This week, the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) made its inaugural visit to Berlin Raceway in Michigan, and it was a momentous occasion for local legend Johnny Benson Jr. Hailing from Grand Rapids, Benson Jr had an illustrious career in motorsports during the 1990s and 2000s. He secured the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship in 1995 before moving up to the Cup Series and earning Rookie of the Year honors. Benson Jr’s success continued with a four-year stint as a Craftsman Truck Series star, where he clinched the 2008 championship, at the age of 45.

Benson Jr now serves as a panelist on the National Motorsports Appeals Panel and occasionally races super-modified cars. His eagerly anticipated debut in the SRX series at his home track was a fitting tribute to his racing legacy. However, Benson Jr faced stiff competition, including from fellow debutant Kasey Kahne. Nevertheless, the crowd was thrilled to witness this historic race, culminating in Kyle Busch’s back-to-back victories in the 100-lap feature.

Michigan Homecoming: Johnny Benson Jr debuts in SRX Series at Berlin Raceway

Benson Jr’s appearance in the Thursday race was a last-minute addition following Paul Tracy’s suspension. Despite starting strong with a third-place finish in the first heat race, Benson Jr’s #10 car struggled throughout the night, leaving him to finish in 12th position. He struggled with tightness in the car, which hindered his performance.

During an interview following the Berlin race, when asked about his overall experience of the race, Benson Jr chuckled to himself and wittily replied, “Good till the race started.”

Reflecting on the race, he said, “I thought at the beginning that we were going to be all good because we freed [the car] up and it felt good, you know,” he said, adding, “But then all of a sudden, something happened. I went straight to tight, and I mean, I couldn’t turn. I just finished the race, probably should have pulled off because I’m sure I was getting in the way at that point in time.”

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Despite the challenging outing, Benson Jr expressed interest in returning to SRX for a full season, saying, “Oh absolutely, I’d love to run the whole series just to get a handle on the cars and stuff […] Obviously, we didn’t have a good showing for it, but you know, first time and we’ll go from there. I’ve seen the same thing happen to other people and it’s just part of racing, it’s no big deal. Gonna go have fun now.”

$8 million funding and ESPN partnership: With Tony Stewart at its helm, SRX Series reaches new heights

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Ever since its inception in 2021, Tony Stewart’s SRX Series has made significant strides, raising a remarkable $8 million in its latest funding round and reaching a valuation of $40 million. The brainchild of Tony Stewart and other prominent figures in the racing industry, SRX is set on expanding its presence and exploring international opportunities with the newly acquired capital.

Boasting a distinctive business model that features former champions competing on an equal playing field, SRX has drawn in high-profile drivers like Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick for its third season. The influx of funds will facilitate exploration into potential extensions of their business strategy, including driving schools and branded stock cars. Additionally, SRX has secured ESPN as its official media rights partner, making a shift from Saturdays to Thursdays for its six races to engage and captivate a broader audience of casual sports fans.

With a significant injection of funding and a growing roster of top drivers, Superstar Racing Experience is poised to rev up the racing world and carve out its own exciting niche in the sports entertainment landscape.

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