Ben vs. Johnny - Who Will Get Five in PASS North First?

Will 2010 Be The Year of The Rowe, The Clark or Somebody Else?

By Mike Twist

Right now, when it comes to PASS North racing, Ben Rowe and Johnny Clark are tied at being the best driver ever….at least if you measure success by championships.

Rowe won the PASS North Series championship in 2002 and 2003.  But then the Clark won the championship in 2004.  Rowe returned to take the title in 2005.  Then Clark claimed it in 2006.  Rowe returned again to win it in 2007 while Clark has now evened the score by winning it again in 2008 and 2009.  Only in the first year of the tour, back in 2001 when Sam Sessions took the crown, have one of the two drivers not won the PASS North championship.

Now, both men are eying their fifth championships in 2010, but only one of them can break the tie this time around.

Which one is it more likely to be?  At this point, neither Rowe or Clark want to say out loud who they predict - even if you get them in the same room together.

“That's putting the pressure on,” protested Rowe when asked the question recently.  “I'm going to say him because he's got the pressure on him right now.”

But when Rowe gave his answer, Clark was within earshot - and he disagreed with one part of Rowe's prediction.

“Pressure?” replied Clark.  “I don't have any pressure.”

Clark will return to the seat of his family's Port City car again in 2010.  This is the same #54 team that Rowe has won all of his championships with.  Meanwhile, Rowe has won championships for two teams - the #00 Hi-Tech Motorsports entry of Tom Estes and then for #4 Richard Moody Racing.  In 2010, Rowe will drive the #48 Community Pharmacies car owned by fellow PASS racer Scott Mulkern and his wife Vicky.

Clark thinks that might make Rowe the pre-season favorite.

“In my opinion, he's going to be in the best ride that he's ever been in,” said Clark of Rowe.  “It's going to be a tough season.  Everyone with Ben has so much experience that they are going to be good.  We're going to have to come out of the box strong.”

Since Clark's team is unchanged from its back-to-back championship seasons, Rowe argues that Clark might be the favored choice to win the title.

“Yes he does [have pressure on him],” said Rowe.  “He's got the same team and the same car.  I've got everything new….I've got an excuse.”

“Yeah and you have all brand new stuff,” replied Clark.

Do you sense a bit of a friendly rivalry yet?

“We don't like each other at all, you know that,” laughed Rowe.

Of course, the 2010 PASS North championship isn't a lock for either driver.  Adam Bates was right in the thick of the 2009 title fight before wrecking his primary car midway through last summer.  He'll be back this season.  Kelly Moore is taking a shot at the championship this coming year as well.  Derek Ramstrom, Travis Benjamin, Richie Dearborn and Cassius Clark all will be strong if they runs the entire schedule.

“[It will] Probably [someone else].  That's possible,” said Rowe.

“Yeah, we'll get feuding,” laughed Clark.

A bitter feud is unlikely though.  Rowe and Clark have had their share of run-ins in the past, but they've chalked it up to close competition and not dirty tricks.

“We always have the most fun when we are banging off each other at the finish line,” said Clark.  “I think that I only spun rocks into his hauler once and that was five years ago at Unity.  I won't do that this year because Vicki will have to clean it up.”

So until they start the 2010 season at least, Rowe and Clark are tied when it comes to PASS North championships.  However, Rowe does win when one tie-breaker is considered - he won both the 2009 PASS South and PASS National championships.

“Yes.  Exactly.  That breaks the tie,” said Rowe.  “That's right.”

So does that mean Clark might consider a PASS South run to even up the score?

“No,” said Clark quickly.  “I like racing up here.”

But there's no racing in New England this time of year either and as much as Clark likes racing close to home, he'll go where he needs to travel to hit a track anywhere.  So Clark, and Rowe, are both entered in the PASS Winterfest 150 later this month at New Smyrna Speedway.

And to show just how much Rowe and Clark are willing to work together - Rowe's Mulkern-owned #48 is going to be towed to the race in the back of Clark's hauler - a true team effort.

Ben Rowe (Top) and Johnny Clark (Bottom)

Clark will return to his familar #54 this year while Rowe has a new ride.