2. Tell us about your current class and car.
"As long as I have raced cars, it has been in the Mini Stock
class. I am in the process of building a new car, which I will send
in some pictures when its finished. I have always ran a Pinto when
running for myself. I have raced for other people, those were Mustangs.
3. Which track/s do you currently race at?
"Currently, since the closing of Atomic Motor Speedway, my home
track is Mountain Raceway Park and Fairgrounds (formerly Smokey Mtn
Speedway) which is located about 10 minutes from my house. We did
manage to get a couple races in at a track not to far up the road,
and it is 411 Speedway in Seymour, Tn."
4. Who is your favorite driver and who has inspired you the
most?
"That is a hard Question to answer. My all time favorite driver
is H.E. Vinyard. He goes back in the day when I was a small child.
Probably all the competition in my class inspires me the most because
we have a great group of talented drivers in this class around east
Tennessee. It's a good class and some of the best times of my racing
career."
5. Of all of the wins you have had, which one stands out the
most in your mind, or the one you are most proud of?
"I have been fortunate to win a few races in my career, but the
one that stands out the most was the first one that I won. I guess
that's probably everyone's answer, but I will never forget my first
one. It came in the first year I ran."
6. If you had a chance to race at a track you haven't been
to yet, where would that be?
"I would probably have to say North Georgia Speedway"
7. Looking back, do you have any funny stories about your
racing career you would like to share? (Or that you still get teased
about?)
"Really none that stands out at the moment.and there might be
just not came to mind yet."
One of Donnie's wins at Atomic Speedway in TN
8. Can you give us a list of your career high lights?
-Started racing Go-Kart's in 2000 through 2003 and won numerous races
while doing that.
-Started in Ministocks in last of 2003 - I think running 2 or 3 races
then full time in 2004.
- Won my first race in 2004 and several top fives and tens
-In 2005 at Atomic Motor Speedway we decided to run for a championship,
we started the year off great with a total of 3 wins 20 top fives
and 10 top tens and I think only 3 dnf's. Needless to say we came
up a bit short on the championship missing it by a merely 14 points.
-In 2006 I raced allot of races for Kenny Ledbetter, which is my engine
builder, and we won the track championship at Murphy Speedway in Sweetwater,
Tn.
9. What advice would you pass on to a rookie, or a newcomer
getting in to racing?
"Stay true to your game and be good to all the ones that help
you. It takes allot of money and good help to run up front .If you
have sponsors, then take care of them because without them its very
hard to race."
10. What plans do you have next year and what tracks will
your fans be able to watch you race at?
"We are very seriously thinking about running for another championship,
but not really for sure. We'll see how the year starts off and how
we fair up against the rest of the competition. If not that, then
probably run some of the tracks that we don't get to go to much; such
as Stairwell Speedway, Cleveland, 411, Spring City, Bulls Gap and
North Georgia."
Donnie picture with some of his "help" in the pits!
11. We all know racing is a 'team' sport, who can you share
with us who helped you get where you are today?
"As everyone knows there is no ( I ) in team . It takes everyone
as a team to get you up front to be able to win races. I have a good
team and would take anything for them"
11. . Any closing thoughts?
"Just would like to thank Dirt scoops for giving my team an opportunity
to get exposed and who know maybe this will help my pick up a few
sponsors. Any one interested please email me at dbenson45@yahoo.com"
12. People you would like to thanks? Sponsors, etc?
"I have got to thank my wife and family for backing me because
if they didn't it would be impossible to do what I love to do.
My dad David Benson, my mom and step dad, my brother David and, my
good friend Donnie Young, because without those people my car wouldn't
be at the track every week."
Thanks Donnie for the interview, and good luck in the 08 season!
Indiana Dirt Scoops!
