TEAM REPORTS (DAYTONA, FLA.) - Johnny Benson - Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Racing Post Race Report

After an incredible three-wide finish at last year’s season opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Johnny Benson and his No. 23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Tundra team were hoping to get the job done and cross the finish line first in this year’s Chevy Silverado 250.

After rain delayed the first practice session Wednesday afternoon, the skies finally cleared. Benson and the rest of the field hit the track running strong. After encountering a few issues along the way, Benson and his TCUV crew worked on their Tundra in order to make it faster on the 2.5-mile speedway.

During the second and final practice session Thursday morning, Benson’s right front tire exploded after 25 laps and ripped off the right front fender of the truck. Benson’s TCUV crew went straight to work in an attempt to get its Tundra race ready. With so much work to be done, Benson and his crew were forced to skip the qualifying session and start from the back of the field on owner’s points.

As the 100-lap race kicked off under the lights Friday night, Benson immediately showed how great his No. 23 TCUV Tundra really was on the track. Even with the handling of his truck pushing bad and forcing him to check up, Benson was already in the 19th position by lap 10.

After the caution flag waved on lap 11, Benson dove down pit road with for four tires, fuel and three rounds up on the trackbar. Benson restarted 21st on the lap 14 restart, but he began picking off positions one by one when the race resumed.

Two more caution flags waved during the next few laps, and Benson narrowly avoided both wrecks. He again visited pit road under caution for four tires and fuel. When the race restarted for the third time on lap 33, Benson was in the fourth position. He maintained his throughout the next 20 laps.

With yet another caution flag waving on lap 54, Benson once again came to pit road for four tires and fuel. He restarted eighth on lap 57 and knew it was time to get back to the front of the field.

Benson moved up a few positions before having to pit again during the final 15 laps of the season opener. He took right side tires and fuel only during the green flag stop, then returned to the track to show his truck’s strength.

The final caution flag of the night waved on lap 86 after the front runners made serious contact. Benson avoided yet another wreck and inherited the second position with nine laps remaining in the race. As the race ended, Benson mustered everything he had to get to the start/finish line first. After fighting for the win, Benson crossed the start/finish line in the third position.

With Benson tied for the second position in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship standings, he will be fighting for the lead going into next week’s race at California Speedway. The race will be televised live Saturday, Feb. 23 on SPEED Channel.