Johnny Benson says Truck title – not plans for next season – is his focus
FORT WORTH, Texas – Johnny Benson, who holds a 31-point lead on Ron Hornaday for the Craftsman Truck Series title with three races remaining, says he is unsure about his future.
The Bill Davis Racing driver, who won the 1995 Busch Series title, said he is contemplating whether to hang it up on the NASCAR circuit or run for BDR or another team in 2009.
“I don’t know what my situation is for next year yet,” the 45-year-old Benson said Thursday at Texas Motor Speedway. “I’ve heard a lot of the rumors. There is always a lot of things going on, but to be perfectly honest, we’re all really concentrating on what we’re doing. … I’ve contemplated not running anymore.”
Benson has 274 career Cup starts, with 91 in the now-Nationwide Series and 122 in the trucks. His truck has at times been unsponsored this year.
“I’m really just worrying about what’s going to happen the rest of this season and I haven’t worried about next season,” he said. “I talked to Bill [Davis] about that and said there’s a chance I may not do anything next year.”
But can the team focus on this year when they don’t know if Benson will return?
“They all know pretty much where everything stands,” Benson said. “Everything is cool. Our focus is to go win the championship and then I’ll decide what I’m going to do.”
One rumor has Benson going to Red Horse Racing to replace David Starr, but Starr and team owner Tom DeLoach said Starr will return next year. Starr said adding another truck had been talked about.
