Kyle Benjamin

Kyle Benjamin
Benjamin at Martinsville Speedway in 2018
BornKyle S. Benjamin
(1997-11-03) November 3, 1997 (age 27)
Easley, South Carolina, U.S.
Achievements2012 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)
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
8 races run over 2 years
2018 position40th
Best finish33rd (2017)
First race2017 ToyotaCare 250 (Richmond)
Last race2018 Rock N Roll Tequila 170 (Mid-Ohio)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 3 2
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
5 races run over 2 years
Truck no., teamNo. 45 (Niece Motorsports)
2019 position49th
Best finish49th (2019)
First race2018 Alpha Energy Solutions 250 (Martinsville)
Last race2019 CarShield 200 (Gateway)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 2 0
Statistics current as of November 18, 2019.

Kyle S. Benjamin (born November 3, 1997) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He most recently competed part-time in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, driving the No. 15 for LFR Chassis, and part-time in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, driving the No. 44 and 45 Chevrolet Silverados for Niece Motorsports. 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

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Early years

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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.[1] 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.[2]

ARCA Racing Series

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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.[3] He won two starts later as well.[4] Running a limited schedule for Roulo Brothers Racing in 2014, Benjamin switched to his team in mid-2014 due to underwhelming performance.[5] After reuniting with Venturini for a race in 2015,[6] Benjamin ran a limited schedule in 2016 as part of his affiliation with Ranier Racing with MDM.[7]

K&N Pro Series East

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Running a race for Ken Schrader Racing in 2013,[8] then three for his team in 2014,[9] Benjamin caught his break in 2015, winning his first race (at Bristol Motor Speedway),[10] being named to the NASCAR Next class,[11] and finishing ninth in points.[12] 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.[13]

Gander Outdoors Truck Series

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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.[14] He led over a quarter of the race but finished second to John Hunter Nemechek in a close finish.[15] 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.[16]

In 2019, Benjamin returned to the Truck Series on a seven-race schedule in the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports.[17]

Xfinity Series

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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).[18] 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.[19] He returned to the team in 2018, announcing a two-race slate in February.[20] 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.[21]

Whelen Modified Tour

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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.[22] 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.[23]

Personal life

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Benjamin was homeschooled during his high school years.[24]

Motorsports career results

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NASCAR

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(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

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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 NXSC Pts Ref
2017 Joe Gibbs Racing 20 Toyota DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL TEX BRI RCH
32 		TAL CLT DOV POC
16 		MCH 33rd 152 [25]
18 IOW
31 		DAY KEN NHA IND IOW
2 		GLN MOH BRI ROA DAR RCH CHI KEN
12 		DOV CLT KAN TEX PHO HOM
2018 DAY ATL
8 		LVS PHO CAL TEX BRI RCH TAL DOV CLT POC MCH IOW CHI DAY KEN NHA IOW
3 		GLN MOH
13 		BRI ROA DAR IND LVS RCH CLT DOV KAN TEX PHO HOM 40th 102 [26]

Gander Outdoors Truck Series

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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 NGOTC Pts Ref
2018 DGR-Crosley 54 Toyota DAY ATL LVS MAR
2 		DOV KAN CLT TEX IOW GTW CHI KEN ELD POC MCH BRI MSP LVS TAL 92nd 01 [27]
17 MAR
5 		TEX PHO HOM
2019 Niece Motorsports 45 Chevy DAY ATL LVS MAR TEX DOV KAN CLT TEX
31 		IOW
13 		49th 54 [28]
44 GTW
13 		CHI KEN POC ELD MCH BRI MSP LVS TAL MAR PHO HOM

K&N Pro Series East

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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 NKNPSEC Pts Ref
2013 Ken Schrader Racing 52 Dodge BRI GRE FIF RCH BGS IOW LGY COL IOW VIR GRE NHA DOV
3 		RAL 49th 42 [29]
2014 Benjamin Motorsports 27 Ford NSM DAY BRI GRE RCH IOW BGS FIF LGY NHA
11 		COL IOW
14 		GLN VIR GRE DOV
24 		32nd 83 [30]
2015 NSM
5 		GRE
12 		BRI
1* 		IOW
6 		BGS
13 		LGY
2 		COL
16 		NHA
14 		GLN
14 		MOT
16 		VIR RCH
9 		DOV
16 		9th 443 [31]
72 IOW
10
2016 Ranier Racing with MDM 40 Chevy NSM
4 		MOB
6 		GRE
2* 		BRI
2 		VIR
4 		DOM
23* 		STA
12 		COL
11 		NHA
4* 		IOW
1 		GLN
6 		GRE
1** 		NJM
3 		DOV
1* 		2nd 558 [32]
2017 MDM Motorsports Toyota NSM GRE
1 		BRI SBO SBO MEM BLN TMP NHA IOW GLN LGY NJM DOV 37th 47 [33]
2018 Hattori Racing Enterprises 1 Toyota NSM BRI LGY SBO SBO MEM NJM THO NHA IOW
10 		GLN GTW NHA DOV 46th 34 [34]
2019 GMS Racing 21 Chevy NSM BRI SBO SBO
RL† 		MEM THO NHA IOW GLN BRI GTW NHA DOV -* -*
† - Relieved Sam Mayer

K&N Pro Series West

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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 NKNPSWC Pts Ref
2014 Benjamin Motorsports 27 Ford PHO IRW S99 IOW KCR SON SLS CNS IOW EVG KCR MMP AAS PHO
27 		82nd 17 [35]

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

ARCA Racing Series

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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 ARSC Pts Ref
2013 Venturini Motorsports 55 Toyota DAY MOB
2 		SLM
11 		TAL TOL
23 		MAD
1* 		DSF IOW
5 		SLM
1* 		KEN KAN 17th 1620 [36]
Chevy ELK
7 		POC MCH ROA WIN
8 		CHI NJE POC BLN ISF
2014 Roulo Brothers Racing 17 Ford DAY MOB
2 		SLM
12 		TAL TOL
19 		NJE
6 		POC MCH ELK
7 		WIN CHI IRP POC BLN ISF 22nd 1330 [37]
Benjamin Racing 37 Ford MAD
2 		DSF SLM
7 		KEN KAN
2015 Venturini Motorsports 15 Toyota DAY MOB NSH SLM TAL TOL NJE POC
28 		MCH CHI WIN IOW IRP POC BLN ISF DSF SLM KEN KAN 131st 90 [38]
2016 Ranier Racing with MDM 28 Chevy DAY NSH SLM TAL TOL NJE POC
6 		MCH
3 		MAD WIN IOW
2 		IRP
7 		POC BLN ISF DSF SLM CHI KEN KAN 32nd 855 [39]
2017 Venturini Motorsports 15 Toyota DAY NSH SLM TAL TOL ELK POC MCH
7 		MAD IOW IRP POC 36th 615 [40]
MDM Motorsports 28 Toyota WIN
1 		ISF ROA DSF SLM
41 CHI
12 		KEN KAN

References

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  1. ^ "Kyle Benjamin to drive four XFINITY races for Joe Gibbs". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  2. ^ "Joe Gibbs Racing Announces Kyle Benjamin Will Drive Four NASCAR XFINITY Series Races in 2017 - NASCAR XFINITY Series News - MRN.com". www.mrn.com. Archived from the original on 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  3. ^ "ARCA's youngest winner Kyle Benjamin back to defend Madison title; debuting own ARCA team". ARCA Racing. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  4. ^ "Driver Kyle Benjamin 2013 ARCA Racing Series Results - Racing-Reference.info". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  5. ^ "Driver Kyle Benjamin 2014 ARCA Racing Series Results - Racing-Reference.info". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  6. ^ "Driver Kyle Benjamin 2015 ARCA Racing Series Results - Racing-Reference.info". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  7. ^ "Driver Kyle Benjamin 2016 ARCA Racing Series Results - Racing-Reference.info". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  8. ^ "Driver Kyle Benjamin 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results - Racing-Reference.info". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  9. ^ "Driver Kyle Benjamin 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results - Racing-Reference.info". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  10. ^ "NASCAR brings Kyle Benjamin back to Mobile International Speedway". AL.com. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  11. ^ "Recent news on Kyle Benjamin - Ranier Racing with MDM-40-KNE - Rotoworld.com". www.rotoworld.com. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  12. ^ "Driver Kyle Benjamin 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results - Racing-Reference.info". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  13. ^ "Driver Kyle Benjamin 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results - Racing-Reference.info". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  14. ^ "Kyle Benjamin to make NASCAR Truck debut at Martinsville". Motorsport.com. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  15. ^ Torres, Luis (22 October 2018). "Kyle Benjamin Eyes for Similar Success in Martinsville Return". Motorsports Tribune. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  16. ^ Koelle, Christian (27 October 2018). "Kyle Benjamin Shines In What Could Be Final Start of 2018". Frontstretch. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  17. ^ Nolen, Bryan (April 29, 2019). "Kyle Benjamin, Niece Motorsports Team for 7 Races". Frontstretch. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  18. ^ "JGR taps Benjamin, 19, for four-race XFINITY slate". Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  19. ^ Gray, Rob (July 29, 2017). "Ryan Preece scores career first NASCAR Xfinity win at Iowa". Autoweek. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  20. ^ "Kyle Benjamin to run two NASCAR Xfinity races for Joe Gibbs Racing". Jayski's Silly Season Site. ESPN. 17 February 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  21. ^ Ferguson, Connor. "Kyle Benjamin hopes last scheduled NASCAR start brings more opportunities". Last Word On Motorsport. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  22. ^ "Benjamin Going Modified Racing With LFR Chassis". Speed Sport. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  23. ^ @dougsach (11 April 2019). "Great article in @aarn on @KyleBenjamin_ Still seems crazy that he doesn't have a @NASCAR national series ride" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. ^ Johnson, Jon (March 16, 2013). "Teen standout driver Kyle Benjamin sets sights on Sunday's Rattler 250". Dothan Eagle. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  25. ^ "Kyle Benjamin– 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  26. ^ "Kyle Benjamin– 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  27. ^ "Kyle Benjamin– 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  28. ^ "Kyle Benjamin– 2018 NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  29. ^ "Kyle Benjamin – 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  30. ^ "Kyle Benjamin – 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  31. ^ "Kyle Benjamin – 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  32. ^ "Kyle Benjamin – 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  33. ^ "Kyle Benjamin – 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  34. ^ "Kyle Benjamin – 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  35. ^ "Kyle Benjamin – 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  36. ^ "Kyle Benjamin– 2013 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  37. ^ "Kyle Benjamin– 2014 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  38. ^ "Kyle Benjamin– 2015 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  39. ^ "Kyle Benjamin– 2016 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  40. ^ "Kyle Benjamin– 2017 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
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