rpm.espn.com: Users: Win likely in Benson's future

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Monday, December 10
Users: Win likely in Benson's future
ESPN.com

We asked our users whether Johnny Benson could find his way to Victory Lane and a top-10 overall finish in 2002. Here are some of the responses:

Johnny Benson and James Ince have always been consistent. This year the Hendrick engines were not. It started off at Daytona, but the team bounced back to remain in the top-5 in points for the first third of the season. None of the team's lower finishes were of their own doing. They got taken out at both Bristol and Talladega. If their luck improves in 2002 they should get wins and be in the top-5 in the final points standings.

Jeff DeGolier
Fresno, Calif.

If Johnny Benson gets a win in 2002 it will be a lucky win. I am glad he will have sponsorship from Vavoline for the next two years, because they won't be around much after that.

Justin Shores
Ames, Iowa

Johnny did have some down races and their team took awhile to adjust after some rule changes, but he was running strong in a lot of races when he got taken out one way or another and that does not show up in the stats. I look forward to seeing him have a good year in 2002, better than 2001.

Myron Huebner
Grand Rapids, Mich.

Johnny Benson is without a doubt the best driver still winless in Winston Cup. Look for 2002 to garner Johnny at least his first and possibly two trips to Victory Lane.

Jesse Andersen
Inglewood, Calif.

A win and a top ten in points are definitely in the cards for Benson as long as his engine program can come together. Testing will be a help but I think the engine program did him in this past year in points.

Steve DeFouw
Cedar Springs, Mich

Yes, a top-10 overall is coming in 2002, even in a Pontiac. With his strong financial backing, he should be able to "steal" some elite pit crew members out there. James Ince is an excellent crew chief, but these guys consistently lost positions coming off pit road.

Jim McCormick
Grand Rapids, Mich.

If he can get the engines to hold up well he will no doubt end up in the top-5.

Don Huisman
Hudsonville, Mich.

Johnny Benson is a knucklehead he will never win a race! I would love to race him one time, I would dust him like I do the guys around here on our local track!

Steve Hadley
Chaffee, Mo.

I think Johnny Benson may do even better in 2002 than a ninth or 10th. Sometimes it takes even longer to gel as a team and several of the changes this season will have even more effect next year. As a driver, Benson's maturing process has been very steady and I think his abilities at this point are first rate. If things begin to fall into place early and the team has a few good finishes and perhaps a win, the momentum will go a long way. More than anything else, Benson and the team need that win to prove just how good they are and once the "lesson is learned" this group could easily wind up in the top-5.

Pat Patterson
Bremen, Ohio

Not anytime soon for Johnny. The only way Benson will win a race is if Goodyear makes a longer lasting tire. Benson did the same thing for most of the season -- the final pit stop take two tires and gas to come out in the lead, then get passed and finish out of the top-5 most of the time. Benson is a solid driver but needs to rethink some of the strategy moves before they try them. How often does Jeff Gordon take two tires nearing the end of the races? I can't think of anytime. Look for Benson to finish 12-9. Winning is going to be hard on two fresh tires. The win could come on a speedway, no short tracks and not Daytona or Talladega.

Matthew Miceli
Darien, Conn.

No, I don't think either will happen. He just doesn't have the know-how to be a good race driver and these days the competition is fierce!

B&D Murphy
Benson, Ariz.

Johnny Benson is a good driver. This we know from his past experiences in Busch and other divisions. But the difference is Winston Cup competition. When you make it to this level you are the best. There are 42 other drivers who are as talented or more talented then he is. What he needs to do is be more aggressive. You know why he lost the Daytona 500 in 2000? Because he did not block. Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt were in that position many of times and they made their cars "double wides." If Benson is thinking about winning next year or in his career, he needs to be a little more aggressive.

Bryan Jones
Saint Pauls, N.C.

Benson would have most likely finished in the top ten in 2001 with a little better luck. Multiple engine failures (bad luck or bad gear selection?) loose tires on pit road, and mystery speeding penalties kept him out of the top ten. This team never looked "horrible," as you suggest. A top seven team and multiple wins in 2002.

Alan Larson
Prior Lake, Minn.

Johnny is definitely a good enough driver to win races and also to finish in the top 10. However, Johnny's one of the classy, clean racers in WC, and with the upcoming, aggressive drivers (who will take others out of a race to win), Johnny's going to have to get tougher with 'em.

Matt Spears
Sanford, Fla.

Benson did a great job in 2001. But he fell off the wagon and faded into the background it seemed as the season ended. Benson needs to figure out how to get a win.

Calvin Rowland
Lisle, Ill.

	Driver Spotlight: Johnny Benson Winston Cup off-season driver spotlight index