Wednesday, February 8th 'What If' Question

The upcoming 2012 Camping World Truck Series season was supposed to be the return campaign for one of its former champions: Johnny Benson.

Benson was looking to be behind the wheel of a truck for Turn One Racing and team owner Stacey Compton. The deal fell through a few weeks ago and it unfortunately doesn't appear that Benson will be back in the CWTS anytime soon. It's been a loss for the series being that Benson is thought of as one of the good guys around the garage and he's been sorely missed.

He's one driver, however, that has experienced the ups and downs of racing. In November of 2002 Benson finally broke though for his first career Sprint Cup win at Rockingham before he was then replaced in 2003. It wouldn't take him long to find new work in a series where he excelled. Benson returned to the CWTS in the later part of the 2004 season for Bill Davis Racing and quickly impressed, finishing top 10 in points in 2005.

The 2006 brought his first career CWTS win at his hometrack, Michigan, as he went on to win five races that year before finishing second in points to Todd Bodine. Benson was also voted the most popular driver that year. By the end of 2007 there was no doubt that Benson had found a new home in the CWTS as he won four more races and finished third in points.

Nothing though will compare to the 2008 season for Benson and his fans. Following three poles, five wins, 14 top fives and 18 top 10 finishes Benson claimed his first Truck championship, second in NASCAR - he was the 1995 Nationwide champion. Nice guys can in fact finish first and another championship was well deserved and long awaited for Benson.

The excitement, however, didn't last long. The plan for 2009 was to run for Red Horse Racing in the No. 1 but not having a sponsor ended both Benson's CWTS career (to this point) and Red Horse Racing's season. Things got worse for Benson when he was then seriously injured in a SuperModified race in June, suffering injuries that would keep him sidelined.

He did make a few starts in 2010 for Kyle Busch Motorsports and Billy Ballew but neither were able to put together a full season for Benson. Since then he's been working as a driver coach with JR Motorsports star Danica Patrick as she made her way into NASCAR and stock cars for the first time. Only time will tell when Benson gets to be the driver again.

But ...

What if Johnny Benson hadn't been seriously injured in a supermodified race in 2009, would he still be without a ride in the CWTS? #NASCAR

@WilliamCheerboy Kelly, you're amazing. Anyways, what if. JB would still have a ride today, well known star in the Truck series. BTW if the "you're amazing" part doesn't make your blog, I'll be horribly disappointed.

@cruetten doubt it-Benson was a nice fixture in the truck series. It's a shame.