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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: News And Notes - Nashville Superspeedway

Third Time’s A Charm For Points Leader Benson

Johnny Benson (No. 23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Toyota) earned his way into an elite group of drivers in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Saturday with his win at Nashville Superspeedway.

Benson became the fifth driver to win three races in a row joining drivers Ron Hornaday, Jr. (No. 33 Camping World Chevrolet), teammate Mike Skinner (No. 5 Toyota Tundra Toyota) and former series champions Greg Biffle and Todd Bodine (No. 30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota).
Third time was the charm for Benson, who previously fell short in 2006 and 2007.

The series veteran’s victory also marked additional firsts. The win was his fourth of the season—each in the last five races. That hadn’t happened since Biffle went on a similar hot streak en route to the title. Maybe that’s an omen for Benson, who is looking for his first series championship.

Benson also became Nashville Superspeedway’s first repeat winner in eight races dating to 2001.

While Benson retains his lead in the championship standings, he can’t feel comfortable. He leads by only 45 points over defending champion Hornaday, the closest since 2003 when Brendan Gaughan led Travis Kvapil by seven.

History favors the Bill Davis Racing driver holding or extending his advantage when the series next competes at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 20.

Benson is the defending winner of the O’Reilly 200 as he bids to become the first to win four straight.

Erik Darnell Is Movin’ On Up

With 10 races remaining in the 2008 season, Erik Darnell (No. 99 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford) finds himself climbing the points ladder.

In his third season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the Roush Fenway Racing driver got off to a strong start at Daytona winning the Keystone Light Pole. But his night ended early after being caught up in an accident.

That set the tone for an up-and-down run of nine stars in which Darnell recorded only two top 10s.

Then came race 10. Darnell edged Benson in June’s photo finish at Michigan International Speedway marking the closest margin of victory in series history since electronic scoring was implemented.

Since that second career victory, Darnell has posted four top-five finishes including a pair of seconds. He’s also moved from 12th to sixth in points.

As the Roush camp looks for it’s golden 50th victory in the series, Darnell heads to tracks where he’s made strong runs.

Darnell has been solid on the short tracks with a second at Memphis and fifth at Martinsville.

Take that success, add recent momentum and chances are good Darnell could bring home his second win of the season at Bristol.

This Week’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Leaders
(Through 15 races of the 25-race season)
Points leader – Johnny Benson (2,071)
Driver Rating – Ron Hornaday Jr. (114.5)
Laps led – Ron Hornaday Jr. (717)
Victories – Johnny Benson (4)
Keystone Light Poles – Johnny Benson, Mike Skinner (3)
Top-five finishes – Johnny Benson (9)
Top-10 finishes – Mike Sinner (12)
Raybestos Rookie Leader – Colin Braun
Races led – Ron Hornaday Jr. (13)
Weeks in Top 10 – Three drivers with 15

Manufacturers’ Battle

Toyota maintains the lead after Nashville in the race for the Manufacturers’ Championship title. The trucks head to Bristol where Ford and Toyota have alternated trips to Victory Lane over the last four races.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 2008 Manufacturers’ Championship Point Standings following Race 15 of 25 at Nashville Superspeedway:

Toyota 105
Chevrolet 98
Ford 73
Dodge 54

Rookie Standings

With a top-10 finish in the Music City, Roush Fenway Racing driver Colin Braun (No. 6 Con-Way Freight Ford) extends his lead to 16 points over Donny Lia (No. Nationrides.com Chevrolet) in the competition for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors.

Braun started the race fourth and finished sixth. 

NASCAR Raybestos Rookie of the Year Standings after 15 races of the 2008 season:

1. Colin Braun 155
2. Donny Lia 139
3. Justin Marks 127
4. Brian Scott 116
5. Marc Mitchell 100
6. Andy Lally 62
7. Scott Speed 61
8. Phillip McGilton 38

In The Loop: Still Chasing A Victory

Jack Sprague has gone winless over an entire season only twice. Once was 1995, the inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. The second was 2003, when he ran only two of the 25 races.

Otherwise, he’s won at least one race. But in this 2008 season, Sprague has yet to visit Victory Lane.

But the statistics suggest it’ll come sooner than later. Sprague has been strong this season, and compares favorably with those drivers who have won in 2008.

Sprague has a Driver Rating of 90.9 (sixth-best), an Average Running Position of 12.0 (eighth), 120 Fastest Laps Run (fifth) and has spent 71.6% of the total laps running among the top 15 (seventh).

Mike Skinner has also gone winless in 2008 and, like Sprague, ranks among the best in the series in most Loop Data statistics. Skinner has a Driver Rating of 97.1 (fourth), an Average Running Position of 9.6 (fourth), 63 Fastest Laps Run (eighth) and has a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 83.3% (second).

Both past champions have contended for a victory in 2008. Skinner leads the series in top-10 finishes with 12, while Sprague has four top-five and seven top-10 finishes.

Up Next:

The series heads east on Interstate 40 to swap paint at Bristol Motor Speedway Wednesday, Aug. 20.

The Johnny Benson show could continue. The driver is the defending winner of the O’Reilly 200.

Fast Facts

The Race: O’Reilly 200

The Place: Bristol Motor Speedway

The Date: August 20, 2008