Todd Bodine held off a fierce late-race challenge from Kyle Busch and Johnny Benson to win the season-opening Chevy Silverado 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race Friday night at Daytona International Speedway. It was Bodine's first victory at Daytona. Bodine outfoxed pole-sitter Erik Darnell during the race's final pit stop on Lap 86 to take a lead he would never surrender, bringing his Lumber Liquidators Toyota Tundra across the start-finish line 0.077 seconds over Busch's NOS Energy Drink Toyota. Benson drove from the 35th starting position to finish third, while David Starr was fourth in the Red Horse Racing Tundra, making it an all-Toyota sweep of the top four positions. Rounding out the top five was Rick Crawford in the Power Stroke Diesel by International Ford. "This is my 20th year coming to this speedway," said an exuberant Bodine, who was joined in victory lane by brother Geoffrey, the 1986 Daytona 500 winner. "I came here three years as a crew member, 17 years as a driver. Finished second and third, crashed hard, burned a couple times. Finally!" (Photo Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Race 1 - Daytona International Speedway - February 15, 2008
Race Comments: Todd Bodine won the Chevy Silverado 250 at Daytona - his
first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory at Daytona International Speedway.
Prior to the green flag the following drivers dropped to the rear for the
reasons indicated: #63 P.J. Jones, #08 Jason White, #23 Johnny Benson
(unapproved adjustments outside of impound). Failed to Qualify: (1) 54 Brian Sockwell. Time of Race: 1 hour, 57 minutes, 36 seconds Average Speed: 127.551 mph Margin of Victory: 0.077 second
Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award: Andy Lally, #7 (22 Places)
Keystone Light Pole Award: Erik Darnell, #99, 50.983 seconds, 176.529 mph
Mahle Clevite Engine Builder of the Race:
TRD, #30
Mobil 1 Command Performance Driver of the Race Award: Todd Bodine, #30
Raybestos Rookie of the Race Award: Justin Marks, #9
Sunoco Diamond Performance: Todd Bodine, #30
WIX Filters Lap Leader Award: Todd Bodine, #30 (49 Laps)
Lead Changes: 8 among 6 drivers: E. Darnell 1-12; J. White 13-14; M.
Skinner 15-16; R. Hornaday Jr. 17; T. Bodine 18-51; E. Darnell 52-84; T. Bodine
85-91; J. Benson 92; T. Bodine 93-100.
TOP 10 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES POINTS(WINS) 1 - Todd Bodine 195 (1)
2 - Johnny Benson 170 (0)
3 - Kyle Busch 170 (0)
4 - David Starr 160 (0)
5 - Rick Crawford 155 (0)
6 - Stacy Compton 150 (0)
7 - Chad McCumbee 146 (0)
8 - Justin Marks 142 (0)
9 - Brian Scott 138 (0)
10 - Dennis Setzer 134 (0)
Manufacturers Championship Points Wins Toyota 9 (1)
Ford 6 (0)
Dodge 4 (0)
Chevrolet 3 (0)
Mobil 1 Command Performance Todd Bodine 1
Raybestos Rookie of the Year Justin Marks 14
Brian Scott 12
Andy Lally 9
Phillip McGilton 8
Marc Mitchell 7
Colin Braun 6
WIX Filters Lap Leader Todd Bodine 1
Keystone Light Pole Award Standings Erik Darnell 1
NEXT EVENT: Feb. 23, 2008 - San Bernardino County 200, California
Speedway, Los Angeles, Calif. (200M) (100L) NOTE: The above figures are based on team winnings and include racing
purse and cash contingency awards by participating manufacturers. (02/18/08)
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