On Monday night’s “This Week in NASCAR,” a Speedvision show(7 and 11pm/et) hosted by Allen Bestwick, Johnny Benson will announce that he has signed a contract to drive the #45 Pontiac owned by Tim Beverley’s Tyler Jet Motorsports( SpeedNet/Monte Dutton ) — UPDATE: Tyler Jet Motorsports announced on Monday that Winston Cup veteran Johnny Benson has agreed to drive for the team for the 2000 season. Benson has spent the last two seasons behind the wheel of the #26 Cheerios Jack Roush Ford. Benson’s association with Tyler Jet will return the 1995 BGN Champ to the seat of a Pontiac, something the 36-year-old driver is excited about. “Getting on board with Tyler Jet Motorsports is a great opportunity for me,” said Benson. They have a solid program in place with good cars and a great engine program. There’s opportunity for a lot of people there and I’m looking forward to that. I’m also looking forward to getting back in a Pontiac. I had a lot of success in a Pontiac when I was at Bahari Racing. We missed the Top-10 in points by just one point in 1997 and I think a return to Pontiac will give me a great shot in getting into the Top-10 in 2000. That’s something we definitely want to do next season, get back into the Top-10 in points.” “We think we have the equipment and believe Johnny is the driver to get us on the stage at the NASCAR Winston Cup banquet in New York at the end of next season,” stated Tyler Jet Motorsports team owner Tim Beverley. “To say were looking forward to going to Daytona in February is an understatement. It is going to be a great year and a great situation for everyone involved. We’re all looking forward to it.”(Tyler Jet Motorsports PR) no mention of a sponsor — UPDATE 2 A sponsor has not been secured yet as the team is talking to several companies. Johnny Benson admitted on SpeedVision’s Inside Winston Cup TV show that they are talking to UPS and the number on the Tyler Jet Motorsports Pontiac will not be #45(Adam Petty will be using that number when he competes in his 5 Winston Cup Races)( Johnny Benson Fanclub Site )
