HIGH POINT, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Craftsman Trucks Series
points leader Johnny Benson will be leaving Bill Davis Racing at
season's end.
The 45-year-old leads the Trucks series by six points over Ron
Hornaday Jr. with two races remaining, including Friday's race
at Phoenix International Raceway.
Benson, who raced in NASCAR's Winston Cup level for a number of
teams from 1996-2003, recorded 14 victories in the NCTS, placed
second in points in 2006 and was third a year ago.
"Johnny Benson has been a huge part of our success in the NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series," team owner Bill Davis said in a
statement . "Johnny, as well as our other veteran driver, Mike
Skinner, have helped us get our NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
program where it is today, and I hate to see him go.
"It has been one of the best driver/owner relationships in the
garage, winning 14 races and battling for the championship year
in and year out. We have enjoyed the last four years together
and we want to cap it off by winning the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman
Truck Series championship."
Benson said he had no future plans lined up, and might even
consider retirement.
"About three or four weeks ago I had a conversation with Bill
and of course, the folks up at Bill Davis (Racing)," Benson said
on Wednesday's Tradin' Paint on Sirius NASCAR Radio. "I'm opting
to try and do something different."