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Pennzoil Pontiac Race Preview: Johnny Benson Heads to Pocono

16 July 1997

 
Johnny Benson's Improvement


   Pennzoil Pontiac driver Johnny Benson hopes Sunday's race at Pocono 
is a repeat of last year's race that saw the 1996 Rookie of the Year 
qualify sixth and lead several laps before finishing fifth - his best 
finish of the season. 

   Benson's unspectacular, but steady year is an improvement over his 
rookie season that saw him post one of the best seasons by a 
first-year driver in recent history.

Statistical Comparison of  Benson's first 17 races in 1996 & 1997


                                % of laps
        Avg. Start  Avg. Finish  finished    DNF   Top-10s     Points

1996*      21.25       23.12        87%       3        2        30th

1997       24.4        18.20        97%       2        4        14th

* Does not include missed race at Bristol



Benson on:


...season so far:

   "We are a very quiet 14th in points right now. That isn't a bad 
spot to be in, but we want more top ten finishes and some top five 
finishes. I think we have a reasonable shot to get the Pennzoil 
Pontiac in the top ten in points before the end of year. We just have 
to start running a little bit better. We need some top-five finishes 
and we need start battling with leaders for the checkered flag."

...secret to success at Pocono:

   "As much as any track on the circuit, Pocono takes the whole 
package. That means a lot of horsepower on that long straight-away and 
then handling in the three turns."

...first win coming at Pocono:

   "We'd take our first win anywhere."



For More Information
Contact: Drew Brown
Cohn & Wolfe
(404) 880-5269
drew_brown@cohnwolfe.com