Benson's Father's Day wish for Michigan.

Valvoline Pontiac driver Johnny Benson gets to enjoy a Michigan homecoming this week, and dad John hopes he will be presented with a special Father's Day present into the bargain.

The elder Benson knows his way around a race car. He graced the cover of Stock Car Racing magazine in 1970 and, in his long racing career, he posted more than 75 victories, including 1966 National Supermodified Championship in Oswego - the 'crown jewel' of the modified series at the time.

He also started and continues to operate Benson Speed Equipment in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and, having raced in the 1973 NASCAR race at Michigan, will watch his son race from the backstretch where he serves as the Valvoline team's second spotter.

"My best Father's Day present would be a another win for Johnny and those guys," John admitted, "They have had an up and down season, but they could certainly win. It coming on Father's Day would make it even nicer. If he doesn't win, it is still good because he's happy doing what he is doing."

"Obviously, you are quite concerned [when Johnny is racing] because he is your kid. That's utmost on your mind. But you also want to see him do well and do what he likes to do. You can't take him out of what he likes to do and he wouldn't listen to you anyhow if you tried to get him out of racing.

"[My racing involvement] makes it worse [to watch]. You know what can happen on the race track. I kind of ride along with him. You look at the guys he is coming up on and say ' that's a really good driver and I don't have to worry about him' or 'with this one, he is going to have a problem getting around him, or ,he could get in trouble trying to pass him,. That's always a concern when I watch races. So many things can happen."

The younger Benson grew up with his father's own racing career, and is happy that he can repay the 'favour' to his dad.

"I've told people, when I was growing up, if I got in trouble, I had to go to the track to watch my dad race," he laughs, "When my sister got in trouble, they made her stay home!

"I watched plenty of his races and he has watched me race a lot as well. What can you say about your dad, other than, if it wasn't for him, you sure wouldn't be here and I wouldn't have the career success that I had. I think he's about the most important person in my racing career."