Benson Enters ISMA Super Modified Show at Toledo NASCAR veteran Johnny Benson, in town for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race this weekend at Michigan Int'l Speedway, is making a detour to Toledo Speedway. Benson has entered the ISMA (International SuperModified Association) race at Toledo Friday night, June 15th. The All American Coach "Fastest Short Track Show in the World" features ISMA and the Auto Value Super Sprints competing in separate race cards on the lightning-fast, half-mile Toledo oval. "I'm really looking forward to it (racing at Toledo)," said Benson, who won an ASA race there early in his career. "I ran with ISMA last year at Berlin. It didn't take long to realize that these cars are very cool to drive. I'm going to be in a car owned by Brad Lichty, the same guy I ran for last year." Benson, who is also scheduled to compete with ISMA at Sandusky Speedway, Delaware Speedway and Berlin later this year, grew up watching his father John Benson, Sr. race super modifieds. In addition to winning seven late model track championships at Berlin Raceway, Benson Sr. won the Oswego Classic super modified race at Oswego Speedway in 1966. "Watching it growing up, I've always been fascinated with the ISMA cars. There's so much ingenuity that goes into building each and every one of them. I mean, the cars are actually all quite different across the field. "The speed factor was definitely something I had to get used to. The same thing happens at Bristol. You feel like you're just not keeping up with it. Last year at Berlin, the car (super modified) was so fast it actually felt like it was 100 feet in front of me. The first time I went out, I only ran three laps, came in, shook it off and went back out; then I was fine. "The cars are amazing because they're so fast and so light with a lot of downforce. I mean, just the way they react is so cool. I'm not suggesting they're in any way easy to drive despite being so glued to the track. You can get one out of shape in a hurry; they're just wicked to keep under control. They're so different from anything else I've ever driven.....in the air like you are." Benson was the 1995 NASCAR Busch Series champion and made 271 career NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series starts over a 10-year span. The second-generation racer, currently eighth in Craftsman Truck Series points, will also be competing in the Michigan 200 truck race this Saturday at MIS. Benson's career-best ISMA finish was second at Sandusky in 2006. "This is by far the best racecar deal I've ever driven," added Benson. "If I could make a living racing those cars, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I just want to thank Brad (Lichty) for the opportunity. I'm really looking forward to Toledo." A field of 25-30 winged ISMA Super Modifieds are expected, with entries from New York, Ohio, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Michigan, Ohio, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina and Canada. 2006 Toledo winner Nokie Fornoro (left), of Stroudsburg, PA, is expected to be among the entrants. The Michigan-based AVSS winged Sprinters should number in the mid-20's and will draw drivers from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. "This show is talked about at every track across the area, and you really have to be here to soak in what's really going on with this event," said Gary Lindahl, track announcer and hard-core race fan for over 45 years. "The speed of both the ISMA and AVSS cars is incredible. Time trials have created an incredible amount of anticipation and excitement over the years. No one thought they could break the record last year, and Cameron Dodson (right) showed up for the AVSS portion of the show and ripped off a lap of 12:902. It's a never-lift, hang on to your seat deal. The fans just sit on the edge of their seats and watch the Faygo scoreboard to see the lap times." The race will be taped for later telecast on the Buckeye Cable Sports Network (BCSN), the local Toledo cable access channel. The gates open at 3 p.m. for fans and practice begins at that time. The much-anticipated time trials are set for 5 p.m. and racing begins at 7:30 p.m. Reserved seating is available by calling the track at 419-727-1100. Toledo Speedway is located on Benore Road at the I-75/Alexis Road exit on the Michigan-Ohio border |
|||
