BENSON’S FIFTH-PLACE FINISH TOPS AMONG TOYOTAS AT PHOENIX

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Nov. 5, 2004) -- Johnny Benson, driver of the No. 23 Bill Davis Racing Tundra, was the top-finishing Toyota driver in today’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) race at Phoenix International Raceway. Benson crossed the finish line fifth at the Arizona one-mile oval to record his fifth top-five finish of the season.

“We started off the race a little loose, but as we got going my Tundra was working pretty good,” said Benson, following the race. “I really thought we had a shot at getting in the top-three -- or maybe even a win -- but the tires we put on during the last pit stop hurt us a little bit. They made the truck really ‘tight.’ But, I’m not going to complain, because it was a pretty good run and another top-five.”

Todd Bodine, driver of the No. 30 Germain/Arnold Racing Tundra, was running ahead of Benson late in the race and was looking to record his third win of the season, but he was forced to the pits while running second with 10 laps remaining. “Everything went great except we had a miscue on the tires at the end -- and you can’t race with loose tires,” said Bodine, after the race. “The tires were coming off at the end. I knew it as soon as we went to green following the final caution period. I told Mike (Hillman, crew chief) that we had a vibration. I didn’t know if it was a tire or something else. Everything was O.K. when we were running under green, but as soon as we went to a caution it loosened up. It’s unfortunate because we really had a ‘rocketship’ today -- my Toyota Tundra was just awesome.”

Following Benson to the finish line at Phoenix were Tundra drivers Travis Kvapil (12th), Mike Skinner (17th), Bill Lester (18th) and David Reutimann (21st). Bodine finished 29th, after running among the leaders during most of the race.

After 23 2004 races, three Toyota drivers sit among the top-15 in the NCTS championship point standings. Kvapil is seventh in the point standings with 2,940 points. Skinner is 13th (2,793 points) in the standings and David Reutimann is 15th (2,665 points). Reutimann also continues to top the Rookie-of-the-Year standings.

The next NCTS race is Friday, November 12, at Darlington Raceway. 

Toyota Finishing Positions @ Phoenix International Raceway
5th Johnny Benson Bill Davis Racing, No. 23 Toyota Tundra
15th Travis Kvapil Bang Racing, No. 24 Line-X Toyota Tundra
17th Mike Skinner Bill Davis Racing, No. 5 Toyota Tundra
18th Bill Lester Bill Davis Racing, No. 22 Waste Management Toyota Tundra
21st David Reutimann Darrell Waltrip Motorsports, No. 17 NTN Bearings Toyota Tundra
23rd Hank Parker Jr. Innovative Motorsports, No. 21 AirVest Tundra
29th Todd Bodine Germain/Arnold Racing, No. 30 Germain Motor Company Toyota Tundra
1st Robert Huffman Innovative Motorsports, No. 12 Toyota Tundra