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Uncle Joe Benson at work & play at the California Speedway - 10/2000. Since it's opening in 1997, Joe Benson has been the voice of the California Speedway. In that role, he handles the master of ceremonies duties for race day, as well as doing play-by-play announcing with his old friend Shawn Parr.
October 27-30, 2000: Uncle Joe announced the CART FedEx Marboro 500 presented by Toyota (and two other season finale races) at California Speedway in Fontana. What a weekend!! Due to a rain-delay, an extra day was added to finish an extremely exciting race (59 lead changes among 12 drivers in 500 miles). With 950hp Champ Car engines blowing up left and right due to high speeds, only six of 26 cars finished the whole 500 miles. Christian Fittipaldi won the race and a million dollars, while Gil DeFerran won the Championship and another million dollars (he also set a closed-course World Speed Record of 241.428mph!!!). (Photos by Jan Benson & Bill 'Digital' McDermott) 
Joe joins Maggie McKay for the 
Car owners Paul Newman & Carl Haas, and their driver Christian Fittipaldi  J.B. and Paul Newman try not to stare at Carl Haas' cigar.  Marlboro 500 winner Christian Fittipaldi. 
Second place Roberto Moreno  
Joe with the 2000 CART FedEx Championship series 
Olympic Gold Medalist Rulan Gardner about 
Two-time CART Champion Alex Zanardi hints 
Indy 500 winner, Formula One & CART Champion  Old friend Paul Page of ESPN fame.  It's real early in the morning -- rise & shine!  Big boys talking about big cars. 
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