One of the nicest and down to earth family racing teams that I have had the great pleasure of meeting is Team Benza, BNB Racing. In reality, we're all families within the NHRA Family, all having the racing gene as a common DNA. I have always watched BNB Racing from afar being on the west coast, but then moving to the east coast, I finally met them in Indy at the Mac Tools US NHRA Nationals in 2010. Their warm hospitality is a pleasure in its own. Watching Bob, Nancy, and their 3 daughters working feverishly to get their Pro Stock Car ready for the next round is well orchestrated. You can easily see the passion that goes into running a race team. You can also follow all the Benza's on twitter, and they are very entertaining.
Bob Benza, who is one of the Top Bridge Building and Rehabilitating Contractors in the United States, has had the passion of drag racing since the early 70's. Him and his brother Raymond started the Saw Mill Speed Shop, where they built a Modified Production Car. He spent every free moment at race track in New York and Upper New Jersey learning his way around the race car. Since then, Bob has brought his talents to being a NHRA Pro Stock team owner and driver.
Bob has won two - Best Engineered Car Awards, 4 Division Points Meet, set 12 National Records in Competition and Modified Eliminator, 1986: Finished fifth in Division 1 points and 11th in national points in Competition Eliminator class; Won NHRA Summernationals, 1987: Runner up at U.S. Nationals in Competition Eliminator, and then in 1997: Began racing Pro Stock on a limited basis. Then in 1998 he Qualified ninth at Richmond event after only three events and won first round of competition. Also in 2001, Won Best Appearing Car award at Reading, Pa., event; Recorded career-best elapsed time and top speed, including first lap in excess of 200 mph; as he ran a limited schedule. 2006 he qualified for the US Nationals in Indy.
Behind the strength of Bob Benza is his loving family that has been at his side through every aspect of his career. He met his wife (High School Sweetheart)Nancy in the early 80's. Ever since then, Nancy Benza has been in vital role of help and support for their success. Bob has said "There's nothing she can't do on the car, from taking out the clutch to replacing the valve springs, I'd match her up with anyone. In the early years it was just her and Bob at most of the races. He couldn't have done it without her, and would not want to do it without her either. She is an inspiration and with her undying support, it allows them to continue their racing dream.
Bob and Nancy also have three beautiful daughters, Kristina, Amanda, and Kimberly who also contribute a lot of their time in supporting and helping out in the pits to keep Bob on the track. It is such a joy to watch them all working in the pits together. When they are not at the NHRA Events, they are continuing their careers in education.
The rest of Bobs crew that keeps him in contention are Crew Chief - Tom Martino, and crew members, Tom Vollbrecht, Cody McManama, Sean Swann, and Bill Krug. Together the are form BNB Racing.
Bobs Pro stock car is a 2010 Pontiac GXP, with a 500 CID DRCE II engine with 2 four barrel carbs, that powers 1400 plus horsepower. They recently qualified 15th at the GatorNationals in Gainesville, Fla with a 6.564 / 210 mph. We are looking forward to seeing the Benza's in Concord, NC at the Myrtlebeach.com Nationals at zMAXDragway for the 4-Wide event. We're all hoping for great qualifying, getting them into Sunday's elimination. As you know, anything can happen in eliminations, and this could be a moment to take home the Wally for Team Benza.
Please check out BNB Racing web site at the link below. You can also follow Bob on twitter @BobBenza and Nancy @NancyBenza.
Link to BNB Racing:
http://www.bobbenzaracing.com/index.html
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