Rod Benjes Into The Sixes And Over 200 mph

November 24, 2013

Rod coming to a stop after his first 200 mph pass

[Photo by: Greg Stokes]

Rod Benjes broke two barriers at the 2013 IHRA Spring Nationals, held at Fram Autolite Dragway, on November 23-24, 2013. Rod was campaigning the John Dillon and Rod Benjes (DB Race Cars) owned 1992 Beretta in the Top Doorslammer bracket. In the first qualifying session his main fuel line blew off and the fuel pump blew apart. Rod couldn't see a thing with all the fuel coming over the windscreen but fortunately nothing caught on fire or went bang. After repairing the damage, Rod came out for the second session. He moved up to second, from fourth, with a 7.010 at 206.64. It was Rods first 200 mph pass.

In the first round Benjes recorded a 7.071 at 189.66 to defeat Chad Tullys (88 Falcon) 7.871. In the second round Rod unleashed his first 6, a 6.963 at 206.39, to defeat Mark Bardsleys (Rislone 68 Camaro) 7.029. The final was between the top two qualifiers, Wayne Yearbury in the KC Tools 53 Studebaker and Rod. Benjes recorded new PB's of 6.886 at 206.80, but Yearbury spoilt Rods weekend by taking the win with a 6.766 at a slowing 187.11.