? Operating out of his garage in the Grand Rapids area with his historic “White Tornado” car, Johnny Benson Sr. emerged as one of the top short-track stock car drivers in the Midwest during the 1960s and 70s.
He started his career in 1956 at the Grand Rapids Speedrome in the jalopy class and was the Rookie of the Year at Berlin Raceway in 1958. He went on to win eight track championships and over 50 features at Berlin.
He won over 75 times on the Supermodified circuit, including the 1966 National Supermodified Championship in Oswego, N.Y. where he set a track record. Over his career Benson collected well over 200 racing wins as primarily a Saturday night racer.
He was highly regarded in racing circles and graced the cover of Stock Car Racing Magazine in 1970.
He founded Benson Speed Equipment locally and built a reputation for the development of winning racing components. His son, Johnny Benson, Jr., started working in the shop at age seven and became a NASCAR standout. Johnny Jr. is also in the Hall of Fame.