Points Champion Benson Ends Ties at BDR, Bodine Secures Third Season Win

Shiela Johnston
Staff Writer - www.truckracenews.com

November 21, 2008 (Miami, FL) -Todd Bodine won his third race of the 2008 season last Friday at Homestead-Miami, the very last Craftsman Truck Race and the 2008 season finale.  Meanwhile, Johnny Benson was awarded the Points Championship.  Bodine's win was the 13th win for Toyota this year.

Bodine, driving for Germain Racing in the No. 30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota noted the significance of winning the season finale.

"That's a great way to bookend the year -- this Lumber Liquidators Tundra was a terrible race truck. It was not handling well at all. They got us a lot of spots on pit road and that made a lot of difference. Guys I didn't have to race to pass. (Mike Hillman) Jr. (crew chief) took a lot of swings at the set-up and air pressure and wedge and track bar. He did a great job and thought it through and made the truck the best it could possibly be and it still wasn't great, but it was good enough to hold Brian (Scott) off and I am awfully happy for him because he is an awesome driver and he's got a great future. Great win for Toyota in victory lane and another championship for Johnny (Benson) and Trip (Bruce, crew chief) and Toyota. They are long overdue -- so I'm happy for them."

This was a perfect bookend finish to the season since he also won the season opener at Daytona. The Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami which took place November 14 was an amazing race under the lights.  This was Bodine's 15th career win.  He finished third in the final points standings.

Although Bodine's victory was remarkable with a .232 second lead over rookie Brian Scott, the most attention was earned by Johnny Benson whose points championship was in jeopardy until the end of the race when he secured a seventh place finish and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Title for 2008.  This is the final year for Craftsman as a Series Sponsor making Benson the last person ever to receive their Championship trophy.

Benson was confident he would win the Title... someday... and said that this was really no surprise, except how long he had waited for it. "To tell you the truth, three or four years ago, when I started with Bill Davis Racing, I knew we'd win a championship," Benson said. "I hated that it took this long but I knew it was just a matter of time."

Benson, 45,  has brought home 15 Truck Series wins driving the No. 23 Bill Davis Racing Toyota in the last four years.  His win in Homestead was probably his last with BDR.    It was announced following his third place finish at Texas Motor Speedway (10/31) that his tenure at BDR would be coming to a close following the Ford 200. 

"About three or four weeks ago I had a conversation with Bill [Davis] and of course, the folks up at Bill Davis [Racing]," Benson said on Tradin' Paint on Sirius NASCAR Radio. "I'm opting to try and do something different." Benson revealed.

 "Johnny Benson has been a huge part of our success in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series," Davis' statement said. "Johnny, as well as our other veteran driver, Mike Skinner, have helped us get our NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program where it is today, and I hate to see him go.

"It has been one of the best driver/owner relationships in the garage, winning 14 races and battling for the championship year in and year out. We have enjoyed the last four years together and we want to cap it off by winning the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship."         

Homestead Race Results               
Homestead Photos   
Championship Photos