Johnny Benson Jr. at a Glance
- Net Worth (2025): $5 Million
- Birthdate: June 27, 1963
- Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Profession: Professional Stock Car Racing Driver
- Nationality: American
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What is Johnny Benson Jr.’s Net Worth?
Johnny Benson Jr. has a net worth of $5 million. His fortune was built over a multi-decade career in professional motorsports, primarily as a driver across all three of NASCAR’s top national series. Benson is one of only a few drivers to secure championships in two different major NASCAR divisions. His wealth was accumulated through career winnings, team contracts, and season-long purses. A significant highlight of his earnings came in 2008, when he set a single-season earnings record for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, taking in $1,200,747 on his way to winning the championship. His long tenure in the premier Cup Series during the sport’s high-popularity era of the 1990s and 2000s also contributed substantially to his financial standing.
Early Life
Johnny Benson Jr. was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, into a racing family. His father, John Benson Sr., was a notable modified driver, exposing his son to the world of motorsports from a young age. Before he was a teenager, Benson was already working in the family’s race shop, learning to fabricate cars and parts, which provided a foundational understanding of vehicle mechanics that would serve him throughout his professional career.
Career
Johnny Benson Jr. began his professional racing career in the American Speed Association (ASA), where he quickly established himself as a dominant competitor. This success culminated in him winning the 1993 ASA AC-Delco Challenge Series championship. His performance in the ASA captured the attention of NASCAR team owners. In 1994, Benson moved to the NASCAR Busch Series (now Xfinity Series), finishing an impressive sixth in points. The following year, in 1995, he secured the Busch Series championship, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s top rising stars. This victory propelled him into NASCAR’s premier division, the Winston Cup Series, in 1996. Benson’s impact was immediate, and he earned the 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rookie of the Year award.
Benson spent over a decade competing in the Cup Series, racing for prominent teams including Bahari Racing, Roush Racing, and MBV Motorsports. His most successful season in the series came in 2001, when he finished 11th in the final point standings. In 2002, he captured his first and only Cup Series victory, winning at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham. After his full-time Cup career, Benson transitioned to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. This move proved highly successful, as he became a perennial contender. In 2008, driving for Bill Davis Racing, Benson won the Craftsman Truck Series championship. With this victory, he became one of only three drivers in history to win a championship in both the Busch Series and the Truck Series. While officially retired from full-time competition, Benson continues to race in select events. He has participated in the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) at his home track, Berlin Raceway, and remains active in Supermodified racing, with events scheduled for 2025.
