Kyle Benjamin
{{short description|American racing driver (born 1997)}}
{{Infobox NASCAR driver
|name = Kyle Benjamin
|image = Kyle Benjamin (cropped).jpg
|caption = Benjamin at Martinsville Speedway in 2018
|birth_name = Kyle S. Benjamin
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|11|3}}
|birth_place = Easley, South Carolina, U.S.
|achievements = 2012 World Series of Asphalt Super Late Model Champion
2013 Rattler 250 Winner
2013 Pete Orr Memorial Winner
2014 Lee Fields Memorial Winner
2012 CRA Super Series Southern Division Champion
Youngest Bandolero Nationals champion (age 10)
|awards =
|Total_Busch_Races = 8
|Years_In_Busch = 2
|Busch_Car_Team =
|Prev_Busch_Pos = 40th
|Prev_Busch_Year = 2018
|Best_Busch_Pos = 33rd (2017)
|First_Busch_Race = 2017 ToyotaCare 250 (Richmond)
|Last_Busch_Race = 2018 Rock N Roll Tequila 170 (Mid-Ohio)
|First_Busch_Win =
|Last_Busch_Win =
|Busch_Wins = 0
|Busch_Top_Tens = 3
|Busch_Poles = 2
|Total_Truck_Races = 5
|Years_In_Truck = 2
|Truck_Car_Team =
|Prev_Truck_Pos = 49th
|Prev_Truck_Year = 2019
|Best_Truck_Pos = 49th (2019)
|First_Truck_Race = 2018 Alpha Energy Solutions 250 (Martinsville)
|Last_Truck_Race = 2019 CarShield 200 (Gateway)
|First_Truck_Win =
|Last_Truck_Win =
|Truck_Wins = 0
|Truck_Top_Tens = 2
|Truck_Poles = 0
|updated = November 18, 2019
}}
Kyle S. Benjamin (born November 3, 1997) is an American former professional stock car racing driver. He most recently competed part-time in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, driving the No. 15 for LFR Chassis. Benjamin has also competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Joe Gibbs Racing. He is a member of the 2015 NASCAR Next class and has formerly competed in the K&N Pro Series East with Ranier Racing with MDM. Benjamin became the youngest winner in the ARCA Racing Series in 2013 at 15 years, 9 months, and 22 days, and held the record until Todd Gilliland broke it in 2015, when his first ARCA win came at 15 years and 2 days.
Racing career
=Early years=
Starting to race competitively when he was six years old, Benjamin became the youngest winner of the Bandolero nationals, winning the event when he was ten years old.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/jayski/nxs/2017/story/_/id/19086165/kyle-benjamin-drive-four-xfinity-races-joe-gibbs|title=Kyle Benjamin to drive four XFINITY races for Joe Gibbs|work=ESPN.com|access-date=2017-04-06}} Three years later, he moved into late model racing, in both the Pro and Stock divisions. At the age of fifteen, Benjamin captured the World Series of Asphalt title at New Smyrna Speedway, and won at various other notable tracks around the country such as Winchester Speedway and Lucas Oil Raceway.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-XFINITY/News/Articles/2017/04/Joe-Gibbs-Racing-Announces-Kyle-Benjamin-Will-Drive-Four-NASCAR-XFINITY-Series-Races-in-2017.aspx|title=Joe Gibbs Racing Announces Kyle Benjamin Will Drive Four NASCAR XFINITY Series Races in 2017 - NASCAR XFINITY Series News - MRN.com|website=www.mrn.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407055002/https://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-XFINITY/News/Articles/2017/04/Joe-Gibbs-Racing-Announces-Kyle-Benjamin-Will-Drive-Four-NASCAR-XFINITY-Series-Races-in-2017.aspx|archive-date=2017-04-07|url-status=dead}}
=ARCA Racing Series=
Running a partial schedule for Venturini Motorsports in 2013, Benjamin won the pole at Toledo Speedway to become the series youngest pole winner and won in only his sixth start at Madison International Speedway to become the series' youngest winner at the time.{{Cite news|url=http://www.arcaracing.com/articles/1990782-arca-s-youngest-winner-kyle-benjamin-back-to-defend-madison-title-debuting-own-arca-team|title=ARCA's youngest winner Kyle Benjamin back to defend Madison title; debuting own ARCA team|work=ARCA Racing|access-date=2017-04-06|language=en}} He won two starts later as well.{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/benjaky01/2013/A|title=Driver Kyle Benjamin 2013 ARCA Racing Series Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-06}} Running a limited schedule for Roulo Brothers Racing in 2014, Benjamin switched to his team in mid-2014 due to underwhelming performance.{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/benjaky01/2014/A|title=Driver Kyle Benjamin 2014 ARCA Racing Series Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-06}} After reuniting with Venturini for a race in 2015,{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/benjaky01/2015/A|title=Driver Kyle Benjamin 2015 ARCA Racing Series Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-06}} Benjamin ran a limited schedule in 2016 as part of his affiliation with Ranier Racing with MDM.{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/benjaky01/2016/A|title=Driver Kyle Benjamin 2016 ARCA Racing Series Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-06}}
=K&N Pro Series East=
Running a race for Ken Schrader Racing in 2013,{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/benjaky01/2013/E|title=Driver Kyle Benjamin 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-06}} then three for his team in 2014,{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/benjaky01/2014/E|title=Driver Kyle Benjamin 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-06}} Benjamin caught his break in 2015, winning his first race (at Bristol Motor Speedway),{{Cite news|url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/03/nascar_brings_kyle_benjamin_ba.html|title=NASCAR brings Kyle Benjamin back to Mobile International Speedway|work=AL.com|access-date=2017-04-06|language=en-US}} being named to the NASCAR Next class,{{Cite web|url=http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nas/627/kyle-benjamin|title=Recent news on Kyle Benjamin - Ranier Racing with MDM-40-KNE - Rotoworld.com|website=www.rotoworld.com|access-date=2017-04-06}} and finishing ninth in points.{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/benjaky01/2015/E|title=Driver Kyle Benjamin 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-06}} Signing on with Ranier Racing with MDM before the 2016 season, Benjamin won five poles, three races and finished runner-up to Justin Haley by only twenty-two points.{{Cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/benjaky01/2016/E|title=Driver Kyle Benjamin 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results - Racing-Reference.info|website=racing-reference.info|access-date=2017-04-06}}
=Gander Outdoors Truck Series=
On March 19, 2018, it was announced that Benjamin would make his Truck Series debut driving the No. 54 Tundra for DGR-Crosley at Martinsville Speedway.{{cite web |title=Kyle Benjamin to make NASCAR Truck debut at Martinsville |url=https://www.motorsport.com/us/nascar-truck/news/nascar-kyle-benjamin-truck-debut-1016603/1397301/ |website=Motorsport.com |date=20 March 2018 |access-date=29 October 2018}} He led over a quarter of the race but finished second to John Hunter Nemechek in a close finish.{{cite web |last1=Torres |first1=Luis |title=Kyle Benjamin Eyes for Similar Success in Martinsville Return |url=https://motorsportstribune.com/kyle-benjamin-eyes-for-similar-success-in-martinsville-return/ |website=Motorsports Tribune |date=22 October 2018 |access-date=29 October 2018}} Benjamin returned to the organization, this time driving the No. 17, for the fall Martinsville race, starting and finishing fifth in a truck that Benjamin believed could have finished second.{{cite web |last1=Koelle |first1=Christian |title=Kyle Benjamin Shines In What Could Be Final Start of 2018 |url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2018/10/27/kyle-benjamin-shines-in-what-could-be-final-start-of-2018/ |website=Frontstretch |date=27 October 2018 |access-date=29 October 2018}}
In 2019, Benjamin returned to the Truck Series on a seven-race schedule in the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports.{{cite web|last=Nolen|first=Bryan|url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2019/04/29/kyle-benjamin-niece-motorsports-team-for-7-races/|title=Kyle Benjamin, Niece Motorsports Team for 7 Races|publisher=Frontstretch|date=April 29, 2019|access-date=April 29, 2019}}
=Xfinity Series=
On April 5, 2017, it was announced that Benjamin would run five races for Joe Gibbs Racing in the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series: three in the No. 18 (2 at Iowa Speedway and Kentucky Speedway) and two in the No. 20 (his debut at Richmond International Raceway and a race at Pocono Raceway).{{Cite news|url=http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2017/4/5/joe-gibbs-racing-kyle-benjamin-xfinity-series-schedule.html|title=JGR taps Benjamin, 19, for four-race XFINITY slate|access-date=2017-04-06|language=en}} He won his first pole at Pocono, and went on to lead 28 laps, the second-most of anybody else behind eventual winner Brad Keselowski. At Iowa, Benjamin led five laps, but lost out to JGR teammate Ryan Preece and finished second.{{cite magazine|last=Gray|first=Rob|url=http://autoweek.com/article/nascar-xfinity/ryan-preece-scores-career-first-nascar-xfinity-win-iowa|title=Ryan Preece scores career first NASCAR Xfinity win at Iowa|magazine=Autoweek|date=July 29, 2017|access-date=July 29, 2017}} He returned to the team in 2018, announcing a two-race slate in February.{{cite web |title=Kyle Benjamin to run two NASCAR Xfinity races for Joe Gibbs Racing |url=http://www.espn.com/jayski/nxs/2018/story/_/id/22477627/kyle-benjamin-run-two-nascar-xfinity-races-joe-gibbs-racing |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |date=17 February 2018 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=29 October 2018}} After an eighth-place run at Atlanta Motor Speedway, a run for the win on the final restart at Iowa was derailed after John Hunter Nemechek made contact with Benjamin.{{cite web |last1=Ferguson |first1=Connor |title=Kyle Benjamin hopes last scheduled NASCAR start brings more opportunities |url=https://lastwordonmotorsport.com/2018/07/29/kyle-benjamin-last-start-brings-opportunities/ |website=Last Word On Motorsport |access-date=29 October 2018}}
=Whelen Modified Tour=
On February 1, 2019, it was announced that Benjamin will contest a part of the 2019 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule for LFR Chassis in the No. 15 car.{{cite web |title=Benjamin Going Modified Racing With LFR Chassis |url=https://speedsport.com/nascar/touring-series/benjamin-going-modified-racing-lfr/ |website=Speed Sport |access-date=1 February 2019}} The schedule was later revealed to be eight races, and Benjamin stated in April that there may be an opportunity in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series later on.{{cite tweet |user=dougsach |number=1116505464865472512 |date=11 April 2019 |title=Great article in @aarn on @KyleBenjamin_ Still seems crazy that he doesn't have a @NASCAR national series ride. }}
Personal life
Benjamin was homeschooled during his high school years.{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Jon |title=Teen standout driver Kyle Benjamin sets sights on Sunday's Rattler 250 |url=https://dothaneagle.com/sports/teen-standout-driver-kyle-benjamin-sets-sights-on-sundays-rattler-250/article_3f0bd0f4-8eaa-11e2-9e74-001a4bcf6878.html |website=Dothan Eagle |access-date=August 15, 2020 |date=March 16, 2013}}
Motorsports career results
=NASCAR=
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)
==Xfinity Series==
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%"
! colspan=42| NASCAR Xfinity Series results |
Year
! Team ! No. ! Make ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! 17 ! 18 ! 19 ! 20 ! 21 ! 22 ! 23 ! 24 ! 25 ! 26 ! 27 ! 28 ! 29 ! 30 ! 31 ! 32 ! 33 ! {{Tooltip|NXSC|NASCAR Xfinity Series classification}} ! Pts ! Ref |
---|
rowspan=2| 2017
! rowspan=3| Joe Gibbs Racing ! 20 ! rowspan=3| Toyota | DAY | ATL | LVS | PHO | CAL | TEX | BRI | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| RCH | TAL | CLT | DOV | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| POC | MCH | colspan=20| ! rowspan=2| 33rd ! rowspan=2| 152 |
rowspan=2| 18
| colspan=13| | style="background:#CFCFFF;"| IOW | DAY | KEN | NHA | IND | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| IOW | GLN | MOH | BRI | ROA | DAR | RCH | CHI | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| KEN | DOV | CLT | KAN | TEX | PHO | HOM |
2018
| DAY | style="background:#FFDF9F;"| ATL | LVS | PHO | CAL | TEX | BRI | RCH | TAL | DOV | CLT | POC | MCH | IOW | CHI | DAY | KEN | NHA | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| IOW | GLN | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MOH | BRI | ROA | DAR | IND | LVS | RCH | CLT | DOV | KAN | TEX | PHO | HOM ! 40th ! 102 |
==Gander Outdoors Truck Series==
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%" |
colspan=45| NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series results |
---|
Year
! Team ! No. ! Make ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! 17 ! 18 ! 19 ! 20 ! 21 ! 22 ! 23 ! {{Tooltip|NGOTC|NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck classification}} ! Pts ! Ref |
rowspan=2| 2018
! rowspan=2| DGR-Crosley ! 54 ! rowspan=2| Toyota | DAY | ATL | LVS | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| MAR | DOV | KAN | CLT | TEX | IOW | GTW | CHI | KEN | ELD | POC | MCH | BRI | MSP | LVS | TAL | colspan=4| ! rowspan=2| 92nd ! rowspan=2| 01 |
17
| colspan=19| | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| MAR | TEX | PHO | HOM |
rowspan=2| 2019
! rowspan=2| Niece Motorsports ! 45 ! rowspan=2| Chevy | DAY | ATL | LVS | MAR | TEX | DOV | KAN | CLT | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| TEX | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| IOW | colspan=13| ! rowspan=2| 49th ! rowspan=2| 54 |
44
| colspan=10| | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| GTW | CHI | KEN | POC | ELD | MCH | BRI | MSP | LVS | TAL | MAR | PHO | HOM |
==K&N Pro Series East==
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%" |
colspan=45| NASCAR K&N Pro Series East results |
---|
Year
! Team ! No. ! Make ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! {{Tooltip|NKNPSEC|NASCAR K&N Pro Series East classification}} ! Pts ! Ref |
2013
! 52 ! Dodge | BRI | GRE | FIF | RCH | BGS | IOW | LGY | COL | IOW | VIR | GRE | NHA | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| DOV | RAL | colspan=2| ! 49th ! 42 |
2014
! rowspan=3| Benjamin Motorsports ! rowspan=2| 27 ! rowspan=3| Ford | NSM | DAY | BRI | GRE | RCH | IOW | BGS | FIF | LGY | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| NHA | COL | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| IOW | GLN | VIR | GRE | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV ! 32nd ! 83 |
rowspan=2| 2015
| style="background:#DFDFDF;"| NSM | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| GRE | style="background:#FFFFBF;"| BRI | style="background:#FFDF9F;"| IOW | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| BGS | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| LGY | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| COL | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| NHA | | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| GLN | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MOT | VIR | style="background:#FFDF9F;"| RCH | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DOV | colspan=2| ! rowspan=2| 9th ! rowspan=2| 443 |
72
| colspan=8| | style="background:#FFDF9F;"| IOW | colspan=7| |
2016
! rowspan=2| 40 ! Chevy | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| NSM | style="background:#FFDF9F;"| MOB | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| GRE | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| BRI | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| VIR | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOM | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| STA | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| COL | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| NHA | style="background:#FFFFBF;"| IOW | style="background:#FFDF9F;"| GLN | style="background:#FFFFBF;"| GRE | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| NJM | style="background:#FFFFBF;"| DOV | colspan=2| ! 2nd ! 558 |
2017
! Toyota | NSM | style="background:#FFFFBF;"| GRE | BRI | SBO | SBO | MEM | BLN | TMP | NHA | IOW | GLN | LGY | NJM | DOV | colspan=2| ! 37th ! 47 |
2018
! 1 ! Toyota | NSM | BRI | LGY | SBO | SBO | MEM | NJM | THO | NHA | style="background:#FFDF9F;"| IOW | GLN | GTW | NHA | DOV | colspan=2| ! 46th ! 34 |
2019
! 21 ! Chevy | NSM | BRI | SBO | style="background:#FFFFFF;"| SBO | MEM | THO | NHA | IOW | GLN | BRI | GTW | NHA | DOV | colspan=3| ! -* ! -* ! |
colspan=41|† - Relieved Sam Mayer |
==K&N Pro Series West==
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%"
! colspan=23| NASCAR K&N Pro Series West results |
Year
! Team ! No. ! Make ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! {{Tooltip|NKNPSWC|NASCAR K&N Pro Series West classification}} ! Pts ! Ref |
---|
2014
! 27 ! Ford | PHO | IRW | S99 | IOW | KCR | SON | SLS | CNS | IOW | EVG | KCR | MMP | AAS | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| PHO ! 82nd ! 17 |
{{sup|*}} Season still in progress
{{sup|1}} Ineligible for series points
=ARCA Racing Series=
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%" |
colspan=45| ARCA Racing Series results |
---|
Year
! Team ! No. ! Make ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! 17 ! 18 ! 19 ! 20 ! 21 ! {{Tooltip|ARSC|ARCA Racing Series classification}} ! Pts ! Ref |
rowspan=2| 2013
! rowspan=2| Venturini Motorsports ! rowspan=2| 55 ! Toyota | DAY | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| MOB | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| SLM | TAL | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| TOL | colspan=10| | style="background:#FFFFBF;"| MAD | DSF | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| IOW | style="background:#FFFFBF;"| SLM | KEN | KAN ! rowspan=2| 17th ! rowspan=2| 1620 |
Chevy
| colspan=5| | style="background:#FFDF9F;"| ELK | POC | MCH | ROA | style="background:#FFDF9F;"| WIN | CHI | NJE | POC | BLN | ISF | colspan=6| |
rowspan=2| 2014
! 17 ! Ford | DAY | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| MOB | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| SLM | TAL | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| TOL | style="background:#FFDF9F;"| NJE | POC | MCH | style="background:#FFDF9F;"| ELK | WIN | CHI | IRP | POC | BLN | ISF | colspan=6| ! rowspan=2| 22nd ! rowspan=2| 1330 |
Benjamin Racing
! 37 ! Ford | colspan=15| | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| MAD | DSF | style="background:#FFDF9F;"| SLM | KEN | KAN | |
2015
! 15 ! Toyota | DAY | MOB | NSH | SLM | TAL | TOL | NJE | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| POC | MCH | CHI | WIN | IOW | IRP | POC | BLN | ISF | DSF | SLM | KEN | KAN | ! 131st ! 90 |
2016
! 28 ! Chevy | DAY | NSH | SLM | TAL | TOL | NJE | style="background:#FFDF9F;"| POC | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| MCH | MAD | WIN | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| IOW | style="background:#FFDF9F;"| IRP | POC | BLN | ISF | DSF | SLM | CHI | KEN | KAN | ! 32nd ! 855 |
rowspan=3| 2017
! 15 ! Toyota | DAY | NSH | SLM | TAL | TOL | ELK | POC | style="background-color:#FFDF9F"| MCH | MAD | IOW | IRP | POC | colspan=9| ! rowspan=3| 36th ! rowspan=3| 615 |
rowspan=2| MDM Motorsports
! 28 ! rowspan=2| Toyota | colspan=12| | style="background-color:#FFFFBF"| WIN | ISF | ROA | DSF | SLM | colspan=4| |
41
| colspan=17| | style="background-color:#DFFFDF"| CHI | KEN | KAN | |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official|http://www.kylebenjamin.com/}}
- {{Racing-Reference driver|Kyle_Benjamin}}
{{Niece Motorsports}}
{{GMS Racing}}
{{Hattori Racing Enterprises}}
{{Joe Gibbs Racing}}
{{DGR-Crosley}}
{{Ranier Racing with MDM}}
{{Venturini Motorsports}}
{{Ken Schrader Racing}}
{{Roulo Brothers Racing}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benjamin, Kyle}}
Category:People from Easley, South Carolina
Category:Racing drivers from South Carolina
Category:ARCA Menards Series drivers