Three points. That’s all that separates Johnny Benson and Ron Hornaday in their quest for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title.
After pulling out a squeaker against Mike Skinner in the championship fight last season, Ron Hornaday Jr. goes into this weekend at Homestead in the number two position. With six wins this season the three time champion bests last season, but has struggled some, bringing his average finish to 10th. If there is one thing Hornaday has proved though, it’s don’t count him out.
With five wins and the same number of poles this season Johnny Benson is just a breath away from his first truck series championship. Benson has had several opportunities to widen the gap between he and the rest of the competition, but he too has struggled. Perhaps most fresh in everyone’s mind is the misstep last weekend at Phoenix. Benson has the momentum going into this weekend, but three points is nothing to overcome.
With owner Kevin Harvick backing Hornaday up this weekend, I would argue he has the upper hand. Anybody remember last year when Harvick blocked Skinner in on pit road? Ultimately it did not matter, but Harvick has proven he is willing to do what it takes to make sure his guy sits at the big table in Hollywood (Florida that is). Both drivers are sure to be up front all night and that could mean bad news for Benson.
Hornaday does historically have the edge on Benson, but since both men began racing full time (again for Hornaday) in the truck series in 2005, they have the same average finish of 10th. Benson here though has the edge as the returning winner of the race. The biggest problem facing him though is lack of teammate support on track. BDR has Taylor Malsam, Mike Skinner and Scott Speed entered, but it is unlikely they will be in a position to help Benson.
Whatever the case, either driver has a wide open chance at this thing. So if you’re looking for the best points battle of the year, don’t wait until Saturday or Sunday. Friday night’s truck series race is sure to be a best bet.
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on Nov 14th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Why do you say that Mike Skinner and Scott Speed won’t be in a position to help? Maybe not on pit road where the pit stalls are selected before qualifying. There are other drivers out there that might be in a position to help too. Whether they choose to or not is another story. What’s going to hamper JB the most is the HP that NASCAR took away earlier this year. The Toyota drivers stated many times, that with the loss of HP, they can’t keep up on the straightaways in the intermediate tracks.
When did Harvick block Skinner on pit road last year? If I remember correctly, the pit stalls from 1-3 were: Skinner, Blaney, Hornaday.
on Nov 14th, 2008 at 7:43 am
What are your thoughts on NASCAR’s new no testing policy as reported on ESPN?
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/news/story?id=3702207
on Nov 14th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Robyn - Taylor Malsam will be a back marker, Skinner may be able to help, but he hasn’t been in a position to most of the season and Scott Speed is only looking out for Scott Speed.
As far as the horsepower goes, it hasn’t been a problem for Benson, Busch, or Skinner who all have wins on intermediate tracks. One thing you learn quickly around this business is that whenever horsepower is taken away they are going to complain and say whatever makes their argument sound good. Talk to anybody in the garage and they will tell you the horsepower thing is a non-issue.
The pit road incident occurred at Phoenix last year (sorry if it made it sound like it was at Homestead). As I remember it Skinner’s guys were ready to go at it out with Harvick’s.
on Nov 14th, 2008 at 9:49 am
This will be the best race of the final weekend. I vote that the truck Champion and the race winner (could be one in the same-then we’re talking bonus) receives what the Cup race winner receives and vice versa. To the most exciting show for the fans goes the spoils! Unfortunately, the truck winner may win what the last place Cup “starter” receives.
Does the crowd really need to stick around for the Cup race anyway?
on Nov 14th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Thanks for the clarification on the pit road incident. Seems like Phoenix isn’t the best for BDR trucks in the championship hunt.
I know that Malsam is going to be a backmarker, that’s why I didn’t mention him. (I’m biased, but the “veteran” should have been put in the truck.) BDR has at least one other “ally” on the track. So we’ll see what happens.
I would hope that Speed and Skinner see the big picture and don’t cause too much trouble tonight. But then again, with egos, anything can happen.
As for the hp issue, I’ll listen to what you have to say since you are in the garage and I’m not. And I have no clue about mechanical things.
Thanks again and good luck this weekend.
on Nov 15th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Go Johnny, Go, Congrates to BDR and Johnny for a job well done. Team mates Skinner and Speed did help as much as they could toward the end of the race. I must say that Hornaday and Harvick were the perfect sportsmen at the end of the race both walking up during the TV intterview shaking hands and giving their congrates to Johnny. Great Race Great Championship.
on Nov 15th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Steve- Definitely a great race. I was surprised by the amount of help Speed gave there at the end.
on Nov 16th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Great race! I’m finally done celebrating. I was shocked by how much Speed helped out at the end. I was shocked that is was reported that Rowdy was willing to help out too.
All I have to say is thank goodness I am not a crew chief.