10 Questions: J. Benson

By Mark Aumann, NASCAR.COM
May 22, 2007
09:36 AM EDT

type size: + -

1. What's the best advice you've received and who was it from?

Johnny Benson: My dad: "Keep your nose clean, don't hit anything and don't knock the nose off it." That's one of those deals that actually applies a lot to today just because of the aero aspect. But when I was kid, racing on the dirt tracks and asphalt track, that part didn't seem to matter, but it was more about racing clean, don't hit people, don't knock them out of the way, don't spin people out, things of that nature, so that came from my dad.

Johnny Benson:
Green

2. What's at the top on your "things to accomplish" list?

Benson: Probably be a better parent. I guess everybody could probably try to say that. At this point and time in my life, or down the road anyways, is spend more time out.

3. What's the one thing that you do that drives your wife crazy?

Benson: I can't think of one at the moment. I probably can't narrow it to one.

4. Which athlete outside of racing do you most admire?

Benson: I don't watch much sports, but probably in motorcycles, I like Ricky Carmichael and skateboarder Tony Hawk. Probably those two guys.

5. What's your favorite TV show?

Benson: I've got two. I like House and Two and a Half Men.

6. What was your first job?

Benson: Outside of racing, it would have been working in a machine shop in Michigan when I was still in high school. My first job was cleaning the shop when I was 7 years old but outside of my dad's business, it was [at a] machine shop.

7. If you could take someone to your hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich., what restaurant would you go to and what would you order?

Benson: When I worked downtown, we'd always go to a little place called Choo Choo's. ... and an olive burger and a peanut butter malt is the way to go.

8. Who has had the most impact on your life?

Benson: My wife, Debbie, and the kids, for sure. My mom and dad had a big influence on me.

9. What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

Benson: Chocolate chip cookie dough.

10. What's your favorite vacation spot?

Benson: I haven't found it yet.