THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR TRAVIS BENNETT

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- When the green flag waved at the NASCAR AutoZonee Elite Division, Northwest series opener at TriCity Raceway on April 24 it was time to go for the 25-car field, but more importantly it was Travis Bennett’s time. It was time to get out of Kevin Hamlin’s shadow, whom he shared a ride with last season and make the most of this “whole new deal”.

The word “share” would be a stretch. Bennett made just one start in 2003. This season, however, he takes over the full-time driving duties for the Don Scriver-owned and DS Racing Team’s No. 33 Bowman’s Electro Painting/Zeb’s Truck Stop Chevrolet. “Last season was good for me from a standpoint to see how everything works for one of these teams and to learn the tracks a little, but, all in all, this is a great young new team this year,” added Bennett.

The 25-year old Bennett drove the No. 33 car to a second place finish at TriCity, which further lined everything up for his move. He is the right age, has the right disposition and has an engaging personality, all common attributes of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series’ “Young Guns” corps. “That’s a heck of a compliment to be compared to those guys, but I have that goal ­ to get a Cup ride down the road,” said Bennett. “I’ve worked my tail off to get to this point and I have no intention of stopping now.”

Despite the fact that it was the Northwest Series opener, it was not Travis’ first NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division race of the year. He has made two starts in the Southwest Series this year, as he will run in all the Southwest Series races that do not conflict with Northwest Series dates. He finished 12th at Madera Speedway on March 13 and 17th at Cajon Speedway on April 3. Valuable “seat time” is the purpose of the double duty, but his top goals for 2004 are focused on the Northwest Series. He would really like to pick up the Auto Meter Rookie of the Year Award, an award that Don Scriver has never been able to collect, as well as, finish in the Top Ten in points to advance to the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown in November.

Bennett is admittedly apprehensive about running on the 3/8-mile oval at Evergreen Speedway. “I have had just 25 or 30 laps on that track, so I just want to keep the car in one piece and not mess this deal up too bad. It sure is nice to see yourself near the top of the points list. I really want to stay there,” he said. “There are 20 cars that can win these Touring events on any given night. I have to be ready.”

“This is what I do full time. I race and work on maintaining the DS Racing Team cars. There are just a handful of full-time racing jobs on the West Coast, and I am lucky enough to have one of those,” said the recently married Bennett. In fact, he and his wife, Rachel, went to Evergreen Speedway to watch a race on the inner track just to get a feel for it.

The time is right for Travis Bennett. The time is now. He is ready.

Fast Facts

What: OSO Lumber 125 (Race No. 2 of 12 in the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series).

Where: Evergreen Speedway, Monroe, Wash.

When: 8:45 p.m. (approx.), Saturday, May 8, 2004

Track layout: 3/8-mile oval

Race length: 125 laps/46.88 miles.

Posted awards: $43,212.

2003 winner: John Bender.

2003 polesitter: Robb Touchette

Top 10 in points: 1. Jason Jefferson 180, 2. Travis Bennett 170, 3. Brandon Riehl 165, 4. Garrett Evans 160, 5. Wes Rhodes 155, 6. Joe Benedetti 150, 7. Shane Biles 146, 8. Steven Howard 142, 9. Rod Schultz, Sr. 138, 10. Tom Sweatman 134.

Pre-race schedule (all times local): 10:00 a.m. Registration opens, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Practice, 3-3:30 p.m. Practice, 4:30 p.m. Time Trials, 7:00 p.m. Qualifying Race.