Johnny Benson Jr. came off Turn 3 at Berlin Raceway and met up with another car during Saturday’s ISMA Supermodifieds race. Then came the sight no one wanted to see at the track: Benson’s car bursting into flames. When Benson’s car came to rest between Turns 3 and 4 after the collision with Larry Lehnert, the wing of Lehnert’s vehicle was knocked sideways and Benson’s car drove airborne over Lehnert’s car. Once on the track, the main cab of Benson’s supermodified vehicle caught fire. Track personnel raced over to the vehicle and put out the flames as quickly as possible. Benson was awake and alert when pulled from the car and was transported to an area hospital. Berlin owner Mike Blackmer could not specify which hospital Benson was sent to, citing privacy laws.(Michigan Live)
AND: A spokesperson for Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids confirms that Benson is in serious condition.(WZZM.com)(6-14-2009)
UPDATE: Spectrum Hospital tells 24 Hour News 8 that Benson is in serious but stable condition at the hospital and “he’s expected to be fine”.(woodtv.com)(6-14-2009) Comment here
UPDATE 2: From JB’s Message Board – “As of this morning [Sunday am], JB is awake and alert in a Grand Rapids hospital with at least one broken rib. He is being kept for observation. There is no release time as yet.”(JohnnyBenson.com)(6-14-2009)
UPDATE 3: [Following the accident] the Life EMS emergency response crew, along with Berlin Raceway officials and safety team, worked carefully to extract Johnny Benson from his race car. Benson was awake and alert during the process and gave race fans a wave when loaded into the ambulance. “He was pretty sore, but he seemed to be doing well last night when I talked to him,” Johnny Benson Sr. said. “The car’s driver side hit the wall hard, and it’s a testament to the Hans (head and neck safety) device and the safety seat in the supermodified car that held him in place so well. I have to commend the safety crew and ambulance crew at Berlin Raceway for their quick response – they did their job well, putting the fire out quickly and taking care of Johnny.” Benson Sr. said the fuel line was cut in two when it was pinched between the rear axle and the frame. The alcohol-based fuel that these supermodified cars use burns blue and very hot, and Benson managed to come out of it with barely any burns due to the quick response by the safety crew. The frame of the car was not bent badly, and all of the safety aspects of the car held up well, which allowed Benson to escape without major injuries.(Berlin Raceway PR) (6-14-2009)
UPDATE 4: Fortunately for many fans, as of 4:30pm Sunday, he [Benson] was listed in fair condition. There is no word on when he will be released, but he is expected to make a full recovery. (Woodtv.com)(6-15-2009)
UPDATE 5: From Barb Benson [Johnny’s sister] via JB’s Message Board: Johnny Benson remains in the hospital in fair condition. He has some broken bones in both the upper body quadrants. He did receive a minor burn on his elbow. He is expected to make a full and complete recovery.(JohnnyBenson.com)(6-15-2009)
UPDATE 6: Benson’s family is crediting a head and neck restraint for his relatively minor injuries. As of Monday evening he is still at Spectrum Butterworth recovering from a punctured lung, bruised ribs and a broken wrist.(WZZM13.com)(6-15-2009)
UPDATE 7: From Barb Benson via JB’s Message Board: Johnny has been released from the hospital and is doing well on his way to mending from his injuries.(JohnnyBenson.com) [And more info following release at MLive.com](6-16-2009)
UPDATE 8: Added a video interview with Johnny Benson following his release from the hospital.(Woodtv.com)(6-16-2009)
