Kyle Benjamin

Kyle Benjamin
Benjamin at Martinsville Speedway in 2018
Born	Kyle S. Benjamin (1997-11-03) November 3, 1997 (age 27) 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)
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
8 races run over 2 years
2018 position	40th
Best finish	33rd (2017)
First race	2017 ToyotaCare 250 (Richmond)
Last race	2018 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., team	No. 45 (Niece Motorsports)
2019 position	49th
Best finish	49th (2019)
First race	2018 Alpha Energy Solutions 250 (Martinsville)
Last race	2019 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

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.^[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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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	0^1	[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

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

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

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

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.

External links

• Official website
• Kyle Benjamin driver statistics at Racing-Reference