By Jim Foose Speedway Action Magazine
While many drivers view their departure from NASCAR as the end of the road, for Johnny Benson Jr., it was simply a return to his roots. The 1995 Busch Series and 2008 Craftsman Truck Series champion stepped away from NASCAR competition in 2010, but the Grand Rapids, Michigan native didn’t abandon the track. Instead, he immersed himself in the grassroots short-track racing scene that originally shaped his career.
A Tumultuous 2009 and a Miraculous Comeback
The transition toward the next phase of Benson’s career was born out of one of the most volatile periods of his life. After capturing the 2008 Truck Series Championship, Benson moved to Red Horse Racing for the 2009 season. Despite running well, the team struggled with sponsorship. In a shocking move in early June 2009, Red Horse Racing was forced to shut down Benson’s team, leaving the defending series champion suddenly out of a job.
Just days later, Benson strapped into his own ISMA Supermodified at his home track, Berlin Raceway. On the second lap of the race, a horrific collision sent his car airborne before it slammed into the wall and burst into flames. Benson suffered broken ribs, a separated shoulder, a fractured wrist, and burns. It was a terrifying, near-fatal wreck that easily could have ended his life, let alone his time behind the wheel. Yet, showcasing the immense grit of a true racer, Benson recovered, rehabbed, and came back to the track stronger than ever.
Building and Racing in the Midwest
Since stepping away from the national touring series, Benson has kept his hands dirty. He has spent over a decade building Outlaw Late Models and Super Late Models for customers across the United States and Canada. Building asphalt cars remains a profound passion, but the competitive itch never fully left him.
Benson has remained an active and formidable presence behind the wheel in the Midwest. While he has frequently raced Super Late Models, he has also taken on the blistering speeds of ISMA/MSS big block offset Supermodifieds.
Considered some of the fastest and most aerodynamically extreme short-track cars on the planet, these machines have allowed Benson to stay competitive on a schedule that prioritizes fun over the grueling NASCAR grind. Wrestling these winged monsters on tight Ohio and Michigan bullrings comes with massive risks—as evidenced by a notably hard crash he took at Lorain Raceway Park—but driving the #74 machine for Brad Lichty, Benson has continued to thrill crowds.
Mentoring the Next Generation: Carson Hocevar
Benson’s impact on the sport extends far beyond his own trophy case; he has become a vital mentor to the next generation of racers. Most notably, he served as a driver coach and guiding force for rising NASCAR Cup Series star Carson Hocevar.
The relationship was highly hands-on. Hocevar, also a Michigan native, spent time turning wrenches on Benson’s race cars. Recognizing the young driver’s talent, Benson eventually put Hocevar behind the wheel of his own Outlaw Late Model. This grassroots tutelage under Benson’s watchful eye helped accelerate Hocevar’s rapid ascent from a local Berlin Raceway phenom to the national spotlight.
Cementing a Legacy: Hall of Fame Inductions
Benson’s lifelong dedication to motorsports has rightfully earned him a permanent place in racing history. Following in the footsteps of his father, legendary driver John Benson Sr., Johnny has been honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions:
- Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame (2018): Benson was enshrined in recognition of his local dominance and national championships, joining his father (who was inducted in 1986).
- Berlin Raceway Hall of Fame (2022): Honored by the very track where he won the late model championship in his 1989 rookie season, cementing his status as a hometown hero.
- Sandusky Speedway Hall of Fame (2024): Recognized for his incredible contributions to the sport and his thrilling Supermodified performances along the shores of Lake Erie.
Johnny Benson Jr. proves that “retirement” is a relative term. Whether he is building a winning chassis, coaching a future Cup Series Rookie of the Year, or wrestling a Supermodified around a half-mile oval, Benson remains a cornerstone of American short-track racing.
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