Mark Benson, 54, of Springfield, Ill. passed away on June 2, 2009 at
St. John's Hospital in Springfield, after a lengthy battle with health
problems associated with diabetes. Benson was a major part of the
Wilkerson Racing organization for many years, a founding member of the
"Wilk Warriors" group of supporters, and a dear friend to the Wilkerson
family and the entire team.
Tim Wilkerson originally befriended "Big Mark" when racing his bracket
car throughout the Midwest during the mid-80s. Benson and friend Ron
Boyd campaigned their Benson & Boyd car at many of the same tracks
frequented by Wilkerson, and in 1991 both became crew members on
Wilkerson's Top Alcohol Funny Car. After Wilkerson made the move to
the Nitro Funny Car class, both Benson and Boyd stayed with the
program. Benson was also a contributing member of Daniel Wilkerson's
Top Alcohol Funny Car team, which won the NHRA Division 3 championship
in 2007. Benson was a fixture in the Team Wilkerson pit area for
nearly two decades, and was known, respected, and loved by racers, crew
members, and friends.