The son of Hall of Famer Johnny Benson Sr., Johnny helped out in his father’s race shop at the age of seven and went on to race and win across NASCAR’s three national series – Cup, Busch/Xfinity and Truck.
He made his racing debut at Berlin Raceway where he won the Outlaw Late Model division in 1989. In 1990, he was Rookie of the Year and finished eighth in points in the American Speed Association.? Three years later he was ASA Champion.
?In 1994 he was Rookie of the Year in the Busch Grand National Series and Champion in 1995.
In 1996 he was Rookie of the Year for the Winston Cup Series and led the most laps at the Brickyard 400.
His wins included once at Rockingham, and 14 races over a three-year period with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, of which he was Champion in 2008.
He was the second of only three drivers at the time who had won a championship in both the Busch Series and the Craftsman Truck Series, and he was the 17th of 37 drivers to win a race in each of the three NASCAR series.
After his NASCAR career he continued to work and develop cars in his shop, tutor other drivers, work for the National Motorsports Appeals Panel and race supermodified for ISMA owner Brad Lichty.