NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Benson, driver of the No. 23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Tundra, passed veteran Mark Martin for the lead with 30 laps remaining in the 150-lap event at the Arizona one-mile oval. He was able to hold off several challenges from Martin -- along with several race restarts following caution periods -- and take his Bill Davis Racing Tundra to victory lane. The win was Benson's fifth victory of the season. Earlier this year, Benson captured the checkered flag at Michigan, Milwaukee, Nashville and New Hampshire.

The win was the 12th of the 2006 season for Toyota, and the 25th Tundra win since Toyota joined the Craftsman Truck Series at the beginning of the 2004 season.

The victory enabled Benson to remain mathematically alive to capture the Craftsman Truck Series championship next Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Grand Rapids, Mich.-native trails Bodine by 112 points in the standings. If Bodine finishes 28th or better at Miami, he will clinch the title.

"We had to work pretty hard for this one," said Benson, following the race. "I really made a stupid move at the start. My truck was a little loose in turns one and two -- and I thought it was going to be ok. But, I lost it and we had to come in and make some adjustments. I told Rick (Ren, crew chief) that we could get back up through the field if we had good pit stops."

"The whole race was challenging," added Benson. "Any time you have a truck that starts on the pole and you spin out -- it's going to make for a challenging day. The first 15 to 20 laps were ok, then it kept getting harder and harder. Guys were racing really hard, but that's what this series is all about. Guys race you tough -- which makes this win so sweet."

Bodine, who finished fourth in his No. 30 Lumber Liquidators Tundra, was able to run among the leaders throughout the race, but was never able to lead the field.

"Johnny (Benson) and Rick (Ren, crew chief) are doing exactly what they need to do -- winning races," said Bodine, following the race. "Unfortunately for them, our team is doing exactly what we need to do to continue to lead in the championship -- and that is to finish up front. We have to keep the big picture in mind. I didn't want to put myself in a position to be taken out. I wanted to keep my Tundra in one piece all night and finish in the top-five -- which is what we did."

Following Benson to the Phoenix finish line were Mike Skinner (third), Bodine (fourth), David Starr (sixth), Jack Sprague (seventh), David Reutimann (eighth), Ted Musgrave (19th), Bill Lester (20th) and Chad Chaffin (23rd).

The final race of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will take place at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Friday, November 17th.

Toyota Finishing Positions @ Phoenix International Raceway
1st, JOHNNY BENSON
3rd, MIKE SKINNER
4th, TODD BODINE
6th, DAVID STARR
7th, JACK SPRAGUE
8th, DAVID REUTIMANN
19th, TED MUSGRAVE
20th, BILL LESTER
23rd, CHAD CHAFFIN

Toyota Drivers in the NCTS Point Standings -- following Phoenix International Raceway**
1st, TODD BODINE 3,566 points
2nd, JOHNNY BENSON 3,454 points
3rd, DAVID REUTIMANN 3,383 points
4th, TED MUSGRAVE 3,250 points
5th, DAVID STARR 3,209 points
7th, JACK SPRAGUE 3,173 points
8th, MIKE SKINNER 3,156 points
22nd, BILL LESTER 2,122 points
** Unofficial Point Standings