Pennzoil Pontiac Racing Preview: Benson Heads to Phoenix

28 October 1997
 Benson and Bid For Top-10 Goes to Phoenix 
 
    Pennzoil Pontiac driver Johnny Benson takes his quest for a top-10 
 finish in the points standings to Phoenix International Raceway this 
 weekend. Benson is 14th in points after falling two positions due to a 
 36th-place finish at Rockingham. 
 
            Points Battle                                           
 
             9. Ted Musgrave        3,389                               
            10. Rusty Wallace       3,351           -38             
            11. Jeremy Mayfield     3,335           -16     
            12. Ken Schrader        3,313           -22     
            13. Ernie Irvan         3,293           -20             
            14. Johnny Benson       3,290            -3    
            15. Ricky Rudd          3,223           -67
 
  Benson on Phoenix:
 
    "When I think about Phoenix the first thing I think about is how 
 warm it is, and that the rattlesnakes outside the track are pretty 
 cool. But, if you are talking about the track, then I think how fast 
 it is for just a mile oval. It's also a very challenging track.  Turns 
 one and two are like your normal corners, but turns three and four are 
 a bit longer and flatter and real slippery.
 
 ...last weekend's disappointment  at Rockingham:
 
    "We just couldn't figure out what was wrong with the Pennzoil 
 Pontiac. Everything was fine until the last practice on Saturday and 
 the handling became terrible. It didn't handle like that during any of 
 our tests (at Rockingham) nor on Friday during qualifying. It came 
 back on Monday and was pretty bad. We had problems, but we still have 
 a shot at finishing in the top 10. 
 
    "We have to start finishing in the top 10 in the races in order to 
 get into the top 10 in points."
 
 ...importance of a top-10 points finish:
 
    "Since a few races into the season our goal has been to get a 
 victory and finish in the top-10 in points. We still plan to win a 
 race, but right now that top-10 is really close. We would love to get 
 a table close to the stage at the banquet in New York this year. I'd 
 have to make a speech which isn't all that much fun, but I'll  make as 
 many speeches as I have to if that means getting the Pennzoil Pontiac 
 in the top 10.
 
 Benson's Winston Cup Record at Phoenix
                                                                        
                            S   F   LC  TL    Status   Money
 1996                                               
 Dura Lube 500 (Phoenix)   23  32  304  312   Running  $19,170 
                                                    
 
 For More Information
 Contact: Drew Brown
 Cohn & Wolfe
 (404) 880-5269
 drew_brown@cohnwolfe.com