NASCAR Veteran Benson Back on Board for Irving Oil 250

Benson, Irving Oil and Ultimate Motorsports Team Up Again

July 13th, 2006 - Fredericton , NB – One year wasn’t enough. NASCAR’s Johnny Benson has announced that he will be returning to drive in the 2006 Irving Oil 250. The current Craftsman Truck Series driver and former NASCAR Nextel Cup regular made the trip last season and enjoyed his experience so much that he has decided to attend the highlight of the Maritime stock car season again this season. He is again teaming with Irving Oil and Ultimate Motorsports for the race.

The Michigan native is returning because of the competition and fans. “I had blast last season. It was a very competitive field and a great race to be in,” said Benson. “The fans were very warm and engaging, really good to talk with and I am looking forward to seeing everyone again.”

Benson currently races for Bill Davis Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series and has competed in over 50 truck races in the past five years. He was the Nextel Cup Rookie of the year in 1996 and has competed in over 270 Nextel Cup races over ten years. He has also competed in over 90 Busch Series races s and was the 1994 Rookie of the Year, followed by a Busch Series Championship in 1995. In 1993, the Michigan native won the American Speed Association (ASA) Championship.

Last year’s Irving Oil 250 at New Brunswick International Speedway in Fredericton , NB attracted one of the best fields of pro stock cars ever seen at the facility with a record 39 cars attempted to qualify for 28 spots on the starting grid. Although only six years old, the region’s top pro stock drivers regard the Irving Oil 250 race as the premier stock car event of the season. A big purse, a great field of drivers, and a huge crowd are all appealing elements of the event for drivers. Having Benson back will only enhance the event.

“We are thrilled to have Johnny back for this season’s Irving Oil 250,” said NBIS co-owner Chris Johnston. “It’s not only because he is a high-calibre driver; more importantly, he’s is a real ambassador for the sport – we had a ton of comments following last year’s event about how down-to-earth and friendly he was with everyone. A lot of people expected a driver of his calibre to be aloof and unapproachable – he was everything but that.”

“I’m really looking forward to coming to the Irving Oil 250 again,” said Benson. “As a short track owner myself, I appreciate all the effort that goes into putting in an event of this magnitude. The way this event has grown in such a short time is a testimony to the management and support of stock car racing in the region.”

This is the fourth year for Irving Oil’s sponsorship of the Irving Oil 250. The New Brunswick based energy processing and supply chain management corporation has played an important role in growing the event in partnership with New Brunswick International Speedway.

“We are very excited to bring Johnny Benson to fans and supporters of the Irving Oil 250 at the New Brunswick International Speedway,” said Aaron Dube, Irving Oil Merchandising Manager. “Johnny is a seasoned driver who continues to compete and succeed in NASCAR's premier series, and also as a fan favorite. We look forward to continuing to find ways to enhance and grow the event.”

Benson’s entry is the second Irving sponsored car to announce its intentions to race in the September event. Brad Leighton, who is running both Busch East Races at Loudon NH and the Irving Oil 250 at NBIS in an Irving Car, will also have Coke on board as co-sponsor at the NBIS race.

Ultimate Motorsports is located in Boundary Creek , NB and is owned and operated by 2004 NBIS CARQUEST Pro Stock Division Champion and 2002 Irving Oil 250 Champion Dave O’Blenis. Started in 1998, Ultimate Motorsports sells performance parts, custom exhausts, and fabricates chassis.

Benson is happy to working with the same sponsors and team again, “It’s fantastic to be working with Irving Oil again, who were great sponsors, and Dave O’Blenis and his crew at Ultimate Motorsports.” Benson and O’Blenis’ relationship extended past the Irving Oil 250 with the two keeping in contact over the winter. Eventually, Benson invited the New Brunswick driver to Berlin Raceweay, his facility in Michigan where O’Blenis finished third in the feature race (http://www.berlinraceway.com/news/r_041506.shtml).

“It’s unbelievable how things have progressed over the past year. The opportunity to race at Berlin Raceway was truly a memorable experience,” said O’Blenis. “It’s a privilege to provide Johnny with a car again this season. Of course, we’re still hoping he’s only the second best Ultimate Motorports car out there,” he added with a smile.  

Please contact the New Brunswick International Speedway office (506-455-3181) or info@nbisonline.com if you have any other questions.

The Irving Oil 250

The 2006 Irving Oil 250 will take place on Sunday, September 3rd, 2006 and will be the highlight of the fourth annual Speedweekend. The event will showcase the NBIS CARQUEST Pro Stocks against the best of the Eastern Canada and New England . The purse for 2006 will be over $60,000 with a guaranteed $15,000 to the event winner and possible winner’s cheque of $27,500. Three years ago, the late Scott Fraser took home a record $25,400 including lap money. Only six years old, the event as grown in crowd, atmosphere, and car count every year since its inception. Over 7,500 people attended the 2005 event to break attendance records at Canada ’s Fastest Short Track. A record 39 pro stock cars, including several Maine drivers, attempted to qualify for 28 spots on the starting grid.

Speedweekend

Just like the Irving Oil 250, Speedweekend continues to grow every year with over 12,000 people attending the weekend in 2004. The four-day stock car fest is scheduled for September 2nd-5th, 2005 and includes a corn boil on Friday night, Sportsman 150 race on Saturday night, the Irving Oil 250 on Sunday, and finishes up with an Enduro 200 on Monday. While the Irving Oil 250 is the highlight of the racing events, the weekend has developed into an event on its own with over 300 campers turning NBIS into a small town over the weekend. It has become the destination of choice for the region’s stock car fans.

New Brunswick International Speedway

New Brunswick International Speedway is Canada ’s Fastest Short Track. The 1/3 of a mile high-banked paved oval features three classes of racing on a weekly basis: CARQUEST Pro Stocks, Martin’s Home Heating, and Coast Tire Street Stocks. Over 60,000 people are expected to attend over 25 events during the 2005 season. NBIS is located off Highway 7 on Route 660 in Geary, NB, and is within minutes of Saint John and Fredericton . NBIS can be found online at www.nbisonline.com. 

Johnny Benson

More information about Johnny Benson can be found at www.johnnybenson.com.