Catchfence

MOORSEVILLE, N.C. (March 22, 2010) - Johnny Benson is returning to NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) competition following a one-race break. The 2008 NCWTS champ is currently without a full-time ride, but Billy Ballew Motorsports (BBM) has given Benson the opportunity to drive the No. 15 Red Top Auto Auction Toyota in the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway. The event will mark Benson’s first time in a BBM-fielded entry.

In his 12 previous NCWTS starts at Martinsville Speedway, Benson has six top-10s, four top-fives and one win. BBM carries six top-10s and three top-fives at Martinsville into the race weekend.

Benson Comments on Racing with Billy Ballew Motorsports at Martinsville Speedway:

“I’m really excited about getting back to Martinsville (Speedway). It’s a track that I’ve had good success at. Of course it’s a track that all drivers have had bad luck there, too. Billy Ballew gave me a great opportunity to drive the Red Top Auto Auction Tundra. His teams are known for being successful each and every weekend, so I’m really looking forward to getting behind the wheel.

“Martinsville is one of those tracks where you have to be aggressive, but you have to keep the nose piece and the side fenders from rubbing on your tires. You really have to be aggressive to stay up front, but try not to hit anything. By the end of the race, especially the last 10 to 15 laps, there’s a lot of bumping and banging. That definitely happens at Martinsville. Hopefully we’ll be up front and out of the danger zone in the late stages of the race.

“A couple of years ago, I ran into a small incident with one of Billy’s trucks at Martinsville (smiling). I got spun in the last two corners of the race. We were running in second-place at the time. I think most of us drivers have been in that situation before, where we’ve been taken out. It’s one of those things you kind of laugh about now. It wasn’t funny at the time, but I can joke about it now. So it is kind of ironic that I’m running one of Billy’s trucks at that race track. It’s going to be neat to go there and race a Billy Ballew Motorsports truck. Those guys build fast trucks and that’s something that I’m definitely looking forward to.”
About Billy Ballew Motorsports:

BBM started competing full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2002 and has had a variety of well known NASCAR drivers over the years. The list includes Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Aric Almirola, Brian Ickler, John Andretti, Kenny Wallace, Paul Menard, Bill Lester, Geoffrey Bodine, Joe Ruttman and a host of others. It was Shane Hmiel who piloted the No. 15 for the 2004 season that brought Billy Ballew his first win at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the team’s 100th start in the NCWTS. Since then Billy Ballew Motorsports has taken 16 more trips to victory lane.

- Billy Ballew Motorsports, Press Release