Benson feels ready to race at Pocono

CONCORD, N.C. -- Johnny Benson, out of action since May 3rd after injuring several ribs in the NASCAR Busch Series race at Richmond International Raceway, plans to return to the No. 10 Valvoline Pontiac this week.

Tuesday, he'll test his road course package and his health at Virginia International Raceway before heading north to Pocono, Pa., for the Pocono 500.

	Johnny Benson

Benson has not raced since he sustained one broken and two cracked ribs at Richmond. He said he improves daily and has no doubt he'll be able to race the full 500 miles at Pocono Raceway.

"I'm excited to come back. Three weeks is a little too long just to sit and watch," Benson said. "The recovery has been tough because not only have I missed racing but I haven't been able to work out a lot.

"I'm sure, because of the ribs. they are going to probably make Pocono a little bit tiring, but I don't think it will be that bad. Pocono is a good track to go to. You get a little bit of time to rest on the straight-aways so I think we will be in good shape."

Jerry Nadeau substituted for Benson during his recovery posting a 28th-place finish at Charlotte and a 27th-place finish at Dover. Benson gained a good bit of knowledge during his time as a spectator.

"I learned some things. And it was good to get a different perspective on the race," he said. "I got a better idea of how the pit stops go and things like that. I have never stood on that side of the pit wall and that was interesting.

"I'd still rather be on the other side. I'll tell you I was sitting on the box at Charlotte and looked up in the sky and saw two helicopters and five airplanes hovering above our heads. I was thinking this is scarier than being on the track itself."