Which car (or truck) do you think of when you hear the name Johnny Benson? If you like these videos hit thumbs up and subscribe to see the next one sooner! Stapletonautoworks.com
Johnny is the most down to earth. Much like Kenny Schrader.
Месяц назад
So true! Two of a feather... Kenny story; 1990 @ Sears Point we caught him walking around the food court bbq area (yes, back then it was common to see driver's outside of the pits) and approached him to chat up for an autograph. Damn if our Sharpie was a bit dry and Kenny got it flowing by scribbling on the inside of his wrist. Definitely a regular guy. #25 & #52k lives on!
DON'T STOP doing videos like this. People like Johnny Benson Jr are very rare these days. He had no problem giving you a tour of his family's legacy and telling it like it was for him from a very young age. Many people of that era just loved to built things because it was the thing that people loved to do. My dad taught me how to weld at age 10. He said: "Go find some junk out back of the garage and I will teach you how to weld." I took that pile of car parts, painted it and took it to school for "art class". I won first place beating the local university art professor. He offered to buy my "art" for $25. For a kid in 1965 that was a fortune. Ten years after that I had a business building headers for the local stock car guys. You are never to old to learn.
Most definitely. I'm from the Darlinton, S C. area. Darlington was the first supersppedway, but short tracks were it. I wish they still were, better racing. People didn't get killed in short track racing, like the bigger ones.
Grew up 2 miles from the Benson's, same grade school, high school etc. His sister Barb and I were good friends (same grade). John Sr. would weld up our dirt bikes when we busted them up. Up until late teens spent every Saturday at Berlin Raceway watching his dad then Johnny. Then, of course, cheered him on through his ASA and NASCAR career. Very proud of our hometown kid!
Johnny was the 1st guy I knew to make it big in Nascar from Mich. Always pulled for him in every series he raced. Always joked that Johnny was to nice of a guy, he could of won a hell of a lot more if he'd just give a guy a little bumper to get by but thats not how Dad raced and thats not how Johnny races. Class act family thru and thru. Awsome video! Thank you MUCH👍
Yeah these guys were real winners, raced with little to nothing and were still kicking butt. Weren't whiners or show boats that we have today in all series.
Johnny's win at Rockingham is a feel-good clip that always brings me out of a funk. He's another case of the stats not reflecting the talent at least at the Cup level. That #10 Valvoline Grand Prix always stood out in a crowd. This video is a stellar follow up to the IROC festivities. Thank you guys for another golden nugget of racing history!
@@QuietDriver97 Well said man. If there were a list of those whos cup stats don’t reflect talent level he’s on it. Interesting that several of those guys who got the short end of the stick in cup absolutely tore up the truck series.
This was absolutely FASCINATING. Im a supermod guy, so a lot of those stories "fill in blanks" of things I'd heard about for years. And that Charlie Swartz story is PRICELESS. Great job!
Oh yeah, some old dirt late model guys would be a good run of videos. It would have been great to have the stories and talking to the Flintstone Flyer Mike Duvall before he passed. There are tons of older dirt legends. Too many have gone and those racing stories weren't or have yet to be preserved sad to say. CL Pritchett Buck Simmons Freddie Smith Jack Pennington Spiderman Bill Morgan Rex Richey HotRod Lamance Ernest Steifel Fulmer Lance Ed Basey CJ Rayburn Booper Bare Buddy Morris Charlie Swartz and the mid engine wedge
WoW What a great video...I really would have wanted to be a machinist but I never had the opportunity..It was always keep going to university and now I am finally building a machine shop and I am going to start building pre war race cars... These videos are so inspiring...
My lord what an education with all that stuff in the shops. Had no idea what a pioneer his father was. I knew his father raced but didn’t know about all his building. What a genius, not only building his shops but self taught with all that machinery he acquired over time.
Johnny Benson is such a great guy. Always enjoyed watching him race and on Inside Winston Cup. Yes please do more videos with Johnny. Such a skilled guy and very down to earth.
I grew up about 5 miles from the Benson speed shop. I used to ride my bike over to the shop just to catch a glimpse of what was going on there. I was a John Sr fan having watched him at Berlin for years. Later in my teens I was on a pit crew for a local racer who Sadly lost his life at Auto City speedway. We ran against Johnny Jr but I always admired him. I watched a NASCAR race at Richmond from Johnny's pit stall. Great video and great memories
One thing is consistent with that generation of racers. When you hired the driver you also received a master mechanic, fabricator, engineer, etc. You don’t see that around pavement racing garages today. I really enjoy these videos and the appreciate the effort both Logan and you put in to making them.
Class Act! Well done Mitchell! Despite being a huge Earnhardt fan, I will never forgot Johnny leading at Daytona (2000?) hoping he would be able to win it!
I’m 63 now. Think it kind of remarkable, how familiar many of these shops and stories seem, even for not having ever been there. Must be the flavor of things back in the day…
Great film. Born in Grand Rapids, My father took me to Berlin Raceway when i was growing up. Started in 69 i was 9 at the time. Brings back many memories. We had a nieghbor that had a speed shop for awhile on S. division ave. in Grand Rapids and he also ran at Berlin. Watched Johnny Benson Sr. win races forever, with all the other big names at the time, still have all the souvenir programs from then. Followed Benson Jr. throughout his career into Nascar. wish he would have stayed longer. Berlin raceway and Kalamazoo speedway where the 2 tracks we would attend. Great times!
These are the guys I respect! Johnny is a grass roots racer , he’s done it all and understands every dynamic of a race car , plus has built every thing himself . Would have loved to have seen Him in one of the better teams , he had the talent ! Loved the 10 Valvolene car it was a ripper ! Thanks again to you and Logan of highlighting the greatest era of NASCAR , back when drivers earned their ticket to the top level !!
I always liked JB he is smart about building race cars this was great to see this,, you and Logan do a great job he reminds me of Alan kulwicki building his own stuff from the ground up
Man, I know i am old because I haven't heard Johnny benson's name for a long time. Wow. thanks, man, for all of these great memories of sitting and grilling out and watching the race. And my buddy's drinking some beers and have just had a blast
You asked for comments from people who watched your video. I watched the entire video, and I loved it! My first race fan experience would have been at Berlin Raceway, with my dad and my brother, and always rooting for John Benson Sr. Then following Johnny Jr. as he had so much success at Berlin, and moved to ASA, and then to the NASCAR world. It was just so special seeing a 'local' guy make it in the big time.
I was probably around 12 years old when Benson was active in the Cup series, and knew he was local to GR. Didn't really learn about his short track stuff until later in my teens. Still a local legend and hero.
@@BrianLarge-s4d all of that generation raced clean for the most part at least the guys with ASA/Midwest roots I miss that era what we have now is wannabe video game crap
What a great guy, I met him in Atlanta in the garage and he was walking by and I said if I walk with you can I get a picture and he said walk he stopped and we had a great conversation. Great guy.
42:30 Johnny's Dad has the right idea on weight saving. I heard this saying "an ounce of weight is worth a pound of performance", in regard to racing and it always stuck in my mind.
Good ol mom is worried about the upstairs being messy in a race shop. You two are making such killer content and contacts as you go. I think you'll keep getting doors opened to you because as the more people see you're product and the respect and curiosity you both show makes the folks more at ease and will tell others that they I did a video with this fella and his gal and they were great we need to get them together with you. keep doing what you're doing we'll keep watching and supporting ya
I became a fan of Johnny's during SpeedWeeks of 2000. What a great performance in the unsponsored Tyler Jet car, then being in position to win the 500! His win at The Rock in '02 I still remember well, and of course the truck championship in '08. It was really cool to find out how hands-on he was, and still is to this day. Thanks for doing this one!
17:05 awesome seeing the thunderbird sign. I grew up a few miles away and would hear the cars echoing every weekend. Awesome video guys. Growing up in West Mi Johnny was the local guy to root for in nascar. I remember a local lube shop kept the a cutout of Johnny in their shop for years.
Yes ! This man won the Busch championship came back won the truck championship won under crazy circumstances in cup in one of the most historic races of all time. He should be in the hall of fame ! Nice guys do finish first
I don’t live to far the benson home I seen him at a store one afternoon and thought thats JB I didn’t bother him but it was cool seeing him I miss the old nascar don’t watch it anymore but man the old days motors roaring the smell the people #3 lol just miss it
ASA raced on the half-mile at the Minnesota State Fair for a number of years (until 2002) and on the road course at the Brainerd International Raceway (1993 through 1995). After one of the Brainerd races, I was taking some pictures in the pits. I asked Johnny Benson if I could get one of him with his car. The rear of the car was jacked up and Johnny said "let me get it off the jack so it looks like a race car." As a young person, I was impressed with that and so Johnny Benson became my favorite driver as he moved on to the Busch Series and the Winston Cup series. I always liked his quiet demeanor unlike some drivers who seemed to be quite cocky and full of themselves. (This was another enjoyable and educational video. Even though Johnny was "my" driver, I knew little of his background and upbringing. It was fun to follow him around the shops today.)
This video was another absolutely awesome trip back in time and seeing ALL the equipment and buildings they have is fascinating. I really thought it was cool to see the ASA body panels in the attic, especially with the TNN decal on it!! Thanks Mitchell and Logan
I’m born and raised in Grand Rapids. I’ve always been a Johnny Benson fan. Alot of history with the Bensons and Sennekers. My father in law grew up around them and tells some funny stories about the Sennekers. The Speedrome was another local track before Berlin.
I live a couple miles from Berlin and have raced with them and spent HOURS talking while leaning on a car...Sr isn't a man of many words, but when he talks everyone listens. Jr is much the same way. We've rubbed elbows with some of the best in our lifetimes just being different places and racing things.
Man does Johnny ever age, I remember him driving the no. 10 and he doesn't look and different must be good jeans and good livin. Another great video, Thanks Y'all!
What i like about the era of drivers from back then most of them all were hands on guys . I'm sure some current drivers are but not like they were back then . Really cool video thanks
This video is one of your best, waaaaay different than I was expecting, didn’t know he was so hands on, I knew the name but didn’t pay much attention to him, great job!! Keep it up
I was born in Kalamazoo, MI. My dad lived in Grand Rapids on Brenton rd. In the 1990's he owned all the Great Lakes Car Washes. I was always a big Johnny Benson fan, but never knew he lived in Grand Rapids!!!
The era of Driver I grew up watching and love! I can't relate to this new generation and no longer watch. Your videos bring back what I loved and miss!
I've watched a few of your videos now, and this is the best. To me, this is the good stuff, in being about a guy who is not only a driver, but has a whole lifetime of building their cars, machinists, fabricators/welders, any and all that stuff, and showing you around a shop, with all the history. Especially here, where the family has three whole shops, full of stuff. It's funny, obviously, to most people, this might seem crazy boring, while for many of us, this is wonderful stuff; more of this, please! Even better in this case, with Mr. Benson the elder apparently still at it a little bit, so it's still a living working shop. Great stuff. Even better with little things like bringing along your wife and The Fearsome Beast, so it's not like some glossy TV production, it's just people hanging around looking at interesting things and talking about the stuff they love. The only thing missing is that with, obviously, JB being known from his stock car career, there is a whole story to be had about his supermodified racing, clearly a big thing in his life, and a whole area of racing that does not get a lot of attention. I've watched those things racing at Toledo Speedway in the past, a half mile oval with pretty substantial banking, and they are amazing beasts. When the field goes thundering by, with those giant wings, it's like a tornado is blowing through. I would happily sit through an hour of him just on those cars, and if he has built, or does build, his own chassis, et cetera.
Mitchell. I can’t thank you enough for these videos. It’s awesome that you are taking the time to show these great drivers that a lot of the new generations forgot about.
For sure. My younger kids' generation have no clue about racing like I did growing up. I took my oldest to the races when I went to watch, and also when I raced. He never had the moth to a flame interest that I had. Too many distractions. Now that he's a young man all the tracks are closed and he takes interest and wants the old man and his uncle to get back into it. . I remember making the annual two week mecca trip to Charlotte. Had the insert/ entry sheet they would hand out on Wednesday, the week of the Winston and for the 600. I was a 7yr old boy, with Dad's robic stop watch, timing two cars at a time during practice and single car qualifying average speeds, writing it down to figure out and tell my old man who's going to be bumped to round 2 qualifying (day 2). Memorized the line up sheets, the sponsors, the car owners, the numbers, the drivers hometown, the teams hometown. . Watched the names of many legends change in those inserts through the couple of decades. I remember the distinct sounds of a single cup car hauling the mail down the back stretch of CMS. And hearing when a guy lifted and got back on the gas in 3/4. And you knew when a guy was not gonna make the show or he was gonna be on the pole.
Man JB looks great. In his NASCAR prime, we nicknamed him the Lawyer. Tall, slim, glasses, and just looked official. We'll, we thought it was funny. Always loved Johnny Benson and learning his history and seeing the ole shop is so cool. Thanks as always for all you and Logan do.
You were in my hood! Well, old hood. I live about an hour away, but used to drive by there all the time on my way to class or work. Johnny Benson seams like one of the nicest fellers. Dude still shows up to race at Berlin once or twice a year. Thank you so much for the Michigan stock car history. Would love to see you do more on Michigan racing history. Anything from the 1948 Cadillac that raced in NASCAR to the Gold Cup power boat races in Detroit.
Thanks for bringing on JB. I was Johnny for Halloween in 96 and we made a trip to the house there to trick or treat. Mrs B made sure to take a photo and plenty of spoiling in the candy variety. Would like to see the garage in NC and make sure to include the “crushed” car. Probably the most underrated stock car drivers ever. If he had gotten a fair handshake with a top tier team he would’ve had comparable results to DJ or Bobby Labonte.
These stories are so amazing. You would never know how people made it. Johnny's father is a classic. He is very organized for someone who saves everything.
21. ..Asa. Great outstanding comprehensive collection of fascinating items from a time capsule of a house/ shop /shato ..🎉 look forward to Alan's story as well.
I am from Howard city just north of Grand Rapids. My brother and I were able to watch Johnny race his modified at Berlin back in early July. Cool video of their race shop . Thanks for doing these videos always something interesting to watch and learn some History.
As a Holland Michigan resident Berlin is my local track and a fan of Johnny. When he was unsponsored and leading Daytona I was jumping up and down so proud of our local driver.
Which car (or truck) do you think of when you hear the name Johnny Benson? If you like these videos hit thumbs up and subscribe to see the next one sooner!
Stapletonautoworks.com
Already did Mitchell!
The Pennzoil #30.
The template late model I built from a Benson Sr. 90s late model
I really have memories of the #10 “fast white car”. In my mind that car and drives brought JB into being thought about differently.
ISMA 350 SUPER MODIFEDS WE RACED WITH HIM IN THE 90S
Johnny is the most down to earth. Much like Kenny Schrader.
So true! Two of a feather...
Kenny story; 1990 @ Sears Point we caught him walking around the food court bbq area (yes, back then it was common to see driver's outside of the pits) and approached him to chat up for an autograph. Damn if our Sharpie was a bit dry and Kenny got it flowing by scribbling on the inside of his wrist. Definitely a regular guy. #25 & #52k lives on!
Johnny Benson hasnt aged a day. Still looks the exact same as when i watched him as a kid. Great video Mitchell and Logan!!!
Proof that all the veterans weren't just drivers.
My Midwest heroes.....Johnny B....Dick Trickle.....Dave Marcis....Alan Kulwicki.
Don't forget Lake Speed. They remind me of Johnny. Backyard heroes.
Sauters
@@josephreilly6328 - Yes....the Sauters. I forgot them, and i'm from Wisconsin. Thanks.
@@danacostello5908 - You're right.....but he's not from the Midwest.
@@christopherweise438 I need to learn how to read. 🙂
The Benson family is the real deal
Totally. The whole story is pretty amazing
DON'T STOP doing videos like this. People like Johnny Benson Jr are very rare these days. He had no problem giving you a tour of his family's legacy and telling it like it was for him from a very young age. Many people of that era just loved to built things because it was the thing that people loved to do. My dad taught me how to weld at age 10. He said: "Go find some junk out back of the garage and I will teach you how to weld." I took that pile of car parts, painted it and took it to school for "art class". I won first place beating the local university art professor. He offered to buy my "art" for $25. For a kid in 1965 that was a fortune. Ten years after that I had a business building headers for the local stock car guys. You are never to old to learn.
That’s awesome lol. We won’t ever stop!
My dad won the Berlin super modified championship in 1963 and had many battles with Johnny’s dad throughout the years. The Bensons are a great family
I always liked Johnny Benson. I wished he ran longer in cup than he did. The speed show he did with Waltrip and Shrader was my favorite show.
Imagine Johnny in a DEI or Hendrick car back in the early 2000s. Totally different history today for sure
Absolutely the backbone of the history of short track and NASCAR racing
Well said! Especially the guys like John Sr
Most definitely. I'm from the Darlinton, S
C. area. Darlington was the first supersppedway, but short tracks were it. I wish they still were, better racing. People didn't get killed in short track racing, like the bigger ones.
One of the smartest drivers in NASCAR history...imo
Good to see Johnny living his best life!
He reminds me of Alan K #7
Always liked Johnny Benson. Seemed super humble and a clean racer, never getting into any controversies. Thanks for the video.
Grew up 2 miles from the Benson's, same grade school, high school etc. His sister Barb and I were good friends (same grade). John Sr. would weld up our dirt bikes when we busted them up. Up until late teens spent every Saturday at Berlin Raceway watching his dad then Johnny. Then, of course, cheered him on through his ASA and NASCAR career. Very proud of our hometown kid!
Johnny was the 1st guy I knew to make it big in Nascar from Mich. Always pulled for him in every series he raced. Always joked that Johnny was to nice of a guy, he could of won a hell of a lot more if he'd just give a guy a little bumper to get by but thats not how Dad raced and thats not how Johnny races. Class act family thru and thru. Awsome video! Thank you MUCH👍
Thanks man!
Johnny Benson has always been a very nice guy
He is an absolute gentleman. He always gave off the professor/brain surgeon vibe during interviews back in the day 😀
Awesome visit. I always admired this man. He always handled himself with honest integrity. Great job.
Thank you Robert!
I admired Johnny as well. He didn’t get the credit he deserved. Phenomenal wheelman.
Yeah these guys were real winners, raced with little to nothing and were still kicking butt. Weren't whiners or show boats that we have today in all series.
Absolutely one of the nicest guys you will ever meet at a race track! Great to see him still doing well!
I wish Johnny was still racing. True racer in his day.
Thank you , long time Johnny Benson fan!
Thank you Mike!
Johnny's win at Rockingham is a feel-good clip that always brings me out of a funk. He's another case of the stats not reflecting the talent at least at the Cup level. That #10 Valvoline Grand Prix always stood out in a crowd. This video is a stellar follow up to the IROC festivities. Thank you guys for another golden nugget of racing history!
@@QuietDriver97 Well said man. If there were a list of those whos cup stats don’t reflect talent level he’s on it. Interesting that several of those guys who got the short end of the stick in cup absolutely tore up the truck series.
JB has always been a stand-up guy and a fair, clean racer.
This was absolutely FASCINATING. Im a supermod guy, so a lot of those stories "fill in blanks" of things I'd heard about for years.
And that Charlie Swartz story is PRICELESS.
Great job!
Thanks Ray!
Oh yeah, some old dirt late model guys would be a good run of videos. It would have been great to have the stories and talking to the Flintstone Flyer Mike Duvall before he passed.
There are tons of older dirt legends. Too many have gone and those racing stories weren't or have yet to be preserved sad to say.
CL Pritchett
Buck Simmons
Freddie Smith
Jack Pennington
Spiderman Bill Morgan
Rex Richey
HotRod Lamance
Ernest Steifel
Fulmer Lance
Ed Basey
CJ Rayburn
Booper Bare
Buddy Morris
Charlie Swartz and the mid engine wedge
I miss NASCAR drivers that were relatable people who had to climb they're way to the top series through craftsmanship.
Me too
WoW What a great video...I really would have wanted to be a machinist but I never had the opportunity..It was always keep going to university and now I am finally building a machine shop and I am going to start building pre war race cars... These videos are so inspiring...
Michigan racing history is DEEP. Lotta big name racing companies and drivers from here.
I’m over the border by an hour or so. Lots of names here also and Michigan drivers coming over.
My lord what an education with all that stuff in the shops. Had no idea what a pioneer his father was. I knew his father raced but didn’t know about all his building. What a genius, not only building his shops but self taught with all that machinery he acquired over time.
What a darn nice man Johnny Benson is, down to earth honest human being !
Johnny Benson is such a great guy. Always enjoyed watching him race and on Inside Winston Cup. Yes please do more videos with Johnny. Such a skilled guy and very down to earth.
I grew up about 5 miles from the Benson speed shop. I used to ride my bike over to the shop just to catch a glimpse of what was going on there. I was a John Sr fan having watched him at Berlin for years. Later in my teens I was on a pit crew for a local racer who Sadly lost his life at Auto City speedway. We ran against Johnny Jr but I always admired him. I watched a NASCAR race at Richmond from Johnny's pit stall. Great video and great memories
“Can’t use dad’s gas cans in the upper lvls cause they pour too fast” wow something that is too fast for NASCAR made me laugh that was a gem!!!
Johnny you look great you are my favorite driver. I miss watching you.
Berlin is my home track! Absolutely love that place and love johnny benson too! Hope you guys had fun visiting west michigan!
Have an entirely new respect for Johnny. Never knew he was so skilled.
i could listen to his storys all day
Another pretty cool video. Unbelievable how creative Johnny and his dad were\are in manufacturing racing parts.
Couldn't agree more!
And yet another great video, Thanks for the content!!!!
Thank you very much!
Keep the videos of Johnny benson coming this guy is big around this area
One thing is consistent with that generation of racers. When you hired the driver you also received a master mechanic, fabricator, engineer, etc. You don’t see that around pavement racing garages today.
I really enjoy these videos and the appreciate the effort both Logan and you put in to making them.
Great point! Thanks man we appreciate you
Class Act! Well done Mitchell! Despite being a huge Earnhardt fan, I will never forgot Johnny leading at Daytona (2000?) hoping he would be able to win it!
My hometown hero loved watching him race
JB is a class act. As real as a racer can be. I always thought Roush used his car as an experimental team, so running up front was often a challenge.
I’m 63 now. Think it kind of remarkable, how familiar many of these shops and stories seem, even for not having ever been there. Must be the flavor of things back in the day…
Great film. Born in Grand Rapids, My father took me to Berlin Raceway when i was growing up. Started in 69 i was 9 at the time. Brings back many memories. We had a nieghbor that had a speed shop for awhile on S. division ave. in Grand Rapids and he also ran at Berlin. Watched Johnny Benson Sr. win races forever, with all the other big names at the time, still have all the
souvenir programs from then. Followed Benson Jr. throughout his career into Nascar. wish he would have stayed longer. Berlin raceway and Kalamazoo speedway where the 2 tracks we would attend. Great times!
Thank you Greg we’re glad you’re here!
These are the guys I respect!
Johnny is a grass roots racer , he’s done it all and understands every dynamic of a race car , plus has built every thing himself . Would have loved to have seen Him in one of the better teams , he had the talent ! Loved the 10 Valvolene car it was a ripper !
Thanks again to you and Logan of highlighting the greatest era of NASCAR , back when drivers earned their ticket to the top level !!
Thanks man!
Good ole Johnny from Grand Rapids. I am about 2.5 hrs away. Met him at the Berger Chevrolet dealership back in the early 2000's. Good guy.
My parents bought there 2002 35th Anniversary Camaro SS Brickyard 400 pace car there. Car number 22.
Johnny Benson is a great guy I met him up here in New Hampshire a few years back . Thanks for sharing Mitchell you guys have a gift to nascar history
It was great to see Johnny Benson, and his hometown shop always a great guy, and excellent driver.!!!🏁🏁
I always liked JB he is smart about building race cars this was great to see this,, you and Logan do a great job he reminds me of Alan kulwicki building his own stuff from the ground up
Thank you!
Johnny Benson is a class act and a Great Guy.. Great Video Guys.
Born and raised in Grand Rapids. Johnny Benson (Sr. & Jr.) were legends in the area. Super nice guy.
Man I get so wrapped up in these types of videos. The older generation of drivers is so interesting! Keep up the great work!
Thanks Angus!!
Man, I know i am old because I haven't heard Johnny benson's name for a long time. Wow. thanks, man, for all of these great memories of sitting and grilling out and watching the race. And my buddy's drinking some beers and have just had a blast
Thanks man! Johnny is awesome
@@Stapleton42 he really is one of my favorite drivers
I was in his fan club back in the day one of my favorite drivers can't wait for this video
The only fan club I ever was a member of - the fact that his sister ran it meant something to me.
You asked for comments from people who watched your video. I watched the entire video, and I loved it! My first race fan experience would have been at Berlin Raceway, with my dad and my brother, and always rooting for John Benson Sr. Then following Johnny Jr. as he had so much success at Berlin, and moved to ASA, and then to the NASCAR world. It was just so special seeing a 'local' guy make it in the big time.
Thanks Mike glad you’re here!
Met Johnny when he came to Calgary, Alberta with the ASA. Awesome guy who answered all the questions my then 10 year old son could think of.
I was probably around 12 years old when Benson was active in the Cup series, and knew he was local to GR. Didn't really learn about his short track stuff until later in my teens. Still a local legend and hero.
Hell of a driver he could've been cup series champion he drove to clean. Much respect Johnny
@@BrianLarge-s4d all of that generation raced clean for the most part at least the guys with ASA/Midwest roots I miss that era what we have now is wannabe video game crap
johnny is a great guy. he was the only guy to come race rc cars with us kids at oktoberfest in la crosse wi. i was young and still remember that
What a great guy, I met him in Atlanta in the garage and he was walking by and I said if I walk with you can I get a picture and he said walk he stopped and we had a great conversation. Great guy.
42:30
Johnny's Dad has the right idea on weight saving.
I heard this saying "an ounce of weight is worth a pound of performance", in regard to racing and it always stuck in my mind.
Good ol mom is worried about the upstairs being messy in a race shop. You two are making such killer content and contacts as you go. I think you'll keep getting doors opened to you because as the more people see you're product and the respect and curiosity you both show makes the folks more at ease and will tell others that they I did a video with this fella and his gal and they were great we need to get them together with you. keep doing what you're doing we'll keep watching and supporting ya
Thanks man!
Living in London Ontario I was a fan of Johnny.
I became a fan of Johnny's during SpeedWeeks of 2000. What a great performance in the unsponsored Tyler Jet car, then being in position to win the 500! His win at The Rock in '02 I still remember well, and of course the truck championship in '08. It was really cool to find out how hands-on he was, and still is to this day. Thanks for doing this one!
Thank you Greg!
That was a great video. What a stand up guy and family. Wish we had more time with him. What a work ethic. Thanks and greetings from California.
17:05 awesome seeing the thunderbird sign. I grew up a few miles away and would hear the cars echoing every weekend. Awesome video guys. Growing up in West Mi Johnny was the local guy to root for in nascar. I remember a local lube shop kept the a cutout of Johnny in their shop for years.
Same here lived out by Blue Lake, Thunderbird and Winston were the spots. Great video about our Michigan hero Johnny!
@@kyleanderson6505 yeah man I grew up off of Benston rd. Could hear it on calm nights.
Yes ! This man won the Busch championship came back won the truck championship won under crazy circumstances in cup in one of the most historic races of all time.
He should be in the hall of fame !
Nice guys do finish first
I don’t live to far the benson home I seen him at a store one afternoon and thought thats JB I didn’t bother him but it was cool seeing him I miss the old nascar don’t watch it anymore but man the old days motors roaring the smell the people #3 lol just miss it
Home run again. And yes I would love to see more about Johnny
I grew up 5 miles from Berlin race track. Great video.
Thanks for doing this. Johnny was my favorite driver back in the early 2000s.
ASA raced on the half-mile at the Minnesota State Fair for a number of years (until 2002) and on the road course at the Brainerd International Raceway (1993 through 1995). After one of the Brainerd races, I was taking some pictures in the pits. I asked Johnny Benson if I could get one of him with his car. The rear of the car was jacked up and Johnny said "let me get it off the jack so it looks like a race car." As a young person, I was impressed with that and so Johnny Benson became my favorite driver as he moved on to the Busch Series and the Winston Cup series. I always liked his quiet demeanor unlike some drivers who seemed to be quite cocky and full of themselves. (This was another enjoyable and educational video. Even though Johnny was "my" driver, I knew little of his background and upbringing. It was fun to follow him around the shops today.)
This video was another absolutely awesome trip back in time and seeing ALL the equipment and buildings they have is fascinating. I really thought it was cool to see the ASA body panels in the attic, especially with the TNN decal on it!! Thanks Mitchell and Logan
Glad you enjoyed it!!
My uncle lives in GR and raced with Johnny and Tim back in the day.
I’m born and raised in Grand Rapids. I’ve always been a Johnny Benson fan. Alot of history with the Bensons and Sennekers. My father in law grew up around them and tells some funny stories about the Sennekers. The Speedrome was another local track before Berlin.
Awesome, what a great guy. Old school guy who earned it. Leaves a person with good character. Thanks again, you two did a great job. Fun to watch
I live a couple miles from Berlin and have raced with them and spent HOURS talking while leaning on a car...Sr isn't a man of many words, but when he talks everyone listens. Jr is much the same way. We've rubbed elbows with some of the best in our lifetimes just being different places and racing things.
I love about half an hour from Grand Rapids and actually met you guys at Berlin when you watched Johnny race, I work security at Berlin
Awesome I remember that 😂
Yes plz more on what johnny is doing today!
Man does Johnny ever age, I remember him driving the no. 10 and he doesn't look and different must be good jeans and good livin.
Another great video, Thanks Y'all!
thank you mark I agree he looks the same!
What i like about the era of drivers from back then most of them all were hands on guys . I'm sure some current drivers are but not like they were back then . Really cool video thanks
Well said! Thanks man
Checking in from the Cereal City about an hour south of Grand Rapids. Really cool to see this and everything they did out of those shops!
This video is one of your best, waaaaay different than I was expecting, didn’t know he was so hands on, I knew the name but didn’t pay much attention to him, great job!! Keep it up
Glad you enjoyed!
I was born in Kalamazoo, MI. My dad lived in Grand Rapids on Brenton rd. In the 1990's he owned all the Great Lakes Car Washes. I was always a big Johnny Benson fan, but never knew he lived in Grand Rapids!!!
Honestly I think of that red and white 21 asa car more often than not when I think of Johnny. Classy fellow and I pulled for him a lot.
Johnny got old like me nice to see he’s doing good. Just another great video from you. Always good to look at a beautiful young lady.
The era of Driver I grew up watching and love! I can't relate to this new generation and no longer watch. Your videos bring back what I loved and miss!
Thank you Bruce! Hopefully one day soon there will be a relatable driver again
How cool to see you go to Johnny Benson's. I live 30 miles east of Grand Rapids.
Heck yeah we wanna see more Johnny. The guys a legend with great stories.
West Michigan local here, grew up at Berlin raceway watching benson and senneker and butch miller. Would love to see a Bob Senneker video!
Johnny asked him! Bob didn’t want to. Maybe he will once he sees how simple this video with Johnny is
Great show. I had no idea Benson started at such a young age. They were really really old school racers.🎯👍
I've watched a few of your videos now, and this is the best. To me, this is the good stuff, in being about a guy who is not only a driver, but has a whole lifetime of building their cars, machinists, fabricators/welders, any and all that stuff, and showing you around a shop, with all the history. Especially here, where the family has three whole shops, full of stuff. It's funny, obviously, to most people, this might seem crazy boring, while for many of us, this is wonderful stuff; more of this, please! Even better in this case, with Mr. Benson the elder apparently still at it a little bit, so it's still a living working shop. Great stuff.
Even better with little things like bringing along your wife and The Fearsome Beast, so it's not like some glossy TV production, it's just people hanging around looking at interesting things and talking about the stuff they love. The only thing missing is that with, obviously, JB being known from his stock car career, there is a whole story to be had about his supermodified racing, clearly a big thing in his life, and a whole area of racing that does not get a lot of attention. I've watched those things racing at Toledo Speedway in the past, a half mile oval with pretty substantial banking, and they are amazing beasts. When the field goes thundering by, with those giant wings, it's like a tornado is blowing through. I would happily sit through an hour of him just on those cars, and if he has built, or does build, his own chassis, et cetera.
I’m glad you like it and appreciate the feedback in detail! I’m hoping to do a whole video on those Supermodifieds in the future!
I watched Johnny race but never knew all of this! The Valvoline Car is stuck in my memory.
Mitchell. I can’t thank you enough for these videos. It’s awesome that you are taking the time to show these great drivers that a lot of the new generations forgot about.
Very welcome!
For sure. My younger kids' generation have no clue about racing like I did growing up. I took my oldest to the races when I went to watch, and also when I raced. He never had the moth to a flame interest that I had. Too many distractions. Now that he's a young man all the tracks are closed and he takes interest and wants the old man and his uncle to get back into it.
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I remember making the annual two week mecca trip to Charlotte. Had the insert/ entry sheet they would hand out on Wednesday, the week of the Winston and for the 600.
I was a 7yr old boy, with Dad's robic stop watch, timing two cars at a time during practice and single car qualifying average speeds, writing it down to figure out and tell my old man who's going to be bumped to round 2 qualifying (day 2).
Memorized the line up sheets, the sponsors, the car owners, the numbers, the drivers hometown, the teams hometown. . Watched the names of many legends change in those inserts through the couple of decades. I remember the distinct sounds of a single cup car hauling the mail down the back stretch of CMS. And hearing when a guy lifted and got back on the gas in 3/4. And you knew when a guy was not gonna make the show or he was gonna be on the pole.
Man JB looks great. In his NASCAR prime, we nicknamed him the Lawyer. Tall, slim, glasses, and just looked official. We'll, we thought it was funny. Always loved Johnny Benson and learning his history and seeing the ole shop is so cool. Thanks as always for all you and Logan do.
I can see that 😂 he does look very professional
You were in my hood! Well, old hood. I live about an hour away, but used to drive by there all the time on my way to class or work. Johnny Benson seams like one of the nicest fellers. Dude still shows up to race at Berlin once or twice a year. Thank you so much for the Michigan stock car history. Would love to see you do more on Michigan racing history. Anything from the 1948 Cadillac that raced in NASCAR to the Gold Cup power boat races in Detroit.
Thanks for bringing on JB. I was Johnny for Halloween in 96 and we made a trip to the house there to trick or treat. Mrs B made sure to take a photo and plenty of spoiling in the candy variety. Would like to see the garage in NC and make sure to include the “crushed” car. Probably the most underrated stock car drivers ever. If he had gotten a fair handshake with a top tier team he would’ve had comparable results to DJ or Bobby Labonte.
These stories are so amazing. You would never know how people made it. Johnny's father is a classic. He is very organized for someone who saves everything.
Well said! Usually people who keep everything are very messy 😂
21. ..Asa.
Great outstanding comprehensive collection of fascinating items from a time capsule of a house/ shop /shato ..🎉 look forward to Alan's story as well.
I am from Howard city just north of Grand Rapids. My brother and I were able to watch Johnny race his modified at Berlin back in early July. Cool video of their race shop . Thanks for doing these videos always something interesting to watch and learn some History.
As a Holland Michigan resident Berlin is my local track and a fan of Johnny. When he was unsponsored and leading Daytona I was jumping up and down so proud of our local driver.
Always liked Johnny Benson. This video reinforced why.
Great episode, Johnny was the nicest human I ever met back in the day in the racing world 👌🏼