Racing in the top series (all three of them) is a funny deal these days. Johnny Benson is one of those guys that falls from grace with dignity. I remember when Johnny said that he has won at every level he has plied his trade, but when he got to the Cup series, it was like he went one level too high. Many have done this and when they fall, it's hard. Didn't Johnny have a chance to resign with the team he won with last year? Seems as though I remember that, but he wanted to make some changes. Correct me if I'm wrong there, but that seems to be the case.
Jack Roush has had three drivers that just didn't seem to be Cup drivers, Ted Musgrave, Derek Cope and Johnny Benson. Musgrave was in the #16 and that car has proven to be very competitive with the Biff. Cope and Benson were in cars that are now the #17 and #26. Matt Kenseth was Roush's first champ, to the chagrin of Mark Martin, and the #26 car was the former #97, which was driven by Kurt Busch and was the second champ, again to more chagrin of Marky.
I don't know why Benson is having such troubles with a sponsor, but could it be that today the sport is moving towards the younger crowd? Johnny has a great smile and is a good driver, but that just might not be enough. I'm hoping that he will find another ride and I'd love to see him in something competitive in either the Nationwide series or the Cup series.
