JACKSONVILLE, NC – Second-generation driver Scotty Benford has been knocking on the door of his first career Legends victory, and he’s hoping to seal the deal at Goodyear All American Speedway on Sunday night.
Benford, 17, from Swansboro, North Carolina, will be competing in Sunday’s Independence Bash presented by Armageddon Armory as well as at Bobby Watson’s Carteret County Speedway on Saturday night – giving him two opportunities to score his first win.
“It would be great to finally get that win,” Benford said. “I’ve been working really hard with Roger [Burns] and Chris [Burns] to get this car on the podium, in first place, and I think they would be very proud of me to get that first win.”
Benford has had runner-up finishes at both Goodyear All American Speedway and Carteret County Speedway in the last year and has come close to winning. Earlier this summer, at Carteret, Benford led the most laps but a late race caution allowed Brenton Irving to get by him to take the checkered flag.
Taking the losses and the races that could have been in stride, Benford knows it will be that much more exciting to outduel racers like Irving and Chase Singletary.
“It would be great to beat Brenton, Chase, and D.J. [Murphy],” Benford remarked. “I want to see that day when it comes. I still have to work really hard and we’re almost there. We’re a low-budget team so hopefully, we can pick up some sponsors and continue that and get that first win.”
While Benford hopes to score wins against 15-20 car fields that attract the elite drivers in INEX Legends competition, he knows any win would be a confidence booster that will help him score even more victories.
“The key is to have confidence,” Benford stated. “We just keep doing better and better and it will eventually get me there. I’m just excited to do that.”
Benford began his racing career in Mini Cups at Carteret County Speedway, where he scored three career wins. Prior to that, he was watching in the grandstands with his father, Scott, until Scott began racing in the Champ Karts. The elder Benford eventually dropped out of racing due to safety concerns in the Champ Kart division and helped get Scotty on track.
Benford moved up to Legends racing in 2020 and spent that partial season and much of 2021 getting the handle on the more cantankerous cars which are not held wide open like the Mini Cups.
“It’s not easy to drive,” Benford explained. “It’s completely different. Everyone says they’re very hard to drive, and they are. Once you can drive them really well, you can drive anything. Legends racing is the proving ground. I like driving these cars. They’re fun to drive, and hopefully, in the near future, I can move up to Late Model.”
Benford picked up a runner-up finish at Goodyear All American Speedway last summer but has raced at the 4/10-mile track in Jacksonville since November 2021.
“I’m excited to go back to Goodyear All American Speedway this weekend after we do Carteret,” Benford said. “We haven’t been there in a while. I know D.J.’s going to be very fast. Hopefully, we can be very fast too and get a win.”
The Legends division is one of five classes that will be in action in Sunday night’s Independence Bash presented by Armageddon Armory. Late Models, Street Stocks, Bombers, and Bandoleros will also be in action. Grandstands open at 6pm, a pre-race meet-and-greet will take place at 7pm, and the green flag will wave at 8pm. Tickets are available at the gate for $15 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and kids five (5) and under are admitted free. Trackside parking and suite seating are also available, concessions are on-site, and discounts are available for active/retired military and veterans, and senior citizens.
Goodyear All American Speedway is Jacksonville’s Action Attraction featuring racing and other events. For more information about Goodyear All American Speedway, check out the speedway’s website, like/follow “Goodyear All American Speedway” on Facebook, or follow the track on Instagram.
