From Hero to Zero

[FFighter_21]

Benson loses ride as Red Horse shuts down 1 truck

By Official Release
June 8, 2009
11:41 AM EDT

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Red Horse Racing has announced it is ceasing operation of the No. 1 Toyota driven by Johnny Benson. The decision is effective immediately.
Red Horse Racing worked to secure sponsorship for the No. 1 since this past December but has been unsuccessful in doing so.

Benson
"It hasn't been for a lack of effort," owner Tom DeLoach said. "We had several people working on finding a sponsor for the No. 1 and Johnny Benson. I've been working on it myself. We gave it our best shot, and we tried as long as we could, but nothing materialized.
"I am saddened that we were unsuccessful in accomplishing our goal but this is a tough economic climate and the cost of fielding a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team with essentially no support other than our manufacturer is too much for Red Horse Racing to bear alone."
Sponsorship for Benson was thought to be secure before the season began but the economic downturn kept that sponsor from being able to participate with Red Horse Racing.
Benson, the defending series champion with now defunct Bill Davis Racing, has competed in eight events behind the wheel of the No. 1. He earned three top-fives and four top-10s including a fourth-place finish at Texas this past weekend. The No. 1 truck is currently eighth in owners' points.
Red Horse Racing will continue to field the No. 11 Toyota, driven by T.J. Bell, as that truck does have some support

[ampguard88]

A Championship winning driver should never have to look for a ride.

[minicup]

I no looks like hell be w/o a ride for a few weeks unless a team all of a sudden has a opening for him

[selby92]

I'm sure it won't take him too long to find a team.

[FFighter_21]

I think myself, "It's a business" ya know, I would have parked TJ Bell and not Benson, but Hey, it's not my team.

[JPM42]

He should have stayed with Bill Davis.

[FFighter_21]

Well yer right, and I agree he should have. But BDR ended up closing up so it became a mute point I guess.

[taterracing]

Wow. That really sucks. I hope he can land a ride soon so he can finish the season.

[Geebi]

Man I hate to see him lose his ride. He seems like a great guy and like stated above, he is a champion.

[Y2j767]

hard to see this happen, shows that anyone one can have this happen too, even the defending champion