Art Bennett

Art Bennett ushers in supermodified era with Classic win
The 1961 International Classic was the crossroads race from the modifieds to the supermodifieds. It was full body vs bug in that race and the "bug" of Art Bennett of Battle Creek, Michigan wound up the big winner.
Gordon Johncock of Hastings, Mich. broke all existing speed records at Oswego when he time trialed in at 107.1 mph to sit on the pole.
When the green came out Johncock took off and had it his own way for almost 100 laps when the engine let go. This left the lead to Art Bennett who was battling Nolan Swift in his supermodified under a modified body 10 pins creation. Swift gained the lead momentarily but Bennett got it right back again and held on for the win. Swift was a close second with the Ed Bowley Fyin 5 driven by Smokey