In Berlin Michigan. Car caught fire and he had to be extracted. Local news is reporting him in serious condition
Man that sucks :-
Met him years ago in Vegas when he was driving for Rousch and seemed like a great guy
Sounds bad, they mentioned it several times on NASCAR now too
Johnny Benson Jr. recovering at Spectrum
MARNE, Mich. (WZZM)- NASCAR driver and West Michigan native Johnny Benson Jr. crashed his ISMA super modified car during a race at Berlin Raceway Saturday night.
A spokesperson for Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids confirms that Benson is in serious but stable condition. She also says she wouldn't be surprised if his condition was upgraded sometime Sunday.
On the racer's website, his sister Barb said, "As of this morning, JB is awake and alert in a Grand Rapids hospital with at least one broken rib. He is being kept for observation. There is no release time as yet."
She went on to say, "On a personal note, I would like to thank you for all your thoughts, prayers and concerns. "
On the first lap of the featured race, Benson and another driver touched entering turn four, sending Benson around where he crashed drivers' side into the outside wall. Benson's car came to rest in the middle of the track where it was engulfed in flames before safety crews arrived.
He was unable to leave under his own power and was transported to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital.
Benson is the defending NASCAR Truck series champion but lost his ride earlier this week when Red Horse Racing folded his team after failing to secure sponsorship.
Driver Benson released from Mich. hospital
June 16, 2009
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -Reigning NASCAR truck champion Johnny Benson has been released from a Grand Rapids hospital three days after being injured in a fiery crash.
The 45-year-old driver suffered burns and broken ribs after his vehicle collided with another car, slammed into a wall and burst into flames.
The crash was Saturday during an International SuperModified Association race at Berlin Raceway in Marne, just northwest of Grand Rapids.
Benson was taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, where he initially was listed in serious condition. He was upgraded to fair on Sunday and released Tuesday.
The Grand Rapids native now lives in Charlotte, N.C. He lost his full-time ride this month when Red Horse Racing shut down his truck because it couldn't find sponsorship.
Beat me to the post.
I looked on youtube for some video of the crash but came up empty.
Injured Benson hopes to return soon, needs ride
June 24, 2009
Johnny Benson, injured June 13 in a Super Modified race in Michigan, hopes to be back racing in about three weeks - if he can find a ride.
The reigning NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion lost his full-time ride a few days before his accident when Red Horse Racing couldn't find sponsorship for him.
Right now I don't have a ride, so it doesn't really matter when I can get back in or not,'' he told guest host Mike Joy on last Sunday night's Wind Tunnel show on Speed TV. ``If I talk to the right people and maybe get some great opportunities, which I think will come along here in the very near future, hopefully I'll be ready for it when it happens.
I've got a couple of things working. Just like anything else, like in the (No.) 1 (truck), it's so sponsor-driven, it's very easy to be pulled out of your ride if someone brings you money. ... But I think, being the past champion, it won't be where I'm sidelined too long.''
Benson came away from the Michigan crash with three broken ribs, as well as a broken scapula and collarbone. The 45-year-old Grand Rapids, Mich., native was initially listed in serious condition and spent three nights in a hospital before improving enough to be released.
The ribs are probably worse than the majority of them,'' Benson said. ``Everything connects up there at the top and that's where everything is broken and that's where it really hurts. Sometimes it's hard to breathe and other times it's not.''
Asked how he was feeling, Benson, who lives in Charlotte, N.C., replied: ``A little bit beat up is all, but it's definitely nice to be (in) your own house and your own chairs, so it's good to be home for sure.''