Norm Benning
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Norm Benning (Born January 16, 1952 in Level Green, PA) is a full-time self-owned ARCA driver (drives the #84 Chevrolet. He has also competed in a number of NASCAR races.
[edit] ARCA
Benning has finished in the top 10 in points in ARCA 7 times in the last 9 seasons, with a highest of 5th in 2001. However, Benning has never won an ARCA race.
[edit] NASCAR
Benning has attempted numerous Cup and Busch Series races in his career, but has only made 7 starts in any NASCAR national series. Benning made his NASCAR debut in 1989, driving in three races in the Cup series for the #99 car owned by Jerry O'Neil. After starting 35th, Benning would finish 30th in his debut at Dover. He would then match that finish at Pocono and 31st in his return to Dover.
Benning made his last Cup start for O'Niel in 1993, starting last (39th) at Darlington and finishing 39th after one lap of competition. After that, Benning attempted to make the Daytona 500 for seven consecutive years in his own car, but never had enough speed to make the race.
Benning's next NASCAR start came in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2002. Driving for Troxell Motorsports, Benning qualified the #93 Chevy into the field at Nashville Superspeedway in 18th position. A vibration dropped the team out of the event and Benning finished 32nd.
Benning then attempted the Busch Series for the next two years, but only made three races. In his debut, Benning started the 2003 Nazareth race in 42nd before finishing in 40th. He was later able to improve in the year with a career-best 36th place at NHIS. Benning's last NASCAR start came in 2004, making his final Busch race. Driving once again at Nazareth, Benning started 42nd before finishing 38th with brake failure.
He had planned to again attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in 2008. However, prior to the Practice for Cup Qualifying, his Fuel Cable snapped. Unfortunately, a replacement could not be located, so the #57 car was shipped back to Charlotte for repairs. While he returned to Daytona on Wednesday the day prior to the Gatorade Duels, NASCAR ruled that if you fail to practice, and fail to attempt to qualify, then you are not permitted to run in the Duels.
