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Darnell wins Cool City Customs 200

Jun 14, 2008 - 9:36 PM BROOKLYN, Michigan (Ticker) -- Erik Darnell nipped Johnny Benson by the slimmest of margins to win Saturday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Cool City Customs 200.

In a Ford, Darnell earned his second career victory by edging Benson's Toyota by just five one-thousandths of a second at the start/finish line at Michigan International Speedway. It took NASCAR several seconds afterward to announce the winner.

"Man, I tell you what ... Johnny raced me really clean all day," said Darnell, who earned Ford's first win of the season. "That's what NASCAR Craftsman Truck racing is all about."

Darnell passed Ron Hornaday Jr. with 25 laps remaining and survived a late caution for his first win since Kansas last season.

Benson appeared to have the lead by mere inches as the two exited the fourth turn, but Darnell barely slipped past him on the high side at the stripe.

"I could say I was a close second," Benson said. "I thought I had a good enough run on him, but he got by."

There was some consolation Saturday for Benson, who took the lead in the series standings by 15 points over Todd Bodine, who finished fourth. Scott Speed finished third in Toyota.

Hornaday entered the race with the series lead, but was spun by Kyle Busch on the final lap and wound up 23rd. He now sits third, 21 points behind Benson.

Brendan Gaughan was fifth. Colin Braun, Busch, pole-sitter Mike Skinner, Chad McCumbee and Terry Cook rounded out the top-10.