Why did Johnny Benson Jr. decide to return to short track racing after his Cup Series career?
Benson's passion lies in short track racing. He found superspeedways less appealing due to the inherent risks and preferred the close competition and familiar atmosphere of the short tracks where he began his career.
What was the most severe injury the speaker sustained, and what were its immediate effects?
The speaker sustained a severe concussion in 2009, breaking their collarbone, separating their shoulder, fracturing ribs, bruising a lung, and breaking their wrist. They were in ICU for four days, with their lung and kidneys in bad shape.
How did serving on the National Motorsports Appeals Panel impact the speaker?
Serving on the panel exposed the speaker to complex rule interpretations and difficult decisions. A specific case involving a shock failure and penalty led to an uncomfortable situation, making them decide they no longer wanted to be involved.
What are some of the lingering effects of concussions the speaker experiences?
The speaker experiences memory lapses, sometimes forgetting recent events but recalling older ones. They also suffer from severe headaches and occasional disorientation, questioning whether these are solely concussion-related or part of the aging process.
Show Notes
It’s not often that racers go on to have competitive second acts to their careers after retiring from the limelight. This week on the Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits down with a driver who retired a NASCAR Truck champion and retraced his family roots back to the short tracks: Johnny Benson Jr. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Johnny grew up in the shadows of his father John Benson Sr., one of the finest chauffeurs the Midwest had to offer in the 1960s and 70s. John made a name for himself in the supermodified ranks and served as part of the Michigan invasion of the mid-60s to the legendary Oswego Speedway, where he captured the crown jewel Oswego Classic in 1966. At home, he was an accomplished parts builder and fabricator, which is where young Johnny got his first hands-on experience.
Once John stepped away from driving, Johnny rose to the occasion to race for the family company, initially stepping into Southwest Michigan’s dirt late model ranks. He quickly graduated to pavement competition, taking on the challenging American Speed Association tour in the mid-1990s, where he captured his first national championship in 1993. The feat landed him on the radar of many in the NASCAR ranks, including none other than Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Ernie Irvan. Johnny received a shot at the big time in the Busch Grand National Series, where he’d continue his winning ways with a season points crown in 1995. He was promoted to the Cup Series, driving for Bahari Racing, Roush Racing and finally MB2 Motorsports, capturing one lone victory at Rockingham in 2002.
Johnny’s Cup opportunities would run their course, but he’d find later success in his NASCAR career driving for Bill Davis Racing in the Trucks Series. He’d become one of the few drivers in NASCAR history to win crowns in multiple series when he won the Truck title in 2008, before returning to his short track roots, getting behind the wheel of a supermodified in International Super Modified Association competition.
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