Photo: Justin R. Noe/ASP, Inc.

Kyle Benjamin Eyes for Similar Success in Martinsville Return

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer

In what’s been a career of slim opportunities in NASCAR, Kyle Benjamin will get another crack in the Camping World Truck Series with DGR-Crosley at Martinsville Speedway for Saturday’s Texas Roadhouse 200.

After coming up one spot short of beating John Hunter Nemechek to win in his series debut, the 20-year-old will pilot the No. 17 Crosley Brands Toyota Camry and hopes he can contend for the victory once again.

“I’m really thankful for the opportunity to go back to Martinsville with DGR-Crosley,” Benjamin said. “We were so close to getting the win in the spring race and I definitely think we will be a contender again. I’m really happy to get another shot at it. I know the guys will bring me a fast Toyota Tundra this weekend. We just have to keep it clean throughout the race and be there at the end.”

Back in March, Benjamin started in fourth, and wasted no time to make his presence known at the 0.526-mile “Paperclip,” leading 74 consecutive laps down the stretch before losing the lead to Nemechek on Lap 220, who went on to win by 0.165 seconds.

The Easley, South Carolina native has since only made two national starts, both in the Xfinity Series. Benjamin drove for Joe Gibbs Racing in each of his starts since March, with a third at Iowa Speedway in July being his best.

Benjamin will join alongside teammate and K&N east champion Tyler Ankrum, ARCA champion Sheldon Creed, Tyler Dippel, Christian Eckes, and Chase Purdy among a list of stellar young drivers who’ve ran less than five career starts or making their series debuts at Martinsville.

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From the Pacific Northwest, Luis is a University of Idaho graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcasting and Digital Media and a three-time National Motorsports Press Association award winner in photography. Ever since watching the 2003 Daytona 500, being involved in auto racing is all he's ever dreamed of doing. Over the years, Luis has focused on writing, video and photography with ambitions of having his work recognized.