Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway has been marked on the No. 23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Tundra team’s calendar all year.  It is one race on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule in which the driver and team have very little control over the outcome of the race.  The entire event is run in a 36-truck pack, and someone else’s mistake can take other drivers out of contention for the win.  The No. 23 Bill Davis Racing team knew it had to leave Talladega unscathed in order to continue the quest for its first Craftsman Truck Series Championship. 

Johnny Benson was happy with how his Tundra handled in Thursday’s practice sessions.  The truck could run in both the top and bottom grooves and was very strong in the draft.  The team spent the practice sessions making sure its Tundra did not have any tire wear issues.  It also tried a couple of different combinations to see which one would make the most sense for the race.  At the end of practice, Crew Chief Trip Bruce and Benson both were comfortable with their Tundra and were very optimistic about their chances to win the race. 

The NASCAR veteran took the green flag under almost perfect conditions Saturday at the 2.66-mile Superspeedway.  Benson made deliberate moves to keep his red-and-black Tundra out of trouble.  On lap eight, he told his team that the truck would work well in the outside groove, which he though would be faster toward the end of the event.   

Benson made a pit stop under caution on lap 20, during which time the team changed made a four-tire stop and a slight chassis adjustment.  Benson restarted sixth.  

It only took two corners for the pack to return to two-wide and three-wide racing.  Benson communicated to his team that the truck was good in clean air, and he was just taking his time.  Benson remained in the top 10 for the next 30 laps, all the while working both the top and bottom of the track. 

The team made a rare green flag pit stop on lap 52.  The team changed two right side tires and filled the truck with fuel.  The team did a tremendous job getting Benson back out onto the track   Benson radioed to his crew on lap 55 explaining the truck was a little bit tighter than the last run, but he still felt like it would be strong come in the end of the race. 

The caution flag was displayed to the field on lap 84, setting the stage for a 10-lap shootout to the finish.  Benson started working on his plan of attack.  He knew his truck was strong on the top of the track, and he could keep the motor wound up at the wall.  Benson took the white flag in the sixth spot, and it looked as if he was on his way to another top-five finish.  However, he was forced to the top of the track while coming out of turn four, and he lost all of his drafting help.  Benson crossed the finish line in the 11th spot. 

The team has its final off-weekend of the 2008 season before returning to action Saturday, Oct. 18 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.  The race will be televised live on Speed Channel.  Check local listing for start time.

 

NOTES:

• This Week’s Race Truck for Talladega Superspeedway is Chassis No. 23-11.  Chassis No. 23-11 is the team’s Superspeedway machine.  In its last three efforts, the truck has not finished worse than third.

• Certified Leader… Toyota Certified Used Vehicles will serve as the primary sponsor for the No. 23 Toyota Tundra team this weekend.  The used car leader is the first in the automotive industry to surpass two million certified used vehicles sold.

• BDR Powerhouse… With Mike Skinner’s victory two weeks ago at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Bill Davis Racing became the only team in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series history to win six or more times in three consecutive seasons.  Bill Davis Racing is also the only team to have all three entries win in one season.

• Plate Racer… Johnny Benson has always been known as “Mr. Smooth,” but what people do not realize is that he is quite the superspeedway racer.  In the last two seasons, Benson has posted one second-place finish and two third-place finishes in three outings on the Craftsman Truck Series’ fastest tracks.

• Listen and Watch… The Mountain Dew 250 is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET Saturday, Oct 4.  It will broadcast on SPEED (TV), MRN (radio) and Sirius Satellite Radio (Ch. 128).