Going into the final NASCAR Craftsman truck race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Todd Bodine (pictured) was very fortunate that he was close to locking up the 2006 Championship because he hasn't been running well lately. But mechanical failures at Atlanta & Texas put Johnny Benson behind the eight ball. In order for Benson to win the championship, he would have to win and Bodine would have to finish lower than 28th. Mike Skinner won the pole.
Mike Skinner-#5 Toyota leads the start of the race with David Reutimann-#17 Toyota second. Reutimann takes the lead on lap 11. Skinner tries to pass Reutimann on the low side on lap 13 and gets loose and hits the inside wall. He's out of the race. Joe Nemechek-#46 Ginn's Resorts Chevy gets the lead on lap 23 and Brendan Gaughan-#77 South Point Dodge passes Reutimann for second. Michael Waltrip-#12 Jani-King Toyota spins out on lap 42. Everyone pits and Mark Martin-#6 Scott's Miracle Gro Ford leads after pit stops.
Joe Nemechek gets the lead back on lap 48. Then on lap 65, Bill Lester-#22 Waste Management Toyota is racing David Reutimann and gets loose and hits the inside wall. Everyone pits during the caution but Terry Cook-#10 Powerstroke Diesel Ford stays out to lead. Nemechek gets the lead back on lap 70. Johnny Benson-#23 Exide Batteries Toyota moves up into third. Mark Martin regains the lead on lap 77. Chase Miller-#4 Dodge spins on lap 94. He slides back up the track and clips Benson on the left side. Benson has heavy damage and finishes 26th. His championship dreams are over.
Todd Bodine-#30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota is running poorly too. He has a vibration the crew can't seem to get rid of and limps home in 21st. Mark Martin & Brendan Gaughan continue to battle for the lead but Martin prevails and wins his sixth race of the season. Gaughan finishes second and rookie of the year Erik Darnell is third. Congratulations to Todd Bodine, crew chief Mike Hillman and Germain Racing for winning the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship.
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